Zoe Lawhorn

School is back! Whether you are boo-hooing or ya-hooing, the start of the school year always carries the promise and excitement of things to come.

Here at the Women’s Fund of Smith County, back to school means back to GIVE – a perfect time for parents of high school aged girls to think about new and meaningful extracurricular activities.

Looking for ways to introduce your child to giving back to her community? Looking for ways to boost your child’s resume and college applications? You found the answer – it’s GIVE (Girls Invested in Volunteer Efforts)!

The Women’s Fund of Smith County believes that “together is better.” In our mission statement, we describe our goals as a collective giving circle. We want to transform our community by enriching the lives of women and children, and we do that by awarding impact grants to Smith County nonprofits who serve women in children.

One of the most exciting ways we carry our mission forward is by mentoring high school-aged girls through our initiative called GIVE (Girls Invested in Volunteer Efforts). Through this meaningful program, high school girls (grades 9 – 12) experience the joy of collective giving and grant-making. Our activities reflect the Women’s Fund model of collective giving, which in basic terms is very simple: we all give an annual monetary pledge, our contributions are combined in one big pot, and through our annual grants process, we identity nonprofits who qualify for grants awards.

We formed this group ten years ago and since then, GIVE has grown by leaps and bounds. Last year, nearly 100 girls joined GIVE, and together, they awarded their largest grant ever — $18,000 to Bethesda Pediatrics.

During the school year, the girls meet monthly to organize their fundraising efforts; then they begin to explore and learn about nonprofit services in Smith County, as well as the populations they serve.

By the end of the school year, the girls will have raised substantial funds and will have determined the organization that they want to impact through their collective giving.

Our 2024-2025 GIVE Class is forming now, and we would love to invite your daughters, granddaughters, and nieces to join this awesome group of girls for a life-changing experience. By introducing our youth to philanthropy, we cultivate compassion and generosity, values that help shape the futures of these incredible young ladies.

At once-a-month gatherings during the school year, girls will:

Gain a better understanding of philanthropy

Become more aware of community issues

Volunteer together and give together to transform lives

But the depth of this experience goes even further. Learning about philanthropy has many long-lasting impacts. By learning about other people’s needs, we gain a greater sense of empathy and compassion. This leads to a greater sense of social responsibility, but perhaps even more importantly, GIVE offers girls the tools they need to truly make a difference in the lives of those in need. These experiences empower our girls to see a need and meet it with a solution.

There is no cost to joining and participating in GIVE! Our members work together to ensure that this experience is truly accessible to any Smith County girl who would like to be involved.

GIVE is helping to build up and empower young women to be difference-makers in our community – now and as they grow to become future leaders. Our community needs compassionate and responsible leaders who prioritize the well-being of others. By instilling philanthropic values in young minds, we lay the foundation for a generation of leaders who prioritize social impact, ethical decision-making, and the greater good.

And let’s not forget about college admissions! GIVE offers girls an incredible, unique opportunity to build their college resumes with experiences that stand out to admissions professionals. When it comes time to write college essays, your child’s time with GIVE will offer rich and meaningful subject matter that stands out, demonstrates character and compassion, and shows a unique commitment to community that will benefit your child in a college setting.

If you are interested in learning more about GIVE, please check out our website at www.womensfundsc.org/give. Or feel free to call us at (903) 509-1771. GIVE is open to any high school aged girl – with a giving heart!