Community Grants

Blanche Edgar/Shirley Godfrey Funds

For more information, contact Mary at marywordlaw1@gmail.com

The club evaluates requests and administers funds bequeathed to the club by these two former members, whose contributions follow. These funds are used to help pay for “hardscape” capital projects (not program expenses). Some examples of projects funded have included:

• materials for the Old Schoolhouse Museum in Old Sacramento;
• renovation of the Clunie Clubhouse in McKinley Park;
• fencing and irrigation system for a community garden in Del Paso Heights;
• a meeting room in the Teichert Boys and Girls Club at 12th & G Streets;
• a “ball wall” at a Title I school;
• a kitchen for a safe house at “My Sister’s House” (a domestic violence shelter);
• a mini-van for W.E.A.V.E. (Women Escaping a Violent Environment)

Blanche Edgar Girot: Over the years, many prominent members of the community have been a part of SIS. However, one very noteworthy citizen was Blanche Edgar Girot. Blanche was president of SIS in 1930, but her contributions to our club touch SIS and the Community to this day. She chartered 104 clubs throughout the world. Her motto was “Attendance is the price of membership and service is the means of enjoyment of that membership.” She gifted some land to SIS in 1965 and the proceeds of the sale have allowed SIS to fund the construction and current upkeep of the School House in Old Sacramento, the Pirate Ship in Fairy Tale Town, and the Arts and Crafts Room at the Thomas P. Raley Boys and Girls Club to name a few.

Shirley E. Godfrey: (9/7/1920-4/25/2002). Shirley was the absolute model of a true and devoted Soroptimist. She began as a “Venture Girl” around 1946 and became a Soroptimist in 1957 when she joined SIS. She became president of SIS in 1969. Shirley retired from the Sacramento County Superior Court as court clerk to set aside enough time in her life to become the second Governor of the newly formed Sierra Nevada Region from 1978 to 1980. Prior to that time, she served as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Southwestern Region. Shirley left a large portion of her estate to SIS when she passed away in 2002. The funds are used variously to pay for “concrete” projects and scholarships for young and re-entry women.

Community Grants

Periodically, Soroptimist International Sacramento, Inc. (S.I.S.) selects one or two local organizations to support as a major project(s). The funds may be generated by fundraising events held throughout the year or through the endowment funds bequeathed by Blanche Edgar Girot and Shirley Godfrey. In 2021-22, grants were made from the Blanche Edgar/Shirley Godfrey funds to My Sister’s Treasures ($10,000 for bathroom and office remodel); and to SAVA ($2,500 to provide a washer and dryer for the use of financially challenged students). (See more about these endowment funds below).

We are currently not accepting Requests for Funding for community organizations/non-profits.

Organizations We Have Supported

In 2019-2020, Soroptimist International of Sacramento raised over $50,000 through fundraisers. With additional endowed funds from a legacy of member giving, we were able to provide $20,000 in grants to local community non-profits, award $20,000 in Dream Scholarships to female college students, and give $6,000 in Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for women, who have overcome enormous personal obstacles, to help offset costs associated with additional education or training. Our club coordinates a Soroptimist Dream It Be It: Career Support for Girls mentoring program, which delivers interactive sessions aimed at empowering high school girls to break cycles of poverty and abuse and pursue their dreams. Other service projects throughout the year address focused needs.

2019-2020

2018-2019