Why Women and Girls?

Why A Women and Girls' Fund?

Women still experience barriers that prevent full participation and fairness in society, which negatively impact their communities.

Poverty, a lack of education and job training that lead to gainful employment opportunities and teen pregnancy all prevent women and girls from attaining economic self-sufficiency in Montana. Among foundation grants over $10,000 only seven percent goes specifically to women and girls. We believe that if we do not invest in women and girls, their children and families, and eventually state and national economies will suffer.

Women's and girls' funds provide grants that benefit women and girls as well as communities overall.

For the past two decades, women and girls' funds have improved access to education, jobs and asset growth, in turn reducing teen pregnancy, increasing the number of women and girls who complete their education, supporting positive early job experiences and strengthening sustainable economic self-sufficiency. When we increase our investments, these achievements will continue to grow.

We invite you to be a part of the movement to invest in the power and potential of Montana 's women and girls.

Money fuels change; you can help the Women's Foundation of Montana use our experience and expertise to make the most impact for women and girls in our state. Giving is a powerful act of social change, regardless of the amount.

We will spend your money wisely.

The Women's Foundation of Montana is an endowed, component fund of a statewide community foundation, building capacity for systemic change. As the only statewide foundation dedicated to funding for women and girls, your donation is leveraged through our endowment and focused on lasting change for women and girls because when women and girls prosper, communities thrive.

FACTS

These are just a few of the recent statistics regarding Montana women and girls. The realities are these:

The earnings of Montana women are the lowest in the nation. (Institute for Women's Policy Research)

More than one-third of female-headed households live in poverty. (Institute for Women's Policy Research)

Montana ranks among the bottom states for children living in poverty. 45% od children live in families that earned below 200% of the federal poverty level in 2003 or $18,400 for a family of four. (U.S. Census Bureau)

Most children living in poverty are in single-parent households, which are headed primarily by women. (Institute for Women's Policy Research)

Many women find it necessary to work several low-paying jobs to make ends meet and, in the process, lose out on the benefits associated with full-time employment.

Nearly one of every three births in Montana is to an unmarried mother. This statistic has steadily risen from 25% in 1994 to the current level of 31%. (Montana Census and Economic Information Center)

The Women's Foundation of Montana is the leading funder of change for women and girls in our state. We raise money to build an endowment that provides a reliable, permanent source of grants to invest in economic self-sufficiency for women and brighter futures for girls. Copyright © 2007 Women's Foundation of Montana. All rights reserved.