February 2024

Dear WFM friends and supporters,

As the Women’s Foundation of Montana marks International Women's Day, I want to express my gratitude for your support and dedication to advancing gender equity in Montana.

Your commitment has been instrumental in our collective efforts to stand for the rights and empowerment of all women in our state.

I am proud to share with you an op-ed printed this week in the Billings Gazette, Daily Inter Lake, Helena Independent Record, Missoula Currant, Philanthropy News Digest, and Whitefish Pilot, that captures the essence of WFM’s mission, the strides we've made together, and the work ahead of us. Thank you for your generosity and passion for the work of building a more just and equitable Montana

Sincerely,

Kylie Gursky
WFM Program Officer
kylie@mtcf.org

Code Girls United Advanced Class Assisting Kalispell Police with App

Advanced students using JavaScript to develop maintenance app.

The Advanced Class of Code Girls United responds to a call from the Kalispell Police Department to assist in developing a crucial application. The department aims to improve the tracking of vehicle and equipment maintenance, which has been traditionally recorded on parchment and ink. Looking for assistance, they turned to the renowned Code Girls United (CCU) program. Consisting of 13 skilled students who have progressed through beginner and intermediate levels, the Advanced Class will unite their talents to create this application as a joint effort.

The Advanced Class will delve into the intricate world of JavaScript, a more complex realm compared to the Block Script used in earlier classes. Police Chief Jordan Venezio has reviewed the app, which will be refined for the official launch and use in the summer. It’s truly remarkable how our students are crafting meaningful tools to help service organizations in our communities!

Thanks to the generous contributions of foundations such as the Women’s Foundation of Montana, Code Girls United was able to serve 383 students in 2023, leading to opportunities such as the experiences of our Advanced students!

Your belief in our vision and your commitment to empowering the next generation of female leaders have been instrumental in fueling our growth and impact. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and trust.

Learn more about CCU here.

Guest blogs are written by WFM grantees.

WFM Grantee News and Opportunities

Rocky Mountain Women’s Business Center, Fearless Forum to learn how to harness the power of Google. Learn about all things Google - from SEO and analytics to ads and keywords. Interact with other business owners, topic professionals, and an entrepreneur who has found success using Google for her business. An online event, on Wednesday, February 28th from 9:00 - 11:00 AM (MST). Register here.

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies 2023 Annual LIFTS Magazine. LIFTS stands for Linking Infants & Families to Supports and is a project of Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies. It is a collection of stories and shared experiences aimed to support and celebrate the dedication of Montana’s caregivers.

WFM in the Community

Big Sky Documentary Film Festival: Join WFM on Friday, February 23rd for the powerful documentary, Your Fat Friend, and a pre-screening happy hour.

Sip and Snacks Happy Hour hosted by WFM

Friday, February 23, 4:30-6:00 pm

Florence Building Lobby, 112 W Front St., Missoula, MT

Your Fat Friend, a film by Jeanie Finlay

8:15 pm, Wilma Theater, 131 S Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT

Are you planning to attend the first-ever Blazing Trails: Montana Women in Business Summit powered by the Montana Chamber of Commerce? Keep an eye out for WFM! We’ll be in attendance and are looking forward to digging into the issues women in business face in Montana. The event is March 6-8 in Bozeman, MT.

WFM is a powerful force for philanthropy in Montana because of your support. WFM grantees lead the way in creating strong communities that work for women and girls.

Learn more about WFM grantees here and see our 2023 funding summary.

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