The M&M Area Community Foundation (MMACF) awarded grants at the Women’s Giving Circle (WGC) Annual Gathering and Grant Presentation on Thursday, September 19th.
The Women’s Giving Circle began in 2008 when an anonymous female donor made a gift to the MMACF to support women’s philanthropy. The Community Foundation established the Women’s Giving Circle Restricted Endowment. This fund is designated for the purpose of supporting projects and programs directly impacting women and girls in Marinette and Menominee Counties. Each year the Community Foundation offers thousands of dollars in Women’s Giving Circle grants to non-profit organizations throughout Marinette and Menominee counties.
Last night, the following grant partners received funding for 13 programs and projects:
- Abundant Life Mission for their “Spot On – Ending Period Poverty” program which will provide “Period Packs” to low-income residents.
- Girls Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes for “Removing Barriers to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience” which with will help ensure financial assistance is available to support members.
- Marinette School District for “This Girl Can”. Funding will be used to purchase safety equipment and learning materials for 7th and 8th grade female students as they continue their learning in the area of welding.
- Marinette Youth Baseball received a grant which will provide scholarships for girls whose families are unable to afford the registration fee to participate.
- Menominee Area Public Schools received funding to support girls’ fastpitch softball.
- Menominee County Victim Services Unit will utilize their grant to provide response kits for women and girls in a crisis situation.
- The “Hopeful Dreams” program at Menominee Resurrection Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will allow single mothers funding for new mattresses.
- Public Health, Delta & Menominee Counties’ funding will support a “WISEWOMAN Health Improvement & Education” effort.
- Rainbow House Domestic Abuse Services will use their grant to purchase basic smart phones to help survivors connect with family, friends, and community resources.
- St. Joseph Conference – Marinette of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul received one grant to purchase diapers for home-visited mothers and a second grant for hygiene and cleaning supplies for home-visited mothers and their daughters.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference of St. Agnes, St. Augustine, St. Mary will use funding for housing and utilities assistance for women facing eviction, homelessness or utility disconnection.
- The “Women on the GO!” program, run by The Salvation Army, will use their grant to provide transportation to women in need.
As part of the Women’s Giving Circle event, Jenny Knox was presented with the 6th annual Queen Marinette Award. Jenny was nominated due to her efforts as a role model and mentor– inspiring girls in our community. Jenny collects, alters, and distributes dresses to girls who need them for homecoming and prom, but cannot afford to purchase them on their own. She adds extra embellishments before they are distributed, to make sure the girls are ready for their special night. Jenny also provides fittings and alters these dresses free of charge, all while running her own retail store, The Goose and Gander Finery in downtown Marinette. Jenny is also a volunteer at St. Thomas Aquinas Academy and is the mother of three children, Hayden, Griffin, and Katie and is supported in her endeavors by her husband Jason.
The Women’s Giving Circle is open to all in the community who have an interest in making an impact on the lives of women and girls in our community. For more information or to become a member of the Women’s Giving Circle, please contact the Community Foundation at 906-864-3599 or email the WGC at wgcircle07@gmail.com.
Community members interested in partnering with the MMACF to provide grants to non-profits throughout Marinette and Menominee Counties may contact the Community Foundation at 906-864-3599.
