The readings suggest that in addition to providing critical services and support to women and girls, groups need to think strategically. WGA does just that every day. Our mission is to “Inspire women to be strategic philanthropists and invest in the lives of women and girls in Northeast Florida.”

The educational offerings and our advocacy efforts are a big part of who we are as we teach our members and guests to be strategic in their philanthropy. We are building awareness among our members and our community of the overlapping impact that education, health and economic security have on the lives and well-being of women and girls.

WGA, as a funder, has learned we need to listen to women and girls and we do that every year when we convene the agencies to whom we give grants and ask them “what they need, what works, what we can do better?”

And we invest in research. This research is showing that education and opportunities are just two avenues towards achieving equity for women and girls.

I cannot think of another group in our community that is working any harder than WGA to help women and girls, both the members/funders and the groups receiving the funding.

Come be a part of a great organization and know that while you are learning to become a strategic philanthropist you are also making a difference, with your investment, in the lives of women and girls in Northeast Florida.

Mary

Barb Wenger, long-time member of WGA, Legacy member and one who has been involved in all aspects of our grants teams, has issued a wonderful challenge.

In order to help boost our grants pool and help even more women and girls, Barb has offered to match 2-1 for every gift given up to $20,000. So, for every $2 dollars we raise, she will match with $1 dollar, so if we meet her $20,000 match we will have an additional $60,000 to award.

Please help us with this very generous gift! This year requests for $3.7 million dollars have come into our WGA office. Not all will qualify, but close to $2 million will and we typically have just over $500,000 annually to award. There are many ways to make your donation, check, credit card, a portion of your RMD, and many other avenues. Please call Teri Calinao at 356-4483 or email her at tcalinao@jaxcf.org and she can give you more information. Respond today! The Challenge closes at the end of this month.

The Letter of Interest (LOI) from interested agencies in WGA’s five county area begins the grants process. With the focus of preventing and intervening in poverty for women and girls in Northeast Florida, the number of LOIs each year has increased. However, the Decision Team this year noted the difference local women can make in “getting the word out.”

For the 2019–2021 grant cycle they called agencies primarily serving Nassau County to make sure each knew about the availably of grant funds and the application process. A variation on the power of word of mouth occurred this year in St. Johns County. After two agencies in St. Johns County received grants in the prior cycle, LOIs from St. Johns increased from 1 to 6. As one grant team member said, “The agencies talk to each other.” You can help get the word out!

The eight WGA members who traveled to Tallahassee last month spent a busy day visiting 15 legislative offices. Our goals were twofold – to continue to establish a relationship with our elected officials and to address the need for affordable housing.

There is already a fund, called the Sadowski Trust, that is dedicated to affordable housing. Monies are collected during real estate transactions. It has been many years since the legislature has allowed all of these funds to flow to affordable housing. We heard mixed messages about whether there would be full funding in 2020. However, we made our voices heard and had very good meetings with our legislative delegation. If you are interested in getting involved with our advocacy efforts, please email Pam Field (pamfield@pobox.com) and Poppy Decunto (pdecunto@ds-law.net).

Members spoke with Representative Cyndi Stevenson (LEFT) and Senator Audrey Gibson (RIGHT)

WGA Members learned about the Need for Free Healthcare Clinics at the first Educational Session of 2020.

Members and Guests Enjoyed Socializing at the Downtown Connectors event in late January…

…And New Members enjoyed a morning at the beach at the Coffee at the home of Laine Silverfield.

Many WGA members have expressed an interest in becoming more involved with our grantees. The following is a list of our current grantees with specific Wish-List items. Please contact the agencies directly to respond.

Catholic Charities St. Augustine Regional Office
WGA Grant: Project Forward Families
Weekend Hunger Backpack Program provides nutritious kid-friendly food to feed elementary and middle school children. A list of items urgently needed can be found at ccbstaug.org/our-services/#programs.

Center for Children’s Rights
WGA Grant: Hope Pipeline Project
Juvenile Justice training and various legal advocacy resources can be found at jaxccr.org/trainings/.

First Coast No More Homeless Pets
WGA Grant: Veterinary Technician Education and Employment Program
Many volunteer opportunities are available. Please contact Volunteer Manager Brian Patterson at 904-507-4425 or bpatterson@fcnmhp.org. Further information can be found at fcnmhp.org/support-our-misson/volunteer/.

St. Gerard Campus
WGA Grant: Homeless Maternity Students Residential/Dormitory Program
Volunteers are crucial to their operations. A listing can be found at stgerardcampus.org/Why_Volunteer.html.

Volunteers in Medicine
WGA Grant: Women’s Health and Wellness Program
A variety of volunteer opportunities are available. Please contact Jessie Smith, MPH, Director of Volunteers at jsmith@vim-jax.org. Further information can be found at jax.org/medical-volunteers/become-a-volunteer/.

Riverside/Avondale/Ortega Connector

Wednesday, March 4, 6:00 PM
The Restaurant Bar and Tapas at Riverside Liquors
1251 King Street Jacksonville, FL 32204

We will provide an initial selection of appetizers and beverages. Members are welcome to order additional food/drink as they wish.  Riverside Liquors has graciously offered us a discount on all orders, based our 501c3 status.  We're intending this event to focus on socializing with our fellow WGA neighbors, but we may also surprise you with a guest speaker! Bring a friend! REGISTER NOW
Tina Nichols & Kim Bongiovanni

Women in Leadership
Wednesday, April 15, 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
Jessie Ball DuPont Center, Great Hall, 40 East Adams Street, 32202

As the need to push for more female representation at executive levels and C-suites continues, come meet some of the women who have defied the odds and broken the glass ceiling. Our panel will be sharing their secrets for success. Hear from Charmaine Chu (Smith Hulsey & Busey); Chief Deloris Patterson O’Neal (Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office); Yessica Cancel (Pace Center for Girls); Joy Young (Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville) and learn about their journeys, their career paths, and the advice they’d share with others. After the panel, which will be moderated by Karen Mayfield (Senior Vice President, SunTrust Bank), attendees will get a chance to meet the amazing WGA membership, AKA, you!

REGISTER NOW

Your annual membership gift to WGA must be made by April 30, 2020 in order for your gift to be included in this year’s Grant Pool.