Boston Women’s Fund Announces $355,000 in Grants Awarded

The Boston Women’s Fund (BWF) is pleased to announce today that it funded twenty-one Massachusetts community-based organizations and projects for a total of $355,000.

The grants, which cover many communities across the Greater Boston area and beyond, are aimed at bolstering the strategic endeavors of women and girls as they leverage their collective grassroots power in their coordinated efforts for racial, economic and social justice.

For thirty years, the Boston Women’s Fund supported community-based organizations run by women and girls by raising funds from a broad base of donors across economic backgrounds to provide grants and develop programs that strengthen the grassroots initiatives and leadership of women and girls.

According to Amy Leung, Program Officer, “The work of the grassroots organizations we support has never been more important than it is right now.  The struggle for women’s equality is far from over.” Leung continued, “ In 2010, women who were full-time wage and salary workers had median weekly earnings of $669, or approximately 81 percent of the $824 median for men, according to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Women in Massachusetts earn 80.5 percent to men’s annual averages, according to the Labor Bureau (source:  Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women).”

Josefina Vázquez, BWF Executive Director, stated:  “Together with the Board of Directors, I continue to believe that one of our most critical goals is to build and sustain a philanthropic base of supporters across race and class, uniting concerned women and men to help create a powerful network of donors whose contributions will support the voices of women and girls working for racial, social and economic justice.”  Vázquez  continued, “Our programs in the areas of grantee capacity-building, collaboration, education and advocacy are dedicated to expanding the impact and leadership of women and girls throughout the broader community’s efforts in creating better economic and social conditions for all.”

*Our list of this year’s grantees will be released soon.*