Friends of Women's and Gender Studies

The Friends of Women's and Gender Studies

The Friends of Women's and Gender Studies is a group of community members whose goal is to enhance the academic and co-curricular programs through various fund-raising activities and to stimulate community participation in Women's and Gender Studies through outreach programs. The energy and enthusiasm of this group provides an important base of inspiration and support for the Women's and Gender Studies faculty and students. Efforts of this group have resulted in three student scholarship programs, a faculty grant program, and a professorship in Women's and Gender Studies. Most recently, the Friends presented "Sharpen Your Leadership Skills Workshop" for affiliates of the WGS Program.

Why is it important for WGS to seek funds from the private sector?

The university is state-assisted, not state supported. About 50% of its annual operating budget is provided by legislative appropriations. Private support enables the Women's and Gender Studies Program to go beyond its minimal allocated operating budget to begin to address the centuries old resistance to valuing knowledge of women's lives and their contributions to society. Private support allows Women's and Gender Studies to share an understanding of gender with women, men and young people in our region. The extent to which WGS can create meaningful incentive for research and curriculum development, bring important speakers to campus, and sponsor educational outreach programs depends heavily on the level of support received from donors in the private sector.

Becoming a Member

To become a Friend of Women's and Gender Studies simply make a financial contribution to the program. The program can make best use of unrestricted contributions to the Women's and Gender Studies Endowment.These funds are used for a wide variety of community and campus programming for academic needs not met by state funds. A contribution may be designated to one of several funds:

The Linda Arnold Carlisle Distinguished Excellence Professorship in Women's and Gender Studies
The Sally and Alan Cone Course Scholarship in Women's and Gender Studies
The Sally and Alan Cone Major Scholarship in Women's and Gender Studies
The Sally and Alan Cone Student Grant for Special Projects in Women's and Gender Studies
The Sally and Alan Cone Award for Students for Outstanding Work in Women's and Gender Studies
The Linda Arnold Carlisle Faculty Research Grants in Women's and Gender Studies

Benefits

By becoming a member, you will automatically receive the Women's and Gender Studies newsletters, the Women's History Month calendar, announcements of program activities, and invitations to special events.

For additional information on ways of making a contribution, contact the UNCG advancement office at 336.334.5677.