The Womens Foundation for a Greater Memphis, designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grant-making organization, was started in 1995 to meet the Memphis regions critical need for a united fund focused on women and philanthropy. A study funded by the Womens Foundation (1997) found that over 80 percent of Memphians living in poverty are women and children. Memphis Woman magazine has noted that women comprise more than 50 percent of the local workforce. However, a disproportionate number of female workers are in low-paying jobs that jeopardize their ability to take care of themselves and their families. Instead they must contend on a daily basis with unsafe neighborhoods, inadequate day care, failing public schools and insufficient job training.

Targeted giving through the Womens Foundation helps women to overcome the barriers associated with poverty and brings hope to these struggling families. Moreover, our grant-making program is uniquely equipped to focus on the special needs of women and children because of our rigorous review process and ability to offer our grant-recipient agencies a variety of capacity-building opportunities. Womens philanthropy, through organizations like ours, also raises the profile of women as agents of change, empowering them to make a positive difference in their community.

The Womens Foundation helps by:

• Continually expanding our grant-making program and capacity-building assistance
• Increasing the pool of philanthropic resources in Memphis by educating women about money matters
• Supporting research on issues that affect women
• Serving as a catalyst for public discussion and subsequent action to address womens needs in health and the workplace
• Strengthening womens voices in community leadership roles and promoting change that enhances quality of life for all Memphians
• Building on our track record of excellence in 2000 the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals named us Foundation of the Year.

Thanks to broad-based support, the Womens Foundation will continue its efforts to:

• Expand collaboration with others in our community to create a network of initiatives that address the complex causes of poverty and bring about real poverty reduction
• Mobilize civic leadership that advocates, educates and influences action to remove barriers to womens empowerment
• Promote philanthropy and financial literacy for and among women

WFGM Strategic Plan Goals

Goal One

Refine the Social Change model for poverty reduction through the coordination and allocation of grant making and community initiatives that support the mission of the Womens Foundation, such as the Memphis Hope model

Goal Two

Create a Womens Leadership Initiative to advance leadership opportunities and awareness for women within the non-profit, public and private sectors

Goal Three

Ensure a comprehensive fundraising plan to support the mission of the Womens Foundation for a Greater Memphis through increased fundraising endeavors with individuals, foundations, government, corporations and special events

Goal Four

Increase our brand recognition as the essential driving force for affecting change in the Memphis area

Goal Five

Increase WFGMs influence and participation in public, governmental, and corporate arenas.