Our Mission
Our mission is the advancement of South Florida LGBTQ and allied women in women-focused health and wellness initiatives, entrepreneurial and charitable pursuits, and the arts. To accomplish this, we offer financial support alongside cultural and educational programs with an aim of achieving gender equity.
Our Vision
Our vision is a South Florida women's community that is healthy, wealthy, and flourishing in its creative spaces. Our vision as an organization is to be a pillar in our women's community for the resources to make that vision a reality. When women come together for a common purpose, the possibilities are endless.
Our Story
The Skirt Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in September 2024 by Lali Safavi, Diane Pappafotis, and Pamela Bausher. As the core group behind SkirtSoFlo magazine, a publication dedicated to the arts and lives of South Florida’s LGBTQ and allied women, we established The Skirt Foundation to carry on this work in the nonprofit arena where the impact could be more directly felt through the provision of financial resources, mentorship programs, and support of woman-centered educational and cultural events, and woman-focused health initiatives.
The Skirt Foundation was created as a result of the ever growing need for resources and parity in the South Florida women's community. But while the need for resources is great, we are confident that the resources and charitable spirit of our South Florida community is far greater. As women, we have a singular and unique insight into our community and its challenges. With your donations, we are able to elevate and empower women within our community to reach their fullest potential.
Our Values
- Establishing creative and economic independence for women: We believe that women can competently stand on their own in creative and economic spaces, and flourish when provided opportunities to do so. The Skirt Foundation supports programs and projects that ‘pay it forward’, furthering the potential of women to establish their own spaces in the arts, in business and charitable pursuits, and in health and wellness.
- Inclusivity: We seek and welcome diverse perspectives and experiences in furtherance of our mission. The diversity of voices that we hear from directly impacts the robustness and efficacy of our programs. Diversity, equity and inclusivity are essential elements in all aspects of our organization, and in the projects we support.
- Collaboration: We believe that our strength lies in our numbers. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with, learn from, and grow with like-minded organizations in furtherance of our mission.
What Sets Us Apart
- Woman-Led, Woman-Focused: As a women-led organization, we bring a unique perspective and deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing women in South Florida. Our team is comprised of professional women who are passionate about empowering other women in their creative pursuits, entrepreneurship, and health. By centering women's voices and experiences, we ensure that our initiatives are relevant, impactful, and sustainable.
- Empowering Independence: We believe in empowering women to become independent, self-sufficient and leaders in their fields. This means not only providing financial support but also offering mentorship, networking opportunities, and professional development resources. By equipping women with the tools and skills they need to succeed, we're fostering a generation of independent and impactful leaders.
- Paying It Forward: A cornerstone of our approach is the 'pay it forward' philosophy. We prioritize grant proposals that demonstrate a commitment to mentoring and supporting other women. By applying this concept, we can ensure that each success story sparks new opportunities for other women. By supporting us, donors join a movement where their contributions ripple outward, fueling a legacy of empowerment that grows stronger with every generation.
We encourage you to review our Grant Opportunities for a general overview of what we look for in our grant selection process. When you donate to The Skirt Foundation, you're not just giving, you're investing in the future of women.