JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Women’s Giving Alliance has raised $750,000 to help local nonprofits protect women and girls in Northeast Florida.

The announcement comes as the organization marks its 25th anniversary, with plans to distribute the money through grants in 2027.

A $750,000 Fundraising Milestone

The fundraising effort began with a challenge from Dolores Barr Weaver, one of the organization’s founders. Weaver pledged $150,000 and encouraged others to match her donation.

The Women’s Giving Alliance not only met that challenge but exceeded it, raising a total of $750,000.

During an interview on In Depth with Kristine Bellino on 104.5 WOKV, Women’s Giving Alliance President Sabeen Perwaiz said the organization reached its goal in July.

Donations ranged from $25 to a gift of $500,000, showing how contributions of different sizes helped the organization reach its goal.

Wanda Willis, Vice President of Civic Leadership at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, also spoke about Barr Weaver’s impact on Jacksonville.

Willis described Barr Weaver as someone who uses her time and resources to support the community and help make Jacksonville a better place to live.

Helping Women and Girls Stay Safe

The Women’s Giving Alliance focuses on improving the lives of women and girls in Northeast Florida.

Its current priority is women’s safety, including preventing violence, supporting victims and helping young girls recognize dangerous situations.

Perwaiz explained that the organization chooses a focus area every five to seven years. Women’s safety was selected last year, and the group is now in its second year of awarding grants under that focus.

The organization wants women and girls to have access to immediate help when they face dangerous situations. It also supports education and prevention programs that teach young girls how to recognize unhealthy relationships and protect themselves.

During the interview, Perwaiz discussed several safety concerns, including domestic violence, human trafficking and cyberbullying.

She pointed to national data showing that one in four women experience intimate partner violence. She also raised concerns about human trafficking in Northeast Florida.

Rather than providing these services directly, the Women’s Giving Alliance awards grants to local organizations that specialize in helping women and girls.

Perwaiz said the group reviews grant applications to make sure programs reach women and girls of different ages and backgrounds.

How the Women’s Giving Alliance Works

The Women’s Giving Alliance is an initiative of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.

The organization brings women together to combine their donations and support local nonprofits.

Members contribute $1,500 annually. Women under 40 can join for $750 during their first year.

Perwaiz explained that women do not need an invitation to become members. She joined the organization when she was 31 and said women from different backgrounds are welcome to participate.

Willis, who was a member of the Women’s Giving Alliance before joining the Community Foundation’s staff, said more than 350 women volunteer their time to support the organization’s work.

She also explained how the Community Foundation supports the Women’s Giving Alliance by managing finances, communications, donations and the grant process.

This allows members to focus on reviewing applications, selecting organizations to support and making decisions about future grants.

A $7.6 Million Fund for the Future

Another important part of the interview focused on the Women’s Giving Alliance’s endowment.

Willis explained that the organization’s founders established an endowment to help provide financial support for years to come.

Today, that endowment is worth approximately $7.6 million.

A portion of members’ annual contributions goes into the fund, helping the organization continue awarding grants in the future.

Willis said the endowment was an important decision made by the five women who originally created the Women’s Giving Alliance.

The Community Foundation’s Work in Northeast Florida

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida supports several charitable programs throughout the region.

Willis explained that the foundation has approximately 30 employees and manages around 750 charitable funds.

In addition to the Women’s Giving Alliance, the foundation supports the Beaches Community Fund, which provides grants to organizations serving the Beaches community.

Another program is the A.L. Lewis Black Opportunity & Impact Fund, which also brings donors together to support community needs.

Willis said the foundation helps people support causes that matter to them while providing the financial and administrative services needed to manage charitable funds.

Challenges Facing Local Nonprofits

The interview also highlighted the difficulties nonprofits face as funding and government policies change.

Perwaiz, who also serves as CEO of the Florida Nonprofit Alliance, said organizations are dealing with uncertainty involving state and federal funding, changing regulations and possible policy changes.

She explained that nonprofits must prepare different budgets and financial plans while continuing to provide services to their communities.

These challenges can make it difficult for organizations to plan ahead, especially when they depend on outside funding.

Willis also discussed the importance of collaboration among nonprofits.

She said Northeast Florida has many organizations working to improve the community, but the amount of available funding is limited.

According to Willis, groups like the Women’s Giving Alliance play an important role because they help bring additional money to organizations that need support.