Affiliate Funds

Women’s Fund

Investing in opportunity and equality to empower the women and children of Lorain County through education, grantmaking, and philanthropy.

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History of the Women’s Fund

Established in 1991, the Women’s Fund invests in opportunities and equality to empower the women and children of Lorain County through education, grantmaking, and philanthropy.

Over thirty years ago, a few Lorain County women were concerned by the lack of financial support given to programs specifically designed to meet the needs of women even though women were more likely to suffer from many of society’s injustices, including underemployment, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and single parenting issues.

Many of these same injustices continue today. The Women’s Fund is dedicated to building an endowment that supports women’s and children’s programming, educates the public about the problems facing today’s female and juvenile populations, and drives philanthropic endeavors geared towards solving those obstacles.

$249K

in grants and scholarships

1991

empowering women since

Our Mission

To invest, support, and empower the women and children of Lorain County through education, grantmaking, and philanthropy.

Education

Each year, the Women’s Fund hosts A Time to Shine for SHEroes, an educational and social event that focuses on a rising need within our community while honoring the women who helped shape our lives.

Grantmaking

The Women’s Fund supports Lorain County non-profit organizations through a competitive grant program held each August. Funds are awarded to organizations that support social, educational, and artistic projects by, for, and delivered to women and children.

Philanthropy

Members of the Women’s Fund continually put their words into action by working hands-on to better Lorain County. For example, over 2,600 pounds of gently-used computer equipment was collected for PCs to People; to be refurbished and then provided to families in need.

Change the Cycle

In 2021, Women’s Fund launched Change the Cycle, a concerted effort to solve Period Poverty or the lack of access to affordable menstrual products. “Families struggling with food insecurity rarely have the funds to keep the family fed and even less to purchase hygiene supplies, especially for young, developing teens,” states Susan Bartosch, Director of External Affairs for Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio. 

Volunteers are needed to host Period Product Supply Drives throughout Lorain County at workplaces, schools, libraries, churches, or through civic organizations such as Girl Scout troops or sports teams. Once collected, products will be distributed to individuals, local non-profit organizations, and schools through a partnership with the United Way of Greater Lorain County. Additionally, any monies raised will help purchase supplies in bulk for pennies on the dollar.

SHEroes attendees
menstrual pads and raffle tickets
woman speaking about period poverty

18%

of women in Lorain County live below the FPL

1 in 5

low-income women and teens report missing school or work

Help Us Change the Cycle

Give to Change the Cycle

If you are interested in hosting a period product supply drive, please contact the Women’s Fund at 440.984.7390 or womensfund@peoplewhocare.org. 

pile of collected tampons and menstrual pads

Change the Cycle Drive Toolkit

Change the Cycle Social Media Post
young woman's arm reaching for period products

Change the Cycle Mini-flyer

Change the Cycle Fact Sheet

More Change the Cycle Resources

Women’s Fund Grant Program

Application Opens: August 1
Application Deadline: September 1
Board Decision: October 

The Women’s Fund is a permanent endowment that encourages endeavors that are developed by or benefit women and children. The Women’s Fund grant program provides funding to non-profit organizations, informal groups of women, or emerging grassroots organizations where 100% of the clients benefiting from the grant funding are women and children. 

Questions about the Women’s Fund?

Michelle Barb

Women’s Fund President

Advisory Board President right arrow

Melissa Timko

Data Management Coordinator

Staff Liaison right arrow

Our Impact

Event

Women’s Fund Happy Hour for Change the Cycle
Event

SHEroes: Night of a Million Pieces (sold out)
Affiliate Fund

Women’s Fund Celebrates 30 Years of Supporting Lorain County Women

Women’s Fund Advisory Board

  • Michelle Barb, President
  • Elizabeth Bosela-Bullock, Vice President & Change the Cycle Chairperson
  • Katelyn Gonzalez, Secretary
  • Linda Kerekes, Treasurer & Development Chairperson
  • Jennifer Cupar, Governance Chairperson
  • Adele Infante
  • Kateryna Karelina
  • Katie Krueger
  • Cyndi McCabe
  • Cynthia McGuire
  • Michelle Moore
  • Brenda Norton
  • Leslie Pavlich, Community Engagement Chairperson
  • Melissa Timko, Staff Liaison

 

161

grants awarded

Become a part of the Women’s Fund

Explore Our Funds

Women’s Fund Initiatives – Change the Cycle

The current philanthropic initiative of the Women’s Fund is Change the Cycle, which combats the lack of affordable access to period products for menstruating people.

Lorain County Women’s Scholarship Fund

Provides scholarships for Lorain County women who have embraced serving serving their school or community.

Clare Cygan Young Fund for Women and Girls

Augments the grantmaking activity of the Women’s Fund.

Hilda J. and J. Florence Ramsay Fund

Augments grants from the Women’s Fund in support of programs serving women and girls in the City of Lorain.

Michael G. and Madeline T. (Melvin) Kisula Family Fund

Supports projects for, and by, the women and children of Lorain County.

Women’s Fund

Supports Women’s Fund grantmaking abilities to support projects for, and by, the women and children of Lorain County.