Women’s Fund of Door County Receives $100,000 Ford Foundation Grant

The grant will be utilized in partnership with childcare experts in Door County to assist in expanding critical childcare initiatives on the peninsula

Sturgeon Bay, Wis. (February 14, 2022) — The Women’s Fund of Door County, the component fund of the Door County Community Foundation focused on building, enriching, and nurturing the lives of the peninsula’s women and girls, announced today a $100,000 grant award from the Ford Foundation. The Women’s Fund will collaborate with childcare experts as well as community partners, including the United Way of Door County, to identify and implement long-term solutions for the peninsula’s ongoing childcare shortage.

The Ford Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit grant-making organization with the stated goal of advancing human welfare. For more than 85 years it has worked with courageous people on the frontlines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. With headquarters in New York, the foundation has offices in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

“The Women’s Fund of Door County is so grateful that the Ford Foundation chose our organization to be a recipient of this grant,” says Annika Paulsen, Women’s Fund of Door County Co-Chair. “The pandemic has created many obstacles for women and their families, and this grant will help us to improve the lives of those who are struggling in our community. Improving childcare access and affordability in Door County will require creativity and collaboration and we are thrilled that the Ford Foundation is helping us get off to a strong start.”

“Regional women’s funds are doing some of the most important and transformational work in philanthropy today because they listen to the communities they serve,” says Hilary Pennington, Ford Foundation’s Executive Vice President, Global Programs. “The Women’s Fund of Door County is a great example of this kind of leadership, and the Ford Foundation is pleased to support their work — and their partnership with other community partners like the United Way of Door County — to tackle the urgent need for childcare in Door County.” Pennington served as the keynote speaker at the Women’s Fund Celebrate Women! Luncheon last August.

“All of Door County benefits when a variety of high-quality, affordable childcare options are available,” said Christina Studebaker, United Way of Door County’s Community Impact Coordinator. “United Way of Door County is working with community partners to stabilize our county’s childcare system and help develop the system to meet the needs of more families in the future. The Women’s Fund of Door County recognizes the essential role childcare plays in the success of Door County children, families, and businesses.”

The Women’s Fund has kicked off a collaborative community engagement process to deploy the funds for maximum impact. To learn more about the mission and vision of the Women’s Fund of Door County and keep updated on the organization’s work, visit https://womensfunddoorcounty.org/.