Join Us
The Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne is funded by individuals and organizations that are passionate about a more equitable future for girls and women in Allen County. We need your help to keep moving what matters. Help us create change by becoming a member today.
As a member you’ll be invited to first-look access to research, educational and advocacy opportunities, members-only events, as well as join a group of like-minded individuals who believe in investing in our community through women and girls.
We invite people at every economic level to join us in advancing women and girls in Allen County by supporting the work of the Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne. You can make a one-time contribution or a recurring contribution on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. Give at the level you can!
Get to know what the Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne is all about by watching our video.
The Mission Match
Thanks to a generous opportunity from Lilly Endowment Inc., Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne has been awarded $500,000 in funding to match all contributions up to $165,000 each year from 2024-2026 (for a total of $500,000 over three years) as part of the Endowment’s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow, Phase viii (GIFT VIII) initiative.
The match is a one-to-one matching grant, meaning as a member, you can DOUBLE your charitable impact to any gift made to the Women’s Fund – which closes opportunity gaps for women and girls regardless of place, race and identity. Thank you for being a partner in change!
*Please note that inter-fund donations and gifts from outside DAFs or private foundations are not eligible for this matching opportunity.
Membership Details
Gifts can be made at one time, or split into recurring contributions on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.
Double your impact through your company’s matching gift program.
Larger gifts may also be pledged over time.
10% of each membership will go to support the long-term sustainability of this work by building the endowment.
Donors may transfer gifts from their existing Donor Advised Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne or establish a new fund for philanthropic purposes.
Other gifts can also be facilitated such as gifts of stock, Required Minimum Distributions from your IRA or gifts from Donor Advised Funds outside of the Community Foundation.
Membership Levels
Click + to discover the stories of our founding women.
+ Trailblazer: $16,000
One-Time Lifetime Membership This was the founding amount of the Women’s Bureau in 1975, which happened in response to the first Women’s Study of Greater Fort Wayne commissioned by Mayor Lebamoff in 1974.
+ Corrinne: $5,000-$10,000
Donate this amount at the Corrinne Mudd Brooks (1914-2008) level. Corrine was an active member of the Limberlost Girl Scouts Council and organized the first African American Girl Scout troop in Fort Wayne, until Girl Scout troops were desegregated in the 1950s. Throughout her life, Corrinne was actively involved in the Urban League, founded the Urban League Guild, served as vice president of the Fort Wayne chapter of the NAACP, was on the Commission on the Status of Women for the State of Indiana and served the YWCA. Professionally, she worked for the YWCA, as well as for the Fort Wayne Jewish Federation for 27 years. Corrinne was also a political activist: she was a candidate for the Indiana House of Representatives in 1956, 1958 and 1962 and went on to become coordinator for the Indiana voter registration drive in preparation for the 1960 presidential election. Corrinne was a pioneer for her time, both politically as well as for girls and African Americans throughout the community.
+ Alice: $1,000-$4,999
Donate this amount at the Alice Harrison Foster McCullough Mullins Harper Hill (1884-1970) level. Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Alice was both a community activist and suffragette. Born to Samuel Foster, a prominent developer of Fort Wayne, Alice was exposed early to the work that she could do in Fort Wayne to benefit the community. She was a delegate to the 1912 biennial convention of the National Federation of Women’s Clubs in San Francisco. In 1914, she was Chairman of the Civics Department of the Women’s League of Fort Wayne and served on state committees as well. Alice was also the state Chairman for the Women’s Liberty Loan program for several terms. Later, she was a member of the Indiana League of Women Voters after women won the right to vote. Alice is known as a founder of the Fort Wayne Women’s Club and for her work advocating for healthier living conditions within the community. Alice worked hard for equity for women not only in Fort Wayne, but throughout the state.
+ Margaret Ann: $500-$999
Donate this amount at the Margaret Ann Keegan (1903-1966) level. Margaret Ann, born and raised in Fort Wayne, was a dedicated servant leader within the community throughout her life. Best known for founding the Christmas Bureau, Margaret Ann was also instrumental serving on the exploratory committee that developed the Fine Arts Foundation—now known as Arts United. She also served the Wheatley Social Center (now known as the Urban League), Bedside School for Crippled Children, Johnny Appleseed School, Workers for the Blind, Family and Children’s Agency, Children’s Theatre (now known as Fort Wayne Youtheatre), Philharmonic Women’s Committee, the College Club, Friends of the Fine Arts, Child Guidance Center and Junior League. She was a dedicated servant to those who needed a hand up in life and celebrated and nurtured the arts throughout Fort Wayne.
+ Elma: $365
Donate this amount at the Elma Alsup (1895-1985) level. While born in Tennessee, Elma lived most of her life in Fort Wayne. Elma served as a social worker for 25 years for the Wheatley Social Center (now known as the Urban League) and was an advocate for all children to have equal opportunities. Elma wielded great influence across racial lines within the community in a time when segregation prevailed. She was the first in the state to send a group of young Black girls to YWCA Camp and was instrumental in the formation of many different groups including the local Federated Women’s Club, the Lillian Jones Brown and Jennie Connor Civic Club and Arts Music Club. She served many years nurturing The Girl Reserves (similar to Girl Scouts). Later, she would serve on the Fort Wayne Defense Committee, fostering the promotion of individual jobs in local factories, particularly for black women and men. She was a pioneer for social justice and equity for all.
+ Helene: $25-$499
Donate this amount at the Helene Foellinger (1910-1987) level. Former publisher of the News-Sentinel and president of Fort Wayne Newspapers, Helene was one of Fort Wayne’s leaders in supporting the arts and education. Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Helene took over as publisher of the News-Sentinel when she was just 25 after her father’s untimely death. While leading one of the state’s premiere newspaper publications, Helene also dedicated her life to serving civic organizations and the arts, helping to grow these organizations through the Foundation that she created with her mother in 1958. The Foellinger Foundation was established to carry forward her family’s tradition of civic involvement and active concern for the well-being of the community. She played an active role in the Chamber of Commerce, Fort Wayne Park Foundation, Junior Achievement of Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne – Allen County United Community Services, Allen County Tuberculosis Association, Red Cross, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo and more. Helene left a legacy that continues to serve the Fort Wayne community through millions of dollars in support each year.
