Our New Mission & Vision

To amplify the voices of all women and girls in the Greater Rochester Area and to break down barriers to success through equitable philanthropy and transformative community partnerships.
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The Need

Women and children of the Greater Rochester 7-county region are disproportionately affected by poverty as documented in the findings of our study on the economic status of women by the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley. Half of all households headed by women have incomes too small to meet basic needs.

78%

of female heads of household

with children under 18 are living below the self-Sufficiency Standard in the city of Rochester.

67%

of all female heads of household

are living below the Self-Sufficiency Standard in the city of Rochester.

58%

of Female heads of household

with children under 18 are living in poverty
in the city of Rochester.

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Our Impact

A committee made up of women from the community, and a few board members, Local women representing the Women’s Foundation raise and manage the funds and award grants to programs making a real, measurable difference in the lives of women and in the future of girls right here in our community.

$2M+

Million Dollars distributed

Since inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $2 million to programs that have a direct, positive impact on the economic status of women and girls in our region. Annually, the Foundation’s $100K in grant awards leverages almost $2M in additional support for programs serving women and girls in our region.

29

Years Serving communities

Since 1994, The Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley established a permanent endowment that would create lasting social change by investing in and creating programs that benefit women and girls living in our region.

600+

teen girls Impacted yearly

The Girls’ Initiative—through a group of literacy volunteers and a network of community organizations—empowers over 600 teen girls each year to overcome challenges, stay in school, set career goals and give back to the community.

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The Girls’ Initiative

Positive role models are critical to teen girls’ motivation and development and can help them gain the skills and outlook needed to succeed later in life, despite challenges. The Girls’ Initiative was created in 1997 to be part of a network of community organizations, whose goals are to provide inspiring women role models to encourage teen girls each year to stay in school, set career goals and give back to the community.

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