Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts Announces $240,000 in Grant Awards
For Immediate Release
For more information, contact:
Kelley Bryant, Director of Research and Advocacy
Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts
kbryant@mywomensfund.org
413-206-7722
Funds provided to 17 organizations over two years
SPRINGFIELD—The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts has announced $240,000 in grant awards this year and through 2026 to 17 organizations serving women, girls, transgender, and gender-diverse people across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties.
CEO Vanessa Pabón-Hernandez explained that the Women’s Fund’s general grant cycle will provide a total of $100,000 in awards to 13 organizations in 2024 and 2025. An additional four gifts totaling $40,000 were also made from the organization’s Young Women’s Initiative for the current year.
The funding rounds were competitive, with applications received from 126 organizations.
“These grants will uplift the incredible work being done by organizations throughout the region that are committed to addressing disparities and fostering inclusion for women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals,” said Pabon-Hernandez. “We are honored to offer grants that will support efforts in building more equitable and vibrant communities.”
In the general grant cycle, the Women’s Fund awarded grants in 10 communities throughout the region. Priority was given to organizations committed to gender and racial justice and equity as well as the philanthropic agency’s key strategic pillars—economic security, parity in positions of power and leadership, and freedom from gender-based violence. These grant dollars will support a broad range of organizations, including small start-ups, grassroots organizations, and well-established nonprofits.
The general grant cycle awards a total of $200,000 over two years and provides unrestricted grants that can be used for general operations or program support. Grant recipients for this funding round include 50 Arrow Gallery in Easthampton, A Queen’s Narrative in Springfield, Berkshire Community Diaper Project in West Stockbridge, Elizabeth Freeman Center in Pittsfield, It Takes a Village in Huntington, Make-It Springfield, Mother Root Farm in West Cummington, New England Learning Center for Women in Transition in Greenfield, Pioneer Valley Workers Center in Northampton, Somali Bantu Community in Springfield, Springfield No One Leaves/Nadie Se Mude, Visioning B.E.A.R. Circle Intertribal Coalition in Greenfield, and Western Massachusetts Parasol Patrol in Montague.
Samantha Hamilton, co-founder of A Queen’s Narrative, said the small, grassroots, BIPOC women-led organization is grateful for the funding, which offers a crucial stepping stone for continued growth and development.
“Community change and impact come from organizations like the Women’s Fund,” Hamilton said. “It’s great to know that our work to amplify the voices of women and girls aligns with the mission of such an incredible organization.”
Lisa Goding, executive director of It Takes a Village, said, “This grant will help us strengthen our postpartum support programs, ensuring that every family, regardless of background or circumstances, has the resources needed to thrive.”
For grants awarded through the Women’s Fund’s Young Women’s Initiative, members and alumnae of two current cohorts in Springfield and Turners Falls deliberated to make nominations for funding.
These cohorts distributed $40,000 to Springfield- and Turners Falls-serving organizations; in Springfield, the Volunteers in Medicine, which focuses on addressing medical care cost barriers, and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts scholarship program. In Turner’s Falls, grants were awarded to the Finders Collective, which provides financial help for single mothers, and Girls, Inc., which helps create a pipeline for young women and girls to enter STEM fields.
The Young Women’s Initiative is a national project aimed at creating prosperity for young women. The Women’s Fund partners, Arise for Social Justice and Montague Catholic Social Ministries, lead the initiative’s Springfield and Franklin County partnerships, respectively, and support young women and gender-diverse leaders, centering Black, Indigenous, and People of Color throughout the leadership development, social justice and philanthropic program.
The Women’s Fund will highlight grant recipients online throughout the year. Learn more by following the organization on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and mywomensfund.org.
About the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts
Located at 333 Bridge St., in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts fuels progress toward gender equity in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties by funding the most promising solutions, collaborating with results-oriented partners, and elevating the collective power of local women to take charge and lead with purpose. To learn more, visit mywomensfund.org
