Our Mission
We exist 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.
Our Impact
20,000+
WOMEN & GIRLS SUPPORTED YEARLY
At the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley, our work extends far beyond helping individuals overcome poverty. We equip women with the tools, skills, and access to people, places, and opportunities that empower them to become economic drivers and community builders. Through our programs and partnerships, women gain the confidence, resources, and support needed to achieve lasting financial self-sufficiency for themselves and their families.
$2.9+
MILLION DOLLARS awarded
Since 1994, the Foundation has awarded more than 260+ grants totaling $1.9 million to more than 100 organizations that have a direct and positive impact on the economic status of women and girls in our region.
600+
TEEN GIRLS IMPACTED YEARLY
The Girls’ Initiative — through a group of volunteer mentors—empowers over 600 teen girls each year to overcome challenges, stay in school, set career goals, and give back to the community.
Our Vision
We envision a future where all women and girls are recognized, consulted, and regarded as the ultimate stakeholder in their futures and change agents in our community. WFGV will do so by:
Advocating for women and girls by way of fundraising, educational programming, research, and equitable grant making.
Partnering with those we support, collaborating with community agencies, foundations, and corporations.
Striving for excellence in all that we do, passionately putting our community first, and lead by serving others.
Delivering measurable results.
Promoting greater social change and making a true difference in the lives of women and girls impacted by poverty.
The Need
Women are one of the fastest-growing groups of entrepreneurs in the United States, yet they continue to face systemic barriers that limit access to the capital, networks, and resources required to sustain and scale their businesses. Nationally, women own more than 12 million businesses, employing over 10.7 million workers and representing nearly 39% of all U.S. businesses. Between 2019 and 2024, women-owned firms grew by 17%, with employment within those firms increasing by nearly 20%. These figures demonstrate the extraordinary potential of women to drive economic growth and innovation, even as they continue to encounter inequities in access to funding, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
In New York State, women represent almost half of the workforce and own approximately 40% of all small businesses, yet significant gaps remain in pay equity, leadership representation, and economic mobility. The data reveal that while women are building businesses and leading communities at record rates, they often do so with less financial backing, smaller networks, and fewer opportunities to develop the entrepreneurial and leadership skills needed for long-term success.
As a regional foundation serving women and girls across Western New York, WFGV operates at the intersection of education, empowerment, and economic equity. We also believe that girls with intellectual disabilities can thrive and deserve to be included in programs that see them for who they are, not for what they cannot do. We do not see limits, and because of that, we reach for the stars—so they can too. The need for this work is clear: investing in women is one of the most effective ways to strengthen families, stabilize communities, and build a more inclusive economy. When women thrive, entire communities prosper.