The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem Announces 2026 Grant Recipients

The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem celebratedeight organizations receiving a total of $150,000 in grants at its 21st annualluncheon on November 4 at the Benton Convention Center. The grants supportprograms advancing economic security and opportunity for women and girls throughoutForsyth County.

Themed The Stories Behind the Impact,the luncheon connected research, lived experience, and collective givingthrough Through a Gender Lens 2026: The Economic Security of Women and Girlsin Forsyth County and a panel moderated by Wanda Starke.

Developed through a community-basedparticipatory research approach, Through a Gender Lens 2026 combineslocal data, interviews, focus groups, personal stories, and guest essays. Thereport examines access to childcare, affordable housing, equitable education,fair wages and employment, and the broader conditions that help women and girlsthrive. Community members helped identify priorities, shape the research,select measures, and interpret findings.

TheWomen’s Fund supports organizations implementing programs that address thebarriers women face in achieving economic security, ensuring all women andgirls have access to equitable opportunities. Through its unique membershipmodel, members pool their resources to make grants that strengthen the lives ofwomen and girls across Forsyth County. Members also engage directly in thegrantmaking process — voting on funding decisions and helping shape the futureof the Fund’s impact.

The panel, Beyond the Numbers: StoriesThat Shape What’s Possible, featured representatives from City withDwellings, The Wells Center, LetsNSpire, Inc., and LEAD Girls of NC. Thediscussion connected the report’s findings with organizations’ work alongsidewomen and girls and explored opportunities for community investment andpartnership.

The Fund congratulates eight organizations throughits 2026 grantmaking cycle:

• ‍Our Lady of Salem Shelter for Women:$20,000 to support the economic viability of paid sheltermonitors while helping ensure women seeking shelter receive safe, consistent,and compassionate care each night.‍
• Be Well Foundation: $20,000to support its Black Maternal Wellness Ecosystem, advancing economic security,culturally grounded maternal care, and sustainable opportunities for Blackmothers and maternal health practitioners.‍
• Elizabeth House Foundation: $15,000to support its Women’s Health and Economic Mobility Initiative in ForsythCounty, addressing access to preventive healthcare and economic insecurityamong underserved women.‍
• LEAD Girls of NC: $20,000to support a year of programming focused on advancing wellness among preteengirls, strengthening the foundation for their well-being, growth, and futureopportunities.‍
• Divine Drops: $20,000to support its Menstrual Equity Ambassador Program, advancing menstrual healtheducation, access to essential products, and student advocacy for women andgirls throughout Forsyth County.‍
• Dress for Success Winston-Salem: $15,000to launch FutureHer, a cohort-based initiative expanding access to training andcareer exploration in emerging career fields and supporting long-term economicmobility.‍
• Guided Steps Ministries: $20,000to help women experiencing homelessness move toward independence throughimproved housing and economic stability.‍
• ANCHOR: $20,000to support ANCHORWorks Women Rising, advancing workforce development andeconomic mobility through employment, financial stability, entrepreneurship,and housing security for women.

The Women’s Fund invites community members to explore Througha Gender Lens 2026 at wfgenderlens.org and consider how the findingscan inform decisions, partnerships, and investments. Membership offersopportunities to learn together, participate in grantmaking, and pool resourcesto advance economic security for women and girls.

 

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TheWomen’s Fund of Winston-Salem engages the community to build economic securityfor women and girls in Forsyth County through collective giving, grantmaking,research, and advocacy. Established in 2006, the Fund’s unique membership modelbrings together a diverse community of women who pool their time, talent, andtreasure to advance equity. Guided by the belief that all women and girlsdeserve the resources and opportunities to thrive, the Fund supports programs improving the livesof women and girls in Forsyth County. Learn more at womensfundws.org.

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