The Women’s Philanthropy Network (WPN) is a dynamic community of caring women who are dedicated to enhancing the lives of children in Caddo Parish. Founded in 2005, the WPN was established as a way for local women of all generations and philanthropic capacity to leverage their charitable giving to address pressing issues in the community. Through the power of collective philanthropy, the members make a greater impact than they could individually.
Each year, members pool their annual dues and award a grant to a nonprofit focused on improving school readiness and student achievement. Grant applications are solicited annually in January and after a rigorous review process by the WPN Grants Committee, finalists are presented at the Annual Meeting where the entire membership votes to select the recipient. Since inception, the WPN has granted over $1.4 million to effective educational initiatives in our community.
At the Annual Meeting on May 24, the membership voted to award $90,000 to Volunteers for Youth Justice (VYJ) to support The Harbor, VYJ’s new comprehensive community-based resource center. The Harbor is a collaborative effort between multiple agencies including Caddo Parish School Board and Caddo Parish Juvenile Court, with support from the City of Shreveport and the Caddo Parish Commission. The Harbor houses various programs under one roof, allowing families and children convenient access to services such as mental health counseling; physical, occupational, and speech therapies; basic needs assistance; truancy services; domestic violence and child abuse advocacy; workforce development; and more. “The generous donation from the Women’s Philanthropy Network will allow VYJ to expand our services at The Harbor to include free academic support services and educational pathways to higher learning, along with parenting/nurturing and job skills training for caregivers,” said VYJ Executive Director, Kelli Todd.
Each year, 20% of the membership dues are invested in an endowed fund, now valued at over $560,000. The endowment ensures future grant availability and builds a lasting legacy for the WPN. The Community Foundation of North Louisiana manages the WPN funds, administers the grant application, and handles the administrative duties.
In addition to strategic grantmaking, the WPN also hosts social and educational events to keep members informed of community programs and needs. All activities are open to members and guests. To learn more about the WPN or become a member, visit cfnla.org/wpn.