$2 Million Gift Directly Benefits Girls and Young Women

Earlier this year we were awarded a $2 million from from The Walmart Foundation. Of course we were excited, who wouldn’t be, right? The majority of the funds are designated to be re-granted to the Crittenton family of agencies to increase their capacity to support the needs of marginalized young women across the country through direct services and supports. Agencies could focus on health and nutrition, academic achievement or job readiness and career development. What makes this grant–which is called Assets for Life– unique is that its goal is to support and build on existing capacity. This means the funds are enabling agencies to: expand current programs to serve more young women; add a nutrition component to their existing mental health program; expand GED and career development opportunities; and much more.

We all appreciate the Walmart Foundation and Michelle Gilliard’s commitment to supporting effective agencies in taking what works to scale rather than imposing a “new” program or service on overburdened direct service
providers. Moreover, they spent a day sitting with, listening and talking with young women who will benefit from the services and hearing the real life challenges of agency staff.

In doing so they showed not only a commitment to effective philanthropy but a dedication to being mentors and role models for the young women their funds will support. We look forward to the implementation of all the programs and services made possible by this grant and to sharing success stories too! Click here If you want to see what was funded by Assets for Life.

–Jeannette