Fall 2024

The official newsletter of the Women’s Fund of the

Oshkosh Area Community Foundation

Message from our Director

Dear Friends,

As we look back on an inspiring year, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you—our dedicated supporters. Thanks to your generosity, we’ve empowered local women with essential resources, supported programs that uplift girls’ education and confidence, and strengthened families through focused initiatives.

But there is still much work ahead. Needs in our community continue to grow, and your support has never been more crucial. To help us drive our mission forward, please consider a year-end gift to the Women’s Fund. Every dollar raised will directly support programs and services that uplift and create meaningful change for women, girls, and families right here in our community.

Together, we can make an even greater impact in the coming year. Join us as we continue to inspire hope, drive change, and create brighter futures!

Sincerely,

Karlene Grabner

Executive Director

Women's Fund

Karlene@OshkoshAreaCF.org | 920.426.3993

Empowering Change through 25 Years of Impact

The Women’s Fund, established in 1999, was founded to empower women and girls in Winnebago County through philanthropy, grantmaking, and education. At a time when only 7% of philanthropic dollars supported causes benefiting women, the founders aimed to create lasting change.

Since then, the Women’s Fund has granted over $3 million to programs focused on literacy, single mothers, scholarships, and more. What began with $7,400 in grants has grown to nearly $328,000 distributed in the past year!

Throughout its 25-year history, the Women’s Fund has supported initiatives addressing the unique needs of women, girls, and families. Recent grant recipients include Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Wisconsin for girls’ mentoring, Apricity for expansion of women’s sober living, and Winnebago Area Literacy Council for education of women and their daughters who are refugees or immigrants.

Grant Highlights

Christine Ann and

Tri-County Dental

As part of a collaborative grant to both Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, Inc. and the Tri-County Dental, we were able to help add Christine Ann as a spot to the Tri-County Dental Bus route. This piloted collaboration supports the Tri-County Dental Clinic's mission to reach more children, as well as Christine Ann's mission of aiding women and children in need.

We were proud to grant $7,500 towards this effort, which will foster wellness and care for women and children in our community. In working together we can accomplish so much more than we can working alone.

The Teachers' Closet

A recent grant from the G.E.M.S. Fund (Giving Empowers My Sisters) Giving Circle to The Teachers’ Closet helped give their new building a fresh paint job. The Teachers’ Closet’s new space expands their ability to provide essential supplies to Winnebago County teachers, pre-K thru 12th grade.

The G.E.M.S. Fund, part of the Women’s Fund, donates to causes that support women and children in the community. Their generous spirit exemplifies what’s at the heart of our Women’s Fund mission.

Immediate Gifts Made from Assets: IRA rollovers allow donors to make immediate contributions using retirement assets.

Tax Advantages: These rollovers are tax advantageous. They can count towards you RMD, potentially reducing the tax burden associated with large distributions.

Helps Meet RMD Requirements: For donors aged 72 and above, making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) can help satisfy their RMD requirement in a tax-efficient manner.

Significant Contribution Limits: Donors can contribute up to $100,000 per year as a QCD, providing an opportunity for substantial annual giving.

*The Women’s Fund offers many unique easy to give including appreciated stocks, IRA rollover, life insurance, and more. Click HERE for details or call (920) 426-3993.