Inaugural Grant Program Announced

The Metrowest Women’s Fund Announces Inaugural Grant Program 

The Metrowest Women's Fund, a newly created social venture, invests in women and girls in Metrowest through education, community building, grant making and strategic partnerships. 

“The Metrowest Women's Fund is in the business of improving the lives of women and girls in Metrowest,” said Rebecca Parkhill, M.Div., Co-Founder. 

With a mission to identify the needs of women and girls in the Metrowest and raise resources to meet those needs, the Metrowest Women’s Fund recently completed its inaugural grants program. In partnership with Jewish Family Services of Metrowest, grants are awarded to the following organizations:

Domestic Violence Services Network: Support individualized tutorials to help and educate high-risk victims of domestic violence. 

Dignity Matters: Provide free access to period protection and underwear for women and girls who are homeless and economically disadvantaged.

Family Promise Metrowest: Support mothers and teens, at risk of homelessness, pursuing advanced education.

Mass Bay Community College Foundation: Expand sexual violence prevention programs for students.

MetroWest Legal Services: Legal Representation to victims of domestic violence and their families of low-incomes.

RIA House: Support a direct services Peer Mentor for survivors of the commercial sex-trade.

“Metrowest women and girls need us to come together and invest in the community. We have big goals – matching the resources in our community with those in need,” said Rachel Sagan, JD, Co-Founder.

The Metrowest Women’s Fund focuses on three social impact areas:

Education with a focus on opportunity for low-income women and girls including first–generation.

Girls: The Next Generation with a focus on particular needs of girls from low incomes.

Safety From Violence with a focus on domestic violence, senior abuse, sexual assault, and survivors of the commercial sex trade.

Only 1.6% of all philanthropic giving is dedicated to issues of women and girls. 

“Metrowest women and girls need us to come together and invest in the community,” added Sagan

As Co-Founders of the Metrowest Women's Fund, Rachel of Sudbury and Rebecca of Weston are driven by a single goal: to do their part in making our community a place where women and girls are supported and get the services they need and deserve. 

Service area includes the 33 towns in the Metrowest: Acton, Ashland, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Dedham, Dover, Framingham, Harvard, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lexington, Lincoln, Marlborough, Maynard, Medfield, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Needham, Sherborn, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury, Walpole, Waltham, Wayland, Wellesley, Westborough, Weston and Westwood.