An update from Women in Philanthropy in response to COVID-19

Women in Philanthropy (WIP) is responding to the most immediate needs of women, girls, and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. During these challenging times, we want to provide an update on how, with your support, we are working together to ensure that critical needs are being addressed responsively in line with the goals of Women in Philanthropy.

Because of your generous support, WIP will provide $20,000 in grants this year (two $10,000 grants) to nonprofit organizations serving the needs of low-to-moderate-income women, girls, and their families during the COVID-19 outbreak. One $10,000 grant will be awarded to an organization providing front line, critical services for women and girls during this crisis. Another $10,000 grant will support virtual learning in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) fields, particularly during this unique time when women and families are required to oversee education in the home. Many nonprofit organizations are applying for these grants. These grants will be reviewed and voted on by WIP supporters on two different virtual meetings.

We invite you to join in on an hour-long WIP Virtual Meeting on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. for an opportunity to hear from the top applicants and submit your vote for the front-line organization you’d like to see receive the $10,000 grant to support critical services for women during the COVID-19 crisis.

WIP Virtual Meeting
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
4:00 p.m. EST

We are still soliciting applications for the virtual learning grant and will provide an update on this as soon as we are ready to move to the next steps.

At the Scranton Area Community Foundation, we know that many small business owners are experiencing hardships during these unprecedented times. Through the Scranton Area Community Foundation, Women in Philanthropy has established the Women in Philanthropy Business Relief Fund, a non-endowed hardship fund for women who own small businesses in Lackawanna County who are facing challenges due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Women in Philanthropy Business Relief Fund intends to provide at least ten (10) mini-grants of up to $1,000 each to support women who own small businesses in Lackawanna County. This funding is for personal use that will help women deal with hardship situations occurring during the COVID-19 crisis. Through the Scranton Area Community Foundation, WIP has committed $10,000 to the Fund, and to date, an additional $450 has been raised by generous supporters.

To date, we have received nine grant requests into the fund and we are proud to announce that we have awarded a total of $5,500 to six women who own businesses in Lackawanna County. We are reviewing additional requests and will provide another update soon.

Women in Philanthropy realizes that many women who are participating in the Matched Savings Program may have a need to access saved capital sooner than they intended prior to the pandemic. In response, WIP is providing an opportunity for participants to request the match early for those who have begun to save and who are in need of accessible resources. Two participants in the program have accepted the offer to receive their match early to assist them during this crisis. The option remains open to other participants that have a demonstrated need at this time.

Thank you for your support!

We want to stress that none of this would be possible without your support. Because of your generosity through Women in Philanthropy, YOU play an active role in changing the lives of women, girls, and their families in Northeastern Pennsylvania in transformational ways. Thank you!

We wish you the best of health for you and your loved ones during these difficult times.