The Women's Fund has been set up by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland to provide financial support to foster and develop new opportunities for women and to encourage peer-group leadership across our society.

The Fund aims to help women overcome the barriers currently preventing their personal development, by providing small grants to foster and develop new opportunities in their own lives.

Strategic direction for the Women's Fund for Northern Ireland will be provided by an independent steering group comprising Dr Joan Smith, CBE (Chair), Barbara Gray - PSNI, Hazel Holmlund - Soroptimist International Northern Ireland, Ann Hope, Roseann Kelly - Women in Business NI and Paddy Skates - Queen's University Belfast Convocation.

"Andrew Carnegie once remarked that the best way to benefit the wider community is to place within it's reach the ladders upon which the aspiring can rise.

"I imagine most people can recall a time in their life when the supportive action of another allowed them to take the next step on their career, their education or perhaps a brave step into the unknown.

"I firmly believe that this Fund is our opportunity to work together to empower women across Nothern Ireland to take the next important step in their own lives, in order to fulfill their potential and I do hope you will join me and others in support of this important initiative". - Dr Joan Smyth, CBE

In Year One, the Fund aims to raise £25,000 which will be distributed throughout the year, starting in September 2012.