What started 10 years ago as a small group of charitably minded women has grown into a powerful giving circle that has reached the milestone of $1 million in grants to support causes throughout the Arlington region.
Women Inspiring Philanthropy (WIP) is a community of women that seeks to transform lives in Arlington through high-impact and lifelong giving. WIP aims to educate members about local philanthropic opportunities, empower members through grant making, and engage women through social events.
“In 2012, six of us met for lunch to discuss the idea of pooling our giving to make a bigger impact. We agreed that our giving circle had to make an impact, to contribute to a legacy, and to have fun in the process,” says Linda Dipert, founding member of Women Inspiring Philanthropy.
Over the past 10 years, more than 220 members have made annual gifts of at least $1,000 and pledged their time and insights to the grant-making process. By pooling their charitable dollars, their combined impact is greater than any one member could achieve alone.
“There’s strength in numbers,” notes Amy Cearnal, current WIP President. “Women Inspiring Philanthropy empowers our members to be part of something bigger than themselves. We provide a platform to build a much larger network and impact.”
WIP works with North Texas Community Foundation (NTCF) to steward their group’s pooled donations in a donor-advised fund. Members recently extended their philanthropic reach by establishing a second endowed fund at NTCF that has netted an endowment of $200,000.
WIP members consider funding proposals in the areas of culture, education, environment, family, and health and wellness and collectively decide where to invest funds. In 2022, WIP members voted to invest $50,000 in the University of Texas at Arlington’s Planetarium for equipment, software, and new shows. They also awarded $52,500 to Alliance for Children for FF&E, appliances, and AV equipment, and $50,000 to Dental Health Arlington for the expansion of the SMILES program for dental education and preventative services for Arlington ISD 4th graders.
New members are welcome to join by making a donation to the fund. The next membership meeting is scheduled for Sept. 15 (from 5-7 p.m).
For more: arlingtonwip.org.
