The Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore began as the grassroots effort of a few women who were looking for an effective way to address significant local problems. Particularly concerned about the unmet needs of many Mid-Shore women and girls, they started the Fund in May 2002 and began seeking contributions for a permanent endowment from other area women. The Fund’s core mission, “using the power
of pooled resources to improve the lives of women and girls in the Mid-Shore”, is in action through annual grants to local non-profits for a variety of programs targeting specific needs of women, girls, and families. Through two annual awards, the Women & Girls Fund Award and the Sheryl V. The Fund recognizes outstanding community members whose personal or professional activities exemplify the Fund’s mission. Now, 20 years later, thanks to the support of the entire community, and with donations ranging from $10 - $45,000, the endowment has grown to over $1,600,000. Annual grants, exceeding a total of $780,000, have been awarded to 105 local non-profits. The Women & Girls Fund, a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, channels the pooled resources of individuals into a powerful, perpetual legacy. Because the endowment of the Women & Girls Fund is invested along with the assets of other local funds managed by the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, the impact of tax-deductible gifts is magnified through investment income and growth. The value of an endowment is in its permanence, which ensures that funds will always exist to address the problems faced by local women and girls - now and for generations to come. The "power of pooled resources" is, indeed, making a significant impact in the region.
