Author: Lisa Kays

Washington Post: D.C. boom leaves out minorities, women.

Posted on by Lisa Kays

According to today’s Washington Post, the economic boom in D.C. is leaving out those who stand to benefit the most from it–low-income families.

Nearly one in three working families in Washington, D.C. is poor, says a report being released today by the DC Fiscal Policy Institute and the D.C. Appleseed Center for Law and Justice.

Nearly all of those families are minorities and two-thirds of them are headed by single women.

At the heart of the failure to transfer the economic boom to low-income residents, says the report, is a failure to appropriately train them for the jobs emerging as a result of the boom.

I have to say, this surprised me. 

After learning so much about programs training low-income women for nontraditional jobs, like construction, the environmental services, or law enforcement, and hearing about how serious the commitment of these women are to their new fields–and how pleased the leaders in these industries are to have them–it’s hard for me to imagine that the city and its partners aren’t ramping them up left and right.

As we’ve learned here at The Women’s Foundation, they work. 

They bring women and their children out of poverty and into higher paying jobs, with benefits, and provide employers with a trained, talented, committed source of personnel. 

As Walter Smith, executive director of D.C. Appleseed reminds us, it’s just common sense for our community to invest in more programs like these.  "It will help build the city’s tax base.  It will help reduce the very high costs we have in this city of social services. It’s very much in the city’s interest to invest in these families."

And, with two thirds of those living in poverty being women, investing with an eye to creating programs for low-income women is bound to have the greatest return.

To see how, check out this video on Washington Area Women in the Trades’ female construction program and how it’s changing the outlook of one single mother and her family.

The D.C. Appleseed Center for Law and Justice is a Grantee Partner of The Women’s Foundation.

An "Hour of Power" with the women of the Prince George's County Fire Department.

Posted on by Lisa Kays

Today, I had the pleasure of joining Phyllis, our president, and our new philanthropic education officer, Nicole, at the Prince George’s County Fire Department’s "Hour of Power." 

The staff around The Women’s Foundation know that I’m a big advocate of the "civilized lunch," where you actually leave your desk and talk to other human beings. 

The women of the Prince George’s County Fire Department are taking that idea a lot further–gathering for "Hour of Power" lunches to get to know one other, take time out for their goals, dreams and wishes and to foster their own sense of empowerment through each other.

Now that’s a civilized, if not inspiring, awesome idea.

And if that’s not inspiring enough, their theme for this year is "Vision to Victory." 

Phyllis was asked to come in as the guest speaker and to lead today’s lunch.  She started off with the videos and stories of Lacey Paey and Sharan Mitchell–and their personal stories of vision to victory. 

Then the discussion moved to the power of women to support their families and communities, and the many ways that they give back, often without realizing the extent of their impact. 

Invariably, in a room full of dynamic, powerful women like those that we met today, the conversation eventually turned to The Power of Giving Together, and how women, working together, can accomplish so much.  

When asked what this group might like to do, together, what issues they saw in their community that they wanted to see changed, it was clear that many were already playing an active role in programs and interventions to help build the self-esteem of young women or in supporting individuals who needed information or resources to move into better careers.

Power indeed.

By the end of the hour, as we made our way out to head back to the office, we walked through groups of excited chatter about ways to get involved, ways to do more, ways to work together to positively impact their community.

In summing up, Lieutenant Colonel Carla Blue, who convened the Hour of Power, offered a great statement that embodies what we refer to as The Power of Giving Together.

"A little bit with so many can add up to so much," she said, concluding a very empowering hour, indeed.

Women's philanthropy: not philanthropy as usual.

Posted on by Lisa Kays

Here at The Women’s Foundation we see it all the time.  How women’s philanthropy is different. 

How it tends to not only build up communities, but also build connections, as women are heavily involved in their giving–often wanting to be hands on rather than just writing a check. 

You can see this in the connections that are built when women give together–through giving circles or networks.  

Or in the passion with which burgeoning nonprofits are connected to resources, people, ideas or trainings that support their work and their vision.

Yes, we see it all the time, almost every day.

And yet, it’s always nice to hear that others are seeing it, too.  That this truly is a phenomenon that is changing the face of philanthropy, as women build wealth and take an increasing hold on their power to positively impact their communities and the world.

So it was good to see that Fern Portnoy has taken note as well, sharing her observations about women’s philanthropy on Philantopic.  She writes:

  • Women donors are strategic. They understand, deeply, the wisdom of funding women and girls.
  • They care about impact and know that women’s funds — which vet their grassroots grantees for effectiveness — are an effective way to be sure their dollars truly make a difference.
  • They are relational. They want to give in community, to give together.
  • They are egalitarian and recognize that their dollars are far less effective without "grantee partners," the women on the front lines who know how to use the funding they provide. In the world of women’s funds, you will see donors and grantees working side by side, a Disney heiress collaborating with the director of a shelter in Harlem.
  • Women are charging ahead even as the economy falters. Women Moving Millions has quickly surpassed $90 million toward its $150 million goal.

The evidence is everywhere, building and lending credence to the notion that women’s philanthropy is different, effective, and here to stay.

And that it’s making a significant impact.

As Donna Callejon, a superstar member of The Women’s Foundation’s board of directors, sums it up over at GlobalGiving: The upshot? Women are positioned to lead the way in shaping philanthropy’s future.

Given what we see around here all the time, and Fern’s observations, one can’t help but deduce that the future is lookin’ good. 

FOGH: Advice for today's young women.

Posted on by Lisa Kays

For some inspiration for your Friday, I can’t help but sharing a blog post I recently found on Friend of Guest House’s blog about advice that women would give to the young girls of today if they had the chance.

The women writing are speaking from some serious life experience, and a fair amount of hard knocks, which makes their words of wisdom all the more compelling and touching.  Just a few excerpts:

First, I would talk to them about putting themselves first and that they should not worry about other people. I would like to talk to them about boyfriends and explain that they do not need a boyfriend or partner in their lives to fulfill their needs. Also, going through a through a rebellious/"party" time to have fun is not necessary and does not make you COOL. None of it is worth it…I’d like to explain how important it is to look out for themself, that if anyone asks or tells you to do something they need to think of the consequences before you do it. Life is not worth using the "stinkin thinkin" mode (stupid thinking)."  –age 21

I would express to them that it’s never to late to turn your life around – no matter how many bad decisions you’ve made. Overall, try your best not to make any bad decision that result in hurting yourself or your love ones. –age 32

I would want to tell them how important it is to get a good education, that sex and relationships can wait. –age 34

I would like to talk about other addictions that are not drug related, such as money addiction. People do not realize that spending money on clothes and other material items can be just as addictive as drugs. They need to understand that needing and wanting a material item is not always the best choice. Personally, I understand the feeling of wanting something at that moment, but until you work for that item, you never really appreciate it for its full value. I would say that Money Addictions are very real and that there are many people with the same problems and they are not alone. To get Therapy and to find out how to re-train you mind into not getting the money for a expensive item, until you have worked for it. –age 36

The women at Friends of Guest House are working every day, with the support of the guest house staff and each other, to change their lives.  For more on the advice they have for young women and their individual journeys, visit their blog.

Friends of Guest House is a Grantee Partner of The Women’s Foundation.  Get connected.

Christine: How Stepping Stones changed my financial future.

Posted on by Lisa Kays

Christine Walker came to Washington, D.C. in 2002 from Milwaukee for better professional growth opportunities. Eager to advance her career, she enrolled in public policy courses at George Washington University.

As she accumulated credits toward her degree, unfortunately, she also began accumulating credit card debt.

A lot of it.

Concerned about her financial future, Christine embarked on a journey towards financial literacy. She taught herself everything she could through books. Then she teamed up with Lydia’s House, a Grantee Partner of The Women’s Foundation, and took classes on how to improve her credit and prepare for responsible home ownership.

Lydia’s House set her on a path towards better financial practices, but as a single mom responsible for her four-year old son, Christine still wasn’t earning enough through her job as an executive assistant to save—the true pathway to economic security.

And that’s where The Women’s Foundation’s Stepping Stones initiative came in.

Stepping Stones brought together Lydia’s House and Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB), providing a grant to CAAB to provide Individual Development Accounts —or IDAs, a special type of savings account—to single mothers in Washington, D.C.’s Ward 8 earning less than $35,000 who completed financial literacy courses at Lydia’s House.

Fueled by the motivation of knowing that she could quadruple her savings, Christine saved $1,000 in six short months. Having completed the required financial education training and met her savings goal, Christine earned a 3-to-1 match on her account from the IDA program–receiving an additional $3,000 from funds provided by The Women’s Foundation and the D.C. government.

The match, she says, made all the difference.

"The match made it seem like it was worthwhile," Christine says. "When you can only save $25 a month, you feel defeated, that you can’t put a dent in your goals. Your only hope is for a better job, or some other fluke. It’s frustrating. With the IDA account, it seemed almost too good to be true. For me, $4,000 is huge. It means not having to use a credit card for school."

Emily Appel, matched savings program director at CAAB, explains that motivation is a significant part of the journey towards saving. “Christine is awesomely motivated, which is what it takes to balance the cost of raising a family in the District and saving for school," Emily says. "We’ve seen time and again that with that motivation to fix one’s finances and start a business, go back to school, or buy a house, even very low-income people can find a way to save and purchase their asset.”

Christine now has $4,000 saved to apply towards her public policy degree. Eventually, she hopes to go to law school. Once she has her undergraduate—and eventually her law school—degrees, her earning potential will significantly increase.

This is the idea behind the IDA accounts, which require that the individual’s savings be put towards an asset that will increase in value over time, such as education, homeownership or small business start-up or expansion.

Programs like these are what make The Women’s Foundation—and its Grantee Partners—so effective. Because we invest in strategies and people, like Christine, that generate an amazing return on investment.

Christine is the first of what will be up to 20 success stories to emerge from the partnership between Lydia’s House and CAAB over the next three years—for a combined savings of up to $80,000, leveraging thousands more in mortgages, scholarships, and student and small business loans.

Stay tuned for even more great results and impact from Stepping Stones—The Women’s Foundation’s long-term initiative focused on helping low-income, single mothers achieve economic security. Evaluation results for the first two and a half years of Stepping Stones will be available in April.

If you are a Grantee Partner and would like to recommend clients for enrollment in the CAAB IDA program, please contact Emily Appel by email or at 202.419.1440 for more information.

Wish you were in a better mood? Now you can buy one.

Posted on by Lisa Kays

The last dreary days of winter got you down?  Finding yourself sad as a result of too little sun?

Well, according to psychologists, now you don’t have to wait for your mood to improve, or depend upon a drastic change in weather or other circumstances. 

Evidently, now you can buy happiness and a better mood, according to a recent study. 

All you have to do is give. 

The study found that individuals who were given money and were asked to give it away, rather than spend it on themselves, experienced a marked increase in their mood and sense of happiness.

For six to eight weeks on average–regardless of the size of the gift or whether it was given to strangers (charity) or to relatives or friends.

The bottom line is that for those in the study, spending it on others felt better, while spending it on themselves generated no emotional benefit.

I guess as a true barometer for whether this is true, we could all tune into Oprah’s Big Give and observe how the mood of the contestants fares over time.

Or, we could just try it for ourselves by making someone else happy with a gift.

Try just thinking for two seconds about the gift you might give and why.  Now, try not to smile. 

I bet you can’t.

Congratulations to FAIR Fund, winner of the online vote!

Posted on by Lisa Kays

From February 1-15, 2008, 1,187 people cast their vote for one of eight outstanding local nonprofits–the 2007 Leadership Awardees–working to improve the health and safety of our region’s women and girls.

More than 400 of those votes went to FAIR Fund, the winner of this year’s online vote!

FAIR Fund contributes to social change in our community–and around the world–by engaging youth, especially young women, in civil society in the areas of anti-human trafficking, domestic violence and sexual assault prevention, and through youth training programs.

Each month in Washington, D.C., up to 30 adolescent girls are identified as victims of commercial sexual exploitation. FAIR Fund’s programs work to change this reality by providing young people with an authentic opportunity to express their own realities, get help navigating the resources available to them and gain a better understanding of what exploitation is and how they can avoid or exit an exploitative situation.

FAIR Fund is making its impact on our community by:

  • Working with 350 local D.C. teens, mainly girls, to provide them with a preventative educational program where teens learn to protect themselves from human trafficking through arts and empowerment;
  • Training over 600 community members–teachers, law enforcement, social workers, health practitioners and legal professionals–to identify and assist youth who are at risk or have experienced commercial sexual exploitation; and,
  • Training more than 100 university students to become the next generation of anti-trafficking leaders in their community.

Andrea Powell, Fair Fund’s executive director, has more to say about how sex trafficking is impacting young people in Washington, D.C. and how you can help. Check out her thoughts here.

The Women’s Foundation congratulates FAIR Fund for being this year’s online vote winner, and for contributing daily to social change on behalf of women and girls.

The Women’s Foundation also congratulates the seven other Leadership Awardees who participated in this year’s online vote.

Each of these organizations has already been recognized by The Women’s Foundation with a Leadership Award of $10,000 to recognize and encourage their effective, innovative efforts on behalf of women and girls.  The Women’s Foundation congratulates each of you!

To learn more about how you can support FAIR Fund’s efforts to reduce adolescents risk toward human trafficking and exploitation or to learn more about the issues, visit their Web site or call 202.265.1505 and ask for Andrea Powell or Amelia Korangy.

To learn more about participating in the next Leadership Awards Committee, contact Carolee Summers-Sparks at csummers@wawf.org.

Show some love (and $5,000) to a local nonprofit…vote today!

Posted on by Lisa Kays

It’s Valentine’s Day! 

And what better way to show a local nonprofit that you care than to vote for them online, and help one outstanding nonprofit doing work on behalf of women and girls take home $5,000 to support their work.

There are eight innovative, effective nonprofits up for the award and the last day to vote is tomorrow.

Come on, show some love!  Vote today!

Feeling left out of Super Tuesday? We'll let you vote!

Posted on by Lisa Kays

Feeling a bit left out since it’s Super Tuesday but we have to wait another week to vote?  Antsy to have your say?  Adamantly insisting that you should be voting today, even though you shouldn’t?  All those Facebook SuperPoke election options have you longing to participate in a democratic process?

Never fear, The Women’s Foundation is here.  We’ll let you vote today in our online Leadership Awards vote, no matter who you are or where you live.  We don’t even care if you’re registered or not and we won’t ask to see ID.

If you have an opinion about changing communities to improve the lives of women and girls, we have an online ballot for you!

The winning organization will win a $5,000 award, and you’ll come away with the empowered feeling of anyone anywhere else who has been to the polls.

For a little inspiration on the matter, Seth Godin has a great post today featuring lessons from voting.

Check it out, and then put his list to the test by participating in our poll.

Because it’s Super Tuesday, and there’s no sense feeling left out.  Vote now.

Vote today and help a local nonprofit earn $5,000!

Posted on by Lisa Kays

The primaries aren’t the only elections where women can really make a difference. 

Starting today and going through February 15, anyone interested can contribute their voice to an online vote for one of eight nonprofits that they think is doing the most to improve the health and safety of women and girls throughout the Washington metropolitan area.

The eight organizations are The Women’s Foundation’s 2007 Leadership Awardees, selected for $10,000 awards because of their effective, innovative work on behalf of women and girls.

The winner of the online vote will win an additional award of $5,000 to support their work.

It’s all part of The Women’s Foundation’s efforts to make philanthropy accessible to everyone, much like The Case Foundation is doing through its new experimental online fundraising contest.  The Case Foundation is hosting the contest largely to raise awareness about different online fundraising tools.

We’re doing it to make you aware of the excellent work being done by organizations right here in our community, and to inform and gather feedback about the strategies and approaches viewed as the most effective in improving the lives of women and girls.

So, what do you think will make the greatest impact on the health and safety of women and girls? 

Providing mental health services to low-income families?  Training to help identify and assist children that have been coerced into prostitution?  Support for women affected by cancer or HIV/AIDS?  Empowering women through training and seminars in self-esteem, health, effective parenting?  Providing funding to help women who couldn’t otherwise afford to have an abortion?

Read about the realities of the health and safety of women and girls in our region, and then have your say today in our online vote, and help support work that you really believe in.  That, after all, is what effective philanthropy is all about!

Anyone can vote!  Vote now through February 15, 2008! 

And, if you’d like to share your thoughts about what strategy you support and why, email me (lkays@wawf.org) to discuss being a guest blogger or leave a note in comments! 

Also, drop me a line if you’re interested in volunteering to serve on the next Leadership Awards Committee.  Not only do you get to support and learn about awesome organizations like these, but it’s fun!