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Pearls of Empowerment, a women’s giving circle organized under the Davie Community Foundation, is making a shift in its grant focus areas for 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Nonprofit organizations applying for grants are encouraged to propose programs/projects centered around the following three key areas: Abuse of Women and Children, Housing for Women and Children, and Mental Health of Women and Children.

While two focuses remain the same, Mental Health of Women and Children replaces Childcare and Transportation.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health: “Nearly 20% of children and young people aged 3-17 in the United States have a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder.”

The members of Pearls hope these grants will address this growing concern.

The Pearls grant application is open and all applications are due by Aug. 1. Grants are selected and awarded in November at the Pearls Annual Women’s Luncheon. Find the application at: https://www.daviefoundation.org/pearls-grants/.

Over the past 14 years, Pearls has awarded $448,732 for issues affecting Davie women and children. Each member contributes $1 per day, totaling $365 annually. This amount is divided into three parts: $300 towards Pearls of Empowerment grantmaking, $35 to the Pearls Endowment (with distributions made annually and added to the grantmaking amount), and $30 for operating the Giving Circle (including program and administration expenses). The giving circle serves as a platform to unite women from diverse generations and backgrounds, all working towards the common goal of empowering women and children in Davie County.

For further information on how to become a Pearl, visit daviefoundation.org/pearls.