Written by Erica Thompson for The Columbus Dispatch
The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio has awarded another round of unrestricted grants in support of women of color.This month, the foundation announced that it will provide $50,000 each to Zora’s House, Eryn PiNK Girl Empowerment and ThriveIN—all organizations led by Black women.
The investment is part of the Enduring Progressive Initiative, launched in 2021 to address the funding gap for organizations benefitting women and girls of color.
Women’s Fund of Central Ohio President and CEO Kelley Griesmer said she was inspired to launch the initiative after learning that less than half of 1% of philanthropic funding is directed to programs by and for women and girls of color, according to a report by the Ms. Foundation.
“We have to step in and start to make bold moves,” she said.
“Most women of color who run these really impactful social change organizations don’t even do it full-time. (This funding) is for leadership, vision and capacity-building. It’s that courageous nonprofit venture capital that says somebody needs to take a bet on you.”
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