Women's Fund December Monthly Update
Welcome to the monthly e-update of the Women's Fund of the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation.  Please consider the Women's Fund in your year-end giving, and join us in celebrating the many accomplishments of 2009.

• As You Complete Your Year-End Giving, Please Remember the Women's Fund!
  With the approach of the year's end, we have much to celebrate at the Women's Fund.  We are so thankful for our hardworking volunteers, for the support of the F-M Area Foundation and of the Chambers Family Fund, for grantees who use our funds to improve the lives of others - and especially for friends like you, who have supported us on our journey (now nearly a decade long!) toward creating a million-dollar fund to improve the lives of women and children in our community.  Thanks to the generosity of our friends (and despite some "hits" in the challenging economy), the Women's Fund Endowment continues to grow.

             With the grants we are making, the Women's Fund is already making a difference in the lives of women and girls,
             and thus in the quality of life for our whole community.  With those needs greater than ever, your gift means our
             endowment fund will continue to provide more needed funding for projects that improve the economic well-being of
             women and their families, close the gap for children in need of care and remove barriers to women in leadership.

             Thank you for your generosity and your continued support of our mission.  If you would like to make
             a year-end donation to the Women's Fund, visit the Giving On Line page - or mail your donation to the
             Women's Fund of the F-M Area Foundation, 502 First Avenue North, Suite 202, Fargo, ND 58102-4804.
             Please consider the Women's Fund in your year-end giving, forward this e-mail to others who may
             be interested in supporting the Women's Fund, and join us in celebrating the many
             accomplishments of 2009:

• "35 Under 35" Teaches Young Women Leadership Skills
  The Women's Fund was one of the key collaborative groups that developed and supported "35 Under 35," a six-session leadership program for women under age 35.  This inaugural program was a great success!  In addition to providing research and helping develop the program, the Women's Fund granted several scholarships.
• Philanthropy by Design Another Smashing Success
  Our signature event, Philanthropy by Design, was held in May and raised approximately $12,000 for the Women's Fund Endowment!  More than 150 people purchased tickets for this event, featuring many unique auction items ranging from fine artwork to fun experiences.
• Women's Fund Holds Inaugural "Lucky 7" Golf Outing
  About 30 golfers participated in our first annual "Lucky 7" Women's Fund Golf Fundraiser at Osgood Golf Course in July.  This event raised more than $2,000 for the Women's Fund Endowment, thanks to sponsorships by many businesses and individuals.  It's a great start, and we look forward to next year being even bigger and better!
• Jorgensen Starts "30/30 Vision" Effort
  Pat Jorgensen joined the Women's Fund in August as our fundraising manager and is working hard to connect with potential and past donors.  One of Pat's new initiatives is "30/30 Vision," seeking 30 people who will give $1,000 each toward the Endowment.  That $30,000 total will bring us to the half-million dollar milestone, halfway toward our ultimate goal of building a million-dollar endowment to improve lives in our communities!  If you are interested in more information about 30/30 Vision, contact Pat Jorgensen by calling (701) 234-0756 or via e-mail at womensfund@areafoundation.org.
• Women's Fund Restructuring Complete
  Following last year's Women's Fund planning retreat, it was clear that simplifying and streamlining the structure of the Women's Fund would be a major priority in 2009.  Clear roles and communication are essential for an organization that relies on volunteer leadership.  We were pleased to complete restructuring this fall, with a new and smaller leadership board.  Board members and their active committees are looking ahead to special events in 2010 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Women's Fund and the 50th anniversary of the F-M Area Foundation.
• Grants Totaling More Than $11,000 Help Local Agencies
  This year, the Women's Fund's grants committee awarded more than $11,000 in eight grants to programs in our three focus areas:  economic well-being of women and girls, children in need of care, and women in leadership.  These grants will go to programs that promote positive values and social skills among children, help families make informed child-care decisions, assist low-income women in gaining independence, and encourage civic participation and leadership among women.  As our endowment continues to grow, our granting power will grow as well! 
• Help Us Build Our List!
  Please feel free to pass this on to other friends of the Women's Fund - and if there are people you want to make sure we have on our e-mail list to receive this e-update, send us their names and e-mail addresses! Thank you!

The mission of the Women's Fund of the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation is to improve and impact the quality of life for all people by enriching the lives of women and girls in the Fargo-Moorhead area communities.  We continue to build our endowment fund, with the goal of raising $1 million or more to be able to support programs "now and forever" that benefit women and girls.  Thank you for your past gifts of time, talent and money and for continuing to be our "ambassadors" in the community for the Women's Fund!

Becky Bakke & Karen Stensrud
2009 Women's Fund Co-Chairs