Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

Women in Philanthropy

Although women have always been a force in the world of philanthropy, their role in that arena is changing. Experts say that while women have formed the core of the nation's volunteer base for many years, they now have the financial resources needed to make their mark in charitable giving. 

MEMBERSHIP
If you are interested in becoming a member of Women in Philanthropy, please take a moment to download the membership brochure here.

ANNUAL MEMBER DUES
To make your annual dues payment online, please click here and select Women in Philanthropy from the drop-down menu. 

FAST FACTS
The Women in Philanthropy Fund was created in 2003 through the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.

Women in Philanthropy is part of a growing movement nationwide, which allows women to take advantage of their unique motivations to give back to their communities.  More than $50 million in grants have been given by women’s funds internationally.

The Women in Philanthropy Fund is an endowment fund that will grow in perpetuity.  The Fund is invested prudently, and provides grants to help strengthen families and individuals in the areas of arts and culture, community development, education, the environment, health, and human services.

Women in Philanthropy Organizational Structure:
Advisory Board of 10 women
Nearly 200 members

Working Committees:

• Grants Committee
• Education Committee
• Events Committee
• Membership Committee
• Communications Committee

PROGRAMS
As a member, you could choose to be involved in:

• Coming together with other community-minded women to share ideas
• Making decisions about how funds will be invested in community programs
  Playing a leadership role in the initiative by serving on a committee
• Learning about the philanthropic potential of women
• Educational events that inform you about the needs of nonprofit organizations in the community
• Mentoring programs to encourage younger women and girls to be successful, community-minded individuals

NEWS AND UPDATES

Women in Philanthropy was awarded a matching grant from the Community Foundation.  Read more here.  The group successfully matched the grant dollars to add to the growing endowment!

PUBLICATIONS
Women in Philanthropy produces an E- newsletter for its members 10 times a year.  Below is a selection of past issues.

• February 2010
• April 2010
• May 2010
• July 2010
• September 2010
• November 2010
• December 2010
• March 2011
• May 2011
• September 2011
• October 2011

GRANTMAKING
The grantmaking focus of Women in Philanthropy is strengthening families and individuals in the areas of arts and culture, community development, education, the environment, health, and human services.  With this in mind, the advisory committee will establish the criteria for each cycle of funding for grantseeking nonprofit organizations.

In its seventh year of grantmaking, Women in Philanthropy, a fund of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, will be seeking grant applications with a focus of Fostering Creativity: Through the Visual, Performing and Literary Arts from organizations that offer programs to individuals and families who reside in Beaufort County. This grant program is is open. 

2012 Cover Letter
2012 Grant Application

For more information, contact Cindy Smith at csmith@cf-lowcountry.org.