Learn More About the Davie Community Foundation

This is the thirteenth in a series of articles about the Davie Community Foundation and its work in the county. Hopefully, in reading the articles you will learn things you did not know.

Davie Community Foundation
Did you know…

Did you know Pearls of Empowerment is a group of women with a BIG vision for Davie County? Pearls of Empowerment is a giving circle that seeks to improve the lives of women and children in Davie County. These women, of all ages and backgrounds, have been pooling their contributions since 2009 to make grants annually to programs that benefit women and children in the community. After twelve years of giving, Pearls has made grants totaling $384,012 to Davie County Organizations!

Pearls of Empowerment seeks to:

P – Provide women with the skills and resources to be independent

E – Empower and Equip leaders in the community

A – Award effective grants

R – Retain and attract an active giving circle

L – Lead women to live healthy lives along with their children

S – Support women in their family role without regard to family structure and/or economic status

It’s easy to become a member of Pearls of Empowerment. Each member contributes $1 per day; $365 annually. The $365 gets divided into three parts: $300 goes directly toward grantmaking; $35 is contributed to the endowment; and $30 is added to the program and operating expense fund. You can pay your membership in one lump sum or spread it out over the course of the year.

Want to be involved? You can be a member on your own or as part of a group. Each Pearls of Empowerment member gets one vote for grant selection; groups are counted as individual members and each group gets one vote. Joining as part of a group is a way to be involved if you feel you cannot make the financial commitment alone.

Once a member, you can be as involved as you would like. Some ladies wish to simply give the yearly donation and vote on grants, while others want to be involved in the inner workings of the group and serve on a committee. Whatever your involvement, you can be assured that your participation will make a positive impact in the lives of women and children in Davie County.

This year after thorough research and careful consideration, Pearls of Empowerment narrowed their grants focus. Organizations applying for grants in 2021, 2022, and 2023 must propose programs/projects focused on Abuse of Women and Children, Housing for Women and Children, or Childcare and Transportation for Women and Children. 

The Annual Pearls Luncheon and Grants Presentation at Triple J Manor House on November 9^th provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the purpose of Pearls of Empowerment, while also honoring those who have served our country through a patriotic theme. The flags in greenery and baby’s breath only added to the excitement of being together in person! 

Upon arriving, each attendee was given a name tag decorated with a poppy. Known as a symbol of the sacrifices made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms, the poppies were generously donated by the Advance VFW. After a welcome and prayer from Linda Dorsett, guests were treated to a delicious picnic-style boxed lunch from Ketchie Creek and Maddie Cakes’ banana pudding. 

Pearls awarded four grants totaling $30,000! Each agency had the opportunity to share personal stories about the women and children their grants will assist.

• Davidson-Davie Community College – $1,000 grant to provide fifty $20.00 gas cards as an incentive/reward to women who work hard to be successful in the College and Career Readiness program.
• Dragonfly House – $6,000 grant to ensure they can offer therapy to every child affected by trauma regardless of ability to pay.
• Family Promise – $10,000 grant to help fund their Transitional Housing program allowing families facing homelessness to remain together, save money, and receive support from a Family Promise Case Manager to help create a sustainable future.
• Smith Grove UMC/THE BRIDGE @ 197 Main – $13,000 grant for “Last Mile” Transportation and Wholeness for Families, connecting Cooleemee with Mocksville Circulator Route (YVEDDI) and to provide personal transportation to human service programs outside of town improving the 
  overall health and wholeness of those assisted. 

As we move into this season of giving, consider giving yourself or someone else on your list the gift of a Pearls of Empowerment membership. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving!

The Davie Community Foundation Inc. “inspires philanthropy to strengthen Davie County for present and future generations.” The Foundation is working to promote a spirit of giving in our community and build a permanent endowment that is invested forever. Earnings from the endowment will benefit Davie County organizations and projects that are important to you. The Foundation accepts gifts in any amount, at any time: for an existing fund, the Community Scholarship Fund, or the Davie Community Impact Fund. A variety of options for the establishment of named funds in honor or memory are also available. To learn more about the Davie Community Foundation contact Jane Simpson at (336) 753-6903 or jsimpson@daviefoundation.org or visit the Foundation website at www.daviefoundation.org.