At Mary’s Pence, the work we do through both our U.S. Grants program and the ESPERA program in Central America and Mexico is guided by the same goal: improving women’s lives. The needs of women are common across boundaries – economic security, fully participating in society, health and wellness, and safety from gender based violence. However, how we support the work on these issues may look different by region, because contexts differ. But the building blocks of support are the same.
How We Support Women Through ESPERA and Mary’s Pence Grants
We Provide Financial Support
In Central America and Mexico, our grants create lending pools and fund capacity-building initiatives, while in the U.S., grants address underlying issues of injustice and create long-term change.
We Fund Grassroots, Women-Led Organizations
In both programs, we support community-based, women-led organizations committed to social justice and improving the lives of women.
We Build Capacity
Across both programs, we invest in training, infrastructure, and resources for women’s organizations, including office space and equipment, as well as skills-building workshops and coaching.
We Are Responsive to Needs
We trust local organizations and leaders to decide what their communities need most. We provide support and resources for their priorities.
We Build Community
Connection and collaboration make the work stronger. We bring women and organizations together through gatherings and networking opportunities that foster peer support, shared learning, and stronger collaboration.
Needs We are Addressing
Economic Security
ESPERA (Central America and Mexico)
Women receive funding and training to invest in small businesses. Community-managed lending pools provide opportunities for women to create businesses where formal jobs are scarce.
Mary’s Pence Grants (U.S)
Parents Organizing for Welfare and Economic Rights strengthens low-income parents’ economic security by offering skill-building workshops on rights, advocacy, and financial empowerment.
Rights to Full Participation
ESPERA (Central America and Mexico)
We partner with 19 women’s groups representing local communities, offering peer support and collective advocacy. Women gather and, together, gain the confidence to speak up in their organizations, communities, and families.
Mary’s Pence Grants (U.S)
Grants fund civic engagement, such as get-out-the-vote efforts by North Carolina Hmong Women Association, and legal advocacy through ROOT Legal, helping women raise concerns within the justice system.
Health and Emotional Wellness
ESPERA (Central America and Mexico)
The Medical Assistance Fund supports women with illnesses or accidents that cause high costs or temporarily affect income. Emotional wellness workshops help women overcome challenges, build confidence, and pursue their goals.
Mary’s Pence Grants (U.S)
Georgia Black Doula Network and Training Institute is dedicated to eradicating maternal and infant mortality experienced by Black families and improving maternal health outcomes in the state of Georgia.
Protection from Gender-Based Violence
ESPERA (Central America and Mexico)
Income-generating opportunities, psychological intervention, and emotional wellness support have allowed some ESPERA women to leave abusive relationships.
Mary’s Pence Grants (U.S)
Kind Hearted Women’s Society advocates for visibility and justice around missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.
Mary’s Pence remains responsive – funding and supporting work that is improving the lives of women. We are grateful for the women doing the hard work in their communities, and for the many supporters who trust us to use their dollars to make the world a better place.