Eighty percent of people living in poverty today are women and children; 40% of working women earn incomes below the poverty line; girls who do not graduate from high school have a 90% chance of being poor, and of passing that status on to their children.

WFWM is a good example of the most recent wave of new women's foundations nationwide. Inspired by their experience at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women, held in the People's Republic of China in 1995, three women from Western Massachusetts incorporated this foundation in November 1996. It has raised over $6 million in gifts and pledges.

WFWM has made $500,000 in grants to 64 projects in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties, "that promote the well-being, empowerment, advancement and full participation of women and girls in society...." It also provides technical assistance, mentoring, and educational programs about money and philanthropy.