Fifty Women Strong
On February 17th the Fifty Women Strong organization celebrated a successful year with a “Galentine Evening” to award funds to selected organizations in Erath County. Fifty Women Strong raised $64,000 this year and 100% of the funds were awarded. Twenty-four different organizations submitted grants and the winning submissions were decided by the organization members in a secret ballot.
Fifty Women Strong is a foundation established forthe purpose of raising funds to benefit Erath County. This foundation gives a voice to a diverse group of women from all walks of life within the community who want to create a legacy of improvement in the community through philanthropy. Membership in the foundation is open to any woman donating $1000 to the foundation. Payment options are available but total membership fees must meet the December 31 deadline. Each year the membership votes to fund requests from different organizations in Erath County. One hundred percent of the amount collected through membership is distributed. The organization’s focus is to provide financial support to smaller, grassroots organizations who historically do not have major fundraising capabilities. Fifty Women Strong is a donor based advised fund through Boucher, Morgan, and Young. All donations are 100% deductible.
Areas of focus are Culture and Beautification, Education, Environment, Family, and Health and Wellness. Fifty Women Strong does not consider religious or political requests and focuses on unmet needs and quality of life issues. Dr. Rita Cook states, “We want to give grants in the average of $10,000 so that our support can make a difference in an organization. This is our second year and we were excited in the increase our membership so we could award more money this year. We want to encourage women in our area to join us so we can grow women in philanthropy and leadership in our community.”
Grants awarded this night were:
CASA Court Appointed Special Advocate $ 5,150
Choices Life Center $ 3,199
Cross Timbers Family Services $ 5,676
Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council $ 7,600
Homeless HELP $ 5,000
Huckabay Volunteer Fire Department $10,000
Lingleville Volunteer Fire Department $10,000
Meals on Wheels $ 6, 271
Morning Star Ranch $10,000
Restoration Advocates $10,000
Total donation in excess of $64,000 due to the generosity of members.
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