Women’s Giving Circle of Bartholomew County Promotes Women in Leadership
A study of local nonprofit and government boards conducted by the Women’s Giving Circle of Bartholomew County, a program of Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County, found women—particularly women of color—to be underrepresented in both appointed and elected leadership positions. In response, WGC established a Women Rising Leadership Grant in 2020 to invest in the leadership growth of women and increase the number of women in leadership positions throughout our community. The WGC strongly believes that the unique perspective and diverse skill set that women possess add value at every level of an organization and that women’s voices deserve, and need, to be heard.
Grants are available to women passionate about community leadership to assist in the costs of obtaining and/or providing leadership training. The grant may be used to cover items such as, but not limited to, leadership training program tuition, leadership seminar registration fees, book materials and other resources, child care and travel expenses. Applicants may apply for up to $500 in funding and will be asked to submit a proposed budget with their grant application. The Women Rising Leadership Grant will be awarded on a rolling basis until funding is gone.
Recipients will be chosen on the basis of personal circumstances and potential and the likely impact of the grant on improving women’s representation in community leadership.
For more information and the complete list of application criteria, visit heritagefundbc.org/giving-circle.
A complete white paper detailing the leadership study findings and planned solutions can be accessed on the Women’s Giving Circle page of the Heritage Fund website at heritagefundbc.org/giving-circle/.
About Women’s Giving Circle of Bartholomew County
Women’s Giving Circle of Bartholomew County seeks to educate, connect, and inspire women to practice strategic philanthropy, using our collective strengths and financial resources to create positive change in Bartholomew County. The WGC is a participating membership fund established in 2010 and managed by Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County. Women of all ages and means are invited to join in this important work with a gift to the Women’s Giving Circle philanthropic fund as they are able and willing to give. Gifts from women across the community are pooled together for greater impact in grant-making and programs.