Our Mission

The Women’s Fund is a catalyst to transform the lives of low-income women and girls in East Tennessee.

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WHO WE ARE

The Women’s Fund was founded in 2011 by a group of philanthropic women desiring to address the lack of opportunities for underserved women and girls in East Tennessee. They quickly organized around the VISION of “every woman self-sustaining.” In February of that same year, the Women’s Fund of East Tennessee became an incorporated fund of the East Tennessee Foundation, quickly raising $2 million dollars from which grant making opportunities were outlined to fuel the vision. By 2015, the Board of Directors elected to become a supporting organization of ETF, becoming a 501(c)3 public, non-profit organization. With a focus on collaboration, education, and advocacy with our non-profit beneficiaries, WFET quickly became a premier source of hope and funding for those who need it most in our region.

“When you invest in a woman, you invest in a family, a community, and, ultimately, a region.”

Advocacy

The Women’s Fund of East Tennessee, along with other women’s funds across the globe, have discovered high donor satisfaction and significant outcomes by collectively pooling resources, conducting research, developing collaborative projects, and providing critical financial power and advocacy to help low-income women and girls. WFET works daily to find solutions to family and community challenges such as access to education, job training, poverty, violence against women, and many other issues serving as barriers to self-sustainability.

Help Us Help Her

The Women’s Fund of East Tennessee started from a group of philanthropic women lifting up other women. We have since grown to include a host of supporters that encompass corporations and small businesses in our region, as well as a significant group of professional and individual donors.

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Network Building

The Women’s Fund of East Tennessee has a unique approach to network building and grant making. Our regional Strong Women Strong Futures collaboration of like-minded non-profit partners works together to develop solutions around key issues impacting low-income women and girls in our 25 county service area. Our 2024 strategy for grants will include the continuation of this SWSF network, as well as individual, one-time sustainability grants for agencies in need of support in the areas of post-secondary education and staffing.

Giving Levels

YOU can get involved and support the WFET mission in a number of ways. Volunteer at one of our annual events – or follow this link to give at whatever level is comfortable for you. Thank you for Helping Us Help Her!