The purpose of the Kansas City, Missouri Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is to unite graduates of regionally accredited educational institutions to promote equity, education, intellectual growth, individual worth and development of opportunities for women and girls. The mission of the Nettie Irene Van Der Veer Wagy Fund is to further the mission of AAUW and to honor Irene Wagy. 

Important Dates: 

• Application Available: September 8, 2023
• Application Deadline: October 6, 2023
• Final grant recipients will receive their grant check at a holiday and grant awards luncheon in December 2023.

Contact Information: Kelli Doyle, doyle@growyourgiving.org or 816.268.3203 and Sarah Forgey, forgey@growyourgiving.org or 816.627.3444

Background: 
The Kansas City, Missouri Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is part of a national organization whose members hold an associate’s or equivalent (e.g., RN), bachelor’s, or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university. There are no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class. This branch was established in 1893 and has been involved in promoting education and scholarships for women throughout its history. The branch encourages continuing education for members through programs on local, national and international issues. AAUW is a major force in Kansas City, focusing attention on the women and girls of our community.

Irene Wagy made a lifelong commitment and numerous significant personal and professional contributions to the Kansas City, Missouri Branch of the AAUW. She took these responsibilities seriously and valued the opportunities AAUW afforded for service and friendship. A dietitian by profession, she was an avid reader with a keen interest in gardening.

She was a private person with independent views and had a special interest in national and international topics. Her business acumen and skills in real estate transactions not only allowed Irene to lead a financially independent life but also resulted in her generous bequest to the Kansas City, Missouri branch of AAUW. Pre-deceased by her spouse, Irene lived an active life. She died at her home at the age of 93.

Mission Statement:
"If women are healthy and educated, their families will flourish. If women are free from violence, their families will flourish. If women have a chance to work and earn as full and equal partners in society, their families will flourish. And when families flourish, communities and nations will flourish." - Hillary Rodham Clinton

Grant Range: 
Grants range from $1,000 to $4,000. Total granted in 2022 was $9,240 with an average award of $1,848.

Grant Requirements:
A six-member committee of AAUW oversees the Fund and makes all funding recommendations. Applicants must be public charities. IRS tax exemption letter for public charities 501(c)(3) must accompany the letter of interest. In addition to the monetary grant, AAUW may choose to support the approved proposal by assigning one or more volunteers to assist with the projects.

Geographic Focus:
Proposals from organizations in the five-county Kansas City metropolitan area, which includes Clay, Platte and Jackson Counties in Missouri and Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas are accepted if the project primarily benefits Kansas City, Missouri women and girls; however, preference is given to those organizations that are also headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.

Areas of Interest:
The AAUW/Wagy Fund Committee is seeking proposals that will allow it to join in partnerships with organizations that promote societal change through programs benefiting women and girls. The Committee believes that the entire community benefits from effective programs which provide women and girls:

• Economic opportunity and security
• Enhanced self-image in measurable ways
• Lifelong education
• Healthcare throughout their lifecycles
• Personal safety
• Legal and human rights
• Reproductive rights
• Respect and opportunities for girls so that they are equally valued in their families and in society
• Equal access with men to the political, economic and cultural life of their communities

Areas of Exclusion: 

• Individuals
• Fraternal, labor or social groups
• Endowments
• Annual appeals
• Capital expenditures

Procedures for Grant Seekers: 
Access to the full proposal application is available through the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation’s SM Apply system. If this is your first time accessing the application software, please click the Register button in the upper right hand corner. If you are a first time user, but your organization has an application account, please contact grants@growyourgiving.org or 816.627.3452 to be added to your organization account.

2022 Award Recipients:

• Front Porch Alliance-Kansas City, Inc., Beyond Sex Ed Program
• KC CARE Health Center, Dentures for Women with Low-Incomes
• Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy, Changing Lives Through Education Program
• Salvation Army-Kansas & Western Missouri, Gloria’s Closet
• Unicorn Theater, Regional Premiere Production of MARY’S SEACOLE

2021 Award Recipients:

• Brookside Charter and Day School, Gamma Girls
• Lazarus Ministries KC, Community and Life Skills for Low-Income Women in Kansas City's Urban Core
• LevelUP Kids, Inc., Free Dental Care for Homeless Teens
• NourishKC, Culinary Training Skills Program