Women Working WOnders Fund

Bringing Women Together to Shape the Future

GRANTS

Women Working Wonders Awards Five Grants Totaling $75,000

July 31, 2025 - The Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, has announced the recipients of $75,000 in grants to support local nonprofit programs that empower women and girls in the community.

“Women Working Wonders is honored to support these five exceptional organizations that are working at the grassroots level to create safety, opportunity, and well-being for women and girls,” said Kerrie D’Entremont, Women Working Wonders board president. “As we celebrate over two decades of giving, we are energized by the powerful impact of collective philanthropy.”

Recipients of the 2025 WWW grants (each for $15,000):

• Alternative House – Empowerment & Stability Support for Women in Transitional Housing

• Angkor Dance Troupe – Robam Rising

• Dwelling House of Hope – First Steps Mothers’ Program

• International Institute of New England – Dignity and Safety: Community Education for Women’s Wellness

• Project Kompass – Housing and Supports for Young Women in Transition

Celebrating their 21st anniversary, Women Working Wonders, an all-volunteer group of women dedicated to effecting positive change, provides annual grants in three key areas: assisting women in transition, providing leadership development in girls and women, and/or contributing to the beautification of the environment to benefit women and girls. Since its founding in 2004, the fund has awarded nearly $600,000 to organizations that support women and girls in the Greater Lowell area.

The Women Working Wonders Fund’s Power of the Purse 2025 event, which raises funds to support the annual grants, is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, from 6-9pm at Vesper Country Club.

Women Working Wonders Awards $10,000 in Mini Grants for 2025

February 2, 2025 - The Women Working Wonders Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, is pleased to announce the awarding of $10,000 in mini grants to deserving nonprofits impacting the lives of women and girls in Greater Lowell.

“Through these mini grants, as well as our annual summer grant cycle, Women Working Wonders fulfills our mission to empower women and girls by providing vital funding to the frontline organizations breaking down barriers and lifting up the women and girls we serve,” said Marcia Cassidy, Women Working Wonders Fund board president. “Now more than ever, our philanthropy and commitment are needed in the Greater Lowell community.”

The 2025 mini grants, each for $2,000 were awarded to:

• Alternative House: Addressing Food Insecurities with Victims of Domestic Violence

• Angkor Dance Troupe: Leadership Development through Costuming Workshop

• Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell: "Making Proud Choices!"

• Project Kompass: Back to Basics Home Economics Workshops

• The Wish Project: Mother's Day Gift Bags for Low-Income Women

Women Working Wonders provides annual grants in three key areas: assisting women in transition, providing leadership development for women and girls, and contributing to the beautification of the environment to benefit women and girls. Founded in 2004, the fund has awarded made more than $524,000 in grants to organizations supporting women and girls in the Greater Lowell area. Learn more at www.womenworkingwondersfund.com.

Catie’s Closet for “Hair Care for All” to create equitable access to culturally appropriate hair products for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) girls

The Center for Hope and Healing for Get Together: A Survivor-led Drop-In Support Group

Dignity Matters for “Dignity in Greater Lowell” to provide women in need with basic hygiene and menstrual care products

Ellie Fund for “Equitable Pathways to Breast Cancer Care” to empower women during breast cancer treatment with essential support needed to ease the stresses of everyday life and allow them to focus on family, recovery, and healing

Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell for “Extraordinary Girls Outreach Program” to provide the Girls Inc. programs and services during school hours

Women’s Money Matters to fund Greater Lowell women living on low incomes to participate in Financial Futures financial wellness program at no cost

University of Massachusetts Lowell to empower underrepresented racial minority women in STEM through mentorship, community and leadership development, and advocacy

Angels

History

In 2004, Brenda Costello, inspired by a magazine article about women’s funds, collected a group of like-minded women who embarked on the creation of Women Working Wonders Fund (WWWF). In no time, 72 women had stepped forward with initial gifts of $36,000. In 2005, the Hunt Alternative Fund issued a challenge grant that was met by six Angel donors. The Hunt challenge brought an additional $120,000 to WWWF, and a sustainable endowment was created. In 2006, WWWF awarded its first grant. Today, our Trustees proudly continue our founders’ vision to empower women and girls through lasting change by:

• Soliciting and broadening financial support among women throughout the region of all financial means and backgrounds

• Establishing and directing a fund distribution process to include application review and fund award decisions and distribution

• Planning and implementing fundraising projects that provide a vehicle for financial program support for women and girls.

Since our inception, WWWF has awarded dozens of grants and created positive change in the lives of countless women and girls.

Women Working Wonders Fund "Angels”

The WWWF is thankful to these six women - our "Angels" - for their generous multi-year donations, comprising the cornerstone gifts of our endowment:

Linda Chemaly
Brenda Costello
Nancy Donahue
Carol Duncan
Niki Tsongas
Elaine Zouzas Thibault