Women's Funding Network Receives $3 Million Grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to Expand Collaborative Work Improving Women's and Children's Lives

SAN FRANCISCO, June 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In recognition of the important roles women play in strengthening families and communities, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation on June 14 provided Women's Funding Network with a $3 million grant to expand programs that ensure all single-women heads of household and vulnerable children have economic security and opportunities to thrive.

Women's Funding Network's program, Investment, Influence, Impact: Powering a Women's Funding Movement for a More Just and Equitable World, works in partnership with women's funds across the United States to leverage their collective strength and leadership to dismantle poverty's hold on generations of women and children. Women's funds are grant-making entities that seek out and invest in women-led organizations and programs that are building solutions to systemic challenges in communities.

Christine Grumm, president & CEO of Women's Funding Network, said, "Our network has a long history of harnessing the intellect and creativity of its member funds to effect transformational change at multiple levels. Many of our successes represent the blending and merging of women's funds' best practices, shared thinking, and lessons learned."

In particular, the program the Kellogg Foundation is funding looks at the shared Human Security Framework women's funds use to holistically address challenges single women heads of households and vulnerable children disproportionately face, including poverty, insufficient health care, inadequate education, environmental degradation and violence. The strategies being funded also take into account the importance of focusing on the intersections of race, poverty, gender, and class – a focus women's funds have employed for three decades.

"Investing in women is one of the most effective strategies to build strong families and kids, especially in this turbulent economic period," stated Anne Mosle, vice president for programs with the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. "We believe these strategies can truly help change the future of the increasing numbers of children living in poverty."

The program will focus on strategies being employed by women's funds in areas hard hit by the economic recession – including Mississippi, Michigan and New Mexico – in addition to boosting the capacity and leadership development for women-led organizations across the United States.

About W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Established in 1930, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation supports children, families and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society. Grants are concentrated in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, and southern Africa. For further information, please visit the Foundation's website at www.wkkf.org.

About Women's Funding Network

As a global network of more than 160 women's funds and a movement for social justice, Women's Funding Network accelerates women's leadership and invests in solving critical social issues -- from poverty to global security -- by bringing together the financial power, influence and voices of women's funds. Learn more about Women's Funding Network at www.womensfundingnetwork.org.

CONTACT: Marcel Reynolds of the Women's Funding Network, +1-415-441-0706 or [email protected]

SOURCE Women's Funding Network