Jane Pauley Keynote Speaker at the "Power of the Purse" Luncheon

In 1998, The Women's Fund held its first fund raising event, Power of the Purse. The event and its accompanying Tribute Book are intended to celebrate, honor, and inspire the mothers and daughters, sisters and cousins, friends and mentors, and community leaders of Middle Tennessee for, among other things, their accomplishments, generosity, love and wisdom. The success of the event has contributed to the overwhelming growth of The Women's Fund and the availability of more grant dollars for non-profit programs benefiting women and girls.

Since its inception in 1998, the luncheon and Tribute Book for A Celebration of Women have raised over $1,000,000 (net) for The Women’s Fund.

Started by a committee of community leaders that decided to make a difference, The Women's Fund is dedicated to increasing support in Middle Tennessee for programs serving women and girls. The Women's Fund was established in 1994 both to raise women's awareness of their own philanthropic potential and to increase and perpetuate financial support for community programs that address the needs of women and girls.

The Women's Fund awards funding to programs that address the following needs:

* Achievement of economic self-sufficiency for women
* Prevention of violence and crime against women and girls
* Promotion of health and physical well-being for women and girls

Thanks to its generous supporters and volunteers, The Women’s Fund has donated $300,000 to 50 different non-profit organizations covering a range of services to women and girls throughout Middle Tennessee spanning the areas of arts and cultural education, health and human services, victim’s support services, domestic violence intervention, drug rehabilitation, and job training. In just nine short years, the average grant has increased from a total of $4000 in 1995 to over $57,000 worth of grants in 2006! The Women’s Fund is committed to continue to grow our endowment and grantmaking capability for the benefit of countless women and girls throughout Middle Tennessee.

2008 The Women’s Fund Grant Recipients

Actors Bridge Ensemble
Avalon Center
Bridges of Williamson County
Care Net Pregnancy Center
City of Life
Families in Crisis
Friends in General
Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee
Grace M. Eaton Child Care Center
Hope Clinic for Women
Magdalene
Mary Parrish Center
Mending Hearts
Nashville Cares
Nurses for Newborns
Sexual Assault Center
Renewal House
Shelter, Inc.
Women Are Safe
YWCA Weaver Domestic Violence Shelter

Mary Gambil and Beth Moore are Chairs of this year's event. I have been busy working on the auction committee. The purses for the auction are beautiful! All of the women have worked hard on this event and I proud to be part of it.

The Power of the Purse Luncheon 2009
March 9, 2009 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Hilton, Downtown Nashville

$200 Luncheon Ticket
($125 of the luncheon ticket is tax deductible)