From Participant to Board Member: My Journey with Women’s Money Matters

Valerie Galvao on her journey with Women’s Money Matters.

Friends and Supporters,

I am writing to you today with deep gratitude and a call to action. Once a participant in the Women’s Money Matters (WMM) program, I am now proud to serve on its Board of Directors. My journey with WMM has been nothing short of transformative, and I invite you to join me in supporting this incredible organization during our annual appeal.

When I first joined WMM, I was facing financial instability, unsure of where to begin. WMM provided me with more than just financial wellness tools —it offered me a supportive community that lifted me up when I needed it most. I’ll always remember the day I sat down with my coach, Anita, to create my budget. What once felt daunting became an empowering experience through her guidance, helping me realize that financial stability was within my reach.

Achieving my financial goals didn’t just change my life—it inspired me to give back. As a first-generation Portuguese-American woman of color with a background in social work, I knew my experiences could help bridge the gap between the participants’ journeys and the board’s decision-making. Joining the WMM board has empowered me to amplify the voices of women like me and advocate for lasting change.

Since completing the program, I have earned my Bachelor of Social Work from Salem State University and remain deeply committed to using my education to make a positive impact. My dedication to civic engagement, advocacy, and social justice is rooted in the very opportunities WMM provides.

Today, hundreds of women and girls are waiting to access the same life-changing support I received. Your support will ensure they, too, can achieve financial independence. Please consider donating to Women’s Money Matters to help us continue transforming lives.

Thank you for believing in the power of financial empowerment. Together, we can create a world where all women are equipped with the tools and support they need to succeed.

With gratitude,

Valerie Galvao
Board Member, Women’s Money Matters

Kathy Brough, our beloved founding mother, was recently honored in a Lowell Sun article for her lifelong dedication and activism to women’s empowerment. Over her 79 years, Kathy was renowned for her advocacy and for co-founding Budget Buddies, now Women’s Money Matters. Following her passing on July 8, many who knew her shared their memories and tributes.

WMM Executive Director Danielle Piskadlo reflects, “I feel immensely privileged to have known Kathy and to have received her guidance, friendship, and support over the years. Budget Buddies was born in Kathy’s living room, where she frequently welcomed me for lunch. Each visit always felt like coming home.”

Kathy co-founded Budget Buddies with Anita Saville, recognizing a critical need for financial education and support for women with low incomes.  Together, they crafted the vision and model we continue today for women and girls living on low incomes to learn key money management skills through a combination of financial workshops, individual mentoring, and a supportive community.

Anita Saville shared, “Kathy leaves behind an enormous network of folks to whom she was a great friend, mentor, or both. She was committed to bettering the lives of those around her over many decades and in many ways. I am grateful every day for the wisdom and support she provided.”

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Lowell Sun for such a beautiful tribute.As we honor Kathy’s remarkable legacy, we are dedicated to advancing the mission she so passionately championed.  In her memory, we are proud to establish the Kathy Brough EmpowHERment Fund. This emergency fund, close to Kathy’s heart, will provide vital support to women and girls in the Women’s Money Matters programs facing unexpected expenses or sudden loss of income. If you would like to contribute to this fund, you can do so here:

Read more about Kathy’s impact in the Lowell Sun article here:

 

Women’s Money Matters Recognized in the 2024 Money Inclusion and Awareness Awards

 

Women’s Money Matters is proud to announce its recognition in two categories in the 2024  Money Inclusion and Awareness Awards (MAIA) – runner up in the Closing the Gender Gap and Best Project for Under-Served Communities categories. Amongst 200 entries spanning 35 countries, Women’s Money Matters stood out, earning a place among the top 15 runners-up selected by an esteemed international panel of expert judges.

 

The co-founder of the Money Inclusion and Awareness Awards, Michael Gilmore, expressed his gratitude, stating, “With a record number of entries from 35 different countries this year, it’s clear how important learning about money is becoming to everybody in all corners of the planet.Poor financial literacy is a truly global problem, and we are finding answers all over the world.”

 

Women’s Money Matters is dedicated to empowering women by providing resources and education to enhance financial literacy and independence. This recognition at MAIA underscores the organization’s commitment to bridging the gender gap in financial knowledge and access. Women’s Money Matters remains steadfast in its mission to foster financial inclusion and empower women to achieve their financial goals.

 

About Women’s Money Matters:

Women’s Money Matters builds the financial wellness, confidence, and security of women living on low incomes through a unique program that combines instructional workshops and personal, one-to-one coaching. For more information about Women’s Money Matters and its programs, please visit https://womensmoneymatters.org/

 

About the Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards:

The Money Inclusion and Awareness Awards (MAIA), headquartered in Singapore, were established out of a growing concern regarding the widespread lack of financial education among adults and children worldwide. The awards seek to raise awareness about the significant problems stemming from poor financial literacy while highlighting effective solutions available globally. Judged by a distinguished panel comprising leading academics, NGOs, journalists, influencers, and asset managers, the MAIA Awards aim to elevate recognition of initiatives addressing financial literacy challenges on a global scale.

https://maiawards.org/

Women’s Money Matters Awarded $750,000 Cummings Grant

Massachusetts nonprofit receives 10 years of funding from Cummings Foundation

Boston– Women’s Money Matters is one of 150 local nonprofits that will share in $30 million through Cummings Foundation’s major annual grants program. The Boston-based organization was selected from a total of 715 applicants during a competitive review process. It will receive $750,000 over 10 years.

Women’s Money Matters is committed to empowering women and girls living on low incomes through financial wellness workshops and individual mentorship.

“This grant will significantly enhance our ability to meet the needs of our participants,” said Danielle Piskadlo, Executive Director at Women’s Money Matters. “With this funding, we can expand our program offerings and financial topics, increasing our capacity to benefit more women and girls who want to join. It allows us to provide more comprehensive support and reach a greater number of individuals striving for financial independence.”

Your support funds Women’s Money Matters core financial wellness programs: Financial Futures and Life Launch. This funding will help 1,465 women and girls living on low incomes in Essex, Middlesex, and Suffolk counties, plus six communities in Norfolk County: Brookline, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Quincy, and Wellesley. With this support, we can continue our mission to empower women and girls on their financial journeys, allowing us to address the specific needs and aspirations of our community and participants. Additionally, this long-term funding enables us to plan for the future and scale our programs over the next decade. This is Women’s Money Matters’ fourth grant from Cummings Foundation and our first 10-year grant. We are beyond grateful for this long-term partnership.

The Cummings $30 Million Grant Program primarily supports Massachusetts nonprofits that are based in and serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties, plus six communities in Norfolk County: Brookline, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Quincy, and Wellesley. 

 

Through this place-based initiative, Cummings Foundation aims to give back in the areas where it owns commercial property. Its buildings are all managed, at no cost to the Foundation, by its affiliate, Cummings Properties. This Woburn-based commercial real estate firm leases and manages 11 million square feet of debt-free space, the majority of which exclusively benefits the Foundation.

“Greater Boston is fortunate to have a robust, dedicated, and highly capable nonprofit sector that supports and enhances the community in myriad ways,” said Cummings Foundation executive director and trustee Joyce Vyriotes. “The entire Cummings organization is thankful for their daily work to help all our neighbors thrive.”

The majority of the grant decisions were made by nearly 100 community volunteers. They worked across a variety of committees to review and discuss the proposals and then, together, determine which requests would be funded. Among these community volunteers were business and nonprofit leaders, mayors, college presidents, and experts in areas such as finance and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion).

“We believe strongly that grant decisions will be more equitable when made by a diverse group of community members,” said Vyriotes. “We’re incredibly grateful to the dozens of individuals who participated in our democratized philanthropic process.”

 

The Foundation and volunteers first identified 150 organizations to receive three-year grants of up to $300,000 each. The winners included first-time recipients as well as nonprofits that had previously received Cummings grants. Twenty-five of this latter group of repeat recipients were then selected by a panel of community volunteers to have their grants elevated to 10-year awards ranging from $300,000 to $1 million each.

 

This year’s grant recipients represent a wide variety of causes, including housing and food insecurity, workforce development, immigrant services, social justice, education, and mental health services. The nonprofits are spread across 49 different cities and towns.

 

Cummings Foundation has now awarded $500 million to greater Boston nonprofits. The complete list of this year’s 150 grant winners, plus nearly 2,000 previous recipients, is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org. 

 

About Women’s Money Matters:

Women’s Money Matters builds the financial wellness, confidence, and security of women living on low incomes through a unique program that combines instructional workshops and personal, one-to-one coaching. For more information about Women’s Money Matters and its programs, please visit https://womensmoneymatters.org/

 

About Cummings Foundation

Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, Inc. was established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings of Winchester, MA and has grown to be one of the largest private foundations in New England. The Foundation directly operates its own charitable subsidiaries, including New Horizons retirement communities, in Marlborough and Woburn, and Cummings Health Sciences, LLC. Additional information is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.

Women’s Money Matters Receives $300,000 3-Year Grant from Women’s Foundation of Boston

Funding to Support Financial Empowerment for Girls Through Life Launch Program

Women’s Money Matters is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a $300,000 grant over three years from the Women’s Foundation of Boston. This generous grant will fund the organization’s Life Launch program, which helps girls build financial skills, economic security, and confidence.

The Women’s Foundation of Boston, a nonprofit public charity that creates, funds, and accelerates economic empowerment, leadership, and mentoring programs for women and girls in Massachusetts, has awarded a total of $2,173,000 to 10 nonprofits as part of its 2024 grant cycle. This marks the Foundation’s seventh year of grantmaking in support of nonprofits that help women and girls across the Commonwealth become financially independent and successful leaders. Since its inception in 2017, the Foundation has committed a total of $8,300,000 to 38 nonprofits and 101 programs serving women and girls in Massachusetts.

“This grant will significantly enhance our Life Launch program, providing essential resources for young women to develop critical financial skills and achieve economic security,” said Danielle Piskadlo, Executive Director at Women’s Money Matters. “With this support from the Women’s Foundation of Boston, we can continue to impact girls and young women throughout Massachusetts, offering workshops, peer support, and personal one-to-one coaching to guide them on their financial journeys.”

The Life Launch program aims to empower young women through comprehensive financial education, peer support groups, and personalized coaching. Over the next three years, this grant will enable Women’s Money Matters to reach more participants and expand its program offerings, ensuring that more girls and young women in Massachusetts can benefit from these vital services.”We are proud to continue working alongside fantastic organizations dedicated to serving and empowering women and girls through this grant cycle, setting them up for success now and in the future,” Christina Gordon, Co-founder and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Boston, stated.

Women’s Money Matters and the Women’s Foundation of Boston are both aligned in our commitment to investing in the power of women and girls. Research shows that investing in women has a multiplier effect, creating positive economic returns across generations and throughout communities. Despite this, only 1.4% of philanthropic giving in Massachusetts goes to women’s and girls’ nonprofits*. The Women’s Foundation of Boston aims to address this gap by providing high-impact grants to organizations that economically empower women and girls in Greater Boston and beyond.

 

About Women’s Money Matters:

Women’s Money Matters builds the financial wellness, confidence, and security of women living on low incomes through a unique program that combines instructional workshops and personal, one-to-one coaching. For more information about Women’s Money Matters and its programs, please visit https://womensmoneymatters.org/

 

About Women’s Foundation of Boston:

The Women’s Foundation of Boston is a nonprofit public charity that creates, funds, and accelerates high-impact economic and leadership programs that equip Massachusetts women and girls to be financially independent and successful leaders. The Women’s Foundation of Boston is becoming the primary vehicle for investing in women and girls across the Commonwealth and is building a fast-growing network of female nonprofit and business leaders.

 

*Source: Women’s Foundation of Boston’s 2022 Massachusetts Women and Girls Philanthropy Index

Women’s Money Matters Benefits Women in Somerville

Somerville—Women’s Money Matters (WMM,) a leading nonprofit dedicated to empowering women to achieve financial stability, is thrilled to announce the receipt of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to launch Financial Futures, a financial wellness program in Somerville. 

The City of Somerville granted these funds to Women’s Money Matters to provide financial wellness programming to Somerville women living on low incomes. Financial Futures aims to empower these women by providing them with the necessary tools and knowledge to gain confidence and independence in managing all aspects of their finances.

In collaboration with esteemed organizations in Somerville, such as the Somerville Housing Authority, Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences (SCALE), Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS,) 

Riverside Community Care, Mutual Aid Medford & Somerville, and Padres Latinos De SPS (Latino Parents of Somerville Public Schools), we have been able to reach a diverse group of women across the city. The program tailored personalized learning experiences for 73 women, while 21 others joined collective cohorts, showcasing a community-wide effort towards financial education.

Participants reported outstanding outcomes, including a dramatic increase in budgeting skills, with 86% of graduates now utilizing a budget to manage their finances, up from 21% at the program’s start. Confidence in managing finances soared to 96%, and 89% of graduates reported having savings, a significant rise from 32%. 

This Financial Futures program has been a beacon of hope and progress, particularly for Nancy, one of our program graduates. Nancy’s journey, supported by her dedicated coach, Julie, stands as a testament to the transformative power of personalized financial education. Nancy’s heartfelt gratitude to Julie, “Thank you very much, Julie, for all the coaching and reaching out to us during our time in WMM. You’re the perfect candidate to be part of this awesome teaching financial program! Wishing you much success in your career! Love, Nancy” encapsulates the meaningful bonds and personal growth that form the heart of this program. 

The City of Somerville, Women’s Money Matters, and several community organizations celebrate the courage and commitment of women like Nancy, who have seized the opportunity to reshape their financial futures. Echoing the sentiments of many, Nancy exclaims, “Credit, cash, budget, savings—all this and more I’ve learned about in this amazing program with amazing women and our coaches and leaders. Thank you kindly, my friends and sisters, for a wonderful experience!” 

Nancy’s experience with Julie highlights the program’s focus on providing tools for managing finances and nurturing solid, supportive relationships that extend beyond the program itself. Women’s Money Matters and the City of Somerville are committed to maintaining this momentum, ensuring every woman in the community can access the financial education necessary for a stable and prosperous future.

The Somerville’s Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development’s Jennifer Mancia said, “Partnering with Women’s Money Matters is one of my proudest accomplishments this year, and there are many moments where I share information about our collaboration and the positive impact it is having on Somerville residents.”

Nancy’s story, alongside the voices of many other graduates, shines a spotlight on the resounding success of the Financial Futures program—where women come together to learn, grow, and succeed in their financial endeavors, fostering resilience and empowerment within the Somerville community.

 

About Women’s Money Matters:

Women’s Money Matters builds the financial wellness, confidence, and security of women living on low incomes through a unique program that combines instructional workshops and personal, one-to-one coaching. For more information about Women’s Money Matters and its programs, please visit https://womensmoneymatters.org/

 

About the City of Somerville

The City of Somerville is dedicated to fostering a vibrant, inclusive community that focuses on enhancing the quality of life for all its residents through diverse, innovative programs. https://www.somervillema.gov

Women’s Money Matters Welcomes New Board Member, Valerie Galvao

A program graduate becomes a board member 

Women’s Money Matters proudly welcomes Valerie Galvao to its Board of Directors, marking a remarkable journey from program participant to esteemed board member. Valerie’s trajectory epitomizes the transformative impact of financial wellness and empowerment. 

Valerie Galvao brings over a decade of dedication and excellence in  human services to her new role. Valerie’s unwavering commitment to social work and community service shines through her extensive volunteer work with organizations like One Family Inc. and Agassiz Village Summer Camp, as well as her involvement in legislative testimony and city. 

With a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Salem State University on the horizon, Valerie’s academic achievements, including making the Dean’s List, member of several Honor Societies and active participation in the Student Advisory Council for the School of Social Work, underscore her commitment to excellence.  

Her personal journey with Women’s Money Matters, from participant to board member, speaks volumes about her passion for financial empowerment. Her ongoing relationship with her coach, Anita, extends beyond financial wellness into various facets of life, emphasizing the profound impact of mentorship and support.

Reflecting on her time as a participant, Valerie highlights the sense of community fostered by Women’s Money Matters and the pivotal moment of creating a budget during workshops which allowed her to actualize short and long term financial goals. This experience catalyzed her journey towards financial stability and ultimately motivated her transition to a leadership role. 

Transitioning to the board was motivated by Valerie’s desire to bridge participant experiences with board decisions. Her dedication to civic engagement and advocacy, fueled by her background in social work and personal experiences, underscores her commitment to systematic change. She gained hands-on experience in legislative advocacy initiatives and community organizing during her BSW internship in Macro-Social Work with the National Association of Social Workers-Massachusetts Chapter.

Valerie envisions Women’s Money Matters continuing to empower women through free programs, one-on-one coaching, and advocacy efforts. Her message to others embarking on a similar leadership journey is one of empowerment and resilience, emphasizing the importance of representation and using one’s voice to uplift others. 

In joining the board, Valerie finds empowerment and healing, embracing her voice and story to inspire others. She acknowledges the supportive environment of Women’s Money Matters and the transformative mentorship she’s received, propelling her growth as a leader. 

Please join us in welcoming Valerie Galvao to our Board of Directors. Her journey exemplifies the transformative impact of our programs and the unwavering commitment to empowering women through financial education and community support. 

About Women’s Money Matters: 

Women’s Money Matters builds the financial wellness, confidence, and security of women living on low incomes through a unique program that combines instructional workshops and personal, one-to-one coaching. For more information about Women’s Money Matters and its programs, please visit https://womensmoneymatters.org/