The Women's Network of Wake County
Our beginnings
The Women’s Network was established and launched in late 2006 by creative leaders whose primary objective was to bring women together to learn about the critical needs of Wake County and to address those needs through high-impact grants that could make a dramatic difference to nonprofit organizations serving women and/or children.
Mission and focus
The Women’s Network of Wake County is a program designed to maximize women’s leadership in philanthropy by engaging and educating its membership, increasing charitable contributions and strengthening communities through the impact of collective giving.
We currently focus on initiatives that support women and/or children in Wake County.
Our approach
The Women’s Network seeks membership among those who support our mission and agree to become participating members of the fund. Through a collaborative decision-making process involving all members, we provide grants to organizations and programs based on specific criteria established by members.
Membership and benefits
All members commit to contribute $1,200 annually for five consecutive years. Annual distributions include $1,000 for the annual grantmaking pool; $100 for administration; and $100 for the Statewide Women’s Fund held by the NCCF.
All members are entitled to one vote that determines the organization/s and program/s that will receive annual funding. Individual members have the opportunity to:
- Participate in an organization of women empowering and/or supporting other women
- Help women make strategic, informed decisions about philanthropy
- Attend Women’s Network special events and educational offerings
- Network with like-minded women who share similar values and enjoy the camaraderie that comes from associating with a cause-driven group
- Witness the power of collective support
Current Women’s Network newsletter
Wake County’s Women’s Network awards $125,000 in grants for 2009
The Women’s Network of Wake County has awarded grants totaling $125,000 to Hospice of Wake County, Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood, Urban Ministries of Wake County and Wake Technical Community College Foundation, according to Noel Lichtin, president of the executive committee. Awards were made at the group’s annual grants luncheon where nationally acclaimed journalist Cokie Roberts served as keynote speaker.
“We had a number of deserving applicants, and the grants committee did an outstanding job of carefully reviewing proposals and conducting their due diligence so our membership could vote on our third-year recipients,” Lichtin said.
“All of these programs will make a significant impact in Wake County.”
Hospice received $25,500 to create an after-school support program for children of chronically ill parents. Lucy Daniels Center was awarded $25,000 to support a free mental health service for children from low-income families. Urban Ministries was granted $49,500 to provide access to health care in a “medical home” model for low-income, uninsured minority women. Wake Tech Community College Foundation’s award of $25,000 will be used for scholarships and other needs as foster-care youth make the transition from high school to higher education and independent living.
The Network has awarded $294,000 to Wake County initiatives supporting women and/or children since it began granting in 2007.
For information about joining the Network or applying for a 2010 grant, contact Jeanne Lawson, NCCF’s regional associate, at jlawson@nccommunityfoundation.org.
Contact:
For more information about the Women’s Network of Wake County, contact Jeanne Lawson at jlawson@nccommunityfoundation.org
