RWF News

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.

A number of the Roanoke Women's Foundation Board members met for lunch to celebrate the end of the grants process and the beginning of member voting for our 2023 grants. We look forward to announcing our new grantees on November 2, 2023!

On Tuesday, May 9th, we celebrated the progress of our 2022 grantees at our annual Power of the Purse event! Each Spring the recipients of the previous year's awards join us to update our donors on how they have put the funds toward their projects/needs. Always an exciting and uplifting event and we were pleased to be in the Historic Grandin Theatre!