Established in 1998 by women for women, the Fund for Women and Girls is a permanent Field of Interest fund of the Fairfield County Community Foundation. Thanks to the generosity of individuals, companies and private foundations, it has become the largest women's fund in New England.
Since the Fund's establishment, it has awarded $1.4 million in grants to Fairfield County nonprofits that address the unique needs of women and girls. Learn more.
Helping Low-Wage Women Achieve Economic Security
The Fund for Women and Girls has embarked on a new grant-making focus to improve the economic security of low-wage women with dependents. We approached Norwalk Community College and the Norwalk Community College Foundation with a bold plan that became the Family Economic Security Program.
Over the next five years, the Family Economic Security Program will provide 100 qualified students at Norwalk Community College with the personal, financial and career coaching they need to earn an Associate’s degree, a Bachelor’s degree and enter careers that allow them to support themselves and their families.
In addition, over these same five years, an additional 1,000 qualified students will receive similar yet reduced support, including referrals for employment, benefits, and academic counseling and assistance. They can also access workshops on achievement, careers, and personal finances.
The initiative is an adaptation of a program from the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Center for Working Families model. The Fund is making a $1.2 million investment in this program. Providing benchmarks are met, the vision includes replicating the Family Economic Security Program at other institutions in Fairfield County.
