The Women’s Fund of North Carolina, a program of the North Carolina Community Foundation, has awarded $20,000 in grants to four organizations working to address housing security for women.  

The fund granted $5,000 each to: 

• Albemarle Hopeline for Safety for Survivors: Emergency shelter and housing stabilization for victims of domestic violence. Albemarle Hopeline provides direct and preventive services for survivors of family violence, sexual assault, and teen dating violence in Pasquotank, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Perquimans and Gates counties. 

• Hope Center at Pullen for preventing homelessness among young women aging out of foster care. Hope Center empowers emerging adults who are transitioning out of foster care with the support and connections needed for a safe and stable adulthood. They are the only organization in Wake County serving teens in foster care and former foster youth. 

• Kiran, Inc., for My Safe Space. Kiran’s mission is to end the cycle of abuse and to serve and empower South Asian survivors of domestic violence in North Carolina by providing culturally specific services and comprehensive economic, social and community resources. My Safe Space provides transitional, supportive and affordable housing for survivors of domestic violence. 

• Women’s Resource Center, Inc., for Sandra’s Safe Space, an emergency shelter program. WRC supports women’s self-sufficiency by providing individualized services and connections to local resources such as one-on-one assistance, goal planning, and advocacy to help women navigate challenges due to domestic violence, unstable housing or unemployment. Sandra’s Safe Space addresses the urgent needs of women and families facing homelessness in Alexander, Caldwell and Catawba counties.  

This year, the selection committee prioritized funding organizations led by women of color or who identify as a member of a historically marginalized population. Grants were available to charitable organizations and programs focused on housing security for women. The Women’s Fund defined housing security as every person having financial, legal and practical access to a home where they can live with dignity.   

Established in 1991, the Women’s Fund has awarded nearly $325,000 in grants since its inception. Funding for the program comes from NCCF’s giving circles, including the Bertie-Hertford Women’s Fund, the Cary Women’s Giving Network, the Currituck-Dare Women’s Fund, and the Women’s Giving Network of Wake County.

“These organizations are critical partners in this fund’s mission to support women’s well-being across North Carolina,” said Kathryn R. Holding, NCCF’s vice president of philanthropic services. “The need for safe, affordable housing is especially great right now, and housing security is vital to ensuring women and families have the stability they need to thrive.”

The grant selection process involved an initial review by NCCF staff and a final review by representatives of the Cary Women’s Giving Network and the Women’s Giving Network of Wake County. Learn more about the Women’s Fund of North Carolina or make a tax-deductible donation at nccommunityfoundation.org/WomensFund.

About the North Carolina Community Foundation 
The North Carolina Community Foundation transforms the collective generosity of our donors into a permanent source of community support, with a focus on the state’s rural areas.     

NCCF partners with donors and a network of affiliates to sustain over 1,300 endowments totaling nearly $570 million in assets. More than $338 million has been awarded as grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students, creating stronger communities for generations to come.     

To learn more about how we turn generosity into impact, visit nccommunityfoundation.org.