ASHLAND – It began 14 years ago with a simple idea.
“The idea was that women understand the needs of women,” explained Susan Shafer, one of the original members of the steering committee for the Women’s Fund of the Ashland County Community Foundation.
Diana Brechbuhler chaired the committee, and she and Lucille Ford inspired the members with their vision for how to encourage women to give money to create an endowed fund, which would award grants to local non-profit organizations for projects that serve women.
“She (Lucille Ford) told us that men will hear about something and they’ll reach into their pockets and give money. Women really want to give to something that’s very meaningful, that’s from the heart and that’s going to make a difference,” Shafer said.
So the women had coffee meetings around town with their friends, sharing the idea and asking women to give $1,000 to help set up the fund.
Women were eager to help because they knew the money would create something that would last. Their money would be invested, and the interest generated from that investment would be granted to worthy projects throughout Ashland County.
Each of the 143 woman who gave $1,000 was called a “gem” and is recognized as a founding member of the fund. Some of those women have since passed away, but their gifts keep giving year after year.
Since 2006, 489 donors have given a total of $389,414 to the fund, which is now worth more than $445,000.
Most importantly, the fund has impacted 6,965 women through 61 grants totaling $98,418.
Some of last year’s grants helped fund a Red Cross program for women survivors of domestic abuse, an Ashland City Schools program to empower girls in STEM and a Ashland County Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse women’s empowerment program called “Breaking my Boundaries.”
Last year, the fund also began awarding a scholarship to help non-traditional female students in Ashland County go back to school.
The fund continues to grow, not only as the original investment grows but also as donors keep giving to the fund.
The Women’s Fund has an annual Mother’s Day card initiative, during which donors can make any size contribution to the fund in honor or in memory of their mothers or of other special women in their lives.
When a Mother’s Day donation is made, a Mother’s Day card designed by Shafer is sent to the honoree, or a sympathy card is sent to the woman’s family during the week of Mother’s Day.
Steering committee chair Connie Marble said she gives a donation in her mother’s name each year, and her mom now has a full bouquet of the floral-themed cards. It’s a gift Marble’s mother appreciates more than a sweater or a box of chocolates, Marble said.
“You don’t have to be a big donor, it’s any amount,” said Margaret Ann Hess, an original steering committee member said. “Or you can tell your children, instead of a gift, why don’t you donate to the Women’s Fund.”
Mother’s Day donations may be made online through April 20. Donors may also print this form and return it by April 20, along with a check made payable to the “ACCF Women’s Fund,” to the Ashland County Community Foundation, 300 College Avenue, Ashland, Ohio 44805.
More information about Women’s Fund grants as well as an online application can be found here. The deadline to apply is May 15.
