WFCO Giving Circle Grants Totaled $119,000 in 2019
Causes Funded from Breast Cancer Research to Building Bridges (Literally)
The Community Chest
The Community Chest, a giving circle at WFCO started by nine friends who survived breast cancer, announced in December it granted $25,000 to the University of Colorado Foundation for the Anschutz Medical Center’s triple negative breast cancer immunotherapy treatment research.
Jennifer Diamond, associate professor of medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and co-director, Women’s Cancer Developmental Therapeutics Program, Joyce Brown Chair in Developmental Therapeutics for Women’s Cancers, expressed her gratitude for the grant.
“We are so grateful to receive this incredible donation to support our research to improve outcomes for patients with triple-negative breast cancer diagnoses. Knowing that the Community Chest, a group of breast cancer survivors, came together to help ensure others do not have to experience what they have endured makes this one of the most special gifts we’ve ever received.”
WFCO giving circle grants totaled $119,000 in 2019. Beyond Our Borders and SPIN funded an additional 12 diverse organizations.
Beyond Our Borders
- AfricAid, Inc. is a non-profit organization that supports girls’ education in Africa in order to provide young women with the opportunity to transform their lives and the futures of their communities.
- Africa Development Promise is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to drive collective action of rural entrepreneurial women to advance sustainable business and economic independence in East African communities.
- Amigos de Santa Cruz Foundation aims to improve the lives of the indigenous people of Santa Cruz, Guatemala, and surrounding villages through support for education and sustainable economic empowerment.
- Bridges to Prosperity works with isolated communities to create access to essential health care, education, and economic opportunities by building footbridges over impassable rivers.
- Bountifield partners with farmers and entrepreneurs so they can better nourish and sustain their communities, reduce the drudgery and improve the lives of rural women, and provide sustainable postharvest business solutions across Africa.
- The mission of International Anti-Poaching Foundation is wildlife conservation through direct action. The IAPF builds and leads large scale conservation operations, maintaining a strong focus on community development in order to conserve biodiversity.
- Landesa champions and works to secure land rights for millions of the world’s poorest, mostly rural women and men to provide opportunity and promote social justice.
- Street Business School’s mission is to help one million women break out of poverty and become entrepreneurs.
SPIN (Sisterhood of Philanthropists Impacting Needs)
- Blackhawks Youth Organization is dedicated to teaching advanced skills and promoting teamwork through its athletic program. Founded in 2000 we have served over 1000+ families in the Denver metro area in all areas of family services and resource.
- Curls on the Block is an enrichment program for girls of all curls and colors to embrace, explore and empower their natural selves while working to increase engagement, investment, and commitment to careers in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM).
- The Community Investment Network is a national network of giving circles that inspires, connects, and strengthens African Americans and communities of color to leverage their collective resources and create the change THEY wish to see.
- Trailhead Institute is the new gathering place where ambitions and ideas, aspirations and “what ifs” of public health can take root and grow and even flourish.
“Giving circles are a great illustration of how women coming together has a multiplier effect,” said Lauren Y. Casteel, WFCO president and CEO. “Our giving circles represent the diversity of passions and philanthropists who make up our community of giving.”
