Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts Announces $240,000 in Grant Awards
SPRINGFIELD — The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts recently announced $240,000 in grant awards this year and through 2026 to 17 organizations serving women, girls, and transgender and gender-diverse people across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties.
CEO Vanessa Pabón-Hernandez explained that the Women’s Fund’s general grant cycle will provide a total of $100,000 in awards to 13 organizations in 2024 and 2025. An additional four gifts totaling $40,000 were also made from the organization’s Young Women’s Initiative for the current year. The funding rounds were competitive, with applications received from 126 organizations.
“These grants will uplift the incredible work being done by organizations throughout the region that are committed to addressing disparities and fostering inclusion for women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals,” Pabon-Hernandez said. “We are honored to offer grants that will support efforts in building more equitable and vibrant communities.”
In the general grant cycle, the Women’s Fund awarded grants in 10 communities throughout the region. Priority was given to organizations committed to gender and racial justice and equity as well as the philanthropic agency’s key strategic pillars: economic security, parity in positions of power and leadership, and freedom from gender-based violence. These grant dollars will support a broad range of organizations, including small startups, grassroots organizations, and well-established nonprofits.
The general grant cycle awards total $200,000 over two years and provide unrestricted grants that can be used for general operations or program support. Grant recipients for this funding round include 50 Arrow Gallery in Easthampton, A Queen’s Narrative in Springfield, Berkshire Community Diaper Project in West Stockbridge, Elizabeth Freeman Center in Pittsfield, It Takes a Village in Huntington, Make-It Springfield, Mother Root Farm in West Cummington, New England Learning Center for Women in Transition in Greenfield, Pioneer Valley Workers Center in Northampton, Somali Bantu Community in Springfield, Springfield No One Leaves/Nadie Se Mude, Visioning B.E.A.R. Circle Intertribal Coalition in Greenfield, and Western Massachusetts Parasol Patrol in Montague.