Be close to the causes you serve. Rather than simply checking a numerical box, we need to ask ourselves, how are we supporting the people we serve? These themes resonated throughout our Lunch & Learn: Turning Roadblocks Into On-Ramps discussion. Angie Bush, Executive Director of Hospitability House of Charlotte, led a discussion with Sherri Chisholm, …
We hope that this finds you well and enjoying the fall. Over the summer, we shared the following diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statement to guide Women’s Impact Fund’s commitment to this work: We are a curious, growth-minded organization and strive to approach our work with humility and willingness to listen and learn. We commit …
Continue reading “October 2021 Update on Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Work”
Think globally, act locally. It’s a simplified message but it sums up the theme of this year’s Social Hour for Social Issues event where Women’s Impact Fund members and guests heard from two local experts on environmental justice and health disparities related to the environment. The event was kicked off with remarks from WIF Executive …
On Tuesday, October 5, and Thursday, October 7, members were invited to join a discussion about the book titled Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous wisdom to heal divides and restore balance by Edgar Villanueva. In his book, Edgar walks us through his personal experience in philanthropy as a Native American from North Carolina. Edgar goes on to …
Continue reading “DEI Book Discussion Debrief: Decolonizing Wealth”
Attending arts events, following artists on social media, and buying local art are all great ways to individually support the arts. Artists davita galloway and Bree Stallings, who were the speakers at the September Lunch & Learn facilitated by Alli Celebron-Brown, would encourage you to do all of the above. But they also made a …
Continue reading ““Art is a Noun and an Action Verb”: Recap of Cultural Sector Lunch & Learn”
Though mostly virtual, Women’s Impact Fund had a busy last year. We launched our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative; continued our grantmaking work through project and unrestricted grantmaking; connected women with each other through creative engagement events; engaged more than 120 women in leadership through a committee or board service; and discussed challenging, important topics …
A new movement is gaining ground in the philanthropic world. It’s called Trust-Based Philanthropy (TBP), and the intent is to address the inherent power imbalances between foundations and nonprofits. At its core, TBP calls for shifting to an approach in which funders approach their grantee relationships from a place of trust, humility, and transparency. Molly …
Continue reading “Trust-Based Philanthropy: An Introduction”
Dark chocolate, a fairy godmother, Acapulco, equity, and trust-based philanthropy. What connects these things? A wide-ranging and delightful conversation between Dianne Bailey, Chair of Women’s Impact Fund’s Board of Advisors and Managing Director of Philanthropic Solutions at Bank of America, and Sara Lomelin, Executive Director of Philanthropy Together. Dark chocolate and a cup of coffee …
Continue reading “It’s Good to Be Back: Recap of the 2021-22 Kickoff Event”
“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree long ago.” –Warren Buffett On warm North Carolina days, we all appreciate the beauty and shade of a tree. And trees are much more than that. They reduce heat and air pollution, provide wildlife habitat and increase property values–particularly important in Charlotte’s growing …