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May

26

Women’s Community Foundation of Cuyahoga County shutting down


This item from the Plain Dealer’s Metro blog is very sad:

The Women’s Community Foundation, which has supported programs for women and girls in Greater Cleveland for more than 20 years, will permanently close May 30.

“The economic times in Cleveland for fundraising are challenging,” said executive director Roberta Mancini. “We were in a state of limbo where we were just getting by, and that’s not what our mission is. Our mission is to make an incredible difference. . .”

The foundation, created in 1981, has given away more than $800,000, and was the only one in the community to focus only on women and girls.

The foundation has struggled financially, narrowly avoiding collapse in the mid-90′s.

The foundation’s endowment will be converted to a donor advised fund at the Cleveland Foundation. It will support programs for women and girls.

“I’m really encouraging people to continue to give to the fund,” Mancini said. “Our legacy will continue.”

I’ve known of the foundation since 1990, when I applied for a grant to fund the training of health care professionals to identify, assess and intervene on behalf of domestic violence victims who present in pediatric settings (Rainbow Babies & Children Hospital to be exact). Eventually, the Bruening Foundation came through, but I’ve referred other people to the WCF over the years.

Then, just this past December, I attended a luncheon hosted by the foundation that centered on The White House Project and getting women into leadership roles. The event was well-attended and there was no hint that the Foundation was in any trouble.

I haven’t worked in foundation relations since the late 1980s, but hearing of the demise of the Women’s Community Foundation makes me want to find a way to become more involved in those philanthropic organizations that fill a purpose. I hope the Cleveland Foundation makes the fund well-known because I know there is still a need.

Its mission:

Incorporated in 1984, the WCF began its philanthropic journey funding grants that support various woman-related community programs. Over 20 plus years, WCF has expanded its reach to include funding and programming events that address issues such as sexual harassment, domestic violence and mentoring. Each year, the foundation works to increase women’s access to vocational guidance, safe housing, medical information, childcare, educational opportunities, and financial guidance; and girls’ access to education, job opportunities, mentoring activities and health information. The WCF works towards raising the hopes and dreams of women and girls across the diverse population of Northeast Ohio.   The WFC uses grants to promote opportunities and foster social change in the Greater Cleveland Area. Grants are awarded twice a year, and can range from $2500 to $10,000. To find out more about WCF grant funding, please contact us at 216-622-0920 or email us a

Here’s info on who was funded in 2006:

WCF proudly recognizes 10 recipients of Winter 2006 grant funding for a grand total of $43,715 in awards. The programming initiated by the following grantees closely aligns with WCF’s two key funding areas: mentoring programs for girls and young women and financial education for women of all ages.
Cleveland Art Theatre
Support for the six-week Transitions after-school and Saturday mentoring and empowering program for girls ages 11 – 16. The program includes mentoring and peer group activities such as role playing, collage-making and videography.Cuyahoga Community College Foundation*
Support for the Women in Transition/Displaced Homemakers Program, which teaches participants the Money Smart financial management curriculum.Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Center of Greater Cleveland
The Truly Independent Lesbian Financial Seminar Series addresses the financial needs of lesbians: topics on starting one’s own business, first time home buying, financial management, financial planning and investing, and financial independence.

Ohio Business Week Foundation
Support for the weeklong summer Ohio Business Week Program, in which high school students learn hands-on about starting and running a business. Three female students from the Cleveland area will participate.

Planned Parenthood of Greater Cleveland*
The Taking Charge of Today, Reaching for Tomorrow Conference promotes healthy decision-making skills and self-esteem in girls, and it provides tools for adult caregivers and professionals to help teens through the changes and challenges of young womanhood.

   South Euclid/Lyndhurst School District/Charles F. Brush High School*
Funding for a new educational initiative within this school district, the MAC Sisters Program, that will address the achievement gap of African-American students, in particular African-American girls.Transitional Housing, Inc.*
Assistance for the Woman to Woman Mentoring Program, a volunteer-driven intervention for the women of THI. The program supports a variety of existing programs: goal setting, tutoring, career development and computer literacy.YMARI (Youth Mentoring And At Risk Intervention, Inc.)
Funding for the after-school Streets to the Stage Mentoring Program, geared towards girls aged 10-18, focusing on hip hop dance. A recital will take place at the end of the program.

Young Lives Greater Cleveland Area*
Funding for the Young Lives outreach program to pregnant and parenting teen moms, in the Collinwood neighborhood, through the sharing of ministry. Help will be given to the teen moms in securing the necessary resources needed in order to ensure their and their children’s ability to become independent, responsible and productive community citizens.

Youth Opportunities Unlimited*
Support for the Teen Parent Empowerment Program (Teen PEP) program that helps teen mothers on welfare build academic skills, life skills, and employability skills.

Here are some of their sponsors for their speakers’ series:

The Women’s Community Foundation would like to acknowledge the ongoing support of National City and Allegiant Funds. The participation of our lead sponsors is critical to the success of the Speaker’s Series!

WCF acknowledges these generous contributors who support the third annual Speaker’s Series:

Media Sponsor:

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 8:54 am May 26th, 2008 in Cleveland+, Education, Gender, Ohio, Women 

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