In September, 2010, the Grand Rapids Zonta Foundation was granted 501c(3) non-profit organization status by the IRS. Contributions to the Foundation are tax exempt. Foundation funds will be used to further the mission of Zonta which is to advance the status of women and girls through service and advocacy.
How can you help?
While great strides have been made in the status of women worldwide, there is still progress to be made:
- Worldwide, 70% of the 1.3 billion poor are women. The Zonta Club of Grand Rapids hosted an advocacy screening of the documentary, Half the Sky. ”Women aren’t the problem, they’re the solution along with men. The best way to fight povery and extremism is to educate and empower women and girls.” -Excerpt from halftheskymovement.org
- Of an estimated 93 million children not in school, 48.4 million are girls. The Zonta Club of Grand Rapids sews reusable feminine hygiene products for Project Thrive – Days for Girls to keep girls who have reached puberty in school in underdeveloped countries.
- Today, more than 15 million women are living with HIV, and approximately 530,000 women die each year during pregnancy or childbirth. The Zonta Club of Grand Rapids hosted an advocacy screening of the Award-winning documentary following five Ethiopian women suffering from obstetric fistula. Zonta International Foundation, committed US$500,000 to UNFPA towards Elimination of Obstetric Fistula and the Reduction of Maternal and Newborn Mortality and Morbidity in Liberia. The Zonta Club of Grand Rapids has contributed funds toward this effort.
- 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked annually; 17,500 trafficked victims brought annually to the U.S.; Michigan ranks 13th in the country for number of sex trafficking victims. The Zonta Club of Grand Rapids has hosted two town hall meetings on anti-trafficking. Zonta International, District XV of which the Zonta Club of Grand Rapids is a member, has a cooperative affiliation with the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force.
- Women worldwide face systemized discrimination and countless barriers to living lives, free from legal, social, economic and political inequality.
In 2011, The Zonta Club of Grand Rapids will celebrate its 90th anniversary by establishing an Endowment Fund to ensure its continued support to the community. The goal is to raise $90,000 for the initial investment. The fund will be managed by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.
Please donate to show your support of our continued efforts locally and internationally.
