District 1 Foundation Ambassador:
Dr. Mary Ann Rubis, Zonta Foundation for Women Ambassador – Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley MA USA

Zonta District 1 Goals set by the Board for this biennium:
$45,000 total giving [Total as of 9/2024 – $5,135]
100% club donations
25% at least individual donors

Board members are 100% on board to donate and encourage clubs/members to donate when visiting clubs. They will also encourage clubs to invite me to speak in person or virtually when they communicate with the presidents and attend club events.

Foundation for Women

Funded by Zonta Clubs and Zonta members worldwide, the Foundation for Women empowers women on a global scale, tackling critical issues like educational advancement, access to healthcare, and leadership development. This “here and there” approach beautifully embodies Zonta’s commitment to both immediate local needs and long-term, systemic change worldwide. The specific projects for a biennium and the associated commitment of funds are voted on by delegates at the International Convention. This biennium (2022-2024), we are focused on girls’ education in Madagascar, fighting gender-based violence in Papua New Guinea, and awarding fellowships to aspiring female aerospace engineers – the list goes on. Imagine the collective impact of passionate individuals and clubs, united to create a world where every woman and girl thrives!
Explore the Zonta Foundation for Women’s impactful projects, discover how Zonta Clubs help make it all possible, and consider how your contribution, big or small, can become part of a powerful force for good. 100% of all Zonta Foundation for Women donations go directly to program support. Together, let’s unlock the potential of women and girls everywhere, creating a world where equality and opportunity truly flourish.

Foundation Endowments
A financial endowment is a donation of money or property to a not-for-profit organization for the ongoing support of that organization. In an endowment fund, the principal amount is kept intact while the investment income is available for use. The Foundation currently has two separate endowment funds:
• The General Endowment Fund, established in 1988.
• The Amelia Earhart Fellowship Endowment Fund, was established in 1997.
These funds are currently managed according to the Zonta Foundation for Women Investment Policy.
Donations are directed to the general Endowment Fund or the Amelia Earhart Fellowship Endowment Fund, as determined by the donor. The funds enable long-term support of Zonta International-approved programs financed by the Zonta Foundation for Women. The principal amount in the Foundation’s general Endowment Fund is never withdrawn; however, the dividends and interest earned are unrestricted and can be used for specific purposes defined by the Foundation Board and aligned with the stated purpose of Zonta International: to empower women and girls. Investment income from the Amelia Earhart Fellowship Endowment Fund can only be used for the Amelia Earhart Fellowship program.

Foundation Update February 2024

As a reminder of the wonderful things our donations can accomplish, please check out this article, which appeared in Forbes: Zonta Partnership with UNICEF USA Here is a link to the article. Also, check out the bios of 2023 scholarship winners on the ZI member site! Thank you to all the clubs who participated in these programs. Consider inviting a scholar to speak at a district or club event. As of January 30, 2023 donations to the Zonta Foundation for Women supporting international service projects, educational programs, and endowment funds totaled $3,558,359 for the 2022-2024 biennium! That is 78% of the biennium goal. For District 1, Total donations from seven of our eleven clubs total $34,823. Great work! Thank you to our amazing clubs! Five of our members and 1 club have made donations to the endowment funds for a total of $1,541. Individual donations so far total $9,840, from 37 of our 193 members. 19% Our district ranks 28th out of 31 districts in donations from individuals. I know we can do better, especially when I look at the average donation per member ($179) compared to districts with many more members. Thank you to all who have donated to date. Let’s all remember the important work of the Foundation. Can we reach the goal of 100% of our members donating? I think we can. I know how much our District 1 Zontians care about the work the Foundation does. If you have any questions about the work of the Zonta Foundation for Women or would like a speaker for your meeting, please feel free to contact Ambassador Donna Clifford at clifford.d22@gmail.com. Thank you all for your efforts to improve the lives of women and girls around the world.

Resources and Links

District 1 Videos: Fundraising and Education Programs (30 min) | International Service Projects (30 min)

Quick Guide – Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women

Foundation for Women Website

International Service Programs

- Adolescent Girls’ Health and Protection in Peru
- Strengthening Response to GBV Survivors in Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste
- Engaging Girls on Climate Change ~ Madagascar 2024 Update
- Ending Child Marriage

Stopping Violence: Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women

Educational Programs