“100 Women Strong”Funds Local Women’s Initiatives

ORLANDO, FL…(May 30, 2007)…The 100 plus women and friends of “100 Women Strong” celebrated the second annual “Power of the Purse” event on May 23 by awarding grants in excess of $100,000 to two local organizations, the Health Council of East Central Florida and SafeHouse of Seminole.  The Health Council of East Central Florida was awarded $70,000 to design and implement a coordinated and sustainable system of care for uninsured pregnant women in Orange County.  SafeHouse of Seminole received a grant for $33,400 to fund court advocates for victims of domestic violence.  In addition to these program grants, $2,500 was awarded to each organization to fund social marketing for the projects.

This past year, the 100 plus women philanthropists who joined to form the 100 Women Strong giving circle pooled their money, time and talents to benefit maternal and child health issues and domestic violence/spousal and child abuse in Central Florida.

“The response to 100 Women Strong has been overwhelming,” said co-founder Sydney Green.  “We are gratified beyond words by the generosity of Central Florida’s women and the causes our group has chosen to support.”

The 2^nd Annual “Power of the Purse” event was the springboard for the announcement of 100 Women Strong’s first grants.  For more information about 100 Women Strong as it enters its second year of philanthropy, please contact Pennisu Richardson at 407/540.1140. 

100 Women Strong is one of several giving circles that are part of the Center for Women’s Philanthropy at the Community Foundation of Central Florida.   Since its establishment in 1994, the Community Foundation has grown to hold more than 380 charitable funds with assets of more than $50 million, and has made cumulative grants of more than $15 million.