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January 25, 2010

Group leverages grant funds to help women

$16,250 is up for grabs in the 2010 grant cycle

By CAROL SOUTH

TRAVERSE CITY -- For the past ten years Three Generations Circle of Women Givers members have leveraged earning power, pooled giving and networking skills to help women in the community.

Founded in 2000, the organization operates with a three-fold mission: promote women's philanthropy through education and encouragement, boost the community's quality of life and aid organizations in the community that target women's issues.

The Three Generations Circle of Women Givers is an affiliate of the Women's Resource Center -- Grand Traverse Area.

The Three Generations 2010 grant cycle is in full swing, welcoming applications from area organizations that have or want to launch a program benefiting women and girls. The money may be used for programming focusing on a critical need, operational support, capital projects or building a program's capacity. Applications must be postmarked by March 12 and awards will be presented in May.

Up for grabs is a total of $16,250, noted Valerie Kirn-Duensing, director of development for the Women's Resource Center. Last May, the program awarded four grants totaling $15,000.

"(The grants) are for already existing nonprofits that work with women and girls," she said. "For example, the Bridge Program at Northwestern Michigan College has been a recipient for years and years because we get such a great return on the investment."

Besides the Bridge Program, the other 2009 grant recipients were Child and Family Services' Safe Haven Program, SEEDS' Northwest Michigan Youth Conservation Corps and Legal Services of Northern Michigan's Law Enhanced Access Project.

Bill Watson, project director of the SEEDS youth corps, used Three Generations grant money to fund two young women last summer, providing wages as well as job experience and training. Combined with the other women who participated in the conservation corps -- which at one point during the summer was seven out of 24 participants -- he envisions at some point an all-female crew.

"The teen unemployment rate is really high and teen mothers' (rate) really has to be off the chart," said Watson, noting that three of his female participants were young mothers. "My hope is this year, we're going to write another grant for the Circle and I'd really like to find some way to fund childcare. To be able to provide them with a safe environment for their children."

The grant money available from Three Generations Circle of Women Givers represents just half of what approximately 30 members have pledged in the past year. Committing to member shares -- $1,000 for a full share, $500 for a half share or, new this year, $250 for a quarter share -- they illustrate how as little as $3 per day can make a difference when pooled with other donations.

The other half of the annual pledges goes to the Women's Resource Center's emergency shelter and transitional homes, including Helen's House, Sara's House and Madeleine's House.

"A lot of women now have the power to give, it's really different from 20 years ago, even," said Kirn-Duensing. "That's what this whole thing is about."

For more information on the Three Generations Circle of Women Givers or to obtain a grant application, contact Kirn-Duensing at 941-1210 or e-mail: vkirn-duensing@wrcgt.com. Applications are also posted at www.womensresourcecenter.org.

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