The Zonta Club of Denver has been fortunate to be the recipient of bequests from several members, two of which were of significant size. These gifts enabled the endowment of a 501(c)(3) organization founded by the club, now known as the Zonta Club of Denver Foundation (ZCDF).
ZCDF supports international service projects of Zonta International and local projects of the club, all of which are focused on the empowerment of women. The club has historically donated a third of ZCDF income, together with proceeds of club fundraising, to the Zonta International Foundation to support women worldwide. The remaining two-thirds are used primarily to support charitable organizations in the Denver metro area that provide services to position local women and girls for self-sufficiency and better lives for them and their family members.
Applying for a Grant
501(c)(3) organizations can apply for grants from ZCDF to fund a new or ongoing project within the Denver metro area that is focused directly on improving the status and quality of life of Denver at-risk women. The Grant Funding Application is here.
Zonta Club of Denver Awards $25, 750 in Local Grants
Funds Will Help Disadvantaged Women and Children
On behalf of the Zonta Club of Denver, President Gwen Fornia and other club members presented checks totaling $25, 750 to representatives of Center for African Family Integration (CAFI), Denver Young Artists Orchestra, Beautiful Feet Wellness, and Focus Points Family Resource Center at the club’s meeting in February.
The recipient organizations will use the funds for specific projects that align with the Zonta Club of Denver’s mission: “Building a Better World for Women and Girls.”
Center for African Family Integration (CAFI )- the $10,000 grant will fund an academic learning community of young, high school age girls, of first-generation women from immigrant backgrounds who hope to attend college. College age tutors will provide mentoring. Founded by refugee women to help other refugee women, CAFI works with women and girls mostly from Somalia and Ethiopia.
Beautiful Feet Wellness – will provide funds towards a spring retreat for human trafficking survivors. Attendees will have the opportunity to heal, rest and recharge after experiencing deep trauma. The retreat offers healing modalities, social support, and professional development.
Denver Young Artist Orchestra – our grant will go to participants of Musical Pathways, which targets girls from Title 1 schools in Denver and Aurora which do not offer regular music instruction. Included in the program is musical instruction, help in obtaining instruments, concert attire, and in some cases transportation.
Focus Points Family Resource Center – our grant will fund the Leadership Training Series for Latina Program graduates. This investment will fund tailored leadership training for our Community Advisory Committee to strengthen and equip emerging Latina leaders from some of Denver’s most under-resourced neighborhoods.
The Zonta Club of Denver was chartered in 1927 and, as a chapter of Zonta International, is united with more than 30,000 executives and professional leaders in over 1,100 clubs in 63 countries to enrich the quality of life for women and children worldwide.
Over the club’s 97-year history, it has granted more than $2.5million and thousands of hands-on service hours, to projects in Denver that help disadvantaged women gain self-sufficiency following domestic violence, drug addiction, incarceration, and other adversities.
Zonta International partners with the UN on projects that strive to end early childhood marriages, educate to prevent gender violence, eradicate AIDS, and more. ZI also gives scholarships to young women studying aerospace, business, and Public Affairs.
For information about community awards in prior years, click here.