Celebrating Women and Legacies: Special Edition

Karen Dubois-Walton

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Community Fund for Women & Girls, making it a perfect moment to reflect on the legacies of women. Established at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, the Fund for Women & Girls is the only charitable endowment singularly focused on the advancement of women and girls in our region.

The Fund has granted nearly $2 million to local organizations, with a focus on helping more women gain economic security and providing girls with leadership experiences. The Fund owes its existence and growth to local women, and many supporters have created their own designated funds naming the Fund for Women & Girls that provide it permanent sources of support.

“The Community Fund for Women & Girls has championed initiatives that help women and girls thrive, breaking down barriers to success and building pathways to opportunity. It is a testament to what can be achieved when women’s voices and resources are harnessed for positive change,” said Karen DuBois-Walton, President and CEO of The Community Foundation.

The legacy of women is also central to The Community Foundation’s origin. Its founding gift is from Nettie J. Dayton, whose bequest established a fund nearly a century ago. Her foresight reminds us of the opportunity we have to create an enduring impact for generations to come.

Planning a legacy is about more than wills and inheritances; it’s a declaration of values and a commitment to the people and causes you care about. The next time you update your will, we hope that like Nettie Dayton and the women who created the Fund for Women & Girls, you, too, will create your own legacy with a permanent charitable fund.