Our History
Lift Women’s Foundation was founded in 2005 by employees of Royal Neighbors of America as the RNA Foundation. The Foundation was originally created to support scholarship programs and financial education efforts that helped individuals and families build knowledge and opportunity.
Over time, the Foundation’s leaders recognized that education and financial literacy were only part of a larger opportunity. The organization began to focus more intentionally on women’s economic empowerment, reflecting the legacy of the nine pioneering women who founded Royal Neighbors of America and the organization’s long-standing commitment to supporting women and communities.
As the Foundation evolved, leadership made a strategic decision to build the Foundation’s independence and expand its mission beyond a single program area. This shift allowed the Foundation to grow its programs, partnerships, and impact while focusing more intentionally on long-term economic mobility for women.
Milestones & Growth
The Foundation has grown significantly over the past two decades, expanding from a scholarship-focused organization to a broader women’s economic empowerment foundation.
Key milestones include:
- 2005 – RNA Foundation established by Royal Neighbors employees to support scholarships and financial education.
- 2021 – The Foundation broadened its focus on women’s economic empowerment, aligning with the legacy and mission of Royal Neighbors.
- 2021 – The organization rebranded as Lift Women’s Foundation and launched the Women’s Economic Mobility Microloan Program.
- 2025 – Lift expanded its work to include business coaching for its micro-loan recipients.
- 2026 – Launch of Kindness Collective, a community engagement program that transforms acts of kindness into funding for nonprofits supporting women and families
- 2026 – Launch of the Next Chapter Scholarship, supporting women pursuing education and training to improve their economic mobility.
- Today, Lift Women’s Foundation operates multiple programs that support women through education, entrepreneurship, and community support systems that influence economic mobility.
Community & Partner Support
Lift Women’s Foundation is built through strong partnerships and community support. The Foundation continues to benefit from its historic relationship with Royal Neighbors of America, whose support and in-kind services such as marketing, accounting, and legal assistance allow the Foundation to focus more resources directly on programs and impact.
Lift also works with financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, donors, volunteers, and community partners who share a commitment to expanding opportunity for women and strengthening communities.
The Foundation’s work is made possible through the collective support of partners, donors, volunteers, and organizations who believe that investing in women’s economic opportunity strengthens families and communities.
Lift Women’s Foundation began by investing in education.
Today, we invest in women’s economic mobility. The future will be built by expanding opportunity even further.
Looking Ahead
Lift Women’s Foundation’s history is rooted in education, opportunity, and community support, and that history continues to shape the Foundation’s future.
Looking ahead, Lift Women’s Foundation will continue expanding programs that support women’s economic mobility through entrepreneurship, education, and partnerships that address the social factors influencing economic stability. The Foundation is focused on growing its national presence, strengthening partnerships, and increasing investment in programs that create long-term economic opportunity for women.
Lift believes opportunity does not happen by accident—it happens because we invest in it. The future of Lift Women’s Foundation will continue to be built through investment in women, partnerships with communities, and a commitment to expanding opportunity for future generations.