BETTIE BRAND MOTHERS' EMPOWERMENT FUND

ANNUAL APPEAL

 A Little Love Goes a Long Way

✨ What a small gift can do

What Happens When Someone Believes in You?

That’s the simple but powerful question at the heart of the Bettie Brand Mothers’ Empowerment Fund.

Since 2013, we've awarded 33 Spirit Awards—small grants that lead to big impacts—for women at pivotal life moments.

These are women who don't ask for miracles.

They ask for opportunity.

And your support answers.

💫 It started with a Spark...

“I just needed someone to take a chance on me.”
— Adelina, visually impaired immigrant and 2020 Spirit Awardee
🔗Read her story ➜ Adelina Memishi 2020 | Bettie Brand Fund

“I didn’t need a miracle. I just needed a chance.”
— Lakesha, single mother raising 3 daughters and 2018 Spirit Awardee
🔗Read her story ➜ Lakesha Smith 2018 | Bettie Brand Fund

“I want to show my kids and grandkids that it doesn’t matter how old you are when you go back to school.”
— Mattie, single mom, grandmother, and 2020 Spirit Awardee
🔗Read her story ➜ Mattie Spencer-Henry 2025 | Bettie Brand Fund

“Life comes with many challenges… the true challenge is what, where, and who we reach out to when being strong is not enough.”
— Ballalaine, overcame homelessness and now inspires others and 2020 Spirit Awardee
🔗Read her story ➜ Ballalaine Rose Davies 2020 | Bettie Brand Fund

And there’s more...

• Jasmine, a single mom and DACA recipient, works as an emergency room tech while training to become a paramedic — “I never gave up and worked hard for my goals.”
• Tesiree, once caught in addiction and domestic violence, is now a recovery coach for others — “I didn’t just survive —I thrived.”
• April, a survivor of gun violence, used her award to make her home accessible — “I believe wholeheartedly that I have the right to live with dignity.”

And then there are needs that seem small on the surface, but make a world of difference:

• A recipient who needed funds for a cleaning service so she could continue her education and care for her children.
• A woman who needed childcare support for just a few hours a day to attend class.

 So, Whose Life and Story Can You Change?

From $50 to fearless.

  You can be part of her story.

  You don't need thousands to make a difference.

💜 What can your gift do?

• Buy a laptop or pay an exam fee for a woman starting fresh

• Cover transportation for a mom returning to school

• Help a grandmother pursue her dream to go back to class

Many of these life-changing awards began with small donations.

   🧡 Every donation fuels possibility.
   💬 Every quote is a window into real transformation.
   📣 Every share spreads the word.

Or gather your book club, neighbors, faith group, or coworkers and sponsor a woman as a team.

   🎁 Give a one-time gift or become a monthly donor 

💡 What Can a Small Group Gift Do?

  Gift              What It Can Fund

💜 Give $50, $100, or more—and you’ll become part of her story.

 Donate now!

Click here to explore the stories of our past Spirit Awardees

Bettie Brand Mothers' Empowerment Fund Mission:

The Bettie Brand Fund Mothers' Empowerment Fund gives stipends to “provide women in need with a hand up, not a hand out, so they may live with dignity and independence.”

Women chosen to receive stipends from the Bettie Brand Fund

 must agree to “pay it forward” in whatever way they can.