Meet our Aerie Real Foundation Community Grant Winners!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County creates safe, supportive mentoring relationships that help young people build confidence, resilience, healthy relationships, and a stronger sense of belonging. This funding will support our Go Girls program, a mentor-led group for girls ages 11 to 14 focused on confidence, self-esteem, positive identity, self-care, healthy relationships, and feeling comfortable with who they are. The grant will help cover program materials, activities, healthy snacks, and staff-supported delivery so girls can participate at no cost.

iSisters Technology Mentorship is an Ottawa-based charity providing free digital literacy and employability programs to equity-seeking women and gender-diverse individuals. Our Career Connections program builds vital career readiness and self-confidence by delivering tailored, trauma-informed and instructor-led training and mentorship, empowering learners to take the next steps on their employment journeys. This grant funding directly supports delivering workshops, mentoring & networking sessions, and employability skills, such as resume building and mock interviews. By equipping participants with essential digital skills, we help them overcome systemic barriers, build professional self-esteem, and successfully enter the modern workforce

Milton Community Resource Centre (MCRC) has been supporting families across Halton Region with care, early learning and activities. Expanding on our free, She Can! program for girls and gender diverse children (ages 6-12), we will offer Real Talk a new free program for teens ages 13-16. Through interactive workshops, participants will build confidence, self-esteem, leadership skills, and resilience while exploring topics such as body positivity, healthy relationships, mental wellness, social media awareness, and self-advocacy. By creating a safe, inclusive space for connection and growth, Real Talk will empower girls and gender-diverse youth to thrive and contribute positively to their community.

Parents of Black Children supports Black children and families in Canada through advocacy, education system navigation, and culturally responsive resources. The $5,000 grant will support our Black Girls Confidence & Care Circles, creating spaces where Black girls feel seen, valued, and supported. Through conversations centred on identity, self-worth, and care, participants will build confidence, strengthen connections, and celebrate who they are. This funding helps us nurture a community where Black girls can use their voices, embrace their identities, and experience belonging.

For over 50 years, Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives has served as a hub for volunteering and giving, working to connect local residents with meaningful opportunities to support their community. We also operate a Child Care Resource & Referral Centre, the Richmond Christmas Fund, and a range of Seniors Community Support Services. With funding from the Aerie Real Foundation, we’re excited to launch NextGen Mentorship Match, a new initiative that combines youth leadership development, skills training, and community service, allowing teenage girls to take the next steps on their volunteer journey and towards a future, community-oriented career.

The Confidence Collective, run by Scadding Court Community Centre in downtown Toronto, is a for self-identifying girls ages 10–14 navigating the challenges of early adolescence. Through weekly sessions built around four pillars — Learn, Move, Create, and Lead — girls build confidence through body literacy, joyful movement, creative expression, and mentorship, while three teen Youth Advisory Committee members co-lead the program. Aerie Real Foundation’s grant helps fund Confidence Kits, menstrual equity resources, and program delivery — ensuring no girl misses out due to financial barriers.

Hiddo & Himilo is a culturally responsive program that empowers Somali girls ages 12 to 18 by helping them build confidence, connect with their cultural roots, and develop a strong sense of identity and belonging. Through workshops in henna art, traditional braiding, sewing, Somali cultural dance, and storytelling, girls will learn important cultural traditions while building friendships and leadership skills.

Summit Outreach & Counseling Inc. supports youth and young adults through accessible, trauma-informed and culturally responsive programming. With support from the Aerie Real Foundation, SHE THRIVES will provide twice-monthly workshops in Saskatoon, creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for girls, young women and LGBTQ+ youth. Through hands-on workshops, cultural activities, mentorship and meaningful conversations, participants will explore identity, healthy relationships, mental wellness, self-worth and personal growth. SHE THRIVES provides a space to build confidence, celebrate individuality, find their voices and develop meaningful connections with peers and positive support.

The Prosperity Project is a national charity dedicated to helping women thrive by removing barriers to career advancement and leadership. Through Rosie, Canada’s only free, bilingual, pan-Canadian career mentorship program for women, we build confidence, develop leadership skills, and create an inclusive community of support. Funding will help keep Rosie free and accessible, expand mentor recruitment, and strengthen program delivery so more women, particularly those from underrepresented communities, can access personalized mentorship. Together, we are helping women gain confidence, achieve career goals, and build pathways to lasting economic prosperity.

Our proposed project, “A Place at the Table”, is a weekly nutritious, home-cooked meal program for participants in YWCA Halifax‘s Supportive Housing for Young Mothers (SHYM) program. As the only program of its kind in Nova Scotia, SHYM focuses on preventing and addressing homelessness among young single mothers aged 16-24 and their children. In addition to deeply affordable housing, participants have access to comprehensive supports including 24/7 onsite staff, case management, and community-building activities. Each young mother participating in SHYM is empowered to develop the life skills, confidence, and independence needed to transition successfully to long-term, sustainable self-sufficiency. For many participants, gathering around the table in a welcoming, family-style setting is an opportunity to experience the dignity and confidence that come from providing for themselves and their children. These shared meals also help participants build meaningful relationships and support networks with one another, as well as with program staff, fostering a strong sense of belonging. This is more than dinner. It is an opportunity to reduce the social isolation experienced by young mothers and cultivate a community of peers where they can normalize challenges, reduce shame, celebrate successes, and support one another through the realities of daily life. By combining practical skill-building with meaningful social connection, “A Place at the Table” equips young mothers with the confidence they need to build healthy, independent futures for themselves and their children.

The Alliance for Women and Children empowers women, strengthens families, and enriches our community through programs that support children, girls, and families. Grant funding will support our annual There SHE Glows Girls Conference, a one-day experience serving approximately 100 middle school girls each year. Through interactive workshops, inspiring speakers, mentorship, and meaningful activities, girls are encouraged to discover their strengths, build confidence, develop healthy relationships, and use their voices. This funding helps create an inclusive, empowering place where every girl is reminded that she belongs, has value, and can Glow Anyway.

Asian Girls Ignite is a Denver-based, youth leadership nonprofit serving Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) girls and gender-expansive youth in grades 6–12. We believe belonging is where leaders begin: know yourself, show up for others, then use what you’ve got to change something. Students build relationships with AANHPI mentors who have experienced growing up in between cultures. They leave more sure of who they are, with people around them who actually get it. This is what it looks like to build your own table instead of waiting for a seat.

The Smart Girls: Confidence, Leadership & Menstrual Equity Initiative provides girls ages 10-18 with something many young people desperately need today: a safe place to discover who they are, build confidence in who they are becoming, and develop the skills to thrive during adolescence. Through facilitated discussions, leadership activities, mentorship, wellness education, and service-learning opportunities, participants explore topics such as self-esteem, healthy relationships, emotional wellness, identity, goal setting, and self-advocacy. At a time when many girls are receiving conflicting messages about their worth, appearance, and potential, Smart Girls helps them develop a strong sense of self grounded in confidence, resilience, and personal strength. The program directly aligns with the Aerie Real Foundation’s mission to empower girls, promote wellness, and build confidence that lasts far beyond adolescence. The initiative also advances menstrual equity by ensuring girls have free access to essential menstrual products at our Clubhouses. For families already struggling to make ends meet, purchasing these products can be an added burden, and a lack of access can lead to embarrassment, missed opportunities, and decreased participation in school and extracurricular activities. By removing this barrier, we help ensure that every girl can fully participate with dignity and confidence. Participants will further strengthen their leadership skills through a community service project that provides hygiene and self-care kits to women experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, or economic hardship. In doing so, girls learn an important lesson: confidence grows not only when we believe in ourselves, but when we use our voices and talents to support others

Brown Girls Read empowers girls through literacy, mentorship, leadership development, and educational experiences that build confidence and expand future possibilities. With support from the Aerie Real Foundation, our EmpowerHer Innovators Academy & Leadership Internship Program will provide girls with hands-on opportunities in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, leadership, career exploration, and mentorship. This investment will help participants strengthen their voices, develop practical skills, connect with positive role models, and build the confidence to see themselves as future leaders, innovators, and changemakers.

The Executive Development Institute for Youth introduces young people from diverse backgrounds to the fire service while strengthening teamwork, confidence, and leadership skills. Through hands‑on learning, career exploration, and mentorship, participants gain insight into emergency response, public safety, and community service. The program creates an inclusive environment where youth collaborate, value differences, and serve others. It empowers young women to recognize their strengths, build skills, and envision themselves as leaders in fields where they have been underrepresented. Funding will support these efforts and reinforce fire prevention, safety, and conservation as environmental stewardship that helps protect the planet.

Our Innovation Studio directly advances The Aerie Real Foundation’s mission to build confidence in women by equipping underserved young women with the skills, confidence, and real-world experience needed to pursue further education and access family-sustaining careers. Through hands-on social entrepreneurship, participants build foundational competencies in financial literacy, problem-solving, communication, and business development skills that translate directly to both academic success and workforce readiness. By launching their own revenue-generating ventures, students gain early exposure to earning, managing money, and creating economic value, reinforcing a sense of agency over their financial futures.

Disability EmpowHer Network is a non-profit by and for disabled women and girls that connects, motivates, and guides disabled girls and women to grow to their highest potential and have the confidence to lead. The Aerie Real Change Community Grant supports EmpowHer Camp, a year-long leadership and mentorship program that empowers disabled girls to learn new skills, build confidence, and find community. With the support of mentors, participants camp in the wilderness for a week, complete a community impact project focused on emergency preparedness, and travel to D.C. where they build leadership and advocacy skills.

Dress for Success Louisville empowers women and all who identify as female to achieve economic independence. Since 2000, we’ve provided career development programming, professional attire, and wraparound support to help women build confidence and take the next step toward stable employment. We serve nearly 800 women each year across a 13-county region spanning Louisville and Southern Indiana. This funding helps us continue meeting women where they are, whether they’re preparing for a first interview, entering a new career field, or rebuilding after a setback, and gives them the tools and community to move forward with confidence.

Dutchess Divas and Gents Youth Club empowers young Black girls (ages 6–17) by creating a safe, nurturing environment to build confidence, courage, and self-worth. Through mentorship, restorative support, and essential life skills, we guide girls to make healthy, empowered choices. Grant funds will host the “Shine From Within” Girls Empowerment Workshop—a free day of leadership development, wellness education, and creative enrichment. Funding covers workshop supplies, gifts, healthy snacks, guest facilitators, and program operations, ensuring an inclusive, high-impact experience for all participants.

EmpowHERto’s AdviseHER program is a 9-week mentorship initiative designed to build confidence, career readiness, and community among black and latina aged 18-21. This program endeavours to equip participants with the tools, knowledge, and network they need to navigate their chosen career paths with confidence.

Girls Growing II Women (GG2W) empowers girls and young women ages 10 and up through skill-building, mentorship, and community support. Through our L.I.F.E. (Learning Important Fundamentals 2 Evolve) program, workshops, and school-based programs, we build self-esteem, leadership, resilience and essential life skills. We also focus on personal safety and healthy relationships, helping girls recognize risks, set boundaries and advocate for themselves. Through Girls II Bosses, we support aspiring young entrepreneurs, while our Driving Towards Independence program provides driver’s training stipends to help young women gain independence. Funding will help us expand these opportunities and provide tutoring, counseling, and other essential resources to help more young women thrive.

Girls on the Run Northwest Arkansas inspires girls in 3rd–8th grade to be joyful, healthy, and confident through a 10-week program that combines physical activity with lessons on self-esteem, resilience, healthy relationships, and leadership. We create an inclusive, supportive community where every girl feels valued and empowered to be herself. Funding will help provide scholarships and program resources to ensure financial barriers never prevent a girl from participating. By investing in girls today, we are building confident young women who will strengthen their communities, support one another, and create a more inclusive future.

Girlstart provides equitable and high-impact STEM enrichment for girls in grades 4-8. The effectiveness of the Girlstart model rests on its research-backed, female-centered delivery. Activities are designed to incorporate hands-on, technology-intensive, real-world learning, all within a career-focused curriculum. The program strategically leverages a diverse cohort of high school and college-aged students and recent graduates as powerful female role models. This mentorship-rich environment, combined with frequent guest speakers, actively demonstrates real-world connections and inspires girls to envision themselves in STEM careers.

Giving the Basics provides the necessities of life, not covered by government assistance programs, that most people take for granted such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toilet paper and other personal care hygiene products.  Funding by The Aerie Real Foundation will be used to ensure that students throughout the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan area have consistent, reliable access to essential period products.  This access protects the health of young women, helps them stay in school for a complete education, and improves the quality of their lives by reducing stress and anxiety and restoring their dignity and self-confidence.

Hardy Girls was created to address the societal pressures and inequities impacting girls’ and nonbinary youth’s mental health and leadership potential. Unlike initiatives focused solely on girls’ self-esteem, Hardy Girls recognizes and addresses the relational and systemic barriers young people face. Through evidence-based programs like the Feminist Action Board (FAB), Coalition Groups, and youth-led conferences, we empower and equip program participants to lead social justice initiatives, build community, and challenge inequitable systems. FAB, in particular, has grown from a small cohort into a statewide movement, training diverse high schoolers to organize workshops and inspire middle schoolers. To date, Hardy Girls has impacted over 15,000 youth, fostering leaders who champion inclusivity, equity, and community resilience

Harwood Art Center’s Public Art & Community Practice programs provide girls and youth with self expression, creative problem solving and paid learning opportunities to build confidence, strengthen communities, and care for our local ecosystems. With the mentorship of professional artists, middle and high school students gain paid learning experience designing and creating interdisciplinary art environments for their campuses and for a city park in their neighborhood. Learning to nurture our local ecosystems has a full system benefit: our girls and youth feel engaged in a helpful role while learning vital skills that help their ecosystems survive drought and increased temperatures.

DBA Hidden Blessing Foundation restores stability, ignites hope, and creates sustainable pathways to self-sufficiency for women, youth, and families experiencing hardship in Los Angeles County. Through our Rooted in Confidence initiative, the Aerie Real Foundation grant will support wellness workshops, mentorship, confidence-building activities, self-care resources, and empowerment sessions for underserved women and girls. This funding will help participants strengthen their self-esteem, prioritize their mental wellness, build meaningful connections, and feel supported within an inclusive community.

Horizons at Westminster builds confidence in young women by creating a supportive community where they are encouraged to discover strengths, try new things, and recognize their own potential. The Aerie Real Foundation will support our program’s growth and expansion to include high school aged students. Through academics, athletics, swimming, arts, leadership opportunities, and career exploration, students will develop skills while learning to take healthy risks and persevere through challenges. As students progress through Horizons, they gain greater independence, leadership skills, and self-confidence, equipping them to advocate for themselves, pursue goals, and confidently navigate high school, college, and careers.

At I Dare to Care, we believe every girl deserves a safe place to be herself, find her voice, and know that she matters. Through Cycle of Confidence, we provide reproductive health and wellness education, mentorship, social-emotional learning, and meaningful community experiences that help girls build confidence, understand their bodies, develop healthy relationships, and advocate for themselves. This funding will help us create more opportunities for girls and families to learn, connect, and grow together in a safe and inclusive environment.

Impacting Tomorrow’s Carry Her program empowers women, girls, and families with babies through essential care, education, and resources that build confidence and dignity. Today, 3,661 individuals are registered with Carry Her, receiving critical women’s, maternal, and infant support items at no cost. Our impact extends into local schools, where students receive essential care kits and resources, while our Education Portal connects women and families to education on women’s health, infant care, nutrition, financial capability, and other tools that support long-term stability.

The Junior League of Pittsburgh develops women leaders who strengthen their communities through volunteer service, civic engagement, and leadership training. Members gain hands-on experience and build the confidence and skills to lead effectively in their communities, from a nonprofit boardroom to the workplace and beyond. Funding from the Aerie Real Foundation will support our Lead Boldly initiative, expanding leadership development opportunities for women throughout the Pittsburgh region. By investing in women as confident, inclusive leaders, this support creates a ripple effect that strengthens organizations, fostering more connected communities and empowering women to create positive change for years to come.

The purpose of the Legacy Girls Empowerment Summer Camp is to build confidence in young girls by providing engaging, hands-on learning experiences in financial literacy, science, and technology. The program is designed to create a safe and supportive environment where girls can explore their potential, develop critical thinking skills, and gain the confidence to pursue their goals. Through interactive workshops, team-building activities, and mentorship, participants will be encouraged to embrace their individuality, strengthen their voices, and believe in their abilities.

Mercy’s Mission Foundation walks alongside young women in crisis — including those impacted by foster care, trafficking, and housing instability — through trauma-informed mentorship, workforce training, and healing-centered support. Rise HER helps participants rebuild confidence, discover their strengths, and step into meaningful careers. This grant will fund career readiness workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and the practical tools young women need to interview well and start strong. Every participant enters a community that tells her she belongs and that her future is worth investing in.

Missouri Girls Town provides trauma-informed residential care, education, and therapeutic services to girls ages 8–21 who have experienced abuse, neglect, and significant instability. Through our Teen Mental Wellness & Empowerment Program, funding will help girls rebuild self-worth, develop healthy identities, strengthen emotional resilience, and discover confidence in who they are and what they can become. Support will fund licensed therapists, trauma-informed programming, skill-building curricula, and confidence-building activities such as creative expression, journaling, and structured recreation. By creating a safe, affirming, and inclusive environment where every girl feels seen and valued, we help transform trauma into hope and empower young women to shape their own futures.

Narratives QC empowers young adults ages 17–29 in the Quad Cities through trauma-informed mental health support, life coaching, life skills, and community connection. With support from the Aerie Real Foundation, we are expanding opportunities for young women to build confidence, strengthen coping skills, develop meaningful relationships, and feel a sense of belonging. Funding will support the Arise Women Collective, a space created specifically for young women to connect, grow, and encourage one another, as well as additional mental health support groups. Together, we are creating an inclusive community where young women feel supported, recognize their strengths, and are empowered to build healthier, more hopeful futures.

Open Field improves the lives and futures of youth through the global game of soccer, creating safe, supportive spaces where young people can play, learn, and thrive. Support from the Aerie Real Foundation strengthens our Future Forward Girls Leadership Initiative, where girls build confidence, discover their strengths, and expand what they envision for their futures. Through soccer, mentorship from positive female role models, leadership and career-readiness workshops, and college exploration, participants strengthen their resilience, sense of self-worth, and decision-making skills while building meaningful relationships and becoming empowered to lead in their schools, communities, and beyond.

PAVE Foundation’s program equips girls with the skills, confidence, and support systems they need to thrive academically, personally, and professionally. Through hands-on STEAM education, environmental stewardship, leadership development, mentorship, and college and career readiness programming, participants gain the technical knowledge and self-confidence to pursue opportunities that have historically been less accessible to young women, particularly girls from underserved communities.

Running Start gives young women something transformative: the confidence to believe their voices matter and a community that encourages them to use those voices. Through hands-on trainings, mentorship, leadership development, and meaningful connections with peers and role models, young women discover and hone strengths they may not yet see in themselves. They gain practical skills, but just as importantly, they gain a network of women who support one another, take risks together, and imagine stronger possibilities for their futures. Running Start helps young women see themselves not simply as future leaders, but as leaders already.

For 35 years, The Oberle Academy has helped students with special needs discover their strengths, build confidence, and prepare for meaningful lives beyond the classroom. Empower Her Oberle builds on that mission by creating a supportive community where young women ages 12–18 can explore their interests, develop life and career skills, experience new opportunities, and connect with women mentors in their community. Aerie Foundation funding will provide meaningful cultural, educational, and hands-on experiences that encourage self-confidence, independence, and belonging. Through mentorship and community connection, Empower Her Oberle will help young women recognize their potential, celebrate their individuality, and envision a future where they know they belong.

The Race and Gender Equity (RAGE) Project creates spaces that create change. Through RAGE Sisterhood, 10-15 Black girls and young women will spend a year building confidence, strengthening their voices, and growing as leaders in a supportive community. Together, they will identify issues affecting their lives and design a youth-led Confidence Summit to reach an additional 100 girls tailored to the specific needs of their community.  With support from the Aerie Real Foundation, Sisterhood will help young women see themselves as confident leaders whose ideas, relationships, and actions can shape the world around them.

Since 2015, unCommon Construction has trained young people on job sites, paying real wages to build real homes, with real results:100% graduate from high school and 95% are employed or continue their education within three months after graduation. Our Girls With Grit program opens that same door specifically for women, who make up just 11% of the construction workforce nationally. Aerie Real Foundation will fund a year of networking dinners, field trips, and hands-on workshops connecting girls with women already leading in the trades, building the confidence, mentors, and community every young woman needs before choosing her path forward.

Vermont Works for Women promotes economic justice by advancing gender equity and supporting women and girls at every stage of their career journeys. From career exploration programs for youth, to job training and career coaching for women, to workshops and consultation services for businesses and schools, VWW is committed to improving educational and economic outcomes for Vermont women and youth. At Rosie’s Girls summer camp and afterschool programs, girls and gender-expansive youth are introduced to skills and career fields that are nontraditional for their gender through hands-on learning in a supportive and empowering environment.

At the Warren Arts & Education Foundation, we believe every student deserves to walk into school feeling confident, prepared, and supported. For some young women, not having period products, personal care items, professional clothing, or someone encouraging them can become a very real barrier. Through EmpowerHER, Aerie Real Foundation funding will help provide those essentials while also creating opportunities for mentorship, leadership, career exploration, and confidence-building experiences. Our goal is simple: help young women see their strengths, feel like they belong, and believe in what’s possible for their future.

The Women’s Foundation of Mississippi advances the economic security, health, and well-being of women and girls across Mississippi, with a focus on those who are most vulnerable. Through strategic grantmaking, advocacy, and community investment, we work to create greater opportunities for women and girls to thrive.

Youth Pride, Inc. is a nonprofit in Rhode Island with the mission of meeting the unique, ongoing needs of LGBTQIA2S+ youth and young adults under 24 through direct service, support, advocacy, and education. Our drop-in center in Providence offers free programs like support groups, cooking classes, and Dungeons and Dragons; services like case management and therapy; resources like our basic needs pantry and banned books library; abundant community and new friends; and much more! The generous support from the Aerie Real Foundation will help all youth and young adults who use our gender-affirming clothes closet feel comfortable, confident, and authentic!

The YWCA Central Massachusetts’ Girls CHOICE program exists to help girls recognize their strengths, build confidence, and develop the skills they need to thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and financially.Rooted in the YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women, Girls CHOICE is a trauma-informed, youth-centered program that provides middle and high school girls with a safe and supportive environment where they can explore their identities, strengthen their voices, and prepare for successful futures. Through mentorship, leadership development, financial literacy education, academic support, and social-emotional learning, participants gain the tools and confidence to navigate challenges and pursue their dreams.