Womens Leadership Fund

What Is The Orange County Women’s Leadership Fund?

The Orange County Women’s Leadership Fund (WLF) is a new and vitally important initiative that promotes the independence, growth, and self-determination of women and girls.

The WLF supports projects that generate positive opportunities and help women and girls obtain financial self-reliance.

It mobilizes the caring power of women in our communities who, as philanthropic leaders and advocates, positively impact the lives of women and girls in Orange County.

Click here to learn more about the Women's Leadership Fund.

Our Mission

To create lasting change that moves women and girls toward financial independence.

Our Goals

To create a non-traditional network for giving, whereby people can pool their resources to enact change in their communities that will impact the lives of women and girls.
To award grants that support programs for women and girls as they strive to reach their full potential.
To actively encourage collaborative relationships that help eliminate obstacles faced by women and girls.
To establish self-sustaining resources for furthering the goals of the WLF by creating a legacy endowment.

Members of the Orange County Women’s Leadership Fund have a very powerful voice – a voice that decides where the monies raised will be distributed.

Of the funds raised through this initiative, 85% will be granted the following year, 10% will go to our endowment fund, 5% will be used for administrative costs.

How You Can Help

Spread the word.

Become a Founding Member and make a donation.

Become a WLF volunteer and join one of these committees:
Fundraising
Allocations
Marketing & Member Relations
Special Events

Share your ideas about the needs of women and girls in our communities, and about the organizations addressing those needs.

Host a small gathering of your friends and colleagues so they can learn more about the Orange County Women’s Leadership Fund.

You, too, can join the list of individuals listed below and difference in the lives of women and girls in our communities through the WLF, call Orange County United Way at 845.457.4774 or email us at womensleadershipfund@uwoc.org.

Founding 500 Members
Founding members have demonstrated their commitment to helping women and girls gain financial independence by making a contribution of $500 or more to the Women's Leadership Fund. Fourteen members wish to remain anonymous.

Peggy Abt
Nadia Allen
Melissa Begendorf
Debbie Bogdanski
Melissa Bonacic
Jessica Callihan
Kimberly Cardona-Smith
Mellissa Carrier
Susan Cayea
Catherine Chew
Tracey Cifone
Donna Cornell
Hon. Lori Currier-Woods
Patricia Diness
Judy Eurich
Pandora Falkner
Robert & Barbara Fehribach
Marlabetz Figueroa
Gianna Franco
Eileen Glassman
Claudia Grammatico
Maureen Halahan
Christina Hale
Benita Hamilton
Kathleen Hankins
Flo Hannes
Linda Harrison
Sheri Herbert
Christine Krahulik
Kathleen MacDonald
Robie Mackerley
Rosalyn Magidson
Anne Matsui
Renee McCabe-Lempka
Michele McKeon
Frances Melder
Jen Memmelaar
Karen Miller
Linda Muller
Marianne Murray
Carol O’Malley-Levitan
Barbara Ostrander
Stacie J. Patterson
Sharon Perna
Diane Pine
Dreena Pross
Nancy Proyect
Ellen Quimby
Ita Rahilly
Susan Roell
Kathy Russo
Robin Seccafico
Alanna Smith
Maggie Smith
Karen Staples
Barbara Strauss
Janet Sullivan
Sharon Warantz
Jonnie Wesley-Krueger
Linda Weyant
Robin White
Lori Anne Wolkoff
Jodie Yankanin

The Orange County Women’s Leadership Fund Awards First Grants That Will Promote Positive Change for Women and Girls

The Orange County Women’s Leadership Fund (WLF) is proud to announce the awarding of its first round of grants, totaling $14,369, for collaborative projects designed to promote financial stability for women and girls in Orange County. The WLF, a new fund of Orange County United Way, was founded by women who recognize the need to promote the independence, growth, and self determination of women and girls. This is accomplished through grants that support projects that will create systemic change and move women and girls toward financial stability and independence.

Literacy Volunteers of Western Orange County will receive a grant to provide seed funding for Women and Financial Literacy. The goal of this non-traditional program is to help women gain an understanding of the basic principals of fiscal management and responsibility.

Winslow Therapeutic Riding Unlimited, Inc. will present a weekly program, To See the Opportunities and Barriers for Women, which will allow girls to examine how customs, language and societal norms provide both opportunities, as well as barriers, to success.

Child Support Technical Assistance, offered by the YWCA of Orange County, fills an existing gap for timely information and assistance to women who are experiencing difficulty navigating the complex system of filing for support or enforcement of a child support order.

The Independent Living Skills “LIFE” Program at McQuade Children’s Services will enable girls ages 12 to 18 to cultivate the skills needed to become independent adults by taking an active role in developing their individual independent living goals.

The Save Yourself Program will expand the services of Safe Homes and the Orange County Family Justice Center to include resources for women who wish to initiate or enhance their current educational or technical skills.

Women's Leadership Fund Grant Application

The deadline for the Women's Leadership Fund Grant Application has been extended to May 15, 2010 with notification by June 30, 2010.

Click here to view the grant application.

Experience “The Power of the Purse”- A Spectacular Evening
of Designer Handbag Auctions

Come experience the “Power of the Purse,” – the ultimate ladies’ night out featuring silent and live auctions of new and vintage designer handbags. The evening takes place on Friday, April 23rd from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Catlin Gardens in Slate Hill. The event includes a live band, refreshments, terrific prizes, and lots of ladies having a great time for a good cause. Tickets are $65 and can be obtained by calling Orange County United Way at 845-457-4774 ext. 3108 or click here to learn more. Proceeds benefit the Orange County Women’s Leadership Fund. The Women’s Leadership Fund, in partnership with Orange County United Way, is dedicated to creating lasting change that moves women and girls toward financial independence.

Thanks to this year's Power of the Purse Sponsors

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