Two grants totaling $80,000 aim to boost girls’ interest and participation in critical STEM fields
DALLAS – December 13, 2012 – A $50,000 grant from Chase and a $30,000 contribution from the Cecilia & Garrett Boone Family Fund at the Dallas Women's Foundation will provide intensive STEM programming, including school-aligned workshops throughout the school year for members of Girls Inc. of Dallas, a nonprofit that prepares girls ages 6-18 to take charge of their daily lives through afterschool and summer enrichment programs. Launching in January, the workshops will engage 7th and 8th grade girls in educational, professional and personal development activities and hands-on STEM projects at college campuses, museums and corporate environments.
“We are deeply grateful for the generous support of Chase and the Dallas Women’s Foundation. We have great relationships with these fine organizations that have funded other important projects at Girls Inc. throughout the years,” noted Lori Palmer, Girls Inc. of Dallas CEO. “Our STEM programming and workshops are another very important project. Mistaken beliefs that girls, and especially girls from minority backgrounds or lower income families, can’t excel at STEM subjects prompt many girls to opt out of these disciplines early, foregoing the possibility of pursuing the high-paying STEM careers of the future. We serve close to 900 girls who are ethnically diverse, many of whom come from families of modest means. Our goal is to bridge the gap and help more girls realize their potential in these critical fields by immersing them in hands-on science- and technology-focused projects.”
“For over 27 years, the Dallas Women’s Foundation has been dedicated to unlocking resources for women to drive social and economic change in our community,” said Dena L. Jackson, Ph.D.,VP of Grants and Research at the Dallas Women’s Foundation. “We are very happy to support the intensive STEM programming at Girls Inc. with its focus on opening up the world of STEM careers to girls, while also providing them with the skills needed to reach their goals. The Dallas Women’s Foundation wants all girls to possess the dignity, skills and resources to be strong, independent, and self-sufficient members of our community. Girl’s Inc. and its focus on STEM are helping them get there.”
“STEM education is critical to our nation’s economic growth, and we are thrilled to be working with Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas to help them strengthen their programs,” said Anne Motsenbocker, President of Chase Dallas. “At Chase, we strongly believe in investing in our children and providing them with opportunities and resources to develop their potential. This partnership is an expression of our continued commitment to our children and our community.”
About Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas
Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas aims to inspire all girls to be Strong, Smart, and Bold. For more than 40 years, Girls Inc. has provided effective life skills and enrichment programs that empower girls to take daily charge of their lives. At four campuses, Girls Inc. offers learning and development opportunities for personal effectiveness, academics and career planning so that girls ages six to 18 are inspired to lead successful, independent and fulfilling lives. To learn more, visit www.girlsincdallas.org.
About Chase
Chase has 15,000 employees and 242 branches in North Texas. The company has contributed $4 million to two landmark projects in downtown Dallas – Klyde Warren Park and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. As part of our commitment to help build vibrant communities, JPMorgan Chase invests about $50 million annually in education programs that ensure all of our children—particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds—have access to the best educational opportunities. Our focus is on helping students enrolled in public K-12 schools acquire the knowledge and skills they need to become productive, engaged citizens. To learn more, visit www.chase.com.
About Dallas Women’s Foundation
Founded in 1985, the Dallas Women’s Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization operating as a community foundation. Granting $2.5 million annually, the Dallas Women’s Foundation has invested over $16.5 million in more than 1,000 programs, assisting more than half of a million of the regions’ women and girls. The Dallas Women’s Foundation is part of a global network of 160 women’s funds, and it is the largest regional fund in terms of investment assets. To learn more, visit www.dallaswomensfoundation.org.
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