(Courtesy of JWF-NJ) The Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey (JWF-NJ), a giving circle of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ, recently awarded $117,000 to five local nonprofit organizations that are working to positively impact women and girls. Since its formation in 2007, JWF-NJ has awarded grants to more than 85 organizations, totaling more than $1.4 million.

Pam Greenwood, the foundation’s director, said: “Less than 2% of all U.S. philanthropic funding goes to support women and girls. The members of JWF-NJ hope to address this crying need, transforming the lives of women and girls in Northern-Central New Jersey by funding these important programs.”

Grants awarded include:

Barat Foundation—$25,000 to teach engineering and utilization of 3D printers, arts, and entrepreneurship skills to girls in Newark.

Girls Helping Girls. Period.—$17,000 to introduce the use of menstrual cups to women/girls and provide support.

KinderSmile (Community Oral Health Center Bloomfield)—$25,000 to provide free dental care to perinatal and postpartum women.

Montclair State Foundation’s Global Center on Human Trafficking—$25,000 to gather teen survivors for workshops on self-sufficiency, college and career readiness.

Sharsheret—$25,000 to send free, customizable support kits to women facing breast or ovarian cancer.

JWF-NJ will award five $5,000 Impact grants to local nonprofits this coming November.

For more information about joining the women of JWF-NJ in giving together/granting for change, visit www.jwfnj.org