Giving Back to the Community That Raised You

As she was preparing to start law school in Vermont this fall, Lauren Murphy reflected on all the support that helped her succeed as an eager young student at Appalachian State University nearly a decade ago. Growing up in Pfafftown and attending Reagan High School, Lauren always felt her best when surrounded by community—whether being cheered on by her fellow soccer teammates or volunteering at a local food pantry. “My community got me to where I am today,” said Lauren, “and I believe that when we all contribute in ways big and small, we can make a difference together.”

It’s true that access to education is still one of the most impactful ways for young people to achieve the American dream of making a better future for themselves. However, there can be many barriers that hold people back and Lauren recognized how financial support can help level the playing field. “I received scholarships myself, so I understand that extra support matters. The reality is that college has become so expensive and there’s also a lot of life challenges to navigate along the way,” Lauren shared. Indeed, supporting young people with wraparound services and financial stability ensures that prosperity is within reach—not just for some, but for all.

With a successful career at Oshkosh Corporation in Wisconsin, Lauren was able to pay off her student loans and felt compelled to give back to her hometown in a meaningful way. She turned to The Winston-Salem Foundation for insights and ideas about how to make the most impact. Through conversations with the Foundation team, Lauren was inspired to establish the Murphy Szabo Scholarship Fund to help Forsyth County students fill the financial gap to go to college. “My goal is to help make education accessible and equitable because it truly takes a community to support you on your journey,” said Lauren. Now Lauren’s fund will be pooled with 150 other scholarships funds to ensure hundreds of local students can achieve their dreams.

By taking the time to meet with the Foundation, Lauren learned about ways to give back that she didn’t know about before, including the collective giving model of The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem. “I was so happy to join The Women’s Fund to support women and girls in Forsyth County. I’m excited to help address barriers and be part of something bigger than myself,” she shared. As a Women’s Fund member, Lauren will get a chance to vote on grant decisions and learn more about issues impacting women locally.

"My goal is to help make education accessible and equitable because it truly takes a community to support you on your journey."

It’s not often that a young person has the vision and means to give back to their community in a financial way, but Lauren wanted others to know that giving can take many forms, and all giving is important. Lauren noted, “I think the word philanthropy can be a bit intimidating, but it’s the meaning behind it that matters. I’m very thankful to The Winston-Salem Foundation for their guidance and support to help me pay it forward to the community that raised me.”