The board of directors of the Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation (AWEF) announced its 2020 grant recipients. The sum of $20,000 was granted to the Dominican Literacy Program to purchase new tutoring materials. The Dominican Literacy Center, Aurora, is a community-based organization sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield. The Center was founded in 1993 in response to the influx of immigrant families who needed ESL instruction. In providing individual tutoring for immigrant women, the programs of the Dominican Literacy Center give women the opportunity and ability to be full participants in their workplaces, communities and families. This program fits perfectly within the framework of the mission of the AWEF to fund programs that help women to increase their economic and personal success.
The sum of $30,000 was granted to the Fox Valley Grantmakers COVID-19 Response Fund, which is reviewing grants on a weekly basis to help local non-profits serve the immediate needs of area residents impacted by COVID-19. This fund was launched in March as a collaborative effort among the Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation, Dunham Fund, Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, Fox Valley United Way and INC Board. This $30,000 grant is in addition to the $25,000 Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation originally contributed to the Fund.
The Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation was founded in 2018 and is grateful for the opportunity to support programs in Aurora and surrounding communities. The foundation mission is to provide women with the leadership skills necessary to achieve greater personal power and economic success.
Grant applications for 2021 programs will open September 1 and close October 31. Interested organizations must be registered 501c3 operating within the greater Aurora area, with a program that fits the mission of the AWEF. Application forms may be accessed on the website at www.AWE-Foundation.org.
— Women’s Empowerment Foundation