Women & Giving Awards $53,820 to Local Nonprofits

The Watertown Area Community Foundation’s Women & Giving Advisory Committee recently granted $53,820 to 16 local nonprofits. The Women & Giving program provides grants to organizations that help women and children overcome barriers to achieve their goals.

The following organizations were awarded 2024 Women & Giving grants:

• Boys and Girls Club of Watertown: Supplies and instruction for teen special interest classes
• Rachel’s Hope: Start-up costs and inventory for essential supplies for women and children in crisis
• Camp Chance: Art activity supplies
• Community Transit of Watertown/Sisseton: Transportation needs of women and children
• East-Central CASA: Essential winter outerwear for 86 children in foster care
• Friends of the Goss Opera House: Local Vocal’s Children’s Choir A Charlie Brown Christmas
• Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership: Delta Dental Care Mobile
• Joy Ranch of South Dakota: Replacement linens for camper bunks
• Lake Area Zoological Society: Girls Rule program
• Lincoln Elementary PTO: Hygiene bags for boys and girls
• Watertown Area Snow Queen: Leadership classes
• Watertown Cares: Exterior steel security doors
• Watertown Christian School: Ninja obstacle course
• Watertown PACH: Weekly food costs
• Watertown Middle School: Girls Night Out program expenses
• Watertown School District: Hygiene kits for students and families

 

Traditionally used to launch new programs, this year’s Women & Giving grant requests reflected growing financial challenges, particularly for nonprofits, with several organizations seeking funding to maintain services.

One notable request came from Watertown Cares for the purchase of steel security doors for its emergency shelter housing units. Watertown Cares has eight units at 612 Flats, all occupied, and a waiting list of over 40 individuals and families in need of shelter.

“Our area nonprofits are going through tough times,” said Cammie Mengwasser, Executive Director of the Foundation. “While it’s important for the Foundation to fund new programs and pave the path for progress, it’s imperative we recognize when local organizations require support to sustain critical services for our community.”

2024 Women & Giving supporters gifted nearly $62,000 for immediate granting needs and scholarships. An additional $26,755 was designated to the Women & Giving endowment fund at the Foundation.

“We are grateful to the founders of the Foundation for their foresight in establishing an endowment fund that allows the community to endure challenging times,” said Mengwasser. “Like our Women & Giving Advisory Committee, our donors understand that community needs fluctuate. It’s important to designate gifts for immediate granting needs while also continuing to grow the endowment to support those evolving needs well into the future.”

The Foundation’s Women & Giving program also awards scholarships to non-traditional, female students attending Lake Area Technical College and Mount Marty University. Applications for those are due October 25. Women & Giving scholarships totaling up to $25,000 will be awarded later in the year.

 

 >>>The Women & Giving Advisory Committee recently awarded grants to 15 local organizations, including a grant to Watertown Cares to provide safer emergency housing at 612 Flats.