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Grant Recipient

April 15, 2021

WomensNet Mini Grant Awarded to Austin Kids Can!

Austin Kids Can!

Woman Entrepreneur:
Donna Raskin

Congratulations to Donna Raskin, Founder of Austin Kids Can! for being the WomensNet Mini Grant recipient.

Austin Kids Can! is a non-profit organization that offers an after-school program that aims to close the achievement gap and build brighter futures for children who are socioeconomically disadvantaged in grades K-5. Specifically, students engage in Computer Science, Coding, and Social-Emotional Learning, both in-person and virtually.

“Austin Kids Can! was born from my desire to provide a safe environment for underprivileged kids to learn, grow, and dream. We believe that learning coding concepts at an early age helps build students’ interest in computer science and equips them to succeed in more advanced classes in middle school, high school, and college…We then expanded our programming to include social-emotional learning (SEL) that enables students to interact effectively with others and successfully navigate the complexities of daily life…We have also developed and incorporated a family support component in which parents/guardians will receive guidance documents that will allow them to promote SEL best practices at home to ensure student learning is not just isolated to the lessons with Austin Kids Can!,” says Raskin.

With the WomensNet Mini Grant, the funds will be used to further develop the innovative curricular approach, virtually and in-person, in after-school programs at Title I schools.

If you want to apply for the 2021 WomensNet Grants, view our website for more information. Applications are currently being reviewed for the $10,000 Amber Grant. You can apply today to be considered.

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What people are saying about WomensNet

Forbes

“You have to be in it to win it...seize the opportunity and apply.”

Nerd Wallet

“Every month, WomensNet awards three $10,000 Amber Grants to women-owned businesses. At the end of each year, monthly grant winners are eligible to receive one of three $25,000 annual grants.”

Score

“Launched 20 years ago this grant honors the memory of a young woman who wanted to be an entrepreneur but died at age 19 before she could achieve her goal.”

CNN

“The Amber Grant offers three $10,000 grants to women-owned businesses each month. Then, at the end of each year, WomensNet gives an additional $25,000 to three grant winners from that year.”

Essence Magazine

“This organization offers monthly grants of up to $10,000 to support female entrepreneurs starting businesses. Those who qualify for these grants are also in the running for a yearly $25,000 grant.”