AAUW – Dearborn Strategic Plan 2025- 2026

AAUW Dearborn Affiliate’s 2025-2026 Strategic Plan 

Priority 1: Fund Higher Education

College/University Programs

Support women in our greater community who are pursuing higher education

  • Distribute designated 2025 Book Sale net profits to the Henry Ford College Foundation Scholarship Office
  • Distribute designated 2025 Book Sale net profits to UofM-Dearborn to support various Higher Education programs that align with our mission

K-12 Programs

Build foundations for students’ success in education

  • Present the 2026 Marge Powell Leadership Award to seniors in each of the three Dearborn Public High Schools in recognition of their leadership, integrity, and community service 
  • Disburse funds from the 2026 Branch and Community Fund to community non-profit 

K-12 programs that help to advance gender equity for women and girls

STEM Programs

Encourage girls to pursue STEM careers

  • Investigate possibilities for continuing to launch “Career Exploration Projects” in Dearborn area middle schools
  • Apply for the National AAUW “Community Action Grant” which offers up to $10,000 to fund innovative K–12 STEM programs

Priority 2: Remove Barriers to Success in Education and the Workplace

Grassroots action on AAUW priority issues or those with local community impact

State/local policy initiatives and representation

  • Appoint a DEI Chair to the AAUW-D Board of Directors
  • Appoint a Public Policy Liaison to the AAUW-D Board of Directors

Leverage AAUW National/State resources

  • Encourage members to attend National AAUW zoom meetings and webinars
  • Obtain the AAUW-MI Playbooks for board members to use as references for fulfilling their responsibilities
  • Encourage AAUW-D Affiliate Board Members to attend the monthly AAUW-MI State Coffee and Conversation meetings

Campus work with students and faculty

  • Investigate the 2026 ‘Girls Get Math’ summer program at UofM-D as a possible opportunity for Dearborn area high school students

Priority 3: Strengthen AAUW’s Reach / Our Collective Impact Is Stronger Together

AAUW-D’s steadfast support contributes to the backbone of AAUW’s success. Through advocacy, fundraising, and community engagement, we extend our reach and drive lasting change.

Advocacy

Our Affiliate voices amplify our message at local, state, and national levels.

  • Encourage members to register for the “Two-Minute Activist” program to contact Congress on policy issues
  • Encourage members to participate in “Take Back the Night” at the UofM-Dearborn Campus in October

Fundraising

Our Affiliate efforts help sustain critical member support functions.

  • Use the Dearborn 2025 Annual Used Book Sale net profits to support higher education in our community college and university, provide awards and donations to Dearborn     K-12 programs, and give donations to community programs that align with the AAUW mission
  • Encourage members to make donations to the Greatest Needs Fund that allows National to respond to emerging issues and sustain its core advocacy and programs

Community

Branch and state activities strengthen our ability to empower women locally.

  • Investigate ways AAUW-D can support the League of Women Voters ‘voter education campaign’ and other initiatives
  • Investigate ways to use AAUW-D’s branding materials for branch communications in order to maintain brand consistency
  • Investigate developing a program that would be accessible for our “9 to 5” potential members
  • Invite the Dearborn community area to attend and participate in AAUW-D’s monthly General Meetings/Programs

By aligning our efforts across all levels, we’re building a unified movement that will empower women for generations

11-25-25