About the Fund
We’re committed to understanding—and overcoming—the challenges facing women and girls in Allen County. Through research, education and collaboration, we’re working to uncover and address the most important issues. The Women’s Fund is about a brighter future for women, and for our entire community.
Launched on August 26, 2020—the centennial anniversary of women’s right to vote—the Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne was founded to focus specifically on the needs of women and girls in Allen County, Indiana.
We pledge to keep the Women’s Fund on track by following these mandates:
Conduct meaningful, community-centered research.
Convene and collaborate on solutions with the experts in our community.
Steward community resources responsibly.
Evaluate, reflect and adapt our solutions based on what we learn.
Our Work
Our work is data-driven, community-led and ever evolving. Through research, education and advocacy, we’ll create a more equitable Allen County.
Our Advocates
The Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne is an initiative of the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, and we couldn’t exist without the commitment of these steering committee members.
Michelle Chambers
Stephanie Crandall
Sherry Early, Chair
Sharon Eisbart
Connie Heflin
Andie Hines-Lagemann
Paula Hughes-Schuh
Nikki Quintana
Lawandra Ravoira
Rachel Tobin-Smith
Nancy Stewart Angel Suttle
Stephanie Veit Pone Vongphachanh Irene Walters
Denita Washington
Paige Wilkins
Our Research
Our first step in making strides to uncover and address these issues was conducting the Women and Girl’s Study of Greater Fort Wayne, released in 2020. The last time our community took a comprehensive look at the economic health of women and girls in our county was in 1974, and we think more than 45 years is too long to go without assessing more than half of our population.