WAI Receives $100,000 Grant from the William Penn Foundation

Funds will support organization’s work to attract more women to aviation

January 31, 2023 – Women in Aviation International (WAI) has received a $100,000 grant from the William Penn Foundation Special Gifts Program to support the organization’s work to increase the number of women involved in all aspects of aviation.

“With COVID's profound effect on the aviation industry, we need more women to pursue aviation careers to meet the current and growing workforce challenges,” says WAI CEO Allison McKay. “This generous gift from the William Penn Foundation will allow us to strengthen all our programs designed to attract, retain, and advance women in aviation.”

For the last 60 years, the introduction of women into the industry has been largely stagnant. Aviation’s current gender balance limits the industry’s ability to attract the best possible talent. As a result, aviation faces a shrinking talent pool and a loss of access to the innovation, creativity, and risk management that a more diverse aviation community provides.

“With this gift, the William Penn Foundation has demonstrated that they are visionaries who understand that they can play a vital role in strengthening aviation around the world,” adds Allison.

With more than 16,000 members active in nearly 160 chapters in 90 countries, Women in Aviation International is the largest nonprofit organization in the world dedicated to increasing the number of women who are involved in all aspects of aviation and aerospace. The organization’s programs focus on inspiring women and girls to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace, investing in aviation’s current and future workforce, and developing an inclusive and sustainable industry.