Fairy Godmothers Fund Celebrates $1 Million Endowment Milestone
What began nearly two decades ago with a small group of Manhattan women and a $10,000 goal has grown into a lasting philanthropic legacy.
The Fairy Godmothers Fund of the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation has surpassed $1 million in its endowment, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s history and strengthening its ability to assist women in the Manhattan community for generations to come.
Founded in 2006, Fairy Godmothers was created after local women recognized that existing community resources did not always address women’s immediate, short-term needs. The founders envisioned a fund that could step in when traditional assistance programs couldn't.
That vision became reality when the group’s first fundraising event, held in August 2006, raised $10,000 in gifts and pledges to establish an endowed fund through the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation. Fairy Godmothers officially launched in February 2007 with 180 founding members.
Nearly 20 years later, that original investment has grown into an endowment exceeding $1 million.
"That milestone is about much more than a number. It represents sustainability. It represents future grants, future opportunities, and future women whose lives will be changed because of the generosity of people in this community,” said Ashley Stalnaker, president of the Fairy Godmothers board.
Stalnaker recently shared the milestone while honoring the organization’s founders, members, volunteers, partners, and supporters. She emphasized that the achievement reflects the collective commitment of generations of Fairy Godmothers who have carried the mission forward.
Fairy Godmothers provides financial assistance to women experiencing short-term financial hardships that may fall outside the assistance available through other programs. Grants most often help with essential needs such as car repairs, dental care, and beds—expenses that can make an extraordinary difference in a woman’s ability to maintain employment, protect her health, or provide stability for her family.
“The stories we hear remind us every day that even a relatively small grant can have a life-changing impact,” Stalnaker said.
The organization has also expanded its focus beyond immediate needs through its Hand Up Grants, or HUG, program. HUG grants provide educational assistance to women pursuing training or degrees at Manhattan Area Technical College, Manhattan Christian College, Bellus Academy, or Kansas State University. The program helps women gain skills that can lead to higher-paying employment, greater financial independence, and long-term stability. The impact of that work continues to grow. According to Stalnaker, Fairy Godmothers awarded more than $54,000 in grants in 2025 and, as of the date of her remarks, had distributed more than $44,000 in assistance in 2026.
Fairy Godmothers’ work is supported through six funds held within the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation: the Fairy Godmothers Endowed Fund, Grants Fund, Operating Fund, Hand Up Grant Fund, HUG Endowed Fund and Fairy Grateful Fund. The endowment provides permanent support for the organization’s grants program.
"The Greater Manhattan Community Foundation has been honored to support the FairyGodmothers program for many years and has witnessed the profound difference it has made in the lives of women throughout our community. What began with a few compassionate women who simply saw a need and wanted to help has blossomed into something truly extraordinary—a growing circle of hundreds of women lifting one another up and becoming a mountain of support for women facing financial hardship.
At its heart, the Fairy Godmothers story is about the incredible power of caring. It is a beautiful reminder that meaningful change often begins with one person seeing someone else’s need and choosing to respond. Through generosity, compassion, and a shared commitment to helping others, Fairy Godmothers has created a lasting legacy of hope, dignity, and support.
It is a truly inspirational example of philanthropy in action—proof that when caring hearts come together, even a small act of kindness can grow into something that changes countless lives," said Vern Hendricks, President and CEO of the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation.
The organization also credits community partners such as Shepherd’s Crossing, which serves as an important point of connection for women seeking assistance. Shepherd’s Crossing staff help applicants navigate the process, review requests, and identify needs, helping ensure women receive assistance with compassion and dignity.
For Stalnaker and the Fairy Godmothers, reaching $1 million is not the conclusion of the organization’s story. It is a continuation of the vision established by its founders.
One of those founders, Polly Stoecklein, captured that vision at the organization’s 2007 launch when she said:
“This fairy tale has a beginning, but no ending"
Those words remain particularly fitting nearly 20 years later.
“Thank you to our founders. Thank you to our members. Thank you to our community. And thank you to everyone who has helped write the next chapter of this incredible story,” Stalnaker said.
The $1 million endowment means that when a woman in the Manhattan community needs help with reliable transportation, necessary dental care, a bed for her family, education or another unexpected hardship, Fairy Godmothers can continue to be there.
It is a legacy built by women helping women — and a foundation for the next generation.
About the Fairy Godmothers
Fairy Godmothers is a Manhattan-area organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of women with limited resources who have immediate needs not met by traditional community resources. Founded in 2006, the organization operates through funds held at the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation and provides immediate financial assistance and educational opportunities through its Hand Up Grant program. Learn more at fgfund.org
For more information about Fairy Godmothers, becoming a member, donating, or applying for assistance, visit fgfund.org.