Role of the Zonta Club of Kitchener-Waterloo in the funding ecosystem
The Zonta Club of Kitchener-Waterloo is a local service club and non-profit organization founded in 1978 and affiliated with Zonta International. Based in Waterloo Region, it raises funds and provides financial support to charitable and non-profit organizations whose programs advance women’s health, education and well-being. The club also contributes a portion of its event revenues each year to the Zonta Foundation for Women, which delivers international education and service projects for women and girls.
Funding activities and supported beneficiaries
Locally, the club has raised over $1.9 million for organizations serving women and girls. Its fundraising dollars are directed to community initiatives and global projects that promote gender equality, prevent violence, and improve social and economic conditions for women. In addition to organizational grants and donations, the club administers the Lynn Roden Bursary, awarded annually to a second-year nursing student at Conestoga College, supporting women’s access to post-secondary education in a caring profession.
The club also plays a gateway role for several Zonta International awards and scholarships. It publicizes opportunities such as the Amelia Earhart Fellowship, the Young Women in Leadership Award, the Women in STEM Scholarship and the Women in Business Leadership Award, and forwards eligible local applications to the District 4 and international selection processes, connecting women and girls in the region to significant international funding opportunities.
Fundraising mechanisms and partnership approach
To sustain its grantmaking and bursaries, Zonta KW organizes recurring fundraising events, notably its International Women’s Day celebration and the annual Betty Thompson Golf Classic. These events engage corporate sponsors, community partners and individual donors, with proceeds channeled to local agencies, the club’s bursary, and the Zonta Foundation for Women. The club also undertakes hands-on international service through the assembly of birthing kits, often in partnership with organizations such as World Vision, complementing its financial support with practical aid.
Mission, advocacy and global impact
In line with Zonta International’s mission and vision, the club combines funding with advocacy, particularly around the 16 Days of Activism to end gender-based violence. By supporting both local projects and global programs—such as initiatives to end child marriage, empower communities facing climate change and create safe virtual spaces for women and girls—the Zonta Club of Kitchener-Waterloo acts as a bridge between community fundraising and targeted financial support for women-focused initiatives worldwide.