November 2016

  

Happy Thanksgiving! This holiday is an opportunity to be thankful and to reflect on the people and things for which we should be grateful. 

The Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis would like to express sincere appreciation to each of you for supporting our mission and vision for economically secure women and children in the City of Memphis.  
 
We are thankful for all who support our Vision 2020 Strategic Plan and helped raise over $ 2.5 million for a record-breaking year from individuals, corporations and foundations.  We are also thankful for more than 300 volunteers that gave over 1,000 volunteer hours this year.
 
Thank you. 

Without the generosity of each and every one of you, we would not be able to empower low-income women to become economically self-sufficient and to provide strong role models for their children.


My Best, 
Ruby Bright, Executive Director and CAO
PHILANTHROPY

2016 Power of the Purse Auction a Success
More than 400 people attended the 2016 Power of the Purse Auction (POP16) on Thursday, October 27 at The University Club of Memphis.  More than $125,000 in auction items were available for bid at POP16 ranging from designer purses and jewelry to art and travel packages.   Surprise guest, world-class drummer, singer and songwriter Sheila E. joined the night of Fun, Food and Fashion, much to the delight of attendees. She shared words of encouragement and applauded the work of WFGM in the community.  See the video here.   Click here for event photos.    


AutoZoners Catherine Gammill and Kelly Smith
A Word From the 2016 Power of the Purse Auction Presenting Sponsor
The presenting sponsor for POP16  was  AutoZone.   AutoZone's relationship with the Women's Foundation goes back to the inception of the Women's Foundation in 1995.   For more than two decades, AutoZone has provided board leadership, volunteers and annual funding.   In 2014, AutoZone launched the AutoZone  Women's Initiative, or AZ WIN, dedicated to women's growth and engagement. The AutoZone Women's Initiative and the Women's Foundation share a commitment to community leadership and the development of women. Both organizations provide resources, expertise and courageous leadership, which in turn offer a network, support system and opportunities for women and their families. 

"On behalf of AutoZone and the Women's Foundation, we appreciate everyone's exceptional participation, donations and support for Power of the purse and Vision 2020. AutoZone congratulations the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis on a successful POP fundraiser. We are honored to serve as the 2016 Power of the Purse presenting sponsor and excited to continue our long-standing partnership with the Women's Foundation." 
WFGM joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.  Occurring this year on November 29, #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) to kick-off the holiday giving season.  WFGM has committed to raise $2020 on #GivingTuesday for the Vision 2020 Strategic Plan. 

There are four ways to give to the Women's Foundation on  #GivingTuesday and help us meet out goal:

  1. Join the Vision, Become a member of WFGM!
  2. Honor a woman who's important to you through a Holiday Honorarium. 
  3. Attend The Second Annual Female Warriors: Armed and Delicious benefiting WFGM.
  4. Volunteer for the WFGM #GivingTuesday Phonathon! 
After you give, tag us on social media to follow the #GivingTuesday theremometer and let others know you gave to the Women's Foundation so that they can give too! 

The second annual Female Warriors: Armed and Delicious benefiting  the Women's Foundation for a  Greater Memphis, is Tuesday, November 29, 2016 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., at Felicia Suzanne's Restaurant. The event unites restaurateurs, purveyors and culinary thought leaders to become champions for the women of Memphis. There will be live music, fun cocktails, & delicious food from local female culinary warriors. Don't miss out on this awesome event!






WFGM receives $450,000 from W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation awarded the Women's Foundation the three-year $450,000 Catalyzing Community Giving Grant this year. The grant funds Connecting Hearts Hands Philanthropy (CHHP).  The CHHP cohort held its Fall meeting to share successes of each organization and being the planning of a collaborative fundraising project. The purpose of CHHP is to demonstrate the value of philanthropy among community of color donors who provide services that support education, health and the economic security of children and families. The participating organizations include:   

  • The Links, Inc - Shelby County (TN) Chapter
  • The Links, Inc - Memphis (TN) Chapter
  • The Links, Inc - River City (TN) Chapter
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - Phi Lambda Omega Chapter
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. - Shelby County (TN)  Alumnae Chapter
Join us at the Beautiful Soul Boutique on  Thursday, December 1, 2016   as we celebrate the beautiful spirit of women coming together to help our community! 

This event of fun and fashion for a purpose will feature  Marie Pizano,  special guest, author and producer of From Barefoot to Stilettos.

Proceeds benefit the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis.

Beautiful Soul Boutique 
Fun and Fashion for a Purpose
Thursday, December 1, 2016
10 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
3133 Forrest Hill Irene Rd, Ste. 110
Germantown, TN 38137 
GRANTS AND PROGRAMS
Grantee Partner Spotlight 
Knowledge Quest,
Family Stability Initiative (FSI)
WFGM grantee partner Knowledge Quest's FSI provides comprehensive case management and wraparound services to increase families' abilities to secure their basic needs. FSI seeks to serve 100 families and 200 youth within the families annually.  Since receiving funding, FSI has acquired a new location at 1044 S. Third Street, located in the 38126 community. By having its own space, the program will be able to focus solely on Vision 2020 goals and be easily accessible to families in the community to share resources.

"This is the mural you see as you enter our newly occupied FSI Center. It's not only inspiring to me but every parent that walks through the door has commented on how welcoming it is. It was painted by one of our very gifted volunteers," said Michelle Miller, 
Program Coordinator for the 
Knowledge Quest Family Stability Program.
 
LEADERSHIP
Nominations are now open for the 2017 Legends Award Honorees. The deadline for nominations is Friday, January 13, 2017. The Legends Award pays tribute to women whose work embodies the mission of the Women's Foundation. The purpose of the award is to applaud these Honorees, whose visionary and innovative work is of paramount significance in their specialized areas of outreach. 


The 2017 Legends Award will recognize women in the following areas/categories:
  • Philanthropy and Leadership Award
  • Catalyst Award
  • Innovation Award
Criteria for each category is located at www.wfgm.org  and on the nomination form .

The Legends Award Art Exhibition is currently located in First Tennessee Bank at 165 Madison Ave., and will remain throughout the entire month of November. Legends Award Artists and Writers create works of art and prose that personify the Legends Award Honorees' accomplishments and contributions to this community. Since 2009, WFGM has honored 61 women.
ADVOCACY
Glamour Focuses on Girls Education
On October 11th, Glamour Magazine's The Girl Project hosted, "A Brighter Future: A Global  Conversation on Girls' Education," with First Lady Michelle Obama. The event was the second in a series of conversations about this critical issue. A Brighter Future is part of The Girl Project's efforts to raise awareness and build engagement around helping girls graduate from school. Learn more and watch the video here.
COLLABORATION
WFGM Recognized as Part of Global Impact
The Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis is featured in the Women's Funding Network's (WFN) Women's Economic Security Benchmarking Report , a one-year snapshot of economic security investments made by WFN members between November 2013 and November 2014. In 2014, women's foundations within WFN invested a combined total of $11.9 million in women's economic security. The report was released alongside the Economic Security Digital Storytelling Platform , which highlights WFGM's Vision 2020 Strategic Plan, and can be downloaded directly from the platform.



WFGM Highlighted for Work with Women and Girls of Color
WFGM is listed in a White House Press Release titled, Progress of the African-American Community During the Obama Administration for working to Advance Equity for Women and Girls of Color, specifically with Prosperity Together and the Young Women's Initiative.
 
"In 2014, the Council on Women and Girls (CWG) launched a specific work stream called "Advancing Equity for Women and Girls of Color" to ensure that policies and programs across the federal government appropriately take into account the unique obstacles that women and girls of color can face..."  Read more from the release.
In This Issue
Philanthropy
Leadership
Grants and Programs
Advocacy
Collaboration
Save the Dates

Dinate Now!

Join Our Mailing List

 

Join us on social media!

 

Find us on Facebook
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SAVE THE DATES
Nominate a Legend!
Deadline: 
Friday, January 13, 2017 

The  2017 Legends Award will recognize women in the
 following areas/categories:

Philanthropy and Leadership Award
Catalyst Award
Innovation Award


#GivingTuesday Phonathon
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Contact Mimi Duru at [email protected] for details. 


 
Female Warriors: 
Armed & Delicious 
#GivingTuesday
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Felicia Suzanne's
80 Monroe Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
Tickets: $50


Beautiful Soul Boutique
Fun and Fashion for a Purpose
Thursday, December 1, 2016
10 AM-6:00 PM
3133 Forrest Hill Irene Rd, Ste. 110
Germantown, TN 38137
Featuring  Maria Pizano,  Author and Producer of From Barefoot to Stilettos
A portion of proceeds benefit WFGM

Legends Award Art Exhibition
Friday, January 7, 2017-
Friday, February 3, 2017 
Buckman International
1256 N. McLean Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38108  

Legends Award Reception 
Thursday, April 13, 2017
6:00 PM-8:00 PM
The Columns at 
One Commerce Square
40 S. Main Street
Memphis, TN 38103

Annual Tribute Luncheon
Thursday, April 27, 2017
11:30 AM-1:15 PM
Memphis Cook Convention Center
255 N Main Street
Memphis, TN 38103

Women's Funding Network 2017 Conference: Women Funded 
Wednesday, September 6, 2017-Friday, September 8, 2017
San Francisco, CA

  
WFGM's  Vision 2020 Strategic Plan and Two Generation Approach was highlighted in the  Memphis Daily News
last month, featuring interviews with Ruby Bright, Executive Director/CAO and  Renisha, a participant and supporter  of WFGM funded programs. The overarching goal of the  
is to reduce poverty by five percent 
over five years in 38126, one of the
 poorest zip code in the City of Memphis. 

  
HOW TO GET INVOLVED - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Join us as a volunteer with Vision 2020. We have several areas of focus within this strategic plan, including:
Early Childhood Education
Job Readiness
Financial Literacy
 
Volunteers are also needed for:
Administrative Support
Clerical Work
Communications & Marketing
Data Entry

If you would like to volunteer, contact Mimi Duru at [email protected] 
or 901-969-2413.


KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS

 

 

Kroger is committed to helping 
 
communities grow and prosper. Year after year, local schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations earn millions of dollars through Kroger CommunityRewards®. 


 

WFGM supporters can earn rewards for our organization every time you swipe your Kroger Plus Card!

 

Log on to Kroger Community Rewards
and create or renew an account
if you have not already done so already. 


 


WHEREtoGIVEmidsouth


WFGM is a proud partner of 
WHEREtoGIVEmidsouth,

directory of nonprofit organizations
in the greater Memphis area.
Discover organizations working on issues important to you. Find information about their mission, staff and board, major programs, and finances, and
donate to support their work.
  



ABOUT WFGM  
For more than 20 years, The Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis has been uniting women and helping to break the cycle of poverty through 
philanthropy, leadership and collaboration.

Our mission is to encourage philanthropy, foster leadership among women and support programs that enable women and children to reach their full potential. 

Our vision is to be an agent of change committed to a community of wellbeing and prosperity, where women live in sufficiency, strength, and safety, sharing their leadership and empowering their children.
Learn more at www.wfgm.org ...


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Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis
One Commerce Square

40 South Main Street, Suite 2280 | Memphis, Tennessee 38103

901.578.9346 (office) | 901.578.9446 (fax) |  www.wfgm.org 

 

The mission of the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis is to encourage

philanthropy and foster leadership among women and support programs that enable

women and children to reach their full potential.