WILTSHIRE Community Foundation (WCF) has launched a new, designated Women and Girls’ Fund to aid the advancement, empowerment and support of women and girls across Wiltshire.
The fund which went live at the beginning of October has received its first corporate sponsorship from local law firm Wansbroughs, which has pledged an initial £10,000 to accelerate the fund.
“While most women and girls enjoy a safe, fulfilled life in Wiltshire and Swindon there are many who don’t,” said partner at Wansbroughs, Sarah Alexander. “Harassment, gender-based violence, discrimination and stereotyping are still commonplace. Despite this, a chronic lack of funding – women and girls’ groups receive less than two percent of the UK’s total charitable giving – means there are few avenues of support.”
The Women and Girls’ Fund will support local charity and community groups running projects that challenge the inequality, abuse and discrimination experienced by women and girls and amplify their voice and experience to advocate for change, making our county a fairer and safer place. It will also provide bursaries to enable young women to fulfil their educational and vocational ambitions.
To grow the fund, WCF is seeking additional donors. “All gifts are welcome, large or small but we are asking people to consider signing up for a monthly gift so that together we can provide regular and secure funding to the groups and charities supporting women and girls,” said chief executive officer at WCF, Fiona Oliver.
“Anyone who signs up to make a regular gift to our Women and Girls’ Fund will be kept up to date with its progress, details of the projects it supports and the lasting difference it makes.”
Sponsors will also be invited to the annual Women and Girls’ Fund event, hosted by Lady Lansdowne and sponsored by Wansbroughs which will be held around International Women’s Day on 8th March 2024.
“We are overjoyed to announce the launch of the new Women and Girls’ Fund,” added Fiona Oliver. “This nominated fund will be earmarked for women and girls’ groups and with the right financial support will make a lasting difference to women and girls’ lives across Wiltshire and Swindon. We are incredibly grateful to Wansbroughs for their continued support of the Foundation.”
Sarah Alexander, added, “As a long-term supporter of WCF, we were delighted to be approached to support the new Women and Girls’ Fund as the first corporate partner. As a firm, with roots firmly in the West Country, we recognise first-hand the amazing work that WCF does across our community, and this fund will further enhance this – ensuring that the right support reaches the right people where needed.”
To find out more about the fund, and to make a monthly payment please visit: www.wiltshirecf.org.uk/about/women-and-girls-fund/
Pictured: The Wiltshire Community Foundation team with Wansbroughs team.
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