Funds For Women And Girls

Our grantmaking to local nonprofits is made possible through our Women’s Fund and Lois McMillen Memorial Fund, which provides thousands of dollars each year to help women and girls in our region thrive. 

Average grant awards are between $7,500 and $10,000. 

To identify, convene and support programs that promote advocacy and skill development while fostering resilience, self-esteem and self-respect among girls and young women in our region.

• Creation of inclusive, welcoming, and supportive conditions and positive role models.
• Outreach that builds participation and inclusion of underrepresented populations.
• Meaningful youth involvement in creating the program’s plans and or implementation.
• Programs that contribute to positive youth development and utilize the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets; programs that have established achievable and meaningful goals for participants, as well as tracking systems to follow progress; and programs that include teenage and pre-teen girls.
• Multiple organizations working collaboratively on establishing goals, developing curricula or schedules, and addressing training needs, implementation and evaluation efforts.
• Planning grants that allow organizations the opportunity to explore and plan for a potential project. Costs associated with analyzing feasibility, solidifying partnerships, developing work plans or proofs of concept are eligible.

Lois Livingston McMillen Memorial Fund: Support for Victims of Domestic Violence

The Lois Livingston McMillen Memorial Fund at Connecticut Community Foundation makes substantial grants throughout our region. The fund, established by Lois Livingston McMillen’s parents, reflects one of Lois’s passions: helping women and children who are victims of domestic violence and abuse. The fund provides tens of thousands of dollars each year to support agencies that provide vital services to women in our region.

McMillen Fund, Purpose

To support agencies that provide critical services to women and children who are victims of domestic violence and abuse. Priority is given to direct service programs to address immediate crises and provide emotional support and guidance to women and children who are victims of social, emotional or psychological abuse or sexual assault and domestic violence. Aims are to promote self-confidence, pride, dignity and personal advancement in those who have suffered from such destructive behavior.