Women’s Fund awards grants

The Women’s Fund, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Lorain County, announced it awarded $20,800in grants.

The Women’s Fund, an affiliate fund of the Community Foundation of Lorain County, announced that it awarded $20,800 in grants during a virtual Philanthropy Panel featuring philanthropic leaders released Nov. 2.

Ten grant s were awarded that give support for women and children in Lorain County, especially in these unprecedented times, according to a news release from the Community Foundation.

“By supporting these organizations, the Women’s Fund ensures women and children in Lorain County have pathways to grow and reach their full potential,” said Brenda Norton, president of the Women’s Fund. “Through our grant program, we are actively working to change inequities in funding and ensuring those pathways are accessible and remain open now and forever.”

Women’s Fund Grant Recipients for 2020:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County for Virtual Youth Leadership mentoring series

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio Club Smart Learning Centers

• Camp !magine vocational training

• Camp Ideas for Summer Camp 2021

• Cleveland Play House for CARE Residency for Lorain City Schools

• Lorain County Free Clinic for Women’s Health

• Lorain County Safe Harbor Genesis House for general operating support

• Neighborhood Alliance for child enrichment services copay assistance

• Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio for pre-teen hygiene kit

• Youth Challenge for adapted programs for children with physical disabilities

The Philanthropy Panel discussed the “ripple effect” nonprofit organizations have on the community, the release said.

The panel showcased powerful female leadership from the nonprofit sector, including Cynthia Andrews, CEO of the Community Foundation of Lorain County; Cecelia Render, CEO of Nordson Corporation Foundation; and Deborah Thomas, CEO of Philanthropy Ohio, as they shared their successes, motivations and experiences during this unprecedented time, according to the release.

Brittany Lovett, communications officer for the Community Foundation, led the discussion.

To view the panel discussion, visit peoplewhocare.org.

The Women’s Fund was established as a permanent endowment to expand chances and choices for Lorain County women and children through financial and funding equity for projects that may not receive monies from traditional sources of funding.

It supports social, educational and artistic projects by, for, and delivered to women and children to encourage the full participation of women and children in the community.

Since its inception in 1991, the Women’s Fund has invested over $200,000 in community grants for women and children in Lorain County, the release said.