We are excited to announce that lift Women’s Foundation is the new name and face of Royal Neighbors of America’s foundation, formerly Royal Neighbors Foundation. In June 2022, the foundation hired me as its first employee and executive director. In November 2022, a formal launch was hosted at The Boardroom in Moline. As the affiliate, […]
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We are excited to announce that lift Women’s Foundation is the new name and face of Royal Neighbors of America’s foundation, formerly Royal Neighbors Foundation. In June 2022, the foundation hired me as its first employee and executive director. In November 2022, a formal launch was hosted at The Boardroom in Moline. As the affiliate, Royal Neighbors will continue to support the new purpose, vision and mission through board leadership and donating office space for the daily operations in its historical building in Rock Island.Nearly 130 years ago, Royal Neighbors of America changed the financial lives for women when nine pioneering women formed a society to empower women in the community. These women recognized that neither woman nor children were insurable, and Royal Neighbors changed that. Lift Women’s Foundation is designed to empower women on their journey to financial independence as business owners. Up until only 35 years ago, women could not take out business loans in their own name by themselves and could only do so with a male “relative” as a cosigner. Thanks to the House Resolution 5050, in 1988 the Women’s Business Ownership Act changed lending for women entrepreneurs.Both racial and gender disparities are equally damaging when women are considering or have a career in entrepreneurship. The lack of equal access to financing is one of three areas of concern for women business owners, and 29% of women business owners believe they will never have equal access.Lift Women’s Foundation has piloted a microlending program launching first here in the Quad Cities. The lift microloan program is lending in the amount of $5,000 with a low interest rate and a five-year repayment plan. As of Friday, Aug. 4, a total of 12 women have been funded, totaling $60,000 invested in the power of women entrepreneurs. Lift Women’s Foundation is excited to continue to uplift women’s economic status by investing capital and expertise to inspire financial independence.One of my critical roles is to fundraise to sustain the program. On Saturday, July 29, lift Women’s Foundation hosted its inaugural annual fundraiser at the iconic Stern Center in Rock Island. We could not have been as successful without the support of these first-time sponsors: Royal Neighbors of America, The Stern Center, Ascentra Credit Union, Iowa American Water, Stroll Crow Valley, Green Buick GMC, Bubble’s Boba Tea, Branded by Sarah Stevens,IHMVCU, I Do Draping, Michele Darland and Isa balloon Design & More.Hosted by QCs very own top influencer, Rachel Pitchford, owner of Life Advisors, LLC, guests enjoyed a night of empowerment and inspiration from keynote speaker, ReShonda Young of Waterloo, Iowa. They also were entertained by DJ Resee of the Quad Cities. Attendees, sponsors and auction donors helped lift Women’s Foundation raise $15,828.81, netting $9,228.09 to invest right back into program operations.To learn more, find services of current clients or donate, visit liftwomensfoundation.org. Marcie Ordaz is executive director of lift Women’s Foundation. She can be reached at [email protected].
