Nancy K. Morris Endowment Established to Benefit Programs Serving Women
The $100,000 gift from Morris’s family will support empowerment programs at YWCA
YOUNGSTOWN—YWCA Mahoning Valley is announcing the establishment of the Nancy K. Morris Endowment Fund. The $100,000 gift, made in memory of Morris by her children, will be used to create an endowment that will provide funding for YWCA’s women’s empowerment programs for many years to come.
Nancy Kearns Morris was a longtime community leader, devoting her time and talent to a number of Youngstown-area organizations, including YWCA Mahoning Valley. Morris was the co-founder of the YWCA Women Artists: A Celebration! art show in 1983, now entering its 37th year, and served on the Board of Directors for many years. Morris spearheaded a number of projects, including the opening of two shelters for women leaving domestic abuse. In line with the YWCA Mission of eliminating racism and empowering women, Nancy served on the Panel of American Women. This group promoted dialogue amongst people of different races, ethnicities and cultures to increase acceptance and understanding amongst people.
“Nancy was a remarkable woman, a great artist, and a steadfast, dedicated supporter of the YWCA. She was a tireless advocate for this community, and she lived and breathed the YWCA’s mission: to empower women,” said Leah Merritt, YWCA Mahoning Valley President and CEO. “It is a fitting tribute to Nancy that her legacy will live on through the continued empowerment of women in the Valley.”
Morris passed away in 2017. In late 2018, her family established the endowment fund in her name, with the intent that the funds be used to support programs which fulfill the YWCA’s mission of empowering women. The Board of Directors will approve programs to be supported by the fund each year.
“We are thrilled to partner with the YWCA Mahoning Valley in funding programs that will help empower women in our community—a mission our mother was passionate about throughout her life,” Morris’s family shared in a statement.
Planned gifts such as this, allow the agency to fulfill the mission. For more information on planned giving, please contact Varada Bhide, Chief Operating Officer, at (330) 746-6361 ext. 112.
YWCA Mahoning Valley is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families and strengthen our community. YWCA Mahoning Valley is part of an international movement serving over 2 million in the United States and 25 million worldwide. For comprehensive information about this important work, go to: www.ywca.org/youngstown and www.ywca.org.