WIP Grants $150,000 to community programs

Arlington, May 17, 2023 - Women Inspiring Philanthropy, a community of women seeking to transform lives in Arlington through high-impact and life-long giving, recently awarded three grants of $50,000 each to Advocates for Special People, Arlington Charities, and Taste Project, for a total of $150,000 in grants. Each year proposals are accepted to develop new or extend existing programs in five focus areas: culture, education, environment, family, and health and wellness. Members then review and evaluate grant applications, conduct site visits, and select finalists for consideration by the general membership at their annual meeting each May

WIP’s May 2023 Grantees:

Advocates for Special People: With the funding provided by WIP, Advocates for Special People will purchase a van for their additional program site, Special Connexion 4, in southeast Arlington at St. Andrews United Methodist Church. Advocates for Special People provides critical cognitive stimulation and social interaction opportunities for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The vans provide transportation to life skills outings for clients.

Arlington Charities, Inc.: To continue the long-standing mission of Arlington Charities in providing help and creating hope in the fight against hunger and poverty in the Arlington area, the monies from the WIP grant will be used for the immediate and significant need to purchase a food- safe, refrigerated truck. The new vehicle will allow Arlington Charities to procure donated and purchased food, offset freight costs, and increase food distribution capabilities.

Taste Project: In efforts to support its goal to help feed the hungry one community at a time, WIP’s grant will help the Taste Project with funding to purchase furniture for its second Taste Community Restaurant to open in Arlington at 200 N. Cooper St. Replicating the same innovative and successful format as its first location in Fort Worth, Arlington’s Taste Project will house a public restaurant, provide job training, and include an urban garden. The new “give and take” restaurant is scheduled to begin construction this fall.

“It is exciting that we can make a difference in many people’s lives,” said Karen Williams, WIP President. “Our organization was created to help others make an impact and we are proud we can continue to do that 10 years later with the help of our dedicated membership and partnerships in the community,” Williams continued.

Previous WIP grantees include AISD Kooken Elementary School, Alliance for Children, Arlington Life Shelter, Arlington Museum of Art, Inc., Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County, Center for Transforming Lives (YWCA when granted), Dental Health Arlington, Friends & Foundation of the Arlington Public Library, Friends of the Levitt Pavilion Arlington, Green

Oaks Education and Support Inc., International Corridor Vision aka Santa Fe International Folk Art Market of Arlington, NEW DAY, Open Arms Health Clinic, River Legacy Foundation, SafeHaven of Tarrant County, Texas Health Resources Foundation Arlington, and Theatre Arlington.

WIP is a non-profit group of women seeking to transform lives in the Arlington area through philanthropy. Each member gives at least $1,000 each year, which is pooled with other member donations, allowing for high-impact grants. Women interested in becoming a member of Women Inspiring Philanthropy are invited to the Annual Membership Reception on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at River Legacy Living Science Center at 703 N.W. Green Oaks Blvd. in Arlington.

For more information about the grants given by Women Inspiring Philanthropy, contact Karen Williams at 817.832.2447 or WomenInspiringPhilanthropy@gmail.com.

SOURCE: WOMEN INSPIRING PHILANTHROPY revealed in the August issue.

About Women Inspiring Philanthropy Women Inspiring Philanthropy, a 501(c)3 tax-deductible organization, 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. Since its inception in 2012, more than 220 members have given annual gifts of $1,000 and pledged countless hours of time and insight, totaling more than $1 million in grants to the community. For more information or to join WIP, visit www.arlingtonwip.org.