THE WOMEN’S GIVING CIRCLE OF MARINETTE & MENOMINEE COUNTIES AWARDS FIRST GRANT CYCLE

On Thursday, May 14th, the Women’s Giving Circle of Marinette & Menominee Counties awarded $5,000 to five local non-profit organizations.  An additional $1,000 was awarded from the Mary L. Staudenmaier Fund of the M&M Area Community Foundation. 

Organizations receiving awards include Bay Area Pregnancy Services, $2,000 for the Earn While You Learn Project; The Menominee Animal Shelter (partnering with The Rainbow House Domestic Abuse Services), $500 for the Safety Nets for Victim’s Pets; Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, $1,500 for their Starting Over Project; the City of Marinette Recreation Department, $500 for the Supervised Playground Program and the Marinette Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce, $500 for the Chart Your Own Course: A Workshop for Women Who Want to Start a Business.  An additional $500 was awarded each to Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and the Marinette Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce from the Mary L. Staudenmaier Fund.  Each project was focused on one of three priorities identified by the Women’s Giving Circle.  These priorities include women interested in starting and growing their own business, education, and safe affordable childcare.

Over 60 local women gathered for the event.  Seventeen women-owned businesses and non-profit organizations provided booths for guests to browse.  There was also a bucket raffle and a special drawing for members who brought a friend.  The event was a huge success raising nearly $1,000 for the endowment fund.  Seven new members joined, bringing the total to over 85 members and two current members pledged to be founding members.

With the help of an anonymous donation to the M&M Area Community Foundation, The Women’s Giving Circle has been established to support projects which are important to women and girls.  The Circle was established in 2008.  With a minimum donation of $10, one can become a lifetime member and choose to be actively involved in the Advisory Circle, which is responsible for the granting process and activity planning of the fund.  Women can also pledge $1,000 to the fund to be completed by June 1, 2010 to become a Founding Member of the Circle.  All donations to the fund are cumulative.  Because the fund is permanently endowed, donations to the fund will continue to make a difference in our community forever.  Please contact the Foundation at 906-864-3599, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  or visit our website at www.mmcommunityfoundation.orgfor more information.