The Fund for Women of the Southern Tier, Inc. exists to help girls and women achieve economic self-sufficiency and realize life goals through grants in the areas of education, health, wellness, career and life skills. Established in 2009, the Fund is the first funding stream dedicated solely to helping improve the lives of girls and women residing in the Southern Tier counties of Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben and Yates in New York State.
FFW Focus Areas: What We Do
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Fund for Women Congratulates One of Its Own on Receiving the Jefferson Award
The Fund for Women of the Southern Tier (FFW) is thrilled to congratulate Penelope Gregg, the recipient of this year’s regional Jefferson Award. The Jefferson Award is a national award for volunteerism, founded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis among others, that recognizes the individuals who exemplify what it means to give freely and passionately in support of others. This award honors select volunteers from our local community who have made the Southern Tier a better place for all who live here. After a rigorous nomination and review process, Penny had been recognized by the community for her work in empowering girls and women to achieve economic self-sufficiency and realize life goals.
As one of the original founders of FFW, the only dedicated funding source for girls and women in our region, Penny has worked tirelessly for more than a decade to advance the mission and help FFW improve the lives of girls and women in our community. “Penny is a key contributor to our work and one of our biggest champions. After all the work she has done and continues to do for FFW, it is very gratifying to see her honored in this way,” says Amanda Chafee, President FFW. “FFW is a very special, all-volunteer organization. With Penny’s help and the help of all those who volunteer their time, talents and resources, our ability to extend our reach and address the pressing needs of girls and women in our community will continue to grow.”
FFW developed from a group of women gathered around a kitchen table in 2009 to the vibrant and sustainable organization it is today during Penny’s involvement, serving as Board Member and Executive Committee Member, as well as time served in Officer positions. “Penny has been indispensable as we set and achieved our Million Dollar Endowment goal, saw our annual grants cycle become a self-sustaining program that this community will be able to rely on for years to come, and developed new grant programs to expand our capacity to support girls and women in need,” says fellow FFW Board Member and Corning Enterprises President, Chris Sharkey. “From advancing scholarship opportunities, to supporting area non-profits with similar missions, to providing emergency funds for girls and women in need, Penny has been there with a guiding perspective that has been invaluable as we’ve grown.”
The challenges of the current environment required the postponement of the award, but have not dampened the enthusiasm and elation FFW feels at the recognition of one of its own for this prestigious and well deserved award. Congratulations, Penny Gregg!
www.ffwst.org/fund-for-women-congratulates-one-of-its-own-on-receiving-the-jefferson-award/
FFW gathers friends, supporters, volunteers and donors each Fall to report out and share our progress and successes for the year, announce our new board for the following year, and generally celebrate our work and each other.
Given the continuing challenges in organizing and executing larger events in this current environment, we have opted to cancel this event. We are refocusing our energies in the short-term to assuring the continued impact this fund has on girls and women in our community. Our board "zoomed" together at the end of September to start working on strategy and planning initiatives we feel will help FFW grow and thrive in the coming years. We are excited to share these with you in the coming months.
We will be announcing the 2021 Board of Directors in our November e-blast communication. Be well!
UPDATE: Your "Inspired" Generosity continues to help our region's COVID response!
As we shared this summer, an astounding number of individuals and businesses allowed FFW to convert their "Inspire" Annual Fundraising Dinner ticket and table purchases to a donation, specifically to allow us the opportunity to help address COVID-specific challenges in our region. To recap, we were able to make $20,000 available to our Empower grant partner, Arbor Development, to further enhance the work they are doing to support women and girls in our community specifically struggling with the impact of the Coronavirus. We are also able to provide a $1,500 grant to Pantry of Angels to replenish and extend the availability of feminine hygiene products to support the growing number of women and girls in our community who find themselves in need at this difficult time.
In addition, we are pleased to share we have been able to provide $2,500 to help support a learning pod of 20 students in Schuyler county struggling with connectivity issues and child care support coordinated through ProAction.
We remain humbled by the faith you have in FFW to distribute a portion of your charitable giving resources to those individuals and non-profits who are working to encourage and empower girls and women in our community. Look for more updates as we have them available!
Inspire: Evenings Remembered, and a Promise of More to Come.
Tuesday, June 30th, 2020. What a night it would have been… But instead of wondering what conversations we might have had, or connections we may have renewed, let’s honor this night and remember the Inspired evenings we have had together. Please click the link to view the message and video.
www.ffwst.org/inspire-evenings-remembered-and-a-promise-of-more-to-come/
Did you catch the June 2020 E-newsletter that was distributed today? Check out the screenshot here.
Donate Now
Your support is vital to our mission. If you are interested in helping empower girls and women please consider FFW as a steward for your charitable giving. FFW manages a number of grant programs that provide funding to individuals and nonprofits right here in our community, keeping your contributions, and your impact, local.
Our Service Area
The Fund for Women of the Southern Tier, Inc., is an all-volunteer non-profit organization, and the only dedicated funding source for girls and women living in Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben and Yates counties in New York State.
Fueled by its supporters, FFW channels the power of community philanthropy to break down the barriers that persistently hold women back. Our hope is that every grant has the power to help transform a life by giving every girl and woman the confidence of knowing that other women in their community believe in them and are here to help.
