Women’s Giving Circle celebrates 15 years of impact and awards $100,000 in grants

Press release from Community Foundation of North Central Florida

In fifteen years since its founding, the Women’s Giving Circle has raised more than $1 million to help nonprofit organizations benefiting women and girls in Alachua County.

The Women’s Giving Circle celebrated their fifteen anniversary and announced the recipients of $100,000 in funding at a festive reception on May 12 at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center.

“It was wonderful to finally gather in person to celebrate this monumental occasion of philanthropy in our community,” said Barzella Papa, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of North Central Florida. “The Women’s Giving Circle of North Central has impacted thousands of lives in our community since our inception in 2006. We look forward to continuing our work for another 15 years.”

The fifteenth anniversary celebration recognized the philanthropic efforts of the 300 past donors who collectively have donated more than $1.1 million to local nonprofits.

At the 15th anniversary celebration, Marilyn Tubb, one of the founding donors of the Women’s Giving Circle, shared the history of the giving circle and the impact of collective giving from starting with 88 women and growing to more than 300. Over the past fifteen years, the Women’s Giving Circle has awarded to 44 nonprofits in our community totaling $1.1 million.

This year, the Women’s Giving Circle had 139 donors and awarded $100,000 to seven organizations. The donors selected ACORN Clinic’s Female Empowerment Dental Sponsorship Program to receive $50,000. ACORN is a full-service dental clinic that offers dentures, extractions, cleanings, and more, with the goal of achieving a healthy-looking smile. The Female Empowerment Dental Sponsorship Program through the clinic will help 50 to 90 women and girls with full dental plans.

Other local programs receiving the 2022 Women’s Giving Circle grants include:

Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry – $10,000
To move 16 women into permanent housing

Alachua Habitat for Humanity – $10,000
To assist with the increased building costs for the Women’s Build house

Family Promise of Gainesville – $10,000
To assist 10 to 20 women and teen girls with the Connect to Work program

Girls on the Run of Alachua County – $5,300
To provide 30 girls a scholarship to participate in the program

Partnership for Strong Families – $4,700
To provide financial literacy classes to 30 women

The ARC of Alachua County – $10,000
To provide computers for women in-home and at the women’s facility to benefit 88 women