Women's Impact Fund

📣 CALLING ALL WIF MEMBERS! 📣

Did you see the email we sent out this week? Please make sure to complete the Annual Member Survey and Committee Sign-Up forms at your earliest convenience so we can begin planning for next year!

Committee Sign-up responses are due by Friday, June 5 and Annual Member Survey responses are due by Friday, June 12.

Missed it? Another email will be sent out soon with a reminder.

This summer, get to know the incredible 2025–2026 Women's Impact Fund Grant Recipients!

Starting the first week of June, we’ll be spotlighting one grantee each week right here on our social media channels. You’ll learn more about the important work they’re doing in our community and how their Women’s Impact Fund grant will help move their mission forward.

✨ Impact Grant Recipients:
Arts For Life
Right Moves for Youth
Sustain Charlotte
Shelter Health Services
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy

✨ Opportunity Grant Recipients:
Caroline Calouche & Co. / Charlotte Cirque and Dance Center
Charlotte Bilingual Preschool
North Carolina Wildlife Federation
Matthews Free Medical Clinic
Hearts For The Invisible CLT

Stay tuned, follow along, and celebrate the power of collective giving! 💙

Looking for a way to give back to Women's Impact Fund? Consider a donation to the WIF Annual Fund by June 30 to support our work outside of grantmaking!

The Annual Fund is used each year to help close the gap between membership dues and the total cost of operating the organization. It supports all activities outside of grantmaking including events, member education, staff, and technology.

You do not have to be a member to give to the Annual Fund! We welcome gifts from family, friends, and other supporters of our work. Consider a gift to the Annual Fund for a birthday or holiday to honor the female philanthropists in your life.

You can find more information and give your gift today on our website: https://ow.ly/1fgQ50YZ7oP

This month for Member Monday, we're getting to know member Kari Kalgren!

A member since 2013, Kari brings a thoughtful perspective to Women's Impact Fund — shaped by her work in healthcare, innovation, and equity — and a deep appreciation for how systems and communities intersect.

She shares that what makes Women’s Impact Fund so powerful is its ability to turn that shared commitment into real, tangible impact, especially by uplifting the women leaders across Charlotte and evolving programs like Spark in ways that truly reflect the organization’s mission in action.

Learn more about Kari on our blog and leave her a note in the comments below. Thanks for all you do, Kari!

https://womensimpactfund.org/member-spotlight-kari-kalgren/

Welcome to our newest members! We loved celebrating with you at the Annual Meeting ... now let’s keep the momentum going. ✨ Join us for New Member Orientation to learn more about Women’s Impact Fund, connect with fellow members, and discover how you can get involved.

📅 Tuesday, May 19
⏰ 5:30-7pm
📍 Trolley Barn | South End

Thank you to Legion Brewing for hosting us at Trolley Barn Fermentory — first bites are on us, drinks on you. We can’t wait to see you there!

Register here: https://ow.ly/ScB750YRPb8

This year, Women’s Impact Fund honored 10 incredible leaders with 2026 Spark Awards — each receiving $5,000 to support rest and renewal as they continue navigating the growing demands of nonprofit leadership.

Congratulations to:

April Booker, Zealous Empowering Nurturer Inc.
Glennis Davis, A Giving Heart Project
Quaneka Falls, Mecklenburg County Government Office of Violence Prevention
Mary Ferreri, Emerald School of Excellence
Akeliah Hamilton-Stewart, Center 360
Nikki Keith, Charlotte Freedom School Partners
Samantha Nevins, Disability Rights & Resources
Shakendra Peay, Right Moves for Youth
Gena Robinson, Roof Above
Venitra White-Dean, The Frankie Mae Foundation

Thank you for the impact you make every day. ✨

Celebrating the power of collective giving and the incredible nonprofits shaping our community! 🎉

At our Annual Meeting tonight, we were proud to announce our 2026–27 grant recipients — 10 organizations creating real impact across Charlotte:

✨ Impact Grants:
Arts For Life
Right Moves for Youth
Sustain Charlotte
Shelter Health Services
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy

✨ Opportunity Grants:
Caroline Calouche & Co. / Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center
Charlotte Bilingual Preschool
North Carolina Wildlife Federation
Matthews Free Medical Clinic
Hearts For The Invisible CLT

Thank you to everyone who joined us, our members who voted and gave to make these grants possible, and our dedicated staff and board for the work behind the scenes.

Stay tuned this summer as we spotlight each of these incredible partners and the difference they’re making across our region. 💫

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY! 🥳🙌

Our 2026 Annual Meeting is tomorrow evening — Tuesday, May 5 — at 5:30pm. We're looking forward to celebrating our 2026 Spark Award and Grants Recipients; as well as all the fantastic work our members have done this year.

We have a larger venue this year, so tickets are still available! We'd love to see you there. You can find all the information here: https://ow.ly/WOsF50YROso

If you've already registered, you should have received an email with arrival instructions. Questions can be directed to our Membership & Operations Manager, Shannan Younger.

We can't wait to see you tomorrow!

At Shelter Health Services, healthcare is more than an appointment. It is a bridge — from crisis to stability, from illness to wellness, and from surviving to truly moving forward.

This past year, the organization has seen an increase in women managing complex chronic illnesses. Through steady primary care at Shelter Health Services, women are stabilizing their illnesses and receiving the care they deserve.

You can read more about this story on our blog: https://ow.ly/swc050YK4uB

✨New to WIF? Long-time member? No matter what you're affiliate, you don't want to miss our biggest event of the year — the 2026 Annual Meeting! ✨

Celebrate the power of collective giving on May 5 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at The Casey as we announce this year’s Grant Recipients and Spark Award honorees, recognizing the nonprofits and women leaders driving change across Charlotte. Your ticket includes appetizers and your first drink, with a cash bar available throughout the evening.

All are welcome — grab your ticket and join us for an inspiring evening of impact and connection! Plus, make getting there easy with Uber voucher code IMPACTNC for $10 off your ride.

https://ow.ly/wOLe50YO9hV