Soroptimist of Whitefish is offering cash grants to women who are the primary wage earners for their families and require financial assistance to pursue further education or training. These grants are part of the Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women program.

Women interested in applying for these awards can obtain applications online at bit.ly/LYDA-apply or by contacting Jodee McDowell, 406-270-0296 or [email protected]. The application deadline is Nov. 15.

The Soroptimist of Whitefish club will distribute cash rewards up to $2,000 to several recipients in Montana, who will then advance to the Soroptimist Northwestern Region level, where recipients could receive up to an additional $5,000. The program ends with three $10,000 finalist awards.

Recipients can use the Live Your Dream Award to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education or additional skills and training. This includes tuition, books, childcare, transportation, or any other education-related expense.

The Live Your Dream Award provides over $3 million in cash awards to head-of-household women in need each year. Since the program’s inception in 1972, more than $40 million has helped tens of thousands of women achieve their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families. 

A study conducted by The Fels Institute of Government, a research and consulting organization based at the University of Pennsylvania, confirmed the efficacy and impact of this program. It improves the recipients’ quality of life; builds their confidence; strengthens their self-determination and makes them want to, in turn, help others. Helping women in this way has the demonstrated effect of leading to stronger communities, nations, and the world.

Founded in 1951, the Whitefish club is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas, a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. 

Soroptimist, a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on charitable donations to support its programs, also powers LiveYourDream.org — an online community offering offline volunteer opportunities in support of women and girls. 

For more information visit soroptimist.org.