TABLEOF CONTENTS SAVETHE DATE
DrewKaufman-DirectorofFundraising
MoniqueKamara-Programs&Administrative Associate
MaddieMcClung-Research&Advocacy Manager
KennedySmith-DevelopmentAssociate
Dr.SierraJ.AustinKing-EducationalServiceCenterof CentralOhio;TheOhioStateUniversity
LachandraB.Baker-LBBEdutainment,LLC
JenniferBattle-CarpenterLippsLLP
AbbyCover-ColumbusMetropolitanLibrary
CourtneyFalato-JPMorganChase
SophiaFifner-ColumbusMetropolitanClub
SueFrost-TheOhioStateUniversity
JenniferGoettemoeller-AmericanElectricPower
ClaudiaHerrington-JobsOhio
GraceHunter-ParacletePlanningLLC
SusanKrohne-M/IHomes,Inc
RonnieMarquez-Posey-Trade&VeteranServices, StateofOhio
LeahMcDougald-McDougaldResearch
MelissaMcHenry-Philanthropist
DaphneMcKinnie-HuntingtonNationalBank
KristenMoosmiller-NorthAvenueFinancialAdvocates
NatalieMoretz-AdvantageCapital
ChristineMurry-CraneGroupCo
MelindaNenning-BaileyCavalieriLLC
KimberPerfect-Philanthropist
LethaPugh-BakeMeHappy
DanaSims-Philanthropist
ShakarraTouray-NationwideInsuranceCompany
THEWOMEN’SFUND’S WORKISMOREURGENT THANEVER
Creatingaworldwhereequityisembraced,accepted,and celebrated
Thismomentisacriticalinflectionpointforthoseof uswhobelievedeeplyinbuildingamoreequitable worldforwomenandgirls.Whilewemustfaceharsh newobstacleswithstrengthanddetermination,we mustalsocelebratetheprogresswemadein2024.It isthatprogressthatallowsustostandstrongagainst thosewhostandinourway.
Researchhaslongbeenthefoundationofourtheory ofchange.Whenitcomestodata,thereisstilla shockinglackofinformationaboutwomenandtheir livedexperiences.Thatiswhywecommissionedour sixthresearchreporttoexploreCentralOhio women’sperspectivesontheirabilitytobuildwealth andmaketheirowndecisionsabouttheirlives.
Fortheresearch,wepartneredwithTheCenterfor CommunitySolutionswhocollectedresponsesfrom 3,000surveyparticipantsandtalkeddirectlywith over126womentobetterunderstandthewealth barrierstheyface.Theyalsoexploredthesystemic changesneededtoovercomethosebarriers.Last month,wereleasedourfindingsfromthis groundbreakingeffort,andwecannotwaitforyouto learnmore.Inside,youwillfindasummaryofkey insightsaswellasaQRcodetoreadthefullreport Thisinformationwillcontinuetoinformourstrategic grantmakingandouradvocacyefforts Wewouldlike tothankourinvestors,JPMorganChase,Huntington NationalBank,andTheColumbusFoundationfor theirsignificantsupportthatmadethismonumental effortpossible
2024wasalsoaremarkableyearofgrantmaking Thankstogeneroussupportfromoneofourfounders andlongtimedonors,CarolAndreae,wewereableto awardtwomulti-yeargrantsfocusedonuplifting women’svoicestoJusticeforMigrantWomenand
LEADOhioFoundation.Carolbelievesdeeplyinthe powerofmulti-yeargrantmakingasacatalystfor deeperandmoreintentionalsocialchangework.The grantsallowedtheseorganizationstofortify themselvesandtheirparticipantsfortheimportant rolestheyareplayinginforgingabetterfuture.We hopethisworkthatCarolbeganwillinspiremanyof youtosupportnewmulti-yeargrantmakingeffortsin theyearstocome.
TheWomen’sFund’simpactreliesonadiversegroup ofdonorswhojoinforcestoprovidethecourageous capitalweneedtoaccomplishourmission.Lastyear, hundredsofyoumadedonationsthatcollectively fueledourteamandourwork.Amongyouwasour fearlessfounder,EmilyRutherford,aboldfeminist andrelentlesswarriorforsocialchange.Though Emilyleftusin2024,wemustgatherstrengthfrom herremarkableexampleandcarryonherunwavering commitmenttoTheWomen’sFund’svisionofaworld wheregenderequityisembraced,accepted,and celebrated.Together,wewillpersistforourselvesand allthewomenandgirlswhodeservebetter.
KelleyGriesmer President&CEO
CREATINGSOCIALCHANGE THROUGHGRANTMAKING
Ourannualgrantmakingprogramgetsmoremoneyinto thehandsoforganizationscreatinggrassrootschange
TheWomen'sFundisdedicatedtotransformingthe livesofwomenandgirlsinCentralOhiothroughour grantmaking Since2002,ourcommunityofdonors hashelpedusinvestover$5milliondollarsinCentral Ohiowomenandgirls AtTheWomen'sFund,we intentionallyprioritizegrantingfundstonewand diverseorganizationsthroughourannual grantmakingprocess In2024,32%offunded programsreceivedaWomen’sFundgrantforthe firsttime,and74%ofprogramsfocusonwomenand girlsofcolor
“ThesupportfromTheWomen’sFund hasbeentrulyinvaluable.Thisgranthas empoweredourfacilitatorstoshapethe GlowProjectintoaprogramthat participantseagerlyreturnto,session aftersession.Unlikefundingthatrequires organizationstoconformtorigidgrant priorities,TheWomen’sFundprovides theflexibilitytodesignprogramsthat alignwithbothourmissionandthe evolvingneedsofouryouth.”
-CentralCommunityHouse,2024GrantPartner
2024ANNUALGRANTPARTNERS
AccompanyingReturningCitizenswithHope BetheChange
BeautifullyFlawed BeautifullyFlawedProgramming
BrownGirlsMentoring BrownGirlsMentoringProgram
CentralCommunityHouse BlackGirlsGlow+:TheGlowProject
CentralOhioWorkerCenter KnowYourRightsintheWorkplaceSeminars
EducationFoundationforFreedom EmpoweringYoungVoicesMentoringfortheArts
GirlsL.E.A.P. STEMProgram&STEAMSummerCamp
ErynPiNK She’sGoldLeadershipProgram
MYProjectUSA EmpoweredWomenProgram
NewDirectionsCareerCenter Women’sAdvocacyProgram
OhioFamiliesUniteAgainstPoliceBrutality OhioFamiliesVote
PolicyMattersOhio EconomicSecurityandOpportunityforWomen
TARGETOHIO–APIAVOTE AAPIWomen–ClaimingTheirVoice
Zora’sHouse LeadershipFellows
Ourmulti-year grantmakingpilothelps womenrunforofficeand shapepolicy
Lastyear,CarolAndreae,aWomen’sFundfounder andlongtimeGrantsCommitteemember,helpedus launchatwo-yeargrantmakingpilotfocusedon elevatingwomen’svoices.In2024,Justicefor MigrantWomenandLEADOhioFoundationeach received$30,000toscaletheirprogrammingand impact.Bothorganizationselevatethevoicesof womentoinformpolicyandorganizeforlasting socialchange.
“FundingfromTheWomen'sFundof CentralOhiohasallowedourWomen LEADingOhioprogramtofocuson addressingcriticalreasonswhywomen arehesitanttorunforelectedoffice. Nowmorethaneverweneedwomen whobelieveinequityforfellowwomen andgirlstobecourageousandrunfor officetohelpmakechangesinour communitiesforthebetter.Butwecan't justexpectcourageoutofthinair.We havetobewillingtoputresources behindplantingtheseedandthen continuingtowateritsoitcangrow andthrive.ThisiswhatTheWomen's Fundishelpingourprogramsdo.Over thelong-term,womenandgirlsacross thestatewillreapthebenefits.”
-LEADOhioFoundation,2024-2025multiyearpilotparticipant
OurEnduringProgress Initiativehelpsclosethe fundinggapforwomenof colorleaders
OurEnduringProgressInitiative(EPI)isasimportant asever.Womenofcolorstillfacediscriminationwhen itcomestofundingfortheirwork,andit’suptousto helpfillthatgapandworkeverydaytoeliminatethe barrierstheyface.In2024,twoorganizations receiveda$50,000grantthroughEPIfortheir leadershipandvision:TheCenterforHealthyFamilies andTheWomenofColorRetailAlliance(WOCRA).
“TheEnduringProgressInitiative's $50,000grantistransformativefor WOCRA.Thisinvestmentallowsusto amplifydiversewomen'svoicesinretail leadershipbyexpandingourteamand programming.We'rebuildingresilient pathwaysthatelevatewomenofcolor fromentry-leveltoC-suitepositions. Thispartnershipstrengthensour missiontotransformretail'secosystem throughmentorship,skillsdevelopment, andcommunity-centeredsupport”
-KimberlyMinor,CEOofWOCRA
LearnmoreabouttheEnduringProgressInitiative andpastpartnersonourwebsiteat womensfundcentralohio.org/enduring-progress
INTERVIEWWITHGRANTREADERS
BERTHAANDZALIKAOBAYUWANA
HowdidyoufirstgetinvolvedwithThe Women’sFund?
Zalika:IfirstgotinvolvedwiththeWomen’sFund throughmymom.Shefoundtheopportunityand askedmeifIwantedtoparticipatemyfreshmanyear ofhighschool.Ieagerlysaidyes,andalthoughIwas nervousaboutbeingoneoftheonlyyoungpeople there,Iwassuperexcitedtopracticemy communicationskillsandtobeapartofsomethingas impactfulasGrantReadingfortypicallymarginalized groups.Ihaveparticipatedtwicesincethenandlook forwardtograntreadingmyjunioryear!
Bertha:Twoyearsago,IcameacrosstheWFCO GrantReadingopportunityonsocialmediaanddidn’t hesitatetoapply.Rightaway,Ithoughtofmy(then) 14-year-olddaughter Iknewshehadtheskillstobe anexcellentgrantreader.WhenIaskedifshe’dbe interested,shewasallin.Ialsosharedtheopportunity withmygirlfriendsandencouragedthemtobring theirdaughtersalong.Itfeltliketheperfectwayto teachthemaboutcommunityengagement, empowerment,andsomuchmore.
Whataboutthegrantreadingexperience resonatesmostwithyou?
Z:Asasmallbusinessownermyself,alongwithliving withtheintersectionalityofBlackandfemale,I resonatewiththeburdensoftenplacedinfrontof peoplelikeme.Thesurplusofworkthatwomenof coloroftenhavetodotoreceivetheirrightful positions,jobs,schooling,andopportunitiesisunfair, anditisextremelyimportantforeveryonetowork togetherinbringingequitytothesegroups.Applying forgrantsisagreatwaytodothat,andbeingonthe sideofreadingthemis,forme,awaytoensureequity towardsthesegroups.Beingabletosharemy experiencesandperspectivestoadiversegroupof otherreadersissoimportantandimpactfultowards thegrantapplicants,andthepossibleeffectsitcan haveonthoseprogramsiswhatmakesgrantreading meaningfultome.
B:Askingforhelphasn’talwaysbeeneasyforwomen, especiallyBlackwomenandotherhistorically marginalizedwomen.Manyofushavebeentaughtto
bestrong,topushthroughchallengesalone,andto proveourworththroughperseverance.Thereare studiesthatshowthatwomen especiallywomenof color arelesslikelytoseeksupportinprofessional andentrepreneurialspaces,whetheroutoffearof beingseenaslesscapableorbecausetheylackaccess totherightnetworks.Butwealsoknowthatresearch tellsusthatwhenwereachoutformentorship, resources,andcommunitysupport,wearefarmore likelytothrive.That’swhyI’mgratefultobepartof anorganizationthatseesaskingforhelpasa strength,notaweakness.Theenergyatthegrant readingsisunmatched;aroomfullofwomenwitha commongoalofchampioningourfellowsisters’ dreamsissotransformative.Thepowerofthat it’sa giftandI’msogladtobesharingitwithmydaughter. Oncetheyareoldenough,Ihopetomakethisa traditionforallthreeofmydaughtersandmyself.
Z:Knowingthenumberofunmatchedbarriersthat women,andwomenwithmultipleintersections especially,mustfacetoreceivetheirrightfully deservedopportunities,iswhatalwaysmotivatesme togivemytimeandenergytoTheWomen’sFund. BeingaBlackgirlmyself,Iunderstandhowreal workingtwiceashardis,andIunderstandhowmuch isoftendeniedandlackinginBlackfemale communities.TheWomen’sFundfocuseson advancingwomenofcolorandthoseapartofthe WhatinspiresyoutogivetoTheWomen’s Fundasvolunteersanddonors?
LGBTQ+community,andtheyempower organizationsthatarededicatedtothesamegoal. Knowingtheamountofcourageousworkandchange TheWomen’sFundworkstowardsisinspiringtome andmotivatesmetobeapartofthat.
B:Ifirmlybelievethatwhenwesupportwomen,we elevatetheentirecommunity.Asanimmigrant,Black woman,daughter,mother,sister,friend,and advocateforthevoiceless,Iknowmyvoicematters. EverycontributionImaketotheWFCOfuelsthe growthofwomenandhistoricallymarginalized communities.I'mcommittedtoliftingupthebrave, brilliantideasthatwilldrivelastingchange.Itmeans somuchtomethatZalika,Zakiya,andZaharagrow upseeingtheirmothernotjuststandingstrongonmy ownbutalsoembracingthepowerofcommunity.I wantthemtoknowthatsuccessisn’tjustabout individualeffort it’saboutliftingeachotherup, beingintentionalaboutthespacesweengagein,and aligningwithorganizationsthatreflectourvalues. Andsupportdoesn’tlookthesameforeveryone. Sometimesit’smentorship,sometimesit’sashared opportunity,andsometimesit’ssimplyshowingupfor oneanother.Whatmattersmostisthatwechooseto support,toconnect,andtobuildtogether.That’sthe kindoflegacyIhopetopassontothem.
Isthereaconversationoranexperience fromgrantreadingthathasstayedwith you?
Z:Grantreadingmyfirstyearofhighschool introducedmetosomanynewpeopleandanewtype ofexperiencethatallowedmetoexercisesharingmy opinionswithotherswithacommongoal.Beingable toreadoveragrantrequestfromagrouptryingto bettermarginalizedcommunitiesandtrulyhelping theseorganizationsforthefirsttimewasreally specialtome.MygroupconsistedoftwootherBlack girlhighschoolers,justayearortwoolderthan myselfatthetime,andwereallybondedinthis experiencetogetheraswell.Iwasreallygratefultobe abletomakepositivechangeinareasthatmattered tome,andtoleavewithmeaningfulfriendships outsideofthegrantreadingaswell
B:Lastyearmarkedoursecondgrantreading experiencetogether,andatthispoint,it’ssafetosay ithasbecomeacherishedmother-daughtertradition Thistimewasevenmorespecialbecausewewere bothinvitedtospeakduringtheopeningremarks a
momentIwillneverforget.WhenItellyoumy daughterstoodatthatpodiumandaddressedthe roomwiththeconfidenceandpresenceofsomeone whohadbeendoingthisherentire15yearsoflife,I amnotexaggerating.Iwas,andalwayswillbe, incrediblyproudofher.Butwhatmadethemoment evenmorepowerfulwaslookingoutintothecrowd andseeingsomanysupportivefacesbeamingbackat her facesthatreflectedbelief,encouragement,and hope.Inthatmoment,allIcouldthinkofwasthatour futureisincapablehandswithyoungleaderslike Zalika.AndthatisafeelingIwillcarrywithme forever.
Whatdoyouwantotherpeopletoknow aboutTheWomen’sFund?
Z:IwantpeopletoknowthatTheWomen’sFundis morethananorganization itisateammaking courageouschange.TheWomen’sFund’sgoalto advancemarginalizedgroupsofwomenandgive organizationsthatarededicatedtothesamemission aplatformtovoicetheirneedsisadmirable.Ithink thatthemorepeopledonatingtimetowardsThe Women'sFund'scausewillcreatemorepositive impactsinareasthatneedit.Iamsogratefultobea partofthisteam.
B:Iwantpeopletoknowthatweliveinacitywhere organizationslikeWFCOexist organizationsthat arededicatedtocreatingaccesstoresourcesforthe programsandinitiativesthatupliftwomenandyouth. Andit’suptoustosupportthem.Takeamomentto lookupWFCOandseetheimpactthey’remaking. Then,askyourself:Doesthisalignwiththepresent andfutureIwantformycity?Formyself,myfamily, myfriends,andmycommunity?CanIusemyvoiceto shapehowWFCOsupportsthewomeninmy community?Iftheanswerisyes,bepartofthe change.Getinvolved,lendyoursupport,andhelp buildthefuturewealldefinitelydeserve.
IfyoucoulddescribeTheWomen’sFundin threewords,whatwoulditbe?
Z:Necessary,courageousteam
B:Ah,let’ssee:WomenGet*hitDone.That’sfour words,andI’mokwiththat
LEAVINGALEGACYFOR WOMENANDGIRLS
ThesewomenleftanincrediblelegacyatTheWomen’s Fundthroughtheirgenerosityandpassionforthiswork
EMILYRUTHERFORD 1934-2024
EmilyRutherfordwastheinitialsparkthatledtothecreationofTheWomen’s FundofCentralOhioalmost25yearsago Becauseofhervisionandcourage, thismightymovementhastransformedthelivesofCentralOhiowomenand girlsinlastingways
ButEmilywouldbethefirsttotellyouthatshecouldnothavedoneitalone Shebelieveddeeplyinthepowerofcommunity,friendship,andallyship That’swhyshecalledherlifelongfriendJudyGareltoshareherideaabout startingawomen’sfundinCentralOhio,andthatphonecallledthemtocall morefriendswhocalledmorefriends Theirpurposewasclear Theywanted tolaunchatruegrassrootseffortthatnotonlymadewomenandgirlsvisible butalsofundedtheirfuturesuccess Wearealltheproductoftheirdreamto makeadifference
Sincethatfirstphonecall,Emilyremainedasteadfastandvery generouschampionofTheWomen’sFund Sheneverwaveredin hercommitmenttothewomenandgirlsshesoardentlybelieved in,andbecauseofthatbelief,ourentireCentralOhioregionhas benefitedfromherpurpose-drivenlife TheWomen’sFundis humbledandhonoredtobeapartofherdeeplegacyinCentral Ohioandbeyond
ALICEWING 1945-2023
AlicePatrieWinggenerouslyincludedTheWomen’s Fundinherlegacygiving.Shewasapassionate advocateforhumanandanimalrightsandloved sports,traveling,andmakinglastingmemorieswith friendsandlovedones.
Hergifthadasignificantimpactonourworkin2024, andweareextremelygratefultobeapartofher philanthropiclegacy.
JANEM.PETERSONFUNDOFTHE COLUMBUSFOUNDATION
JaneM.Petersoncontinuestohaveanimpacton womenandgirlsposthumouslythroughtheJaneM. PetersonFundofTheColumbusFoundation.The Women’sFundpartneredwithTheColumbus Foundationtoscaleourgrantmakingforwomenand girlswithamulti-yeargiftfromtheJaneM.Peterson Fund.Thetransformationalgiftallowedustoinvest significantlymoreintoCentralOhioprogramsandwill continuetoimpactourworkinthecomingyears.
GIVINGGENEROUSLYFOR WOMENANDGIRLS
BoardmemberanddonorMelindaNenningsharesherpassionfor genderequityandhowitledtothemostsignificantphilanthropic relationshipofherlife
HowdidyoufirstgetinvolvedwithThe Women’sFund?
IwasintroducedtotheWomen’sFundwhenmy mentorandformerWFCOBoardmemberKathy Bowmaninvitedmetoapplytobeagrantreaderin 2011.Iwasre-enteringtheColumbuscommunityafter abrieftimeawayandeagertogetre-acquainted withpeopleandorganizationshere–Ihadnoideait wouldleadtothemostsignificantphilanthropic relationshipinmylife!
I’mnotawareofanyotherorganizationinour communitysocandidlyandsingle-mindedlyfocused onimprovingtheeconomiclivesandprospectsof womenandgirls.It’sasrefreshingasitisunusualto openlydiscusstopicsthathavetraditionallybeen taboo,suchaswomen’sfinancialpowerandhowitis diminishedbysocietalgendernorms. HowwouldyoudescribeTheWomen’s Fund’suniqueroleinthecommunity?
Whatinspiresyoutogive?
Iloveknowingthatmydollarsaresupportinglocal women-ledorganizationsrighthereinCentralOhio throughagrantprocessthatemphasizestrust-based philanthropy.Whenweallowwomentodrivechange inthewaytheybelieveisbestforthecommunities theylivein,everyonethrives.
Whyareyoupassionateaboutgender equity?
Growingupthedaughterofasinglemotherwho struggleddailytoliftusoutofnear-povertyandput usonapathtoeconomicsecurity,theimportanceof genderequityandthekeyrolethatfinancesplayin womensecuringsafety,freedomandhappinesshas beeningrainedinmesinceayoungage.
Whatwouldyoulikepeopletoknowabout TheWomen’sFund?
WearemorethanjustKeyholderandgrantreading! Weworkyearroundtosupportourcurrentand prospectivegrantpartnersintheirdevelopment,we advocateforwomenatthestateandregionallevel, andweconductground-breakingandvitalresearch forourcommunitythatwouldn’totherwisebedone. It’sa24/7/365approach!
Whatareyoumostproudofduringyour tenureasaboardmember?
I’mmostproudofthelaunchoftheEnduringProgress Initiative.Bydonating$50,000ingrantsto organizationsthatfocusondevelopingleadership opportunitiesforwomenofcolor,wearemakinga significantinvestmentinthefutureofourcommunity thatwillhaveenduringimpact.
IfyoucoulddescribeTheWomen’sFundin threewords,whatwouldtheybe?
Innovative–Intentional–Courageous
Uncovering
the data about what Central Ohio women need to thrive
Researchaboutwomen’slivedexperiencesiscriticalto creatinglastingsocialchangeEventoday,thereisvery littledataaboutwomen,andevenlessthatacknowledges theintersectionsofwomen’slifeexperiencesOurgoalis tomakewomenvisiblethroughdataandtodisaggregate thatdatatotellaricherandmoreaccuratepictureof differentwomen’slivedexperiencesThisresearchreport isourboldestattemptsofartoachievethoseresults
Focusingonwomenandgirlsisthefastestwaytoimprove aneconomy.Becausesolittledataexiststoexplainthe wealthbarriersthatwomenface,currenteconomic systemssimplyignorebarriersthatcouldeasilybe removed.However,researchshowsthatwhenwomen havewealth,entirecommunitiesbenefit,andthe economyisstrongerforpresentandfuturegenerations. Investinginwomenandgirlsistheleastriskyinvestment wecanmake.
Mostimportantly,womendeservetobefree.This researchreportshowsthatwealthisthekeytoachieving thatfreedom.It’saroadmapforwhatourcommunity candotohelpwomenbuildwealthandhavethefreedom tomaketheirowndecisionsabouttheirlives.Andthat freedomwillhavearippleeffectonourentirecommunity.
10 things we can do help women build wealth
MakingWomenWealthyandFreeoutlineswhatover 3,000CentralOhiowomensharedabouttheir experienceswithbuildingwealthBeloware10thingsthat wouldhaveanimmediatepositiveimpactonwomen:
Increasetheminimumwageto$21,whichwould impactover400,000CentralOhiowomen
Implementandexpandlocalpoliciesthatprevent employersfromaskingaboutsalaryhistory
Reducemedicalcosts,capout-of-pocketexpenses, andforgivemedicaldebt
Expandtaxcreditsrelatedtochildcaretoeasethe financialburdenforfamilieswithchildren
Buildmoreaffordablehousingwithaccesstopublic transportation
Implementastatewidepaidfamilyleavepolicyto givepeopletheabilitytocareforchildrenorelders
Exploreoptionsforpublic/privatechildcare, increasevouchereligibility,andencourage companiestoprovideon-sitechildcare
Women were clear that wealth is about more than just finances. It’s also about connection and community, equity and empowerment, health and wellbeing, and freedom and abundance. These dimensions of wealth are the foundation of this report.
Createcareerpipelinesforthechildcareworkforce andincreasepaytoalivingwage Implementschoolyearevictionmoratoriumsand evictionrecordsealingpolicies Conductcompany-ledorpublicauditsofpayequity
Key findings
Movingbeyondsurvivalandtowardalifeoffinancialabundanceisnotjustaboutmoneyorincome.Itisaboutcreatinga lifewithgreaterautonomy,opportunity,andpurpose.Thisreportoutlinesthefactorsthathelpwomenbuildwealth,the conditionsandbarriersthatpreventwealthbuilding,andhowwealthleadstogreaterfreedom.
Connection and community
Womenwhofeelasenseofbelongingintheir communitiesaremorefinanciallystable, emphasizingtheimportanceofsocialand professionalnetworks
Earlyfinancialeducationandmentors/parental guidancehavealong-termimpactonwealth Limitedaccesstoresources,particularlyforsingle andimmigrantwomen,hindertheirwealthbuilding
of women didn’t have someone they trust when they had questions related to finances and financial planning
Health and wellbeing
Policiessupportingstableemployment,childcare assistance,andincomegrowthareessential
Financialstressisapersistentissueforwomen
Manywomencarryamentalloadofhouseholdand familyresponsibilitiesatwork
Thefinancialburdenofhealthcareisaserious concernforwomen
Equity and empowerment
Structuralinequitiesexistinwages,hiring,and workplacesupport
Discriminationaffectswomenofallincomelevels anddisproportionatelyimpactswomenofcolor Jobqualityismoreimportantthanjobstatuswhenit comestowealthbuilding
Womenwhoachievefinancialsecurityreporthigher lifesatisfaction,optimism,andpurpose
of women have experienced discrimination of any kind
Freedom and abundance
Wealthtakeswomenfromsurvivaltoautonomy Womenwanttheflexibilitytomakelifechoiceson theirownterms
Wealthenableswomentocontributetotheir communities,supporttheirfamilies,andengagein financialplanning
Womenwithwealthcanalsoadvocateforsystemic changestopositivelyimpactallwomen
of women with children reported needing to reduce their work hours to take care of children as a barrier to building wealth
said that their finances sometimes, often, or always control their lives
KEYHOLDER:Onemission.Manyvoices.
KeyholderisanightofinspirationhostedbyTheWomen’sFundtoraisefundsfor CentralOhiowomenandgirls.Onthisyear’sstage,adiversegroupoflocal changemakerswillsharepowerfulTED-styletalksabouttheirexperienceswithinnovation, resilience,andaction.
Whyarewefocusingonlocalvoicesthisyear?Becauseweknowthatwomenwiththe powertocreatechangeliveandworkrighthereinCentralOhio.Yourgeneroussupport ofKeyholderfuelsourmissiontotransformthelivesofwomenandgirlsyear-round.
Tickets on sale now!
ScantheQRcodeorvisit
womensfundcentralohio.org/keyholder
Three things to know about this
CentralOhiowomen willtakethestageto sharepowerfulstories Inspiringwomenfromour communitywilltakethe stagetosharetheirstories andexperiences.You’llhear frombusinessleaders, founders,andinnovators abouttheiruniqueworkto createchangeforwomen andgirls–andhowthey havepivotedinthefaceof barriers
Theeventdirectly impactsCentralOhio womenandgirls
Fundsraisedfromtheevent willfuelTheWomen’s Fund’sresearch, grantmaking,and advocacyeffortsfor womenandgirls.Itwillhelp maketheirstoriesvisible andprovidethemwith fundingfortheircritical work.
TheKeyholderyou knowandlove, reimagined
Keyholderhasalwaysbeen areminderofwhat’s possiblewhenpeoplewho carecometogetherunder onemission Thisyear’s eventwilltakethattothe nextlevelbyfeaturinga diversegroupoflocal changemakerswhowillhelp usseehowwecanmake changeforwomenandgirls righthereinCentralOhio.
LOOKINGBACKON2024
Herearejustafewofthewaysweshowedupforwomen andgirlsin2024.Welookforwardtomoreimpactthisyear!
InAugust,wepartneredwiththeColumbus MetropolitanClubtohostapanel discussionon“TheInvisibleProblem Everywhere:ConfrontingtheGenderData Gap.”Thetopichighlightedtheneedfor moredataaboutwomen’slived experiencesandlaidthefoundationforthe launchofournewresearchreport.
InOctober,weunveiledtwonewmuralsin theheartofOldeTowneEastthatshowcasethestrengthandresilienceofwomen inCentralOhio.Thisprojectispartofour ongoingcollaborationwithCatalyst Columbustoinspireconversationsabout genderinuniqueways
InFebruary,ourstaffspokeataStatehouse pressconferencehostedbySenatorSmith andSenatorHicks-Hudson Thepress conferencewasinsupportoflegislation thatwouldestablishawagediscrimination hotlineandthefairpaycheckworkplace certificate.
InSeptember, wehostedapolicyinstitute onpaidleaveinpartnershipwith CollaborateClevelandandtheWomen’s FundoftheGreaterCincinnatiFoundation. 40+organizationsgatheredtodiscuss research,expandingpaidleaveoptions, coalition-building,andnextstepsfor expandingthiscriticalpolicyinOhio.
GIVINGANDFINANCIALS
Thankyoutothemanydonorswhomadeour workpossiblein2024.Aspecialthanksto JPMorganChase,TheColumbusFoundation, andHuntingtonNationalBankfortheir commitmenttobeingImpactInvestors.
Scan the QR code to see our donor list from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024
Ourworkispoweredbythegenerous donationsofsupporterslikeyou.Weare embarkingonournext25yearsofworkand arefocusedonraisingfundstogrowand expandourimpact.Pleaseconsidermakinga gifttodaytosupportourcriticalworkfor womenandgirls.
womensfundcentralohio.org/donate
