Women’s Fund of RI New Grant Cycle and “Womenomics” Event, GoLocal Feature

WFRI New Grant Cycle

The Women’s Fund of Rhode Island (WFRI) has announced its 2017 grant cycle, which will award grants totaling $50,000, made possible by the generosity of donors.  Since launching its grant program in 2001, the WFRI has awarded more than $600,000 to organizations developing innovative programs that seek to promote gender equity and improve the lives of women and girls in RI.

The focus of this year’s funding will be the findings in the Status of Working Women in Rhode Island report released earlier this year in collaboration with the Economic Progress Institute.  To learn more about WFRI’s funding focus, eligibility criteria, and how to apply, refer to the Guidelines for a Grant Application and Grant Application.  Applications will be accepted from now through June 15, 2017.  Grant awards will be announced on October 11, 2017.

Womenomics:  Women Leading Change

On June 7, WFRI will be hosting a “Womenomics:  Women Leading Change” Celebration at the RISD Museum, 5:30-8:30pm, featuring a keynote presentation by Jackie VanderBrug of U.S. Trust, on why investing in and through women makes great economic sense.  WFRI will also be honoring Susan Rittscher, CEO of the Center for Women & Enterprise with the Women’s Fund Leadership Award.  Register

Nevins Featured on GoLocal Providence Live on Gender Equality in Politics

Kelly Nevins, the Executive Director of Women’s Fund of RI, was featured in a GoLocal Providence Live segment on how gender equality in Rhode island could re-shape politics in the state.  “We know that when we have more women in leadership, that things get better for women in general. So helping women to run  for office is something we’ll be looking at,” Nevins says.

Nevins says besides public office, they hope to help women establish more presence in corporate board rooms.  Nevins says WFRI is focused on working with partners to pass laws that will provide earned sick time for all private sector employees. They are also working to continue access to insurance and reproductive health care services.