Fund Development

In this fourth chapter we take a close look at AAUW’s two arms for fund development: The Educational Foundation (EF) including the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund, and the Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF). We will learn about the distinguished history of the EF and the 25 endowment funds established by AAUW of Wisconsin since its founding including the seven new funds initiated by the state during the 2001-2011 decade covered by this history supplement. We will hear about the Wisconsin recipients of the fellowships and grants we fund. We will celebrate our state and branches consistently earning AAUW’s top state rankings in foundation giving, and review the five levels of gifting for which individual branch members are recognized. Next we will highlight our state’s financial contributions to the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund. Lastly in this section on fund development we will learn about the LAF, the Wisconsin woman assisted by LAF funds, how our state raises money for the fund, and its top ten ranking in contributions to LAF.

Educational Foundation

The AAUW Educational Foundation (EF) has a long and distinguished history of advancing education, research, and self-development for women and girls in the U.S. and around the globe. Since AAUW’s establishment in 1888, it has awarded fellowships and grants to more than 10,000 women in more than 130 countries. AAUW is one of the oldest and largest private sources of grants for women in the world. The EF was established in 1958 as a philanthropic arm of AAUW and each year it provides about four million dollars in fellowships, grants, and awards for outstanding women worldwide. The foundation also funds pioneering research on women, girls, and education.

AAUW awards three types of fellowships and two types of grants. Women around the world who are non-U.S. citizens doing graduate or post-graduate full-time study at an accredited institution are eligible for an $18,000-$30,000 International Fellowship. American Fellowships of $6,000-$30,000 each are awarded to U.S. women scholars who are completing doctoral dissertations or conducting postdoctoral research. Individuals pursuing professions where women are underrepresented qualify for the $5,000-$18,000 Selected Professional Fellowship.
The two types of Research and Project Grants are for career development and community action. Career Development Grants provide $2,000-$12,000 per grant to women who hold bachelor degrees and are preparing to advance or change careers. Community Action Grants provide $2,000-$10,000 per grant of seed money to women, AAUW branches, AAUW state organizations, and local community-based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs or non-degree research projects that promote education and equity for women and girls.

Research: AAUW EF publishes fourteen timely research reports during the decade of this history supplement: ¡Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Can: Latinas in School (2001), Hostile Hallways: Bullying,Teasing, and Sexual Harassment in School (2001), The Third Shift: Women Learning Online (2001), Women at Work (2003), Under the Microscope: A Decade of Gender Equity Projects in the Sciences (2004), Tenure Denied: Cases of Sex Discrimination in Academia (2004), Gains in Learning: Gaps in Earnings (2005), Public Perceptions of the Pay Gap (2005), Drawing the Line: Sexual Harassment on Campus (2006), Mom’s Retirement Security (2006), Where the Girls Are: The Facts About Gender Equity in Education (2008), Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (2010), The Simple Truth About the Gender Pay Gap (2011), and Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School (2011).

Following the lead of AAUW’s 2009 action eliminating Educational Foundation (EF) as a title and thereafter referring to the fund as AAUW, also in 2009, AAUW of Wisconsin changed the state board position formerly titled Educational Foundation/LAF VP to Fund Development VP. The new title better reflects the position’s philanthropic nature. The four EF vice presidents serving on AAUW of Wisconsin state board during the decade of this history supplement are: Estella Gilgenbach AAUW Racine Branch 2000-2, Arlene Gumbiner AAUW Milwaukee North Shore Branch 2002-4, Linda Freed AAUW Oshkosh Branch 2004-8, Kim Wellnitz AAUW Eau Claire Branch 2008-11. It is during Wellnitz’s term, in 2009, that the position title is changed to Fund Development VP.

AAUW of Wisconsin branches and individual members extend the impact of the EF by identifying and recommending potential fellowship and grant applicants, promoting recipients’ activities in their communities, and raising money to fund their work.

Wisconsin EF Fellowship and Grant Recipients

EF endowments are pooled into the EF and once an individual endowment reaches the amount to become stipend producing the principle remains in the endowment but stipends are given out in the fund’s name. Recipients are decided by a distinguished panel appointed by AAUW. During the decade covered by this supplement forty five recipients from Wisconsin receive awards including: 6 International Fellowships, 15 American Fellowships, 6 Selected Professions Fellowships, 9 Career Development Grants, and 9 Community Action Grants. Fellowship and grant recipients are available to speak at state and branch events and occasionally AAUW of Wisconsin features recipients as speakers at state conventions or public policy days.

Endowments Established by AAUW of Wisconsin

In 1928, just six years after its founding, AAUW of Wisconsin began it’s first AAUW endowment. During the past decade seven endowments were initiated by AAUW of Wisconsin, bringing to 25 the number of endowments initiated and funded by our state. We can be proud of our generous work and contributions benefiting women in Wisconsin, our nation, and internationally in their roles as scholars, professionals, and activists.

EF Endowments Established by AAUW of Wisconsin 1928 – 2000

Stipend bearing funds generate sufficient interest and dividend revenue to support fellowships and grants in their designated programs. Until 2004 an American or International Fellowship became stipend producing when it reached $100,000 and a Research and Projects grant became stipend producing when it reached $35,000. In 2004 the AAUW EF board voted to make changes that apply only to new fellowships and grants: An American or International Fellowship becomes stipend producing when it reaches $200,000, and the timeline for raising the funds shortens from 20 to 15 years; The amount to complete a Research and Project grant is increased to $75,000 and the timeline for raising the funds is shortened from 15 to 10 years.

Ellen C. Sabin American Fellowship, est. 1928-29
Mary Anderson American Fellowship, est. 1947-48
Helen C. White International Fellowship, est 1963-64
Frances Perkins American Fellowship, est. 1971-72
Wisconsin State Division Research & Projects, est. 1973-4
Della M. Wendt American Fellowship, est. 1974-75
Bernice M. Scott American Fellowship, est. 1975-76
Amy Davies American Fellowship, est. 1977-78
Mabel Mannix McElligot American Fellowship, est. 1978-79
Pearl B. Buell International Fellowship, est. 1978-79
Wisconsin Division Past President’s Research & Projects, est. 1982-3
Sarah Harder International Fellowship, est. 1986-87
Great Lakes Peace Endowment, est. 1988
Bettie Harriman International Fellowship, est. 1992-93
Marianna L. Rothe American Fellowship, est. 1992-93
Frieda Schurch American Fellowship, est. 1997-98
Emma V. & Etta E. Schuetz Research & Projects, est. 1999-00
Madison (WI) Branch Research & Projects, est. 1999-2000; 57% toward stipend producing March 2011

EF Endowments Established by AAUW of Wisconsin 2001-2011
Barbara J. Meier American Fellowship, est. 2001-02
Monona (WI) Branch 25th Anniversary Research & Projects, est. 2001-02
Della M. Wendt Centennial American Fellowship, est. 2002-03
Fort Atkinson Founders American Fellowship, est. 2003-04; 73% to stipend producing 3/2011
Mona T. McMahon Research & Projects, est. 2003-04
Judith Kneece American Fellowship, est. 2004-05
Katherine Teska Memorial Research and Projects, est. 2007; 46% to stipend producing 3/2011

AAUW of Wisconsin Outstanding EF Contributor

AAUW publicly recognizes the top ten highest state contributors to the EF and LAF. Beginning in 2009 recognition expands to include outstanding state giving to the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund, the Public Policy Fund, and the Leadership Programs Fund. The Eleanor Roosevelt Fund supports AAUW research into issues important to women. The Public Policy Fund supports advocacy for public policies and laws that are fair to women. The Leadership Programs Fund supports programs that develop women’s potential to lead at all levels of society.

AAUW of Wisconsin regularly ranks among the top yearly contributors to the EF thanks to its state fundraisers and the generosity and efforts of its branches and branch members. Special AAUW of Wisconsin EF fundraisers include selling diversity pins, notecards, note pads, and coffee mugs, and beginning in 2004, social justice themed notecards by Patty Hankins, AAUW Geneva Lakes Branch, titled March for Women’s Lives.

Total Yearly AAUW of Wisconsin EF Contributions and Top Ten Ranking
2000 $66,981
2001 $88,484; 8th
2002 $68,518; 10th
2003 $104,459; 4th; 8th in Per Capita; 4th in Contribution Growth Over Previous Year
2004 $86,235; ranked in Top Ten
2005 $75,016; 6th
2006 $77,973; 6h
2007 $61,903
2008 $74,929
2009 $61,903
2010 $44,446; 7th

AAUW of Wisconsin’s Racine Branch Ranks Among Top Ten EF Contributors

Creative fundraisers such as book sales, art fairs, plant sales, silent auctions, and home tours by state branches help keep AAUW of Wisconsin in the forefront of states contributing to the EF. Top ten branch contributions to the EF are recognized in categories of total contributions and per capita contributions. AAUW Racine Branch is recognized as regularly ranking among the top ten branches in total EF contributions during the decade covered by this history supplement. Beginning in 2005 recognitions are no longer handled by the foundation offices in Washington, D.C. but at the state level. Top ten branches as well as Named Gift Honorees ( individuals whom a branch honors by naming a contribution after them) are recognized at convention and in Badger Briefs.

AAUW of Wisconsin EF Recognizes Individual Donors

Individual branch members are the heart of AAUW and the generous direct individual giving by our state’s members propel AAUW of Wisconsin to a consistent yearly top ten ranking in EF contributions. Donors are recognized at state convention and in Badger Briefs. Early in the decade covered by this history supplement, by 2003, individual contributors have the options of being recognized for one of five levels of giving:
1. Friends of EF are recognized for contributions of $10-$99.
2. Century Club members contribute $100-$499.
3. In 2001 AAUW of Wisconsin establishes a new giving circle called Wisconsin Pacesetters Circle inviting members to join the circle with a donation of $500-$999.
4. In 2003 AAUW of Wisconsin establishes a new donor circle called Wisconsin EF Grand Circle recognizing members who contribute $1,000 or more to the foundation.
5. Legacy Circle recognizes a member who includes the EF in their estate plan through their will, trust, or other planned gifts.

AAUW of Wisconsin Contributes to Eleanor Roosevelt Fund

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), first lady and civil and women’s rights activist, was one of AAUW’s most famous members. AAUW established the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund for Women and Girls in 1988, on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the EF. The fund supports groundbreaking research on the educational experiences of women and girls, Teacher Fellowships, and an annual Teacher Institute. The Eleanor Roosevelt Fund is an operating fund, not an endowment like the fellowship and grant funds. This means that each year the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund finances research and programs directly by donated dollars. In 2001 AAUW began encouraging branches to hold walk/runs to raise money for the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund each year during the month of October.
AAUW recognizes the top ten states for their contributions to the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund. AAUW of Wisconsin ranked among top ten contributors to the fund in both total state giving and per capita contributions for both 2009 and 2010.

Legal Advocacy Fund

The Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF) was created by AAUW in 1981 to provide funding for women to obtain judicial redress for sex discrimination within higher education. Until 2009 when it widened its focus, it was the nation’s largest legal fund focused solely on that purpose and contributed over one million dollars to over 100 cases. In 2005 AAUW merged the LAF into the EF but continued the then existing programs, including case support adoption and funding, plaintiff travel grant awards for state conventions, and the Progress In Equity (PIE) awards. The intent for this change was to make LAF the leading voice on behalf of women challenging sexual discrimination in higher education – the place to which women on campus, their supporters, journalists and founders turn first for authority and action on these issues. The LAF celebrated its 25 year anniversary in 2006.

As alluded to earlier, beginning in 2009 LAF expanded from only addressing discrimination cases that protect women in higher education to supporting cases in all workplaces. The LAF refocused its resources to provide support to landmark workplace discrimination cases with potential to make a difference for all women (e.g. Lilly Ledbetter and Brown vs. Board of Education). The LAF initiatives also include community and campus outreach programs, a resource library and online advocacy tools, a Legal Referral Network, and publishing research reports.

Wisconsin Woman Assisted by LAF Assistance

Between 2006-7 Professor Charlene McMahon of Carroll College, Waukesha receives LAF assistance as a plaintiff in her fight against sex discrimination in higher education and she speaks about her experiences at AAUW of Wisconsin’s 2006 spring convention. In 2007 she is one of fourteen women nationwide to receive LAF funds.

AAUW of Wisconsin Supports LAF

In 1989, within one year of LAF’s creation, AAUW of Wisconsin begins a silent auction of gift baskets at state convention to raise money for the fund. The silent auction, organized by state LAF chairs, proves to be a highly successful yearly fundraiser, taking in as much as $4,000 in a single day. The auctions continue for 22 years until the state board votes to discontinue them after the 2011 convention.

The six LAF chairs on AAUW of Wisconsin state board during the decade covered by this history supplement are: Marge Mueller AAUW Oshkosh Branch 2000-2, Deb Vomhof AAUW Watertown Branch 2002-4, Barbara Hardy AAUW Racine Branch 2004-5, Linda Brassfield AAUW River Falls Branch 2004-7, and Rebecca Mason AAUW Racine Branch 2007-8. In 2008 LAF was absorbed into the EF and the board retained one position titled EF vice president filled by Kim Wellnitz AAUW Eau Claire Branch 2008-11.

AAUW recognizes state divisions making outstanding contributions to LAF through a top ten state ranking. During this history supplement decade AAUW discontinued the 5-Star Award for state divisions that reached $5 per capita in LAF contributions. AAUW of Wisconsin regularly ranks among the top ten state LAF contributors in total giving.

Total Yearly AAUW of Wisconsin Contributions to LAF and Top Ten Ranking

2000 $15,783; 9th
2001 $17,181; 7th
2002 $17,346; 6th
2003 $19,191; 6th
2004 $17,915
2005 $18,371; 8th
2006 $26,155; 4th
2007 $19,528
2008 $13,423
2009 $13,743; 8th; 10th in per capita giving
2010 $11,630

Each year AAUW of Wisconsin recognizes, in convention booklets and Badger Briefs, the top ten Wisconsin state branches for contributions to the LAF in the two categories of total and per capita giving.

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