Semi Finalist Site Visit: The Warrior Woman Foundation

In 2025, Impact100 Sydney sought grant applications from charities undertaking activities to promote social cohesion in the Greater Sydney region. We received 64 applications from across Sydney, and nine have been selected to proceed to the semi-finalist stage.

This stage of the process involves the provision of additional information by the shortlisted organisations, and the participation in a virtual site visit that is open to all Impact100 Sydney 2025 donors to attend.

Site visits present a terrific opportunity for organisations to bring to life their grant application, for you to meet key people in the organisation and ask questions that help clarify the program being pitched.

The Warrior Woman Foundation Ltd

The Warrior Woman Foundation was established in 2020 by social entrepreneur Jessica Brown to address a heartbreaking cycle - young women who grow up in out-of-home care are ten times more likely to have their own children removed than those who grew up with birth families. The organisation delivers The Young Warrior Woman Program, a six-month multi-dimensional initiative based on Self-Determination Theory that builds connection, belonging, self-esteem and confidence across vital life skills needed for safe, independent adulthood.

The program combines coursework, guest speakers, peer-to-peer learning and mentoring to increase financial literacy, employability, mental health and wellbeing, help-seeking abilities, and hope for the future. Critical to success are volunteer mentors who provide individualised guidance and role-modelling. The organisation has also implemented an alumni program where graduates stay connected and build skills to become Kindred Warriors, using their lived experience to mentor the next generation of participants.

A $100,000 investment from IMPACT100 Sydney would enable expansion into South Western Sydney, particularly suburbs with the highest poverty rates including Ashcroft, Busby, Miller, and the Inner South West. The funding would support 60 young women across Greater Sydney through program coordination, facilitator fees, and partnerships with specialised providers including Dress for Success, Lifeline, Consent Labs, MoneyGirl and DV Moving Forward. With 50% of care leavers ending up unemployed, in jail, homeless or becoming young parents within 12 months of leaving care, this program offers crucial intervention. Previous participants have shown a 22% positive change in belonging measures, with significant improvements in building friendships and feeling connected to supportive communities.