• In its 21 year grant making history, WGA has awarded 171 grants to 71 non-profits for more than $8.3 million.
• At this year's Convening Session, 37 attendees represented a total of 116 grants, and slightly more than $6 million in awards.

• At the third Convening Session during the Mental Health initiative, grantees told WGA that the pilot programs launched in the first two grant years of the initiative were working, but there was a need for more trained professionals to carry out the programs. In response, a large proportion of grants funded in Year Four were for training, or train the trainers. We believe the ripple effects of this training was one of the reasons nearly 9,000 women and girls were able to access to mental health during this 5-year initiative.
• At the 2018 Convening Session, grantees suggested WGA shift its grant cycle to July 1 (rather than December 1) to more closely align with many of their fiscal years. In 2019, grant funding began on July 1, cutting five months off the grant making process.
• In 2021, WGA asked all current and recently announced grantees, "What is keeping you awake at night? And what do you need to move forward?" The candid, honest input from grantees served as the basis for the 2022 grant initiative: Core Mission Funding to Non-Profits for Pandemic Related Challenges.

Joanne,

Your presentation today was fantastic! I have considered membership for a few years, but it was hard for me to rationalize the need for membership in addition to all of our household's other philanthropic efforts. Today you helped me clearly identify that local Civic Engagement is an area our household has not put forth enough effort, and you helped me better understand the role WGA has in leveraging information, social connections, and overall strategies.

My conversation with Sheila Collier, after your presentation, was helpful in gathering the final details necessary to join.

I am looking forward to participating in WGA's mission as a new member!

Sincerely,
Hillary L. Berger, MSW

Have you wondered how WGA allocates grant $$$? Join the Decision Team to find out! You will also build new friendships and discover how local non-profits apply creative solutions to improve the lives of women and girls in our community.

Training is provided for both Virtual Reader Team (read electronically and provide feedback) and Core Team (read applications, lively, in-person discussions). The required time commitment varies, but the busiest months are January through May.

Explore how you fit into the WGA mission by contacting Elizabeth Bernardo and Stacy Derr at wgagrantdecisionteam@gmail.com NOW for more information.