Our Mission

To facilitate bold change for Fond du Lac area women and girls.

OUR VISION

An inclusive community where all women and girls thrive. 
No exceptions.


The Women’s Fund promotes positive change in the lives of Fond du Lac area women and girls through grants to local 501(c)3 organizations for programs consistent with its mission; engages women in philanthropy; and creates community understanding of the strengths and challenges of Fond du Lac women and girls. Our core values include: Education; Stewardship; Integrity; Equity-Fairness; and Collaboration. Our funding priority areas include:

  • Education
  • Leadership Development
  • Financial Self-sufficiency
  • Safety, Dignity, and Freedom from Violence
  • Health and Well-Being

Stories and More

$327K

GRANTS AWARDED SINCE 2004

>1,770

LOCAL WOMEN & GIRLS IMPACTED IN 2021

>16

SUPPORT FOR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS & PROGRAMS IN 2021

Educational Events

Be the change...

Our educational programs initiate community conversation about issues affecting women and girls. Programs have included Breakfast with Melissa Atkins Wardy, author of “Redefining Girly,” and a showing of the documentary “Miss Representation,” which showed how media portrayals of women limit their leadership options and negatively affect young girls. We became a 501(c)3 charitable and educational organization during 2013, allowing us to expand our programming and fundraising opportunities. Our commitment to education has never been stronger as we feel strongly that social change starts with shifting how we define and understand the issues facing women & girls in our community.

Our History

In 2004, a group of local, passionate women started the Women’s Fund. These women believed strongly that empowered women empower women, and were instrumental in kickstarting intentional funding for programs supporting women and girls in the greater Fond du Lac area.

A Message From Our 2023 President

Join Us in Spirit and Action in 2023

The Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund is continuing on its journey to strive for an inclusive community where all women and girls thrive, no exceptions. In order to do this effectively, we endeavor to work strategically and inclusively with our community partners, grant recipients, board members, volunteers and community to bring these efforts to fruition.

In our collaborative efforts to advance Fond du Lac area women and girls, our agency has identified priority areas for our focus that include: education, leadership development, health and well-being, economic self-sufficiency, and safety, dignity and freedom from violence. We look forward to facilitating bold change in these areas that not only improves the lives of women and girls, but also to engage others in that process. We’re committed to our Fond du Lac Says No More awareness initiative, and its direct programming through Green Dot Community Bystander Intervention Training, which assists in preventing violence against women and children. These efforts are successfully strengthened when our entire community is involved. Our organization is also making progress in weaving diversity, equity and inclusion efforts into everything we do, at every level.

As we strive to increase our visibility and inclusivity with community engagement and awareness, will you join us?

We welcome you to attend a Green Dot training, serve on one of our committees, contribute financially to invest in our women and girls, attend our Power of the Purse Luncheon, or reach out with any questions as to how you may be able to assist in bold change to advance our Fond du Lac area women and girls.

Meggin McNamaraMeggin McNamara
2023 Board President

Meet Our Team

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tasha Rieder

Tasha Reider

President/Executive Committee Chair

Morgan Schmidt

Morgan Schmidt

Vice President/President Elect, Executive Committee

Meggin McNamara

Meggin McNamara

Past President, Executive Committee

Claudia Hawkins-Moise

Claudia Hawkins-Moise

Treasurer/Finance Committee Chair, Executive Committee

Julie Scharschmidt

Julie Scharschmidt

Secretary, Executive Committee

Kelly Norton President

Kelly Norton

Board Member, Development Committee

Tiffany Fisher

Tiffany Fisher

Community Education Committee Co-Chair / Board member

Kaitlyn Kenealy

Kaitlyn Kenealy

Community Education Committee Co-Chair / Board member

Tiffany Parker

Tiffany Parker

Board Member, Community Education Committee

Colleen Clift

Colleen Clift

Board Member, Grants Committee

Aaron Goldstein

Chief Aaron Goldstein

Development Chair / Board Member

Kyle Jefferson

Kyle Jefferson

Board Member, Governance Committee

Carrie Kasubaski

Carrie Kasubaski

Board Member, Finance Committee

Jenny Knuth

Jenny Knuth

Communications Committee Co-Chair / Board Member

Bridget Guell

Special Events Committee Co-Chair / Board Member

Laurel Munger

Governance Committee Chair / Board Member

Jen Nicklas

Communications Committee Co-Chair / Board Member

Patty Guldan

Board Member, Development Committee

Alyssa Hallgren

Grants Committee Co-Chair / Board Member

Sadie Vander Velde

Board Member, Development Committee

Our Executive Director

Meet Jolene!

Jolene has a tremendous passion for our mission and a clear commitment and desire to help the Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund uplift the community and make an even greater impact on the lives of women and girls throughout the Fond du Lac Region.

BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS (*indicates past board member)

  • Amy Bayer
  • Polly Nachreiner
  • Stephanie Dahlke
  • Morgan Gaffner
  • Bill Bunzel
  • Niki Mand
  • Meshelle Stokes
  • Tracy Schneider
  • Tijana Williams
  • Julie Waldvogel-Leitner
  • Linda Selk-Yerges*
  • Anne Lemke*
  • Joan Bowser
  • Sommer Joslin
  • Jane Benson
  • Sara Battastine
  • Melissa Schneider*
  • Jenelle Bruno
  • Ashley Muche
  • Kelly Northlee
  • Tenille Graf
  • Kelly Collien
  • Zoelle Reinke
  • Amanda Ruhe
  • Steph Selle
  • Anna Carlson