Blogs

August 10, 2018

We are pleased to provide the following updates:

Coca-Cola Commits $500,000

The Coca-Cola Foundation awarded YWCA USA $500,000 to support and advance women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship programs at 15 local associations. The goal of this grant is to increase the number of women starting, sustaining, and growing businesses by providing educational tools that will increase the knowledge and confidence of women entrepreneurs.

YWCA Joins “Separation Crisis At the Border” Site Visit with Foundation Leaders

YWCA was pleased to join a three-day site visit to the U.S./Tijuana, Mexico, border with representatives from more than 40 foundations this week. YWCA was honored to be one of the few nonprofit organizations to participate. Organized by Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP), the delegation visited the Otay Mesa Detention Center and observed Operation Streamline hearings in San Diego federal court. Huge thanks to Heather Finlay and the staff at YWCA San Diego for hosting the delegation’s closing session!

Opportunity to Share: RALIANCE Impact Grant Program

RALIANCE is a national partnership dedicated to ending sexual violence in one generation. The fourth round of impact grants was announced earlier this week. RALIANCE is looking to fund projects that: improve the response to victims of sexual violence; reduce the likelihood of perpetration of sexual violence; and strengthen community capacity to create safe environments. Learn more about the 52 projects funded over the last three years as part of the Impact Grant Program. These one-year grants help fund projects up to $50,000. Round 4-funded projects will begin April 1, 2019 and continue through March 31, 2020. Don't miss out on this opportunity! Submit a brief Letter of Interest by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 24, 2018.

Nationwide GOTV Initiative

YWCA USA’s Nationwide Get Out the Vote Initiative will support at least 100 local YWCAs in registering and mobilizing 10,000 voters across the country, engaging in candidate forums, and empowering voters through voter protection education efforts. Register now to join this initiative! Registration closes at 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 15. In the meantime, here are some other ways to start getting involved in these efforts:

• Take a look at our GOTV resources.
• Consider holding a voter registration drive during our YWCA Nationwide GOTV Week, September 1 - 10. We hope you do!
• Sign up to participate in this year’s National Voter Registration Day on September 25 – YWCA is a partner, and we encourage you to engage in this day of action as well.

Support the Reauthorization of FVPSA

Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the House and the Senate to reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA). There are currently 97 cosponsors in the House and 6 cosponsors in the Senate. Tell your Members of Congress that you care about funding for programs that serve victims and survivors of family, domestic, and dating violence. Take action today!

YWCA Opposes the Nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to SCOTUS

On August 6th, YWCA USA sent a letter to members of the Senate, calling on them to vote against the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States. On core issues likely to come before the Supreme Court, Judge Kavanaugh’s record and judicial philosophy are at odds with the principled pragmatism required to make decisions that protect the people and communities we serve. Urge your Senators to vote “No” on Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination.

In-District Advocacy Day

We’re proud to announce that 261 advocates from 108 local associations in 33 states and the District of Columbia participated in In-District Advocacy Day on Wednesday, August 8. Together, we met with 67 U.S. Representative’s offices and 56 U.S. Senator’s offices, and raised YWCA’s collective voice. Thank you for making In-District Advocacy Day 2018 a huge success! Stay tuned for a feedback survey so we can make future advocacy days even more successful.

2018 YWCA Self-Assessment

By now, each association should have received links to the 2018 YWCA Self-Assessment survey process. If you have not received the links, contact assessment@ywca.org. The process this year has three parts: completing the online survey, uploading requested documents, and entering board member information in the database. Remember: the deadline for submission is Wednesday, September 12. You can access additional information and resources on the YWCA intranet assessment landing page. Email assessment@ywca.org with questions.

Important Dates

• August 13 at 3 p.m. ET: Money Monday: Raising Revenue for Racial Justice Programming. Register now.
• October 2: YWCA Real Estate and Facilities Summit

Questions about what you read today? Contact communications@ywca.org.