With the goal of advancing equity and social justice for women and girls, The Rhode Island Foundation joined with a group of influential women to launch the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island in 2001. The Fund is a vehicle through which advocates are working to "level the playing field" for women and girls - to champion fairness, impartiality, shared power and responsibility in all spheres of personal and community life - economic, cultural, social, and political.

Although much remains to be done in this arena, the Fund has accomplished a great deal in its early years, including:

• Published The Status of Women in Rhode Island, a “report card” on equity for women in such areas as political participation, employment and earnings, social and economic autonomy, reproductive rights, and health and well being
• Cultivated enthusiastic support from women – and men – throughout Rhode Island to meet a $2.5 million challenge issued by the Foundation
• Awarded more than a quarter million dollars to nonprofit organizations that support and further the Fund’s goals
• Became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2005

Learn more about the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island.