The Women’s Fund was established in 2000 by the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester with the vision of helping women within our community.  Starting with 100 women, our goal was to make a difference in the lives of women and their families. Those first 100 women, known as the Founders were more than just the first donors, they were the very foundation of The Women’s Fund. Everything they did, every decision they made, every chance they took was for the first time. As with all new ventures, some decisions were perfect, while some were not. Over the years, The Women’s Fund has evolved to meet the changing needs of our community and the changing interests of our donors – but there is one thing that has endured. The Women’s Fund is an endowment fund. It is a legacy of caring, it is a legacy of giving. It serves the needs of this generation of women and will continue to serve future generations of women.

We will remain Women Helping Women in Need.

Our Mission

To create a powerful legacy within our community through an endowed fund that enhances the lives of women in need through focused grant making.

Our Purpose

To create a powerful legacy of women devoted to improving the community through philanthropic endeavors, provide financial support to nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of women in need. We issue scholarships for ongoing educational endeavors.

Our Vision

To strengthen and grow a legacy of giving that supports women in need within our community.

Advisory Board


Lori Heizer & Erika Kruse

Co-Presidents

Kathy Bogdziewicz

Recording Secretary

Kathy McCarter

Corresponding Secretary

Advisory Committee


Holly Dolphin

Jeannine Krupp

 

    Jen Mihalick

Sue Upton

Rochester Area Neighborhood House is The Women’s Fund’s oldest nonprofit partner in assisting local women. It was the logical choice for the first grant because its focus closely mirrors the philosophy of The Women’s Fund – providing relatively modest amounts of money at critical times can literally change lives. Over the years, The Women’s Fund has awarded emergency Mini-grants for food, housing, transportation and education, assisted women in completing their education, funded emergency medical expenses and in 2014 funded an educational program called Empowering Women in Need with Job Seeking/ Job Keeping Skills. Rochester Area Neighborhood House has been the community’s emergency safety net for 50 years. We help families who might be struggling, we address their immediate needs first and then assist them towards sustainability. The Women’s Fund has enabled us to direct funds to local women in need and has been there for us.

Linda Riggs - Executive Director, Rochester Area Neighborhood House