Our Story
The Women’s Fund SouthCoast began in 2000 with a bold and hopeful vision:
to create a region where women, girls, and gender-expansive people have the resources, voice, and power to thrive.
In 2000, just before beginning her judicial career, Bettina Borders made the founding gift that launched the Women’s Fund SouthCoast. As a young single mother and an early champion for gender equity—including leading the nation’s first sexual assault crisis center—she understood both the barriers women face and the collective strength required to remove them.
Today, Judge Borders (Ret.) continues to serve on our Board, offering wisdom and continuity as the Fund grows into its next era of leadership and impact. The story of WFSC has always been a collective one—built by community, strengthened by research, and sustained by action.
Our timeline reflects the evolution of a fund that listens deeply, invests boldly, and believes in the shared power of women and communities.
OUR TIMELINE OF IMPACT
2000
A Vision Takes Root
The Women’s Fund SouthCoast is founded with an inaugural gift from Bettina Borders. Drawing on her early experience as a young single mother and her pioneering leadership running the nation’s first sexual assault crisis center, she plants the seeds of a fund dedicated to women’s safety, economic security, and leadership.
2003
First Mother’s Day Appeal
WFSC launches its first Mother’s Day Appeal, raising nearly $6,000 and demonstrating strong early community commitment.
2004–2005
Early Leadership & First Grants
WFSC hires its first Executive Director, Kate Fentress, and begins awarding Action Awards, small but catalytic grants supporting local women and girls.
“Career Gear” launches in partnership with Child & Family Services, providing professional clothing to women preparing for employment.
2006
Community Organizes the First Mother’s Day Race
A group of women runners create the first Mother’s Day 5K to benefit WFSC—laying the foundation for the beloved Tiara 5k Classic.
2007
First Official Tiara Classic
More than 350 runners join the inaugural Tiara 5k Classic, raising $10,000 and cementing the race as a regional tradition.
2008
WISE Launches
WFSC partners with Bristol County Community College to launch WISE (Women in Successful Environments), supporting low-income women pursuing education and career advancement.
2013
LifeWork Pilot Begins
WFSC launches LifeWork, a multi-year pilot supporting 32 women—primarily single mothers—with education, mentoring, and living-wage pathways.
Founding Executive Director Kate Fentress retires.
2014–2017
Research & Regional Systems Change
Under Executive Director Valerie Bassett, WFSC deepens its focus on living-wage pathways and leads development of the Economic Blueprint for Women, a landmark regional research and action plan addressing barriers to women’s economic security.
2018–2022
Expansion of Partnerships & Education Pipelines
Joanne Murray became the next Executive Director and launched a new brand refresh.
WFSC opens a new office location, reflecting increased capacity and deeper regional collaboration.
WFSC strengthens regional collaborations and receives a five-year educational grant with Bristol County Community College, supporting women’s advancement in workforce and education.
2023
A New Era of Leadership
Christine Monska becomes Executive Director, ushering in renewed focus on community-driven research, advocacy, youth leadership, strategic fundraising, and organizational sustainability.
2024
Youth Leadership & Relaunch of the Mother’s Day 5K
- WFSC launches the Young Women’s Initiative (YWI)—a flagship leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement program for young women and gender-expansive youth of color.
- The Fund formalizes its intergenerational ARAW partnership.
- The Mother’s Day race is reimagined and relaunched at Cisco Brewers in New Bedford, raising over $50,000 and establishing a new citywide tradition.
2025
A Landmark Year of Growth, Research, and Philanthropy
- The Mother’s Day 5K at Cisco returns and raises over $70,000, the strongest fundraising total in the race’s history.
- WFSC receives its first Legacy Gift from M. Temple Fawcett, helping to build long-term philanthropic sustainability.
- WFSC launches the Bettina Borders Leadership Circle, honoring the Fund’s founding vision and deepening major donor engagement.
- The Fund raises a record-breaking $700,000 to fuel programs, research, youth leadership, and systems-change efforts across the SouthCoast.
- WFSC launches a research and equity partnership with UMass Boston Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, strengthening its role as a regional hub for gender-focused research and evaluation.
- A new Disability Justice partnership is established, further expanding WFSC’s equity lens and integrating disability into its gender, racial, and economic justice framework.
Where We’re Headed Next
Today, the Women’s Fund SouthCoast is a modern feminist philanthropic institution advancing:
- community-based research,
- equity-focused and participatory grantmaking,
- policy and systems change,
- intergenerational and youth leadership, and
- intersectional equity, including disability justice.
Our story continues—and every chapter is written by the women, gender-expansive individuals, and partners who believe in a more just and vibrant SouthCoast.
Join us as we shape what comes next.
