Aug 6, 2024 | Featured News/ Events, Partner Nyaka, Women Stories
WE grants have funded the growth and success of Nyaka’s Grandmother Microfinance project in Uganda since 2014, and it continues to create significant impact in reducing poverty for women caring for their grandchildren. Microloans for grandmothers, combined with other support systems such as training, follow-ups, vocational skills, and products, have demonstrated a significant impact on household income. Over the span of 4 years, daily income is increased from as low as $1.06 (below the International Poverty Line) to $2.78 (with grandmother-led families now living above that line), resulting in a remarkable 480% return on investment during the same period.
Meet Kiconco from Uganda
Kiconco Annet, 55, is a member of the Nangara Grandmother group with Nyaka. She cares for her two grandchildren, Manige Rebecca (14) and Twinamasiko Timothy (12). She is a leader, as treasurer of her Grandmother group, entrepreneurial, and business savvy.
Kiconco has attained agricultural skills and improved her farming practices, leading to increased yields from her garden. Kiconco obtained a revolving microloan of UGX 200,000 (about $53) from Nyaka which she used to buy quality seeds and organic pesticides. She grows cabbage for family consumption and sells the surplus for income.
Kiconco has also invested in a successful brick-making venture, thus diversifying her sources of income. Brick-making is not a common business for grannies, particularly because of their age. Kiconco is stronger for her age, saw an opportunity, and is the first granny Nyaka has had in their program with a brick-making business. She operates her own kilns and hires others to do the labor of the brick work until the point when the bricks are ready for sale, which she handles herself. Brick is a common building material for houses in Uganda – for those who can afford it – as it is more durable than mud walls.
Kiconco Annet appreciates the support she and others have received through the Nyaka Grandmother program, noting the impact on their well-being.
“Thank you… for thinking about grandmothers and changing their lives,” she says.
May 1, 2024 | Featured News/ Events, Our Impact Page
Women’s Empowerment International 20th Anniversary
The Power of 20: Celebrating Two Decades of Economic Empowerment
“Almost half the world right now is living on under $2 a day, we are trying to reach [women in economically disadvantaged communities] and give them a chance to break that cycle of poverty.”
– Co-founder Win Cox
It’s been 20 years since Women’s Empowerment International (WE) gave out its first grant to help women start on stronger economic paths and break cycles of poverty.
While progress has been made in promoting women’s economic empowerment in society, significant challenges and disparities persist globally. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive strategies that tackle structural barriers, promote gender equality in education and employment, and enact supportive policies and legal frameworks. That’s where WE comes in, helping to fund programs for women locally and internationally that work to break barriers and open opportunities for financial stability and self-sufficiency.
WE recently dove into the archives to reminisce and introduce those new to the mission of why WE exists.
Back in 2003, when Co-founders Win Cox and Leigh Fenly decided to start Women’s Empower International, it was a calling that they imagined locally and abroad uniting women with the larger vision of creating stronger economies. Together, they personalized their approach by getting directly involved with the populations affected.
In celebration of these 20 years, let’s look at the difference WE has made in the lives of both the grantees and supporters.
In 2004, WE gave its first grant of $4,025 to Grameen de la Frontera, which was the perfect start because the organization directly focused on the economic growth of women. With this first grantee, WE formed a close relationship and founders and board members traveled to Sonora, Mexico to see WE’s funding in action. This involvement became a distinguishing quality about WE that put it in a category of its own.
Over the years, WE has partnered with organizations in nine countries, getting to know the nonprofits and women in the regions, understanding their way of life and how WE can help.
As of 2024, WE has provided over $2.6 million dollars in funding that has helped change the lives of women and families by:
- Helping young women locally purchase cars, so that they can attend school, maintain steady employment, and take care of their children and families
- Assisting women in launching businesses that help sustain families through micro-loan programs and business development support and training
- Providing microloans to grandmothers in Uganda to fund their ability to create sustainable businesses to help take care of and educate orphaned grandchildren
- Contributing to increasing women’s income in Haiti through their operation of community health stores
- Providing financial literacy training for girls through an innovative mobile-based app
- Supporting loan support groups for women in Mexico who have experienced human trafficking, immigration challenges, and other traumas
- Helping to provide new sources of income for indigenous Maya women in Guatemala, along with leadership training and growth opportunities
Along the way, WE has won a number of awards for our impact, including recognition for the Co-founders team, the Philanthropy Partner of the Year award from the International Rescue Committee in San Diego, and most recently a proclamation from the City of San Marcos for our “amazing dedication and remarkable achievements advocating for gender equality.”
Join us throughout this year to celebrate!
Jan 17, 2024 | Featured News/ Events, Volunteer and Board Spotlight
Board Member Spotlight
Courtney Brown currently serves as a Director of Development at Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS). Courtney received her B.A. in Global Studies from UCLA and her M.Sc. in Sociology of Crime, Control, and Globalization from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is passionate about advancing women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigrants’ rights. Courtney previously worked for Tahirih Justice Center and Casa Cornelia Law Center, where she served as Director of Philanthropy. Courtney has been a member of Women Give San Diego (WGSD) for over 10 years, during which she took on various volunteer leadership roles including the position of Co-President from 2017-2019. Courtney is originally from Houston, Texas and now lives in Poway with her husband Zac, their son Isaiah, their daughter Blair, and their dog Farrah.
This will be the beginning of Courtney’s journey with WE, and she is excited for the opportunity to do great things with WE! And we are so pleased to welcome her to the Board. Thank you, Landen, for your service!
1. How did you first find WE or get introduced to WE?
I was introduced to WE through Win Cox. Win is a supporter of Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS)’s immigration work – especially the San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN) Migrant Shelter – so this is how I met her. She joined us for a tour of the Shelter and we later met for coffee. We really hit it off given our shared interests and Win told me all about WE. I was excited to learn more about getting involved! I was also excited to see that Amina Sheikh Mohamed is on the board, as I met Amina years ago through Women Give San Diego and really admire her work as well.
2. What sparked your interest in joining the Board?
Though I am a professional fundraiser, I have always felt I could only fundraise for organizations that I deeply personally support. I feel the same way about joining the Board of WE. I really like that WE provides loans and other poverty alleviation grants not just locally but internationally. The Board members and staff have impressed me in their willingness to learn from the Partner organizations and have real collaborative and trusting relationships with them, not just top-down/funder-grantee relationships. I can’t wait to learn more as I begin my Board service.
3. What are you most excited to contribute to the Board and WE’s governance?
I’ve spent my career on the staff side of non-profits, and I’ve been working closely with non-profit Board members for a long time. I am hopeful that my background at various organizations (large and small) serving immigrants and refugees, coupled with my understanding of how non-profit Board members can successfully support a growing organization, will allow me to contribute in meaningful ways. Of course, I look forward to contributing fundraising ideas as well!
4. How do you spend your time when not volunteering with WE?
My day job is Director of Development on the Individual Giving Team at Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS). JFS’s social services are very expansive, and I specialize in our Welcome the Stranger work, which includes refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and SDRRN Migrant Shelter. I work with donors and my team to help bring supporters closer to the humanitarian work being done and help to realize our donors’ philanthropic goals as well. Outside of JFS and WE, my 3.5 year old, Isaiah, and 1.5 year old, Blair, keep me quite busy! They are both hilarious little bundles of energy. I feel fortunate that one of my biggest stress relievers – cooking – also benefits my family (a real win-win). One of our favorite family activities is going to the Safari Park in Escondido.
5. What’s one of your favorite inspirational/motivational quotes?
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” John Augustus Shedd
6. What was the last good book you read or what’s next on your reading list? (Or movie or show…)
I just finished reading “The Guest” by Emma Cline, which I thought was a great summer read. My husband and I are currently watching the new season of Black Mirror, a very scary but thought-provoking show on Netflix. I also unapologetically love many reality shows, particularly on Bravo, though I am woefully behind on several of them. One of the best (scripted) shows I’ve seen in recent years is Fleabag, especially Season 2; I highly recommend it.
Dec 14, 2023 | Featured News/ Events, News
Did you know…? There are many ways to give!
Donations of Stocks
WE accepts donations of stocks. Giving appreciated securities—stocks, bonds, and mutual funds—can benefit both you, as a donor, and WE. In most cases, donors receive a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the security and do not have to pay capital gains tax on the transfer of securities that have been held for at least a year. We can provide you, your stock broker, financial manager, or other service representative with information on our account for the transfer.
Monthly Support
You can turn your gift into a monthly source of support to empower women and families. Select “Donate Monthly” on our online giving form. You can also contact your bank about a recurring, automatic payment on a monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual basis. Lead into the new year with a commitment to support the WE mission throughout the year.
Holiday Events with a Purpose
Turn a holiday party into a gift for women’s economic empowerment around the world by offering guests the opportunity to donate to WE and a mission close to your heart. You can collect donations in lieu of host gifts or gift exchanges or in addition to these!
IRA Charitable Rollover or Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
Donate through an IRA Charitable Rollover or Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). This may be a way to lower the income and taxes from your IRA withdrawals, while helping to continue the mission of WE. This can satisfy your required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year and reduce your taxable income, even if you do not itemize deductions. Contact your IRA plan administrator to make a gift from your IRA to WE.
Charitable Gift Annuity
Create a Charitable Gift Annuity and both you and WE can benefit. This type of donation can provide you (and/or someone else you designate) with regular, annual payments for life and establish a fund for a donation to WE down the road. You can also qualify for a variety of tax benefits depending on how you fund your gift, whether through cash, appreciated property, or IRA assets.
Many great resources provide more information on how to establish a charitable gift annuity, create a Donor-Advised Fund, made a QCD, and much more, including those on San Diego Foundation, Jewish Community Foundation San Diego, National Gift Annuity Foundation, Fidelity Charitable, and Schwab Charitable.
Things to remember:
- December 28 & 29 are the last business days of the month if you do need to contact a financial institution, broker, financial advisor, or other business.
- As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we rely on your generosity and partnership to uplift women and communities in San Diego and around the world. Your tax-deductible donation helps us deliver vital grant funding to help women overcome poverty for themselves and their families for generations to come. We appreciate your support at all levels!
A message from our Executive Director, Sarah Adams.
Nov 21, 2023 | California, Featured News/ Events, Our Impact Page, Partner Urban Corps, Women Stories
Husniah, a refugee student from Afghanistan and Corpsmember with WE partner, Urban Corps of San Diego County, has faced numerous challenges on her journey, but her resilience and determination have never wavered. As a refugee, she has had to overcome obstacles that most of us can’t even imagine. One of the biggest obstacles she faced was transportation.
Living far from the Urban Corps of San Diego campus, it was a constant struggle for her to get to her High School Education and Job training program. However, with the help of the Women’s Empowerment International’s grant for vehicle down payment assistance, she was able to obtain a much-needed car of her own.
It has been said that “transportation is the aorta of poverty” and this is very accurate for Corpsmembers at Urban Corps. Corpsmembers were found to be missing career opportunities because they didn’t have their own vehicle. Employers want “reliable transportation” and public transportation does not always go a work location or might be delayed en route, and if you are unable to make it to work, you risk losing your job. WE has provided support for down payments, while Mission Federal Credit Credit Union, another Urban Corps partner, has been supporting financial literacy training and counseling to ensure Corpsmembers are able to continue with any insurance and loan payments that they will have.
For Husniah, her car has become a lifeline for her, enabling her to commute efficiently and reliably, eliminating the barriers that once stood in her way. Now, Husniah can confidently navigate the demands of work and education, empowering her to reach her goals and create a brighter future. Her unwavering determination, combined with the support she received, has truly transformed her life.
Nov 20, 2023 | Featured News/ Events, Honduras, Our Impact Page, Partner Adelante, Women Stories
Nolvia M. is a pulperia and carniceria owner in La Ceiba, Honduras. To grow her business, she joined the microfinance program with WE grant partner, Adelante, which enables women like Nolvia to work toward self-sufficiency and break a cycle of poverty and strengthen their families. Nolvia has taken out 19 loans with Adelante over the last 15 years. Prior to her involvement, her mother was a client of Adelante, which is how she came to learn of their services. With her loans, Nolvia has grown her business bit by bit and expanded her butchery business with her father, the person who inspired her to start this business.
Over the course of time, Nolvia borrowed funds to invest in assets that would help improve her product offerings and efficiencies, including an industrial-sized meat sealing machine, supplies and materials, and a larger freezer. As a successful, repeat customer, Nolvia also qualified for—and took advantage of—Adelante’s other loan products such as the home improvement and water and sanitation loans. With those, she has repaired her roof and now has a washroom.
Nolvia shared that not only is she extremely grateful for the opportunity to start and grow her business, but she has also experienced slowly over time, greater profits that she has been able to put towards the betterment of her family, business, and home.
Most recently she was able to purchase a used car that she uses for both business and personal purposes. She is able to pick up needed materials more easily and expand her client base by being able to make deliveries. She also uses the car to get family members to and from different activities and appointments, ensuring they are able to access and more easily obtain necessary services that improve the overall welfare of her family and greater community.
Doña Nolvia is excited to share that she plans to open a second location somewhere central in the city since her current business is located on the outskirts. By experiencing greater profits and mobility, she will be able to achieve her greater enterprise goals and continue to invest back into her business efforts and her family’s wellbeing.
