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Moore Women – A Giving Circle awards nearly $52,000 in grants, celebrates a decade of support for local women and families

Moore Women – A Giving Circle has awarded $51,840 in grants to organizations supporting women, children and families in the local community. 

The giving circle granted: 

“These nonprofits are doing important work to serve women, children and families in our community,” said Diane Galusky, grants committee chair of Moore Women – A Giving Circle. “We were thrilled to be able to focus on addressing early childhood issues this year, as we know it is a huge need in our community.” 

In 2024, the Giving Circle focused on applications that address access to high-quality early childhood programs or projects that prepare Moore County children academically and socially for success, such a program through the Arts Council of Moore County offering arts education to Title I schools in the county. 

 “The MWGC grant allowed us to obtain a matching grant from a private donor, and through these donations we can offer arts and theater education to children in Moore County’s 11 Title I schools,” said Ray Owen, Arts Council development director. “The arts can be a great equalizer; it fosters well-being and a sense of belonging.” 

Giving circle members and representatives from some of the nonprofits gathered last week at the Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines to celebrate 2024 grants awarded and a decade of MWGC grantmaking. 

MWGC 2024 grant recipients. From left: Sleep in Heavenly Peace Chapter President Tom Bourne; Triangle Area Parenting Moore County Doula Naja Fitzgerald and Executive Director Monica Richardson; Arts Council of Moore County Executive Director Chris Dunn; The Arc of Moore County Executive Director Wendy Carter; C.A.R.E Group and Moore Buddies Mentoring Executive Director Joyce Clevenger; Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas Director of Advancement Allison Brouillette.
MWGC 2024 grant recipients. From left: Sleep in Heavenly Peace Chapter President Tom Bourne; Triangle Area Parenting Moore County Doula Diara Fitzgerald and Executive Director Monica Richardson; Arts Council of Moore County Executive Director Chris Dunn; The Arc of Moore County Executive Director Wendy Carter; C.A.R.E Group and Moore Buddies Mentoring Executive Director Joyce Clevenger; Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas Director of Advancement Allison Brouillette.

Moore Women – A Giving Circle was founded in 2014 by a forward-looking group of women who wanted to make an impact through collective giving. By maximizing women’s leadership, MWGC believed we could strengthen our community with the goal of improving the lives of women and children. Moore Women – A Giving Circle is a program of the North Carolina Community Foundation.

“I helped get the first 30 women together to start the Moore Women Giving Circle. Each of our members believed in that Giving Circle’s motto: By yourself you can make a contribution. Together we can make an impact,” said Susie Smith, MWGC founding member.

Learn more about Moore Women – A Giving Circle and its work in the community at nccommunityfoundation.org/MooreWomen. For further information, contact the central region donor engagement officer.

MWGC founding members Peggy Miller, Susie Smith and Caroline Eddy
MWGC founding members Peggy Miller, Susie Smith and Caroline Eddy

Moore Women – A Giving Circle Grants Committee 
Members live and work in Moore County, positioning them to strategically leverage resources, meet local needs and access opportunities. In addition to Galusky, grants committee members include Marian Beerstecher, Harriet Ecker, Kate Holmes and Ann McAllister.

About the North Carolina Community Foundation
The North Carolina Community Foundation brings together generous people and connects them to causes and organizations they care about, with a focus on inspiring lasting and meaningful philanthropy in the state’s rural communities.

With $460 million in assets, NCCF sustains nearly 1,300 endowments and partners with donors and a network of affiliates in 60 counties to strengthen our state. By stewarding and growing donors’ gifts, NCCF makes a powerful impact through a robust grants and scholarships program, awarding over $300 million since 1988. For more information, visit nccommunityfoundation.org.

The NCCF Disaster Relief Fund supports long-term recovery and unmet needs in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. To support recovery in western NC, visit: nccommunityfoundation.org/Helene.

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