2017
ANNUAL REPORT
BOAR D W ELCO ME
A
s the state’s only philanthropic foundation investing with a gender lens, we are proud to leverage the generosity of a community that cares deeply about women. Because when women move forward, communities move with them. Thanks to your support, 2017 was a milestone year for The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham. We reached our $5 million fundraising goal for the 20x: Change That Multiplies campaign to ensure a legacy of change for women. As a result, our Community Impact Grant Cycle invested the largest amount ever in critical economic supports for women making the difficult move from poverty to independence. We launched Collaboration Institute 3.0, our innovative approach to streamlining service delivery to mothers and their children together. We’re poised to expand our advocacy work to include broader systems reform that will scale our investment in two-generation programs into policy.
W E A R E P R O U D T O L E V ER AG E T HE G ENER O SI T Y O F A C O MM U NI T Y T H AT C A R E S DEEP LY A B O U T W O MEN . BEC AU SE W HEN W O MEN M O V E F O R WA R D, C O MM U NI T IE S M O V E W I T H T HEM .
At the close of 2017, Jeanne Jackson, The Women’s Fund’s President and CEO who has served the organization since 2011, announced her retirement. The Women’s Fund is in its strongest position since its founding in 1996 in no small part because of the strong foundation she, the board, and dedicated staff have laid. She will be greatly missed. In March 2018, Melanie R. Bridgeforth was appointed President and CEO bringing over a decade of experience in non-profit management, governmental affairs, and policy advocacy. She has spent her entire professional career lifting up and influencing sound policy decisions on behalf of the state’s most vulnerable populations.
2 | The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham
W E ’R E P O I SED T O E X PA ND O U R A D V O C A C Y W O R K T O IN CLU DE BR OA DER S Y S T EM S R EF O R M T H AT W IL L S C A L E O U R IN V E S T MEN T IN T W O G ENER AT I O N P R O G R A M S IN T O P O L I C Y.
As we move into another chapter for The Women’s Fund, we want to thank you for standing with women and with us. None of this would be possible without visionaries like you. Together—in partnership with businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders— we will achieve far more than we ever could alone. Thank you for helping build a region where economic opportunity for all women is a reality. Warmly,
Leslie H. Carlisle Board Chair
2017 Annual Report | 3
VOICE S
Terica T ER I C A C O N T IN U E S T O W O R K H A R D A ND H O P E S T O AT T END N U R SIN G S CH O O L IN T HE F U T U R E .
T
erica has a natural ability to care for others. She takes care of her two children and took care of her grandmother when she was ill. Her gifts made her a natural fit for Jeremiah’s Hope Academy at St. Vincent’s, a program funded by The Women’s Fund that trains low-income single mothers for jobs in healthcare fields. Once enrolled in Jeremiah’s Hope, Terica was devastated to learn that her son’s child care center was operating without the appropriate license. She was scared and didn’t know what to do or how she would afford alternative child care. With the help of her academic advisor, Terica found find a new, safe child care center for her son. His enrollment and tuition were covered by Jeremiah’s Hope. With child care worries in the past, Terica excelled in her clinical rotations. Her performance was so impressive that a phlebotomist contacted the unit supervisor with a glowing review and Terica was offered a job at St. Vincent’s shortly after graduating from the program. Terica continues to work hard and hopes to attend nursing school in the future. The Women’s Fund respects the women in the programs we fund—and many are looking for a fresh start in life—some names and photos have been changed to protect their privacy.
4 | The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham
ABOUT US
O U R MI S SI O N Create change for women and their children through philanthropy, advocacy, and research.
O U R V I SI O N Economic opportunity for all women.
R EG I O N
Walker
Blount
Jefferson
St. Clair Shelby
38
%
of women-headed households with children live in poverty in Greater Birmingham. For a mom and two kids, that means an income of $20,420 or less.
2017 Annual Report | 5
VOICE S
Kim K IM I S N O W M O R E C O NF IDEN T A ND L O O K IN G FORWARD TO A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR HER FAMILY.
K
im has a lot to be proud of. She and her three daughters (ages 10, 11, and 13) overcame many obstacles during their transition from homelessness to permanent housing. In early 2017, when she enrolled in My Home, a Salvation Army program funded by The Women’s Fund that provides housing and case management for low income single mothers, Kim and her family lived at a local shelter. In May, Kim and her daughters were able to move into permanent housing and My Home assisted with securing appliances, paying utility deposits, and purchasing school uniforms. One of the first things Kim told her case manager was how much she wanted a career. Not a job, but a career. She said she wanted to enroll in a medical training program and, true to her spirit of determination, began a certification program at a local community college last October. My Home covered the tuition. Kim is now more confident and looking forward to a bright future for her family.
6 | The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham
IMPACT & OV E R V I E W
The Women’s Fund uses strategybased philanthropy as a tool A W IN -W IN. to disrupt the cycle of poverty for women. We’re investing in programs that pair job training for low-income women with supports like child care to create an expanded, inclusive labor pool for our state. We’re investing in organizations to intentionally spur collaboration and better meet the needs of vulnerable families. We’re investing in systems change to create the family-friendly workplace policies our research shows that mothers need to be economically successful. The result? Everyone wins. Women start down a path to an in-demand, stable career. Mothers and children—both generations—thrive together. Employers grow and strengthen their workforce. Every Alabamian enjoys the benefits of a stronger economy. With your help, The Women’s Fund invested $556,000 in programs and initiatives serving women and their children in Greater Birmingham in 2017. We are proud to leverage the generosity of a community that cares deeply about women.
$
556,000
432
Program Investment
651
Women Impacted
Children Impacted
93
Women Enrolled in PostSecondary Education
250
Children in Quality Childcare
52
Women Received New Job/Promotion
106
Women Opened Savings Accounts
70
Women in Safe, Permanent Housing
2017 Annual Report | 7
PHILA NTH R O P Y
FINDING NEED S . F UNDING CH A NGE .
The Women’s Fund invests in the com Institute. Funded programs and initia security. By removing barriers to succ housing, we strengthen families and o
2 017 C O MM U NI T Y IMPAC T G R A N T R ECIP IEN T S • Childcare Resources, Supplemental Child Care Program (SCCP) - Provides child care subsidies for low-income working mothers. • Children’s Aid Society, Project Independence - Provides housing, economic, and educational supports for homeless, pregnant, or parenting teens. • First Light, Forever Home - Provides independent housing and wraparound supports for homeless mothers and children. • Jefferson State Community College, Women in Manufacturing Initiative - Provides scholarships and supports for single mothers to enter manufacturing associate’s degree program. • Jimmie Hale Mission, Jessie’s Place - Provides educational, financial, and economic support, including child care assistance, for homeless mothers. • Norwood Resource Center, Family Forward - Provides financial coaching, housing advocacy, and tax preparation assistance for 30 mothers whose children participate in center programming. • Oasis Counseling, Mentally Healthy Moms - Provides mental health counseling for women to address employment issues. • The Salvation Army, My Home - Provides permanent housing and case management for single mothers • St. Vincent’s Foundation, Jeremiah’s Hope Academy Provides child care assistance for low-income, single mothers receiving training at Jeremiah’s Hope for jobs in healthrelated fields.
8 | The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham
mmunity through our Community Impact Grants and Collaboration atives support women, especially mothers, their journey to economic cess and increasing access to supports like child care, job training, and our communities.
2 017 C O L L A B O R AT I O N IN S T I T U T E H U B T E A M S Collaboration Institute gives organizations the time and resources necessary to build partnerships that address gaps in services and better respond to the needs of families. In 2017, The Women’s Fund launched Collaboration Institute 3.0 (C.I. 3.0), an 18-month curriculum designed to more effectively align Birmingham’s social services and workforce initiatives to disrupt the cycle of generational poverty. C.I. 3.0 provides funding for three teams to create a Family Hub in their community that will coordinate and leverage the services of the individual agencies. Hubs will begin serving families in early 2019. Family Hub Teams, including: • Birmingham Family Hub: Eastlake Initiative, Hope Inspired Ministries, and New Rising Star Community Support Corporation • Shelby County Family Hub: City of Montevallo, Shelby Community Services, University of Montevallo, Jefferson State Community College, and City of Vincent • Walker County Family Hub: Jasper Area Family Service Center, Bevill State Community College, and Walker County Board of Education
For more information on our grantmaking and grants awarded, visit www.womensfundbirmingham.org/grantmaking.
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A DVO CACY
BRE A K ING B A RRIER S AT E V ERY L E V EL . The barriers to success faced by low income women are complex and arise at many levels. For this reason, The Women’s Fund is committed to investing in systems change in addition to programs. Our advocacy work aims to improve public policy so more women can thrive.
P R EDAT O R Y L END IN G R EF O R M A ND CHIL D C A R E L I CEN SIN G The Women’s Fund continued our legislative advocacy around predatory lending reform, joining forces with a diverse group of advocates statewide to push for fairer terms for low-income consumers who use payday lending companies. Because child care is one of the most critical economic supports for working mothers, The Women’s Fund also partnered with leading child advocates in a historic push for child care licensing to make child care safe for all Alabama children.
10 | The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham
2 G EN P O L I C Y A D V O C AC Y The Women’s Fund was one of four women’s foundations nationwide to receive a 3-year $150,000 grant from Women’s Funding Network through a collaboration with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Together with The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, The Dallas Women’s Foundation, and The Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona, we are sharing strategies and developing approaches to expand our two-generation (2Gen) program work into statewide policies. 2Gen policy advocacy focuses on solutions that address the needs of mothers and children simultaneously. In the building stage of this work, our 2Gen policy advocacy platform will include: PUBLICATION of research for local and state governments and nonprofits about how to leverage and combine state and federal funding streams for workforce development, postsecondary education, and child care to better serve whole families.
EDUCATION about two-generation success in states like Tennessee and Colorado for state leaders and policymakers.
SHARING RESEARCH and strategies with state workforce development leaders and industries so that Alabama’s booming advanced manufacturing sector understands the importance of women as a strong worker pipeline.
To learn more about our advocacy work, visit: www.womensfundbirmingham.org/advocacy.
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VOICE S
T
hrough Collaboration Institute 3.0, we have learned a tremendous amount about the benefit of serving the whole family. Our organization has always understood the importance of holistic community development, but this experience has offered us an opportunity to step back and truly create a plan that will help mothers achieve economic stability. We have heard real-life stories of the pitfalls that come with trying to better one’s situation. We have gained insight into the importance of social capital, or a community of peers, when walking through a tremendous life change. And we are realizing how much success we can achieve by offering multiple services, in one place, simultaneously instead of simply having knowledge of other agencies and offering referrals.
is the Director of Development at the Eastlake Initiative, a partner in the Collaboration Institute Birmingham Family Hub, funded by The Women’s Fund
L-R: Jeanne Jackson, former President/CEO, The Women’s Fund; Alesia Jones, Chief HR Officer, UAB; Dawn Burke, VP of People, Daxko; Teresa Younger, President/CEO, Ms. Foundation for Women; Jenna Bedsole, Labor and Employment Practice Group Chair, Baker Donelson; Scott Adams, Executive VP and Chief Administrative Officer, Protective Life Corporation; Mark Crosswhite, President/CEO, Alabama Power Company; Andrea Taylor, President/CEO, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
12 | The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham
R ESEA R C H
CL E A RING T HE PAT H FOR WOMEN.
A
ction without insight is meaningless. That’s why The Women’s Fund surveyed over 200 low income single mothers employed fulltime with Birmingham’s largest employers. We wanted to hear directly from women about their workplace experiences and barriers to sustainable employment. The findings, outlined in our 2017 report Clearing the Path, provide a local perspective on a national conversation about the growing number of single mothers in the workforce. The report is a detailed roadmap for our community to simultaneously strengthen our workforce and tackle generational poverty and for employers to boost recruitment and retention of their employees. Clearing the Path key findings: 90% worked two jobs or extra hours to make ends meet.
55% lost a job or promotion because of time off related to their children.
On average, single mothers earning less than $30,000 spent 39% of their incomes on childcare.
In connection with the report release, The Women’s Fund hosted Ms. Foundation President Teresa Younger (pictured left), a panel of Birmingham’s business leaders, and over 200 guests for a conversation about how family-friendly workplace policies can benefit companies’ bottom line and build a stronger Birmingham.
To read the full Clearing the Path report, visit: www.womensfundbirmingham.org/research.
2017 Annual Report | 13
FIN AN CI A L S
IN C O ME $
7
%
16%
1,456,750
Individual & Corporate
77%
$
302,500
Grants Received
$
140,483
Endowment
Total income 2017:
$
1,899,703
$
1,122,908
E X P EN SE S
4% 17
%
Program
79
%
$
238,486
Development
$
56,350
Administrative
Total expenses 2017:
$
14 | The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham
1,408,744
LEADE R SH I P
BOARD Leslie H. Carlisle, Chair Tracey Morant Adams Emily Branum Vicki L. Briggs Rosanne Crocker Carnetta Davis Dr. Nancy E. Dunlap Lisa Engel Dr. Liesel French Dr. Connie Hill
Wendy M. Hoomes Alesia M. Jones Ellen Jones Tonya Jones Ricki Kline Debra Taylor Lewis Dr. Bisakha “Pia” Sen Lindsay L. Sinor Mary Ann Smith-Janas Karla Wiles
S TA F F Melanie R. Bridgeforth, MSW President & CEO Babs Buchanan Development Director Carla Crowder Program and Policy Director Wright Wiggins Rouse Communications Director Jacob L. Smith Grants and Research Director Leslie R. Smith Development Associate/Executive Assistant
2017 Annual Report | 15
2201 5th Avenue South, Suite 110 Birmingham, AL 35233 (205) 326-4454 womensfundbirmingham.org
womensfundbirmingham.org 16 | The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham
