When I became the first woman of color to serve as president and CEO of The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, I stated my vision of equity in no uncertain terms. Some were startled by my vision to redistribute resources to people who are historically and systemically denied access based on their gender, race, class, or other intersections of identity. Isn’t The Foundation about ALL women, they asked?
“YES!,” I said. And, in my first newsletter as president and CEO in 2015, I quoted Adjoa Andoh, who wrote, “My name is many and without all parts, I have no name at all.”
What does that mean?
It means we must NAME and INVEST in the inherent power of women. We must name and invest in Indigenous, immigrant, gender-expansive, disabled, and rural leaders who experience the steepest barriers firsthand. They know what women in their communities need better than anyone. Women and girls receive less than 1.9% of all charitable dollars. Women and girls of color receive less than one penny of every dollar granted by foundations. WFCO is changing that with our Women & Girls of Color Fund. We can do better.
It means we must NAME the issues and painful histories then CHALLENGE unfair systems. This includes unapologetically calling out obstructive barriers and passing even more legislation. Lifting women out of poverty lifts us all.
It means we must NAME and INNOVATE strategies to lift women at risk of falling into poverty and prevent their falling in. We champion and utilize cash assistance through our WINcome grantmaking program. We use 100% gender-lens investing and diverse managers to demonstrate what we know to be true – we are all more successful when women have a seat at the table.
In these uncertain times, be certain that The Women’s Foundation of Colorado will never retrench nor waiver from these values. Our commitment doesn’t waver. Our vision doesn’t blur. Our determination only grows stronger.
In times that test our resolve, we answer with action.
As I approach my January 2025 retirement, I am confident in the future of The Women’s Foundation of Colorado and its impact on freedom in women’s lives. There is a groundswell of dynamic leadership statewide prepared to build a vessel for our next generation.
Our love compels us to act with passion, compassion, generosity and kindness, to lift up and never hold down members of our community whether they are seen or unseen, known or unknown to us.
Philanthropy is not about side-stepping or self-congratulation. It is about investing in our collective future and freedom. Freedom to live, love, work, and age with grace. To access food, housing, education, and health care. Freedom to read any book and to choose whether to have children or not. To feel safe in our bodies and our faith. There are no higher purposes for which our privilege can aspire today and for generations ahead.
I am deeply grateful for having had the privileged opportunity to be in service to and with Colorado women and their families alongside our unrelenting board, staff, nonprofits, donors, and community statewide.
Last year alone, we funded the work of 250 grantee partners and helped pass nearly 30 pieces of legislation that give Colorado women and their families more access to opportunity, more money in their pockets, and more safety to live the lives they choose!
“I am inspired by the incredible collective power we all possess. Let this remind us that change is not just possible; it’s inevitable when we come together with purpose and passion.”
STAFF as of December 31, 2024
Crystal Ayala-Goldstein, programs manager
Lauren Y. Casteel, president & CEO
Lisa Christie, vice president of communications
Elva Escobedo, events manager
Renee Ferrufino, vice president of development
Alison Friedman Phillips, director of programs, policy, & advocacy
Erica Jackson, digital marketing manager
Camisha Lashbrook, director of donor relations and strategic grantmaking
Angela Leal, senior accountant
Tommie Mailey, controller
Louise Myrland, vice president of programs
Manushkka Sainvil, executive and board coordinator
Jen Schwem, database administrator
Maggie McHenry Stoot, director of development
BOARD OF TRUSTEES as of December 31, 2024
Courtney Allen-Lussenhop, secretary
Dawn Bookhardt
Sandy Cook
Emily Davis
Jennifer Dunn
Lori Feehan, treasurer
Helen Gair
Allison Gambill
Katherine Gold
Debbie Hammons
Carly Hare
Annie Lee
Mary Ann Littler, vice chair
Betsy Mordecai Heyman
John Mullaney
Stephanie O’Malley
Jodi Rogers
Ruth Rohs
Katherine Rosechild
Patty Salazar
Tara Smith
Faye Tate
Cody Teets
Carly Wendt
Tania Zeigler, chair
TANIA ZEIGLER Chair of the Board
OUR STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE
As the only community-funded community foundation in the state advancing gender, racial, and economic equity, we leverage community investments and every tool we have to dismantle systemic barriers, close equity gaps, and advance meaningful change.
In times that test our resolve, we answer with:
• Grantmaking and investments: We invest in partnerships, programs, and people.
• Research: We identify barriers to gender, racial, and economic opportunity and explore solutions to overcome them.
• Public policy: We advance systems and policies that value women and girls, close income gaps, and dismantle barriers to opportunity.
• Community convenings and learnings: We amplify the wisdom and leadership of diverse voices to connect and activate our community.
• Communications: We rewrite the narrative about investing in women and elevate the stories of Colorado women and their families.
• Philanthropy: We partner with donors to create a more equitable and just Colorado for women, especially women of color, and gender-expansive people and their families. Your generosity is our most powerful tool.
OUR VISION
A future where Colorado women and girls of every background and identity prosper.
OUR MISSION
Catalyzing community to advance and accelerate economic opportunities for Colorado women and their families.
› Rewriting the narrative: Erika Wayoro, a participant in WINcome’s cash assistance efforts through the Center for Community Wealth Building, shares her experience with Micah Smith of Denver7.
› It’s about people, not politics: More than 140 people attended our “Ballots & Bubbles” events in 2024 to learn more about statewide and local ballot measures with the help of our staff and ballot guide, The Womanifesto
› Amplifying the wisdom and leadership of diverse voices: The Women’s Foundation of Colorado hosted our first-ever community partner convening for our Women & Girls of Color Fund and WINcome grantee partners in 2024. The two-day convening, hosted at The Colorado Health Foundation, centered community building, resource sharing, and learning sessions designed from grantee partner feedback.
WINCOME
With our 17 WINcome grantee partners, we provide access to resources for women to meet basic needs and achieve their economic security goals.
Our direct-service grantee partners pair cash assistance and holistic services for the women and gender-expansive people in their communities. Holistic services include employment education and training, entrepreneurship resources, and support for meeting basic needs. WINcome public policy grantee pa rtners advocate for systems change to improve access to and increase public investment in supports, such as flexible cash assistance.
FY 2023-24 is the last year of our three-year WINcome grantmaking commitment that commenced in 2021. We look forward to sharing news about our next three-year commitment in 2025
CASH FOR COLORADANS
As an extension of our WINcome grantmaking, The Women’s Foundation of Colorado co-leads the Cash for Coloradans Coalition. We unite advocates statewide to further systems change and allow for easier access to cash assistance, basic income, guaranteed income, and tax credits in Colorado. Individuals, organizational representatives, government employees, f unders, and advocates are welcome to join the coalition. Please email wincome@wfco.org to get started.
FY 2023-24: WINCOME
17 grantee partners were awarded $916,000
95% of participants agreed that cash assistance through WINcome is having a significant positive impact on meeting their personal goals
The top-three uses of cash assistance by participants are rent, mortgage, housing; transportation or car expenses; and home expenses
15,639 people have benefited from WINcome’s cash assistance since 2021
“It felt joyful,” said Cassandra. “It was like a gorilla was lifted off my shoulders.”
› Cassandra: For Cassandra, The Gathering Place was a source of community, companionship, and cash assistance.
GRANTEE PROFILE: THE GATHERING PLACE – DENVER
The Gathering Place guides women, transgender, and non-binary individuals, as well as children living in poverty from a place of crisis and instability to one of stability and security. For Cassandra, 64, The Gathering Place was a source of community, companionship, and cash assistance.
A lthough Cassandra worked as a preschool teacher and a senior clerk at Denver Public Library for years, her retirement income didn’t carry her through a whole month of expenses. She could pay her bills only if no other difficulties arose.
When Cassandra’s daughter needed help paying her mortgage, Cassandra stepped in, but then she couldn’t make her own rent. The Gathering Place provided rental assistance made possible through WFCO’s WINcome grant. In another instance, after discovering Cassandra was experiencing severe back pain from sleeping on a futon, The Gathering Place used cash assistance provided by WINcome to help her purchase a bed.
Cassandra died in September 2024 from multiple health issues. To make a donation to The Gathering Place in her honor, scan the QR code.
WOMEN & GIRLS OF COLOR FUND
In 2024, corporations and foundations began discreetly pulling back from their commitments to racial justice made in 2020 while funders second guessed the legality of their racial equity grantmaking. At the same time, attacks on the agency of women and LGBTQ+ people –especially at the intersections of race and gender – eroded progress.
The Women’s Foundation of Colorado will continue to explicitly and unapologetically fund the leadership of women, girls, and gender-expansive people of color because there is power in their lived experiences and validity in their community solutions. The g rants provide these leaders the freedom to care for themselves, invest in their teams, and respond to critical community needs. Beginning in FY 2024-25, WFCO will provide two years of funding for all Women & Girls of Color Fund g rantee partners.
Since 2021, The Women’s Foundation and our Women & Girls of Color Fund advisory council have granted $2.5 million to over 80 women and nonbinary leaders of color.
› Power and wisdom: Sadé Cooper (left), president and CEO of Collaborative Healing Within Communities (CHIC), received WINcome and Women & Girls of Color funding in 2024.
FY 2023-24: WOMEN & GIRLS OF COLOR FUND
34 Women & Girls of Color Fund grantees received $707,000
24 organizations are located along the Front Range 10 organizations are located in rural communities
95% of respondents were able to invest in their staff
71% agreed that they were better able to perform at their fullest potential within their organization
GRANTEE PROFILE: TU CASA - ALAMOSA
Alamosa’s Tu Casa provides services for those who have experienced domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, child sexual abuse, and human trafficking in t he six counties that make up the San Luis Valley. Theresa Ortega served as a bilingual family advocate, forensic interviewer, and team coordinator at Tu Casa for over a decade before becoming its first Latina executive director.
“The Women & Girls of Color Fund grant was a game changer for myself and the organization I serve. It is an incentive not only for nonprofits to consider women and girls of color as leaders, but shows other agencies and those we serve that people of color and women have the power to effect change as well. I not only felt supported, but empowered.”
› Cultural responsiveness: Born and raised in the San Luis Valley, Theresa Ortega uses her cultural background, upbringing, and love for the San Luis Valley to be culturally sensitive to the needs of the community.
PUBLIC POLICY
In 2024, we supported 29 bills and resolutions at the State Capitol, 27 of which passed. Among them:
• State income tax credit for careworkers
• Family affordability tax credit
• Pilot program to increase uptake of the Earned Income Tax Credit
• E xpanded protections to improve maternal health and access to midwives in Colorado
• A racial equity study to quantify the inequalities experienced by Black Coloradans
We also helped expand access to the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, menstrual products for students, protections against discrimination for hair length associated w ith one’s race, and more.
WOMANIFESTO
In September 2024, we released our nonpartisan ballot guide, The Womanifesto, which took positions on three statewide measures and four local measures. Nearly 900 people downloaded the ballot guide to inform their votes in November 2024
The Family Affordability Tax Credit is expected to cut childhood poverty in half in Colorado when it is implemented in 2025.
› Advocacy Day 2024: Louise Myrland, WFCO vice president of programs, describes how Colorado is outpacing the national average in reducing the gender pay gap.
› Demystifying the legislative process: Attendees at our Advocacy Day are welcomed by Rep. Lorena Garcia.
RESEARCH
We knew that leading the coalition to pass the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act was the right thing to do. Now, our research confirms that it’s working. A research brief from The Women’s Foundation of Colorado shows that since the law was implemented in 2021, pay for women working full-time in Colorado increased from 78 cents to 85 cents for every dollar paid to similarly qualified men. Colorado’s shrinking pay gap means that women working full-time earn an average of $2,952 more per year (men experienced no decrease in their pay since 2021, even when accounting for inflation). This amount could cover two months of the median 2024 rent in Colorado Springs or nearly three months of full-time center based child care for a 4-year-old.
WFCO also partnered with Point b(e) Strategies to establish an analysis of the flexible cash (distributed via gift cards or payments to third parties) and direct cash landscape in Colorado. This effort, which began in the summer of 2023, analyzed program evaluations, organization websites, 1:1 conversations, coalition meetings, among other materials. The result was the report, “Cash in Colorado: A Landscape Analysis of Colorado Direct Cash Transfers” to help us understand how to best deploy this key financial tool for women to achieve economic freedom.
› Highlighting gender-affirming care: Keira Richards, executive director of Trans C ontinental Pipeline, tables at our 2024 Chat4Change highlighting gender-affirming care.
CHAT4CHANGE
In June 2024, national thought leader and founding CEO of Transhealth, Dallas Ducar, presented insights and information on affirming healthcare. A panel of local changemakers working to expand care connections in Colorado to fit and honor the identity of our LGBTQ+ community followed her interview. In May 2024, Lauren Y. Casteel hosted a conversation with Camille Dungy, the Fort Collins author of “Soil: The Story of A Black Mother’s Garden.” Dungy illustrated how the plants in her garden serve as a metaphor for the importance of cultivating diverse and intersectional language in our environmental discourse.
ADVOCATING FOR IMPACT
On Equal Pay Day 2024, we gathered under the dome with dozens of advocates to witness the legislative process in real time, understand the impact of the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, and meet legislators sponsoring the bills supported by The Women’s Foundation. Advocacy Day was accompanied by virtual Advocating4Impact trainings throughout the session and an end-of-session celebration event.
Leading into election season, The Women’s Foundation brought 140 Coloradans together to learn about their ballot guides, including statewide and local measures.
“What a fantastic convening of women passionate about one another statewide. Thank you for your mission and for holding space for opportunities to engage like these.”
— Ballots & Bubbles participant
› 2024 Mother’s Day Chat4Change: Lauren Y. Casteel chats with author Camille Dungy at a 2024 Chat4Change at the Museum for Black Girls.
COMMUNICATIONS
From a segment on Denver7’s “Real Talk” series about cash assistance programs in Colorado to a partnership with the Black Millennial Mom podcast on Rocky Mountain PBS, we bring awareness to the persistent barriers keeping women from economic advancement and the lasting impacts they have on families.
You answer with
› Community building: Members of the giving circle Sisterhood of Philanthropists Impacting Needs (SPIN) attend our 2024 Annual Luncheon.
generosity
› Visions of equity: Annual Luncheon special guests Kali Fajardo-Anstine and Jordan Casteel honor Lauren Y. Casteel at her last luncheon, along with Vice President of Development Renee Ferrufino.
WFCO IS YOUR PHILANTHROPIC HOME
If you value investing in women, The Women’s Foundation of Colorado is your philanthropic home. Our donors’ generosity resources leaders strengthening communities statewide and creates economic opportunities for women and their families striving for prosperity.
Even more, WFCO uses all forms of capital to achieve our mission. As of March 31, 2024, the total value of The Foundation’s assets under management was $34,082,156. All of our investable assets meet our gender-lens investment strategies.
Additionally, 50% of The Foundation’s assets are managed by investment firms in which at least one-third of the firms’ ownership or leadership are women and/or people of color. About 20% of The Foundation’s assets are managed by firms with Black, Latinx, Native American, or Asian owners or leaders.
FIND YOUR COMMUNITY OF GIVING
We offer multiple philanthropic pathways to fit your preferred style of giving. Several include opportunities to learn together, connect, and grow professionally.
• Power of Extended Philanthropy (PEP): More than 300 members provide WFCO with a steady, unrestricted funding stream with a pledge starting at $1,000 per year for three years.
• Empowerment Council (EC): 100-plus emerging philanthropists and aspiring change agents pledge $500 or more per year.
• Donor-Advised Funds: WFCO holds 80 donoradvised funds. Donor-advised funds allow you to f ulfill your philanthropic wishes while receiving expert guidance from our staff.
• Giving Circles: Seven diverse giving circles offer spaces for like-minded donors to pool their dollars, learn about community needs together, a nd decide as a group where to donate.
• Women Will: More than 70 women make up WFCO’s legacy giving program that ensures their commitment to women’s progress continues into the future and creates a powerful legacy.
• Dads for Daughters/Men for Women: Gifts to Dads for Daughters/Men for Women honor women and girls in their lives while ensuring that all women have what they need to thrive.
› Learning with us: Dr. Marie Berry, a donor-advised fundholder at The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, chats with other attendees at a 2024 fundholder gathering at the Museo de las Americas.
GIVING CIRCLE PROFILE: AN INNOVATION IN INVESTING IN WOMEN
Our Women’s Impact Investing Giving Circle (WIIGC) believes trusting women with low-interest capital fuels new businesses, creates jobs, and strengthens community. The third cohort of this giving circle invested $75,000 i n two women entrepreneurs in the birth and wellness space and the production of a documentary capturing and preserving the Indigenous culture in Colorado.
”It was wonderful to hear feedback from the two organizations we invested in that never thought it was possible to receive a below-market rate loan. It also felt good to offer debt to these businesses vs. grants because as the organizations pay back their loans, the money will be used again for other women-owned businesses.”
— Jenn Uhen, WIIGC member
IMPACT INVESTING FOR DONOR-ADVISED FUNDHOLDERS
The Women’s Foundation of Colorado offers our donor-advised fundholders a debit investment opportunity to address workforce housing gaps through the Colorado Housing Accelerator Initiative (CHAI). The social enterprise fund invests in projects across the state, such as conversion of mobile home communities to resident ownership and development of mixed-income housing projects..
SUMMARIZED STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES (AUDITED)
FISCAL
(AUDITED)
“Philanthropy is not about side-stepping or self-congratulation. It is about investing in our collective future and freedom. Freedom to live, love, work, and age with grace. To access food, housing, education, and health care. Freedom to read any book and to choose whether to have children or not. To feel safe in our bodies and our faith. There are no higher purposes for which our privilege can aspire today and for generations ahead.”
– Lauren Y. Casteel , WFCO President & CEO
FY 2023-24 EXPENDITURES FY 2023-24 GRANTMAKING
DONOR-ADVISED FUND, GIVING CIRCLE & OTHER
9to5, National Association of Working Women
A Little Help
Action is Safer
Africa Development Promise
Alianza Norco
ALIGHT
American Friends of Bean Voyage
American Friends Service Committee
Amigos de Santa Cruz Foundation
Antonito Together
Avondale Resident Team
Back2Basics
Black Economic Success Trust
Bluff Lake Nature Center
Bright Pink
C.I.R.C.L.E.
Cape Eleuthera Foundation
Center for Community Wealth
Building
Center for Employment Opportunities
Centro de la Familia
Changing Lives Nepal
Chinook Fund
CiviCO
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Clinton Foundation
Cobalt Foundation
CodePink
Collaborative Healing Initiative within Communities
Colorado Academy
Colorado Ballet
Colorado Beautillion
Colorado Children’s Campaign
Colorado Circles for Change Colorado Cross-Disability
Coalition
Colorado Doula Project
Colorado Fiscal Institute
Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition
Colorado Inclusive Economy
Colorado Jobs With Justice
Colorado Mountain College - Rifle
Colorado Music Festival
Colorado Music Hall of Fame
Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights
Colorado Perinatal Mental Health
Project
Colorado Poverty Law Project
Colorado State University Foundation - ACT Human Rights
Film Festival
Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame
Conservation Colorado Education Fund
COSA Sports Cradle Community Resource Center
Cultivando Curls On The Block Dating Tips by Meg Denver CASA
Denver School of the Arts Friends Foundation
Doctors Without Borders US Eagle County Government Department of Human Services
Eagle Valley Community Foundation
ECDC African Community Center
Eco-Cycle
Educating Children of Color
Eisenhower Elementary PTA
El Comite de Longmont
El Movimiento Sigue
Families Forward Resource Center
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
First Presbyterian Church of Englewood
First Southwest Community Fund
Food Bank of the Rockies
Food to Power
Foothills Unitarian Church
Forging Youth Resilience
Fort Lewis College FoundationCenter for Southwest Studies Foundation of Trustees for The Family Learning Center
Fraser Valley Community Media
Freedom Service Dogs
Friendship Bridge
Full Circle of Lake County Inc
FUSE Innovation Fund
Galvanize USA
Get Outdoors Leadville!
Girl Scouts of Colorado
Girls Athletic Leadership School
Global Greengrants Fund
Global Livingston Institute
Good Business Colorado
Great Education Colorado
Greater Denver CARES
Greater Purpose Media
Harvest of All First Nations
Healthier Colorado
Hispanic Women of Weld County
Housed Working and Healthy
iipsoculta
Impact Charitable
Ipas
ISAAC of Northern Colorado
Islesboro Island Trust
Jas Jewels Foundation
Jewish Family Service of Colorado
Judi’s House
Justice for the People Legal Center
Kaizen Food Rescue
Latino Cultural Arts Center
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Lighthouse Writers Workshop
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners
Mary Lou Makepeace Foundation
Maui United Way
Museum of Contemporary Art
Denver
Mutual Aid Partners
My Skin Global
Neighborhood Bike Works
New Era Colorado
Nonviolence International
North Range Behavioral Health
Northern Colorado Guardianship
Okionu Birth Foundation
Out Boulder County
Para Ti Mujer
People and Pollinators Action Network
Planet Woman
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains
Plymouth Congregational Church of Fort Collins
PolicyEngine
Polite Tumor
POSADA
Pro-Choice Washington Foundation
Prodigy Ventures
ProgressNow Colorado Education
Public Broadcasting of Colorado
Queen’s Legacy Foundation
Re:Vision
Reading Partners
Realize Impact
Red Delicious Press
Red Light Resources International
RedLine Contemporary Art Center
ReSchool Colorado
Resource Generation
Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center
Rocky Mountain Institute
Rocky Mountain Public Media
Safe & Abundant Nutrition Alliance
Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence
SAME Cafe
San Luis Valley Immigrant Resource Center
Sheridan Rising Together for Equity
Show & Tell
Social Venture Partners Seattle
SOL VIDA
Somebody Cares Project
Soul 2 Soul Sisters
South-Central Colorado Seniors
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
SustainED Farms
Take Care, Black Girl Foundation
The Butterfly Foundation
The Center for African American Health
The Children’s Museum
The Civic Canopy
The Delores Project
The Family Center/La Familia
The Gathering Place
The Heartland Fund
The I Will Projects
The Land Rights Council
The Learning Council
The Small Town Project
The UC Davis Foundation
The Village Institute
The Word, A Storytelling Sanctuary
Tigray-Ethiopian Community
Association in Colorado
Tomorrow’s Bread
Toolshed Exchange
Transformative Change
Transformative Leadership for Change
Trees, Water & People
Tu Casa
Undestructable
Unite to Light
University of Colorado
Foundation - Diamond Breast Cancer Research Fund
University of Colorado Foundation - Johnson Depression Center
University of Northern Colorado Foundation - Center for Women’s & Gender Equality
UNRWA USA
Urban Sanctuary Nonprofit USA for UNHCR
Valley Settlement
Vermont Day School
Vibe Tribe Adventures
Voces Unidas De Las Montanas
Voces Unidas for Justice
Vuela for Health
Warm Cookies of the Revolution
Warren Village
Washington Progress Fund
Watch Me Grow
We Don’t Waste
West Mountain Regional Health Alliance
Western Colorado Migrant and Rural Coalition
Western Resource Advocates
Women Crossing DMZ
Women’s Bean Project
World Central Kitchen
Young Aspiring Americans for Social and Political Activism
