We're on the road to creating a $500,000 grants pool for 2013 - thanks to the generosity of our members as well as Women's Fund member Betty Elings Wells,. Betty has committed $250,000 to match 2-for-1 every dollar the Women's Fund raises above $350,000 in 2012. In addition, Betty will match 3-for-1 every new individual member (those contributing $2,500 or more in 2012).

The grants pool we create with our 2012 contributions will make up the awards we vote on in March and distribute to new grantees at our Presentation of Funds Luncheon on April 29. (Mark your calendar!)

If you haven't joined for 2012, please do so today!

We wish we could share all the hand-made thank you notes from the parents and children who have expressed their appreciation to the Women's Fund for our generous donations.

Here are a few excerpts from the notes of those benefiting from the $95,000 grant to the Mobile Waterford program in 2010-11:

"I think the program has helped my brother a lot. He can spell his name and it's so cute when he says it. It's also helped him pronounce words better and he knows the name and sound of every letter in the alphabet and can almost read. Thank you for helping my brother have this wonderful opportunity. (signed) Jorge's brother."

"My son has been in the program and has learned English, the letters, colors and numbers. His brother helps him with his homework. We also started taking parents classes. I learned ways to help my child at home."

Donations that underwrite our 2012 expenses will also be matched $2-for-$1 so if you would like to help underwrite any portion of our still uncovered costs, we will be able to move more money into our 2013 grants pool.

To help with any of the costs below, contact us at info@womensfundsb.org.

• WF website and e-newsletter support ($1,000)
• WF envelopes ($650)
• Postage for 2012 ballot ($350)
• Mail manager for 2012 ballot ($250)
• SurveyMonkey subscription for 2013 ballot ($200)
• Postage to members without email ($100)