Meet our Aerie Real Foundation Community Grant Winners!

A Step Ahead Foundation Tri-Cities works to help prevent unintended pregnancy by providing barrier-free access to a wide range of contraceptive options and transportation to and from appointments for anyone in Northeast Tennessee or Southwest Virginia. Additionally, we provide free comprehensive reproductive health education throughout our community. They believe that all people deserve access to high-quality reproductive health information and that access to this knowledge leads to improved health outcomes across generations. Their vision is a community where all people can maximize their potential, realize their goals and make their dreams reality by planning their families with intention and without barriers.

BikePGH Program breaks down barriers to bicycling and increases the representation of people who have historically marginalized gender identities. The program is inclusive of trans and cis women, intersex people, non-binary, genderqueer, agender and gender variant folks, as well as those whose gender identity falls outside of the dominant conceptions of gender. WMNBikePGH aims to connect and empower those who might feel excluded from the male dominant cycling culture with free educational workshops, group rides, and social events in a safe and supportive environment. Together, they can build a more equitable community for people who want to ride bikes.

Capitol Movement’s mission is to “build better lives through dance.” Now celebrating our 20th anniversary, they provide programs and performance opportunities for DC dancers, regardless of socioeconomic barriers, through traveling classes, workshops, outreach, scholarships, and a variety of community engagements.
Through our GenerationNext Apprentice Dance Company, they support an inclusive community of young dancers (ages 13-17) committed to co-creating new works to elevate themes of social justice. We connect those who love dance and believe in its power to create change with purpose.

Disability EmpowHer Network is a non-profit run by and for disabled women 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 program that empowers disabled girls to learn new skills, build confidence, and find community. With the support of disabled women mentors, participants camp in the wilderness for a week, complete a community project focused on emergency preparedness, and end the year by traveling to D.C. where they build leadership skills and reconnect with each other.

Dress for Success Pittsburgh empowers women and gender-expansive individuals (14+) by providing job search assistance, interview prep, job training, and professional attire. This funding will help expand our offerings of essential resources like clothing, medical scrubs, and personal care items, ensuring individuals entering or returning to the workforce feel confident and prepared. By fostering an inclusive environment and providing these tools, they aim to help everyone thrive in their careers and personal development, creating a lasting impact in both their lives and the broader community.

Dress for Success Vancouver empowers self-identifying women to achieve financial independence and personal success through meaningful employment. Since 1999, they have served over 46,000 individuals, providing professional attire, career programs, leadership development, and a strong community of support. Their wrap-around services address the systemic barriers that impact economic security, personal growth, and family stability. More than helping women find jobs, they help them build confidence, resilience, and opportunities for a thriving future. When women succeed, families and communities flourish.

Elevate Us (formerly Operation Period) empowers young menstruators through transformative media, education, and community engagement. With the Aerie Real Foundation’s support, they are leading our Youth Institute for Gender Justice, a mentorship and training program that equips young menstruators with the skills to lead community projects advocating for gender justice. This funding will directly support fellows’ initiatives, such as educational campaigns, advocacy efforts, and creative projects that build confidence, foster inclusivity, and empower menstruators to drive change in their communities. By investing in their leadership, they are cultivating a future where menstruation holds no one back.

Figure Skating in Harlem helps girls transform their lives and grow in confidence, leadership and academic achievement. They are the only organization in the world for girls of color that combines the power of education with access to the artistic discipline of figure skating to build champions in life. These funds will support program operation expenses that cover their I Can Excel core program, Summer Dreams and Winter Dreams feeder and extension programs, spring/summer skate opportunities for our competitive skaters, and college/career access services for alumnae. This includes technology, database, costumes, ice time, coaching, tutoring, teaching, and counseling services, program staff, classroom materials, and skating equipment.

GirlUp GVL is a free life enrichment program that exists to serve middle and high school girls reach their full potential and know their true worth and value. At GirlUp GVL, their mission is to enrich young women with positive formative experiences that replace obstacles with opportunities. Their programs foster responsibility, life skills, and confidence, helping students make better choices and build a brighter future while exploring new interests and discovering their unique talents through structured routine, individualized programming, regular academic assistance, and a trusted advocate creates a path to personal fulfillment.

Gyrl Wonder is a professional pipeline 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering young women of color through career development, mentorship, and leadership training. The Aerie Real Foundation grant will directly support the Gyrl Wonder Leadership Academy, equipping participants with confidence-building workshops, executive coaching, and access to industry leaders who reflect their aspirations. By fostering an inclusive sisterhood, they provide the tools and network necessary for young women to step into their power, advocate for themselves, and thrive in their careers. This funding ensures that the next generation of diverse leaders is prepared to break barriers and create lasting change.

Hardy Girls is a Maine-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering girls and nonbinary youth through leadership, activism, and social justice education. Their Feminist Action Board (FAB) provides young people with the tools to lead, advocate, and create lasting change in their communities.

With support from the Aerie Real Foundation, they are strengthening their annual Be You Boldly! conferences – youth-led events designed to build confidence, foster inclusion, and amplify marginalized voices. This funding ensures that rural and underserved youth have access to empowering programs, leadership training, and a supportive community that believes in their brilliance.

Founded in 1996 and rooted in dance, mentorship, and a welcoming space for the arts, Keshet’s mission is to activate community and foster unlimited possibilities through education, engagement, innovation, and the pursuit of justice. Aerie Real Foundation funding will support Keshet’s Arts Education Programming for Youth, which provides access to dance education for underserved youth through an unlimited, non-competitive Scholarship Program; provides access to dance, academics, and mentorship for incarcerated and paroling youth within NM’s juvenile jails and at Keshet Center for the Arts; and provides inclusive hands-on dance classes and performances for dancers with disabilities.

Northeast Youth and Family Services (NEYFS) is a family resource center dedicated to supporting their community in Spokane, WA. They are committed to creating an inclusive and comfortable environment while providing no-barrier access to vital resources including hygiene products, clothing, diapers, and food, in addition to hosting free community events and running a community garden.

This funding will be used to build confidence in girls and women through their hygiene closet, fostering inclusivity through a diverse offering of hair, makeup, and hygiene products, empowering their community through the girls, mothers, sisters, aunts, friends, and grandmothers that walk in their doors.

Sisters In Sync’s mission is to empower Black girls and women to be, become, and belong through programs, services, and advocacy that foster self-esteem, challenge inequalities, and strengthen survivor-informed practices.

Their flagship program, BecomingHER, is a transformative 12-week journey designed to support Black adolescent girls (13-18) as they transition from girlhood to womanhood. Centered on self-discovery, mental well-being, and self-efficacy, the program creates a space where Black girls can fully embrace their girlhood—free from societal roles and responsibilities that strip them of their innocence. The experience culminates in a two-day wellness retreat focused on mindfulness, intentional self-care, and leisure.

The Healing House, Inc. is the first Holistic Licensed Behavioral Health Center (LBHC) in the state of West Virginia dedicated to serving and empowering women. They help women who have been impacted by trauma heal and rebuild. They provide an innovative approach to healing and a fresh take on life after trauma through the highest quality of coaching, counseling, and education. For the last three years of programming, they have served over 500 women. Their goal in this upcoming year is to house 8 new young ladies in our residential program and serve over 100 new women in our outpatient services. This funding will help us keep their resources in-house and can provide a funding for their young women who can’t afford the co-pays associated with their insurance plans.

Vermont Works for Women promotes economic justice by advancing gender equity and supporting women and youth at every stage of their career journeys. This funding will support 145 middle school youth to take part in Rosie’s Girls®, VWW’s trades and career exploration summer camp and afterschool program for middle school girls and gender-expansive youth that is offered in communities across Vermont. Through Rosie’s Girls, youth are introduced to skills and career fields that are nontraditional for women through hands-on learning in a supportive and empowering environment. Campers are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones, make new friends, and build confidence.

The Women’s Center for Advancement (WCA) is the designated service provider in Omaha, Nebraska for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking. The WCA’s mission is to assist survivors to achieve safety and empower them to lead self-determined lives. The WCA assists survivors with obtaining essential resources, crisis intervention, emergency housing, legal advice, and other needs as they begin to rebuild their lives. Funding from the Aerie Real Foundation will allow WCA to continue to empower survivors by providing prevention education to other organizations and service providers, supporting the hope of a community free from violence.

Journey of Hope focuses on trauma-informed care with our Case Management Services, and advocates for mental health public awareness. Their certified domestic violence advocates and peer support specialists provide optimal care and services for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Abuse, & Human Trafficking, as well as other deeply traumatic situations.

The National Center for Youth Law’s mission is to amplify youth power, dismantle racism and other structural inequities, and build policy, practice, and culture to support young people. This funding will help our Reproductive Health Equity Project for Foster Youth and its youth advisors to develop educational resources that empower youth and their allies with accurate information about reproductive health and rights during a time of unprecedented threats.

For 30 years, RAINN has helped millions of people affected by sexual violence find the justice, hope, and healing they deserve. As the nation’s most trusted anti-sexual violence organization, RAINN provides proven trauma-informed crisis intervention and resources through their victim services programs, including the National Sexual Assault Hotline, the only national hotline dedicated to sexual violence survivors. RAINN effectively advocates for laws and policies that support survivors and hold offenders accountable. RAINN continues to lead the nation’s discussion about sexual violence prevention and response through awareness campaigns, collaborations with media and entertainment companies, and its website and social media platforms.

The mission of the Red Ants Pants Foundation is to develop and expand leadership roles for women; to preserve and support working family farms and ranches; and to enrich and promote rural communities.

The Girls Leadership Program is designed to uplift young women and expand leadership opportunities for girls from rural Montana communities, with goals of inspiring hope for their youth, developing pride in our rural communities, and fostering strength and courage in their leadership. Through skill development, leadership opportunities, and one-on-one mentorship with professional women, their objective outcomes include: Hope- developing a sense of self & of belonging, and an optimistic view of the future; Strength- practicing communication, teamwork, and project management skills; Pride- instilling community appreciation, participation, and innovation; and Courage- building leadership identity, resiliency, and a clear sense of personal values.

Sojourner Center provides comprehensive support services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Through safe shelter, advocacy, and case management, they empower women to rebuild their lives with confidence and independence. This funding will cover the partial salary for a case manager in our Emergency Shelter and Supportive Services Program, empowering staff to foster healing, strengthen their inclusive community, and equip survivors with the tools to break the cycle of abuse. By providing essential resources, they create pathways to stability and self-sufficiency, ensuring every woman has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and supportive environment.

The Sophia Way is a place of hope and change for women experiencing homelessness. As the only Eastside organization exclusively supporting adult women, they provide warm, safe spaces to shower, sleep, access resources, and nourishing food that gives them strength. Case managers use a trauma-informed approach to support women’s physical, mental, and financial well-being. ARF’s funding will empower women by fostering confidence through essential resources, skill-building programs, and supportive community spaces. By creating an inclusive, compassionate environment, they ensure that every woman feels valued and supported on her journey to stability and a place to call home.

Virginia Community Voice equips historically marginalized communities to realize their vision for their neighborhoods and prepares institutions to respond effectively. They empower individuals and foster inclusive, equitable decision-making through innovative programs that build confidence, embrace diversity, and advocate for sustainability. By centering the voices of Black and Brown neighbors and engaging young leaders in civic action, VACV creates pathways for systemic change, ensuring every community thrives with dignity, opportunity, and resilience.

YWCA Cass Clay operates the largest emergency shelter for women and children in North Dakota and a large region of Minnesota. They first meet basic needs for safety, food, clothing, and hygiene items. They then offer the assistance and emotional support that trauma survivors need to heal and move forward. Aerie Real Foundation funds will be used to build confidence and empower women through programs for employment, education, children’s needs, better physical and mental health, growing financial literacy and family economic stability, and securing affordable housing.