For Immediate Release

Women and Girls Fund Achieves $1 Million Fundraising Goal

Waukesha, Wis. – (January 7, 2010) – The Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County has announced the achievement of its multi-year endowment fund goal of raising $1 million by year end 2009.

“Achieving this goal is a key accomplishment for the Waukesha County community as well as the Women and Girls Fund,” explains Dave Schultz, president of the Waukesha County Community Foundation. “Emerging from the tough fundraising environment of 2009 with a win of this level will make a difference in 2010 for programs that help women and girls.”

The Women and Girls Fund annually awards grants to non-profit organizations with programs that support women and girls in Waukesha County. Since 2005, 64 grants have been awarded to 36 county-wide non-profit organizations. Grants are awarded for programs that offer education, arts and cultural opportunities, or health and human services. Grant requests for the next round of grants are due at the Waukesha County Community Foundation by March 1.

"We had a choice in this economic downturn.  We could push to make our goal, or conclude that it was impossible in this year of cutbacks," says Kay Lettenberger, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County.  "We believed that now it was more important than ever that we reach the $1 million endowment goal to fund essential programs for women and girls in our communities.  We did it with the help of many generous donors and volunteers who believe in our mission, and we will continue to build the Women and Girls Fund for years to come."

The Women and Girls Fund was founded in 2004 as a permanent fund of the Waukesha County Community Foundation after the YWCA closed its doors. The annual spring Women of Distinction luncheon, originated at the YWCA, has become one of the key fundraising events for the Women and Girls Fund. In the fall of 2009, the Women of Distinction event celebrated its 25th year at an evening Gala honoring the outstanding achievements of Women of Distinction honorees over the past 25 years. For more information on the Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County, go to www.waukeshafoundation.org and click on Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County.

###

Contacts:

Name: Dave Schultz
Company: Waukesha County Community Foundation
Phone: 262-513-1861
Email: dschultz@waukeshafoundation.org

Name: Kay Lettenberger
Company: The Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County
Phone: 262-542-3917
Email: lettenberger2004@msn.com