RWF News

2025's Power of the Purse, held May 13th at the beautiful venue The Train Station, brought together over a hundred members and guests for an inspiring and informative evening.  Guests enjoyed a signature Power of the Purse cocktail and a beautiful hors d'oeuvre table, which added a festive touch to the evening. This once-a-year event highlighted the incredible work of the organizations that received grants at the RWF Annual Awards Luncheon in November 2024. Each grant recipient shared heartfelt stories and impactful examples of how the funding has helped them to better serve their clients and communities. The evening served as a powerful reminder of the collective impact we can make through thoughtful philanthropy and continued support.

Roanoke Women's Foundation convened its Annual Meeting on February 24, 2025, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Roanoke, Virginia. President Betsy Whitney officially opened the meeting, extending a warm welcome to all attendees. She reflected on the remarkable achievements of 2024, highlighting gatherings and milestones. A heartfelt tribute honored the memory of Co-founder Ginny Jarrett, and a commemorative slideshow showcased the year's events.

Treasurer Donna Littlepage presented the 2024 financial report, revealing that less than 8.2% of RWF’s income was allocated to operating expenses. As a result, nearly 92% of the funds directly supported grantees, reflecting the RWF’s strong financial stewardship and dedication to its mission.

Board members Julie Dudley and Lee Woody introduced the evening's keynote speakers, representatives from organizations that have benefited from RWF grants:

• Tiffany Haworth, Executive Director of the Dan River Basin Association, detailed how a $30,000 grant in 2022 enabled environmental education programs, inspiring children to become stewards of the environment.
• Dr. Ahoo Salem, Executive Director of Blue Ridge Literacy, shared that a $70,000 grant in 2023 facilitated programs preparing learners for higher education and career advancement.

The gathering concluded with members and guests making connections and celebrating the collective impact of Roanoke Women’s Foundation.

Six organizations received grants totaling $412,017, the largest amount ever awarded by Roanoke Women’s Foundation. Since the first grants were awarded in 2005, this brings our total giving to an impressive $5.7 million!

Huddle Up Moms $100,000 Help establish Huddle Up Diaper Distribution & Lifeline Endeavor (H.U.D.D.L.E.), the first diaper bank in Southwest Virginia.

Restoration Housing $94,000 Furnish and equip the Grove on Patterson, a residential treatment center in Western Virginia for pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorder and their babies.

LEAP for Local Food $65,000 Support LEAP's year-round markets and Harvest Bucks program, enhancing food access and stretching budgets for local families.

West End Center $65,000 Renovate an after-school teen program space into a health and wellness center, enhancing accessibility, programming, and job skills training.

Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley $55,617 Provide a full-time attorney to deliver free legal services to underserved domestic violence survivors and collaborate with local agencies.

DePaul Community Resources $32,400 Sustain services and support for kinship families in Roanoke for the 2025 calendar year.

The projects supported by these six recipients address a diverse range of needs in our community. As in previous years, our grant recipients were selected by vote of the membership. The 2024 recipients will provide progress updates at the Power of the Purse event in the spring.

In Memorium

GINNY JARRETT

1956 – 2024

Co-Founder

Roanoke Women’s Foundation

We are deeply saddened to announce Ginny’s passing on Sunday, July 7, 2024. She lived a beautiful life, and we know she will be beautifully remembered.

In the words of dear friend and RWF Co-founder, Kandy Elliott, “Ginny loved nothing more than Roanoke Women’s Foundation and the many ways in which it has impacted so many lives. The same fierce determination and grit that served as the impetus for the co-founding of the organization also served to extend Ginny’s life beyond what her doctors believed possible. It is my hope is that you will think of Ginny today and in the days ahead with love and affection, knowing that is how she thought of you.”

A funeral celebrating the life of Ginny Barton Jarrett will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church on August 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a gathering in the Fellowship Hall of the church. In lieu of flowers, the consideration of donations to the Roanoke Women’s Foundation Founder’s Fund, c/o Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, 611 S. Jefferson St, Roanoke, VA 24011 or cfwesternva.org was Ginny’s wish and would be greatly appreciated.

Roanoke Women's Foundation gathered on June 6, 2024 to meet and interact with the non-profit organizations who entered Phase II of the annual grants process. Each organization shared about their mission and projects in an informal setting where the donors to RWF could learn more about the applicants.

Our annual gathering to hear updates from our current grant recipients, Power of the Purse, took place at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The donors of Roanoke Women's Foundation were treated to delicious treats prior to celebrating with our most recent grantees who reported on the progress of their projects. Our 2023 Grants Class took our cumulative grants awards over the 5 million dollar amount.

On a beautiful sunny afternoon on April 28, 2024, donors of the Roanoke Women's Foundation gathered at the home of Mary Lynn Wright to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the foundation. Founded by Kandy Elliott and Ginny Jarrett in 2004, RWF will award grants to the 20th class this November.

RWF Annual Meeting was held on February 26, 2024 at Second Presbyterian Church from 5:30-7:00 p.m.   RWF president, Betsy Whitney, welcomed everyone and set a positive tone for our gathering.  Treasurer, Ann Green, provided insights into RWF’s financial status through her budget presentation.  Reports from all the committee chairs about their respective areas gave members a comprehensive view of RWF’s operations.

RWF Founders, Ginny Jarrett and Kandy Elliott, visit Chris’s Coffee and Custard (LovABLE Services, Inc.) and congratulate them on receiving the 2023 Roanoke Women’s Foundation Founders Fund award in the amount of $1,820.00!  Chris's Coffee & Custard is a unique coffee and custard shop that serves a wonderful cup of coffee, a delicious cup of custard or a tasty food item while creating opportunities for gainful and meaningful employment for individuals of all walks of life, focusing on our special needs community.

Roanoke Women’s Foundation Founders Fund of Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia was established in 2016 to honor and recognize the role of RWF co-founders, Ginny Jarrett, and Kandy Elliott.

The purpose of the fund is to support RWF efforts to strengthen the community through increasing charitable contributions in the region and to promote women’s leadership in philanthropy.

Gifts to RWF Founder’s Fund may be directed to www.cfwesternva.org or by mail to: CFSWVA - PO Box 1159 - Roanoke, VA 24006.

On Thursday, November 2, 2023, members and guests of the Roanoke Women's Foundation gathered at the Vinton War Memorial to announce and celebrate our 2023 grantees. The RWF awarded $392,100, bringing our giving total since 2005 to $5,281,600.