The Long Island Fund for Women and Girls was established in 1991 at a time when less than six cents of every philanthropic dollar was awarded to programs addressing the specific problems facing women and girls. In LIFWG's infancy, women from all over Nassau and Suffolk counties met at home gatherings, at bi-county general meetings and in work-based focus groups to identify the most pressing issues affecting women and girls in our communities.

By 1993, LIFWG had an active Steering Council and had already disbursed $20,000 in grants to local not-for-profit organizations whose programs benefited women and girls. Originally a part of the Long Island Community Foundation, LIFWG became a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with an independent Board of Directors in 1995.

Through 2006, LIFWG has been successful in increasing it's funding each year providing support to over 100 organizations and programs totaling over $1,000,000.

Each year since 1995, LIFWG has expanded its philanthropy through its annual "Women Achievers Against the Odds" breakfast. Held each November, this is the organization's major fundraising event. Exceptional women achievers are honored, and LIFWG's annual grants are announced.

In 1999, the Gender in Equity in K-12 Education Project was introduced. The goal of the Gender Equity in Education Project is to challenge the attitudes and practices that exist in the Long Island school system. Through funding of programs, projects, services and initiatives as well as collaborative educational efforts, the program highlights the issues of gender equity in education that encourage girls and young women to pursue math, science, engineering, technology and sports. In addition, it supports the initiatives that deal with problems of harassment in schools or the workplace, or the rise in bullying and/or gang-related violence.

Even today less than ten cents of every philanthropic dollar is directed at organizations whose programs specifically aid women and girls. By combining the resources of small and large donors LIFWG enables all women to define themselves as philanthropists. LIFWG further empowers women by making its grants to organizations in which women are the decision-makers in support of programs that benefit women and girls' programs too often neglected by established philanthropy.