Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation Makes Grant Possible

Karen Fouts, Executive Director at Fox Valley Music Foundation

AURORA, IL, USA, May 8, 2024. The Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation—an organization which seeks to reimagine female empowerment through supporting programs offered by Aurora-area nonprofits—has awarded a grant to Fox Valley Music Foundation (FVMF) to help support its “Women in Song” Series.

“We’re excited to experience what we know will be a positive impact this music series will have on our community,” said Amy Baudouin, Board Chair, Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation (AWEF). “Not only will it feature songwriting and storytelling of local, emerging women artists, Fox Valley Music Foundation encourages audiences to interact and connect with the musicians during and after their shows, making it truly memorable and meaningful.”

Amy Baudouin, Board Chair

While great progress has been made in the past 40 years, under-representation of women and women of color artists remains a challenge in the music industry. “Historically it is still true that it can be difficult for women songwriters to have their music heard and to thrive as solo independent songwriters and performing artists in a still relatively male-dominated business,” said Karen Fouts, Executive Director at Fox Valley Music Foundation. “By presenting a series that recognizes and encourages diversity and inclusion of women artists in live performance, we hope to create an undercurrent of empowerment, sending a joyful ripple throughout our community and inspiring us all.”

Karen Fouts

Fox Valley Music Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is dedicated to the promotion, education, and preservation of all genres of music in Aurora. Preservation includes recording projects and educational projects. Promotion is focused on increasing awareness of local and national music as well as encouraging musicians to share their music as participants in a like-minded community. The nonprofit strives to share the rich history of societal and personal change brought about through music with the Aurora community through its live performances at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway in Aurora, with select outdoor performances in Mundy Park (directly adjacent to The Venue).

Plans for the Women in Song Series are currently underway. “We can’t wait to share more news about the artists who will be involved and the performance schedule,” said Ms. Fouts. “On behalf of the Fox Valley Music Foundation, The Venue, and our volunteers, we’d like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation. We’re thrilled to help carry out their mission of bringing about positive change through diversity and inclusivity in our community.”

For more information on Fox Valley Music Foundation’s work and upcoming performances visit the organization’s website or email a request.

About…

The Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation mission is to elevate and empower Aurora-area women and future women by making grants to tax-exempt nonprofits engaged in meaningful, measurable work that helps women over the hurdles of inequity and exclusion, propelling them forward with life-changing programs and services.  For more information about grants made by AWEF, including our grant guidelines and online application, visit awe-foundation.org.

The Fox Valley Music Foundation is a not-for-profit organization comprised of music lovers, music educators, arts enthusiasts, and people who have spent many long hour days and years in this business of music.

The Foundation’s reason for being is to Preserve, Promote, Protect and Present the wonderful music of the Fox Valley area of Illinois while providing Music Education to people of all ages and from all walks of life. For a current show listing of performances at The Venue click here. To donate click here.