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Women’s Giving Network of Wake County awards $100,000 to nonprofits, granting over $1.8M to date

The Women’s Giving Network of Wake County (WGN), a giving circle of the North Carolina Community Foundation, hosted its 17th Annual IMPACT Luncheon and awarded $100,000 to three charitable organizations serving women and families in Wake County.

The announcement of the 2023 grantees, which were selected after a robust due diligence process, was made on Nov. 8 to over 80 women attending the luncheon. 

WGN granted:

Clockwise from top left: Former foster youth and Hope Center Youth Advisory Board members, Friends at The Women's Center, CASA King's Ridge affordable housing community
In addition, Kristy White, Chief Development Officer for the Autism Society of North Carolina and a 2022 WGN grant recipient, gave an inspiring keynote speech on how WGN’s grant supported two summer retreats for women and their children with autism, providing respite, education, community, friendship and fun for moms.Members of the WGN leadership team at the 17th Annual IMPACT Luncheon on Nov. 8 at the NC State University Club.


This year’s annual IMPACT Luncheon was held at the NC State University Club and the media partner was WALTER Magazine.    

“We are so grateful to our members for their continued generosity to make these grants possible,” said Cynthia Rowe, WGN president. “It is an honor to help support these nonprofits working tirelessly to meet the needs of women and families in our community.”

Representatives of CASA, the Hope Center at Pullen and The Women’s Center of Wake County at the Women's Giving Network of Wake County’s 17th Annual IMPACT Luncheon. All three organizations received grants from WGN.“This grant will enable The Women’s Center to start work on our Safe Haven overnight shelter for medically fragile women experiencing chronic homelessness,” said Traci Kelly, director of development and communications at The Women’s Center. “This project will mean safety, stability, and a home they can count for some of the most vulnerable women in our community.”

Attendees mingle at the Women's Giving Network of Wake County’s 17th Annual IMPACT Luncheon on Nov. 8 at the NC State University Club.


WGN leverages the power of collective giving to provide its members with insight and inspiration that ultimately drives greater impact for the community. The network supports nonprofit organizations serving women and families in Wake County. WGN has awarded more than $1.8 million in grants since 2006.

Learn more about WGN and its work or become a member at nccommunityfoundation.org/WGN. For further information about WGN, contact NCCF’s central region donor engagement officer.


About the Women’s Giving Network of Wake County

WGN is designed to help its members gain insight into community needs through educational, social and networking events and make an impact by maximizing charitable donations through a thorough grants process. WGN’s goal is to expand its grantmaking impact by growing membership.

In addition to Rowe, leadership committee members include Amy Pirozzolo (immediate past president), Sarah Senter Décarpentrie (grants chair), Jenny Eury (recording secretary), Hannah McGrath, Allison Costanzo, Kristen Kiernan, Brittany Constance, Carolyn Fendelman, Meg Croxson, and Anya Gordon.

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 $400 million in assets, NCCF sustains over 1,200 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 $270 million since 1988.

For more information, visit nccommunityfoundation.org.

Media contact

Hannah Hogewood, Marketing & Communications Manager
hhogewood@nccommunityfoundation.org, 919-256-6901