Washington Area Women's Foundation
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Mission Statement
Washington Area Women’s Foundation eliminates the unique barriers women face on their path from poverty to economic security. Through research, advocacy and grantmaking, we help women thrive by focusing on early care and education, workforce development and financial stability. Washington, D.C. is one of the most powerful cities in the world. Yet, one-in-four women and their children in this region are experiencing economic hardship. We are committed to moving all women and girls currently living in poverty to a place of consistent economic stability, and believe this will be achieved when we engage the full philanthropic power of our community.
About This Cause
YOUNG WOMEN’S INITIATIVE In the District of Columbia, young women, girls, transgender, and gender non-conforming youth of color are more likely to live in poverty, experience homelessness, become young mothers, or reside in communities with fewer resources or bridge opportunities. They are also thirty percent less likely to complete high school and nine times more likely to be on the receiving end of harsh school discipline practices, such as out-of-school suspensions. • The Young Women’s Initiative of Washington Area Women’s Foundation is a city-wide effort to improve life outcomes and increase opportunities for young women and girls, of color. • Through leadership development, advocacy, and direct support to organizations, the Initiative aims to reduce systemic and institutional barriers to success and opportunity for young women so that they may reach their full potential. • The Initiative centers the experiences and voices of young women and girls of color in order to effect positive and lasting change in their communities. • The goals of the Initiative include: o Provide meaningful leadership opportunities and experiences to young women and girls of color between the ages of 12-24 in the District of Columbia; o Develop a city-wide, solution-driven blueprint to better align direct services and policies for young women and girls of color; o Work in partnership with key stakeholders, local policy makers, and community-based organizations to improve health, educational and economic outcomes for young women and girls of color and their families; o Align services and public policies to eliminate systemic and institutional barriers to success for young women and girls in the region; and o Produce original research on young women and girls of color to influence the field and various communities of practice. EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION Children who enter kindergarten prepared are on a path to reading proficiently by third grade—and are four times more likely to graduate high school. • The Women’s Foundation established the Early Care and Education Funders Collaborative in 2008. • The Collaborative works to create system changes to both improve the access and quality of early care and education for low-income children ages zero to five; and support professional development for early care and education professionals. • Through the Collaborative we funded DC Appleseed and DC Fiscal Policy Institute to conduct a study on subsidy rates. The study found that current subsidy rates in DC only cover 66-70 percent of the cost of care. • With the Collaborative, we advocate for policies including child care subsidies and improved credentialing and education for providers. • Thanks to our investments, last year alone, over 5,000 children were reached through our early care and education initiative. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of all low-wage workers in the Washington region—earning $10.10 per hour or less—are women. • We fund programs that give women and girls the skills that help them attain, maintain and advance in their career path. o For Example, YearUp, a Grantee Partner of The Women’s Foundation, offers training in computer skills and connects students with internships and mentors - helping to launch successful careers in Information Technology. • We advocate for policies that support women in the workplace, including paid family leave and paid sick leave. • Thanks to our investments, last year alone 237 women increased their earnings through employment by $659,000. FINANCIAL STABILITY/EDUCATION One-in-four women and girls are currently living under 200 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $40,320 for a family of three. • We fund programs that help women build basic financial skills to reduce debt and begin saving. o For Example, Doorways for Women and Families, a Grantee Partner of The Women’s Foundation, helps women seeking a way out of domestic violence or homelessness secure immediate shelter and then secure permanent housing by teaching the financial skills necessary to maintain a home for their families, significantly reducing the chances they will return to their abuser or homelessness. • We advocate for critical family supports, including Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, affordable housing and SNAP (formerly known as food stamps). • Thanks to our investments, last year alone, 1,169 women increased savings and reduced debt by $991,000. FAMILY PLANNING DC ranks as number 15 in the country for highest rates of teen pregnancy. More than half of the 790 teen births in 2012 were in wards 7 and 8. Only 9% of high school girls report they or their partner used birth control before their last sexual experience. • This year, we began serving as the project leader and fiscal agent for a community collaborative working to ensure that everyone has access to the full range of contraceptive options regardless of income in DC – recognizing the role that birth control plays in women’s economic stability. • We will track the reduction in teen pregnancy rates. Furthermore, we will track the economic impact of the program.