Committees of The Women's Fund of Herkimer and Oneida Counties
Development and Events Committees
The role of the Development Committee is to maintain donor relations, cultivate annual gifts and raise the funds necessary to create opportunities for women and girls. The Events Committee supports Fund Development through the planning and execution of fundraising and awareness events. Major activities include:
Annual Power of the Purse Event
Power of the Purse is The Women's Fund's major fundraising event and a forum for highlighting our Grant programs. Through sponsorship opportunities and individual ticket sales, this event has been a part of our organization for over 20 years. At this event, The Women's Fund honors one or more individuals who have made a positive impact for local women and girls.
Awareness Gatherings
Help spread the word about The Women's Fund and the accomplishments of our grant programs by organizing a Gathering! A Gathering can be anything from an intimate cocktail party, an informal coffee and pastry get-together, or a backyard pool party! The Women's Fund will assist the host with organization and invitations. All the host is required to do is invite friends and provide an opportunity for The Women's Fund to present a brief awareness program.
Finance
The Finance committee is responsible for fiscal management and oversight of The Women's Fund financial assets and providing monthly reports to the full board of directors. Composed of Board members only, this committee reviews and monitors income and expenses, sets policy, manages and establishes the budget, and ensures that The Women's Fund compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Grant Funding Committees
In accordance with our mission of supporting women in our community, the Women's Fund has several funding opportunities available, each with a distinct purpose toward advancing women in our community. Each of these committees oversee unique funding opportunities in an effort to have the broadest impact on women in need in our community. These committees include:
Non-profit Grants Committee: This committee accepts proposals from non-profit organizations in our community which address critical issues affecting women and girls. The committee solicits grant applications each fall and reviews the grant according to guidelines established by The Women's Fund.
Annie's Fund Committee: In partnership with area non-profits, this committee provides support for individual women who are in an immediate yet resolvable crisis. Partner agencies review and respond to requests from individuals and submit them to the Annie's Fund for consideration.
Isla's Fund Education Committee: This committee works in conjunction with partner education institutions to provide support to women who are pursuing post-high school education and encounter obstacles that threaten their ability to continue their education, i.e. transportation needs, child-care needs, etc.
Women Investing in Women Committee: This committee oversees the process through which the Women's Fund provides grants to support women business owners in Herkimer and Oneida Counties. The committee solicits and accepts proposals from small women-owned businesses in need of resources to help their business to grow and to support their success.
The Ann P. Allen Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in memory of our founder, Ann Allen and in recognition of her career as a guidance counselor at T. R. Proctor High School in Utica, NY. The committee reviews applications submitted annually for scholarships for graduating young women from Proctor High School who will be continuing their education.
Public Relations
The role of the Public Relations/Communications committee is to create awareness and name recognition of The Women's Fund throughout Oneida and Herkimer counties – and beyond! Our Mission is to share the initiatives of The Women's Fund with the local residents of Oneida and Herkimer Counties in order to attract resources that will support of The Women's Fund Mission.
Nominating
The purpose of the Nominating Committee is to provide a continuous source of diverse, talented, well-trained leaders to carry on the work of The Women's Fund. This committee meets with prospective Board members and educates them about The Women's Fund. The Nominating Committee provides orientation for new Board members, assists in finding new members for the standing committees, and is responsible for monitoring attendance at Board meetings.
Status of Women
The role of this important committee is to establish a clear picture of the status of women and girls in our community and to study the most pressing needs and resources available to assist them. Past areas of focus have been support for victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence, which included developing a PSA for television and billboards, and providing rape kits for area hospitals; in honor of the 100th anniversary of passage of the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote, produced a PSA encouraging people, and especially young women, to exercise their right to vote; commissioned local artists to create works of art depicting their interpretation of the 19th Amendment. This collection was exhibited throughout central New York, culminating in an auction of the pieces. Our current platform is providing hygiene products to girls in need in partnership with school districts in Herkimer and Oneida Counties.