Community Foundation of Collier County and Women’s Initiative Network Applaud 2015 Women of Initiative and Announce 2015 Grantmaking

News provided by

Community Foundation of Collier County

Apr 04, 2015, 03:00 ET


Naples, FL (PRWEB) April 04, 2015 -- The Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) an endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Collier County, honored the 2015 Women of Initiative at the annual Women of Initiative luncheon on April 1, 2015 at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club. Kellie Burns – NBC-2 Anchor and a past Women of Initiative – emceed the event.

The Women of Initiative 2015 are ten local women leaders who, through their leadership styles, inspire all who seek to make a difference through philanthropy and civic engagement. Since 1998, 157 women have been honored by the Women’s Initiative Network at the Community Foundation.

This year’s honorees: Bette Aymar, Eleanor Chabraja, Kirsten Ferrara, Lydia Galton, Sandi Moran, Linda Penniman, Lee Pinto, Sondra Quinn, Bunny Salisbury and Deborah Strand. At the event, a video about each honoree was shown.

Sponsors for the event: BMO Private Bank, Waterside Shops, Bigham Jewelers, eBella Magazine, Brahmin USA, Naples Yacht Club, Elizabeth Star, The Woodruff institute.

Also, the Women’s Initiative Network grantees for 2015 were announced; this year, WIN grantmaking totaled $54,000 to seven Collier County nonprofit agencies working to solve problems facing at-risk women and girls. These grantees are:

  • Jewish Family & Community Services of Southwest Florida (JFCS) to support outreach to seniors and address isolation & loneliness
  • Legal Aid Service of Collier County to support vulnerable seniors, women heads of households with children and women & girls with disabilities who require legal assistance
  • The Shelter for Abused Women & Children to provide emergency advocate for trafficking victims
  • Boys & Girls Club of Collier County to support the Junior Women of Initiative program and engage mentors to help at-risk teen girls develop life and leadership skills
  • Regional Resource Center on Human Trafficking to deliver coordinated support from law enforcement and service agencies to victimized women and girls
  • NCH Foundation to provide post breast cancer treatment to women who cannot receive it due to cost
  • Our Mothers Home of Southwest Florida for childcare support to teen mothers who are pursing education and workforce training

About Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) - The Women’s Initiative Network Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation of Collier County was established by women community leaders to develop a sustainable way to meet the economic, educational, physical, emotional, social, and artistic needs of women and girls in Collier County. More than $350,000 has been granted by WIN since 2008.

About the Community Foundation of Collier County- The Community Foundation of Collier County is a tax-exempt, public, charitable fund, established in 1985 with a $300,000 endowment to increase and focus private philanthropy in the area. Today, the Community Foundation oversees more than 510 funds, collaborates with more than 400 nonprofits, holds nearly $100 million in assets and has distributed more than $78 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and community programs. It is one of Florida’s fastest growing community foundations.

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Craig Jones - Marketing Director, Community Foundation of Collier County, http://www.cfcollier.org, +1 239-649-5000, [email protected]