WOMEN'S FUND OF RHODE ISLAND

I am a retired nurse-midwife with experience, earlier in my life, working in Washington, DC in the field of health policy. The Women's Policy Institute, developed by the Women's Fund, is educating women across the career spectrum to have a "seat at the table" and be effective lobbyists for issues that impact women and girls. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Women who communicate effectively with legislators and other key players will move forward initiatives that raise women up in Rhode Island.

What I love about WFRI is that they make participation fun and accessible. Through learning events, fundraisers, their info packed newsletter and the openness with which they receive you when you just drop in their office you are at once welcome and inspired. This is a nonprofit that stands for Womens rights and is welcoming of women of any age or standing.

Women's Fund of Rhode Island has been a staple in the state. They know how to maximize their resources promoting high quality outcomes of their investments and educating the public and government on policies to benefit individuals at all income levels.

They are a model in the state and should be supported and acknowledged in their efforts to expand.

Great mission, great people, great resources, events are so much fun and raise a lot of money. You can see the work they put in!

I have been involved with this organization for about 7 years, including the last two as a board member. The Women's Fund of Rhode Island embodies the phrase "punching above its weight." Although it is small, the impact it has on furthering the mission of achieving equity for women, and all people, is immense. The Women's Fund's work reaches everywhere in the state, whether it is training women leaders through the Women's Policy Institute, advocating for equitable policies at the State House, educating the general population through its research work and educational programming, or supporting companion organizations - financially and otherwise - there is no aspect of the pursuit of equity that the Women's Fund does not touch. I couldn't be prouder to be a part of it.

WFRI runs a Women's Policy Institute on a yearly basis- I am a new Fellow in the WPI, and have already found the experience so valuable!

I found the WFRI just over a year ago and I am glad I did. I have volunteered for their Policy & Advocacy committee, their grant making committee and serve on their development committee currently. I have also been accepted into the Women's Policy Institute where I will be working with a group of women to help pass legislation that will improve the lives of women. What I like most about the WFRI is the various ways they work to eliminate inequities in our system and the fact that I have not once felt that anyone was competiting, judging or keeping score in the process. This group is amazing!

I love the WFRI. It me get more involved in issues that I care about and get involved in my community.

My experience with the Women's Fund of Rhode Island's Women's Policy Institute has been life changing. The knowledge sharing, the network of powerful women, the opportunity to influence real change for women and gender equity-I could list a million reasons why this is a great nonprofit.

Awesome non-profit working towards making Rhode Island a better place to live for women and girls!

The Women’s Fund of Rhode Island aids me in staying informed on current and pressing gender bias issues and in turn allows me connect with my fellow community members and organizations to take action on these matters.

The Women's Fund of Rhode Island and its staff is consistently dedicated to the progress of women & girls, with particular consideration for inclusion in the space. Their research, advocacy and grantmaking are just a few of the ways they're raising the voices of women in the state.

The Women's Fund of RI is an amazing organization with a mission to work on achieving equity for women and girls in Rhode Island. It has an amazingly dedicated group of people who work to achieve systemic changes that would make RI an equitable state for all genders. The organization carries out several activities towards this goal such as running the Women's Policy Institute, having meaningful Cocktails and Conversation events on a variety of topics each year, carrying on meaningful research such reports on economic conditions of women of color, and also providing grants for various initiatives in the state.

Thanks to The Women's Fund of Rhode Island, I finally had the courage and confidence to testify at the State House on an issue I felt strongly about. I was able to tell a personal story about my best friend (we met in 2nd grade!) who had an abortion when she became pregnant with a boyfriend with whom she saw no future. Only her grandmother and I were aware of the pregnancy and her decision to terminate it. Since she couldn't tell her parents, I was her main emotional and physical support during the experience and its aftermath. I was so glad to be able to tell her story, and to explain why legalizing abortion was critical to women like Carol, pulling her out of the underground into the light.

Excellent organization making big strides to empower women, promote equity and increase awareness of their mission.

Starting as a grant reviewer, meeting the grantees and then serving as a board chair I have been surrounded by amazing women doing work to improve the environment for women and girls in our state. The mission and initiatives are progressive, innovative and brilliant. The state and national landscape that the Fund finds itself in is a challenging one, but the work is strengths-based, evidence-based and iterative. Initiatives have been in partnership, with sustainable systems change in mind.