With a Focus on Equity, Women’s Giving Circle Helps Women and Girls Thrive

The Women’s Giving Circle–which includes 60 women who are motivated to advance women and girls in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills–has awarded grants totaling $27,000 to seven organizations serving the region. Priority was given to programs that promote outcomes related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“It was a challenging year because of the pandemic but we still connected members to each nonprofit and selected programs where the largest, and most positive equitable impact could be made,” said Karen Powell, chair of the Women’s Giving Circle. “Amazing things are possible when people come together.”

The Women’s Giving Circle was formed in 2017 so members could pool their dollars, study local concerns, and award grants together to nonprofit organizations tackling issues affecting women and girls in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills. In four years, the Circle has awarded $121,500 to sixteen area organizations.

“The Circle’s impact is based on our collective generosity. Members at all levels allow us to achieve more than any individual member could do alone. We remain committed to the values of equity and opportunity for women and girls and look forward to getting started for our fifth year,” said Powell.

The Women’s Giving Circle’s 2021 grant recipients include $5,000 awards to the following organizations:

  • Girls with Impact of Greenwich to support its 2021 Entrepreneurial Academy, which will equip twenty girls in the Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills region with business, leadership, college, and career success.
  • Madre Latina in Waterbury for its Young Representatives of Waterbury program, which is geared to Latina high school students in the city. Participants will learn leadership and civic engagement skills to make change in their community.
  • Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury to support its Women of Color Empowerment Collective. The program will enroll fifteen women of color to focus on leadership and college graduation.
  • Save Girls on F.Y.E.R in Waterbury to support its Leadership Academy Summer Exchange Program. The grant will support additional summer activities for girls participating in the Save Girls on F.Y.E.R. Leadership Academy.
  • Women’s Choice Charitable Association in Waterbury for support of its Community Doula Project. The grant will enable the organization to provide free doulas to women of color who are birthing in Waterbury and who face financial challenges. This program will work alongside prenatal care provided by local hospitals and obstetrician offices.

Two additional finalists, Girl Scouts of Connecticut and Sustainable CT, received $1,000 for general operating support.

To learn about getting involved in the Women’s Giving Circle at Connecticut Community Foundation, visit: www.conncf.org/womens-giving-circle.