Heels Together is a women-led initiative uniting money, ideas and actions to create a lasting change for women and girls, their families and communities.
Why help women and girls? Only 7% of all philanthropic dollars each year are specifically allocated to address needs of women and girls, yet 70% of the world’s poor are women. In Kentucky, 18% of women older than 18 live in poverty. Funding projects to address these issues and improve individual lives will strengthen our community.
Heels Together was established as a Central Kentucky Community Foundation initiative in 2014 by a group of community-minded leaders who wanted to invest in long-term solutions for transforming the lives of women and girls and improving the well-being of our entire community.
Heels Together focus’ on women-led solutions by providing leadership and stewardship in identifying the needs and supporting solutions for women and girls. It’s a catalyst, identifying challenges, marshaling resources and pursuing opportunities in Central Kentucky.
Heels Together is supported by a $1,000 annual gift from individual investors. Half of the annual gift is set aside in an endowment fund to forever carry out our mission and the other half is used for annual grant-making putting our beliefs and desires for women and girls in our community into action today. At the yearly Heels Together banquet, investors hear presentations from grant finalists and vote to select the winning grants.
Grant funding is awarded to programs addressing:
Achievement of economic self-sufficiency for women
Prevention of violence and crime against women and girls
Promotion of health and physical well-being and talent for women and girls
Together, we can unite money, ideas and actions to create lasting change for females and their families.
Heels Together strives to connect women and girls with resources that bring health, hope, education and enrichment. Join us and help grow the Heels Together endowment and grantmaking abilities.
Heels Together is supported by a $1,000 annual gift from individual investors. Half of the annual gift is set aside in an endowment fund to forever carry out our mission and the other half is used for annual grant-making putting our beliefs and desires for women and girls in our community into action today. The endowment, a fund that preserves the initial investment and only spends the earnings, provides for the forever impact of Heels Together.
In 2019, we celebrated our 5th anniversary, reached 50 investors and grew our endowment to $145,000!
At the yearly Heels Together banquet, investors see presentations from grant finalists and vote to select the winner.
We believe that when a woman is successful, her community is strengthened. Join us in strengthening our community! If you have a passion for improving the lives of females in our community and want to learn more contact Davette B. Swiney, President/CEO at dswiney@ckcf4people.org or 270-737-8393 .
Each year, Heels Together awards grants for programs to enrich the lives of women and girls in our community. Annual grant-making puts our beliefs and desires for women and girls in our community into action today.
In ten years, Heels Together has awarded over $250,000 in grants.
To apply for a Heels Together grant, organizations must qualify under IRS Code Section 501(c)3 with at least one full year of financial records. Applicants are required to submit a Letter of Intent to apply by July 15 and include the total amount to be requested. We know the pandemic has affected many area nonprofits this past year. so 60% of the grant can be used for general operating expenses. A mid-year status report is required from organizations that receive a Heels Together grant. Organizations are not eligible to receive a Heels Together grant in consecutive years.
Congratulations to our 2024 Grant Winners!
Elizabethtown Police Department Victim Services Program $23,014 Hope Academy for Kids for Bilingual Support Services $15,480 Elizabethtown Community and Technical College helping Women Re-Enter the Workforce $15,000
Past Grant Recipients
2023
Community Health Clinic’s Pink Dot Program $15,000
Hardin County Schools’ First Connections, Teens as Parents Group $9,833
2022
Family Scholar House’s A Step up for Student Moms Program $20,000
Wesley Hilltop House and PURE Inc. Step Ahead Institute for Leadership (S.A.I.L.) $15,000
2021
Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana’s Day Camp Program $5,443
Helping Hand of Hope’s Steps to Success Program $14,557
2020
Hardin County School’s ExCEL Program $20,000
2019
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College: Camp Forge Ahead $15,000
Hardin County Attorney’s Office: Breaking the Silence on Dating Violence $10,000
2018
Community Health Clinic: Women’s Health Initiative $15,000
Warm Blessings: Ride to Independence $7,000
2017
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana: Project ReacHER $5,000
Can you think of a woman in your life who believed in you, listened to you and gave you sound advice? Being a Heels Together Investor allows you to be that cheerleader and mentor to women and girls who need it the most. Heels Investor, Marilyn Ford, shares her story. There’s a place for you in Heels Together!
