Girls Granting Initiative

The mission of the Girls Granting Initiative through the Women’s Fund is to provide high school age girls with the opportunity to experience philanthropy though the grant-making process and ultimately, to empower them to become life-long philanthropists.  Beginning from the Women’s Fund 10 year anniversary initiative, the “Power of 10”.  This unique partnership provides the Women's Fund with the voices & perspectives of teens we need in order to better understand issues they face.  It also allows the girls to be conduits of change that can make a difference in the lives of their peers.

The program initiated in 2010 with a generous grant $10,000 from the JJ Keller Foundation. Over the past ten years nearly 170 high school girls have participated, with more than $75,000 being granted to numerous community nonprofits.  The programs and campaigns which have been directly supported by the GGI range from healthy relationships to human trafficking, with the most recent grant going towards community outreach for mental health education and mentorship programs with teen girls and young women. 

The girls who take part in the program are recommended to the Women’s Fund by the guidance counselors at each of the three area high schools.  They meet multiple times over the course of several months to: discuss current issues they see or experience, brainstorm what they’d like to see changed, grant proposals and budgets from local nonprofits what are aimed at addressing issues the group identified, then finally choosing how and to whom the $10,000 grant will be distributed.  They learn quickly through this process how costly and difficult it can be to affect real social change.  The program is facilitated by the Women’s Fund with the guidance of a unbiased consultant who helps lead discussions when needed.  The girls must come to a joint consensus but are given full autonomy over their decisions.  

Philanthropy can seem like a elusive concept, or even an unattainable ambition to many, especially to our youth.  This initiative offers them an experience in the world of philanthropy.  One that hopefully demystifies its (assumed) complexity, while making it a more approachable effort.

Although every granting year is different, the grantees are different, the groups of girls are different, the issues are often different, what always remains constant is how impressed we always are by the girls.  Their earnestness, their insights, and their desire to really make a difference in the community - is present in every grant cycle.  It continues to inspire us each and every year.  Our donors and grant recipients are continually encouraged along with us.  

Below is part of what Heidi Dusek , Exec. Director of the JJ Keller Foundation feels is a key element in their involvement with the Girls Granting Initiative:

“Everything is bigger than you.  Empathy is our driving factor, and I hope girls find their voice in all of this, that you don’t have to be what people think you are and what your passionate about.  You can see things differently and understand things differently that what the world tells you should know.  Part of that is just finding your voice in this space of complexity.  Knowing what I stand for what I believe in….

I hope this is a safe space where girls can explore all of those things and know they don’t have to get it right, I don’t care what the answer on the test is for this case, its not black and white.  Its as much of an art as it is a science.  Helping them see the world in that way is truly inspirational and if they can find a place in that….you can’t teach that very easily.” 

Here are what a couple of the girls had to say about their experience this year:

“Even though we didn't know each other going into it, we were able to bond quickly & able to relate to each other.  Even though sometimes you can feel really alone in what you're going though or issues within school, most girls share the same feelings and views.  And there is power in numbers especially when people want to make change.”

“I saw this opportunity as an to help other girls in our community & as a chance to be a voice for those girls who never get to speak and be heard.”

How would a collaborative opportunity like this have affected you as a high school student? Or shaped your perspective of philanthropy?  How about your children?  There are arguably more challenges in society today, as well as more awareness to issues.  With programs like this, our next generation is able to experience first-hand how it feels to make a impact for others.  They also see the challenges What a gift to them, to our community now, and to our future society.  Lessons in philanthropy at such a young and impressionable age, can prove influential and long lasting.  One that we hope empowers them to make philanthropy a life-long act.

Would you like to know more about how to support the Women’s Fund Girls Granting Initiative or the many ways you can bring philanthropy into your life?  Connect with us today!