learn
Learn more about opportunities and needs in Greenwood County, along with the missions and goals of our local nonprofit organizations. Discover other caring women who share your aspirations for a better community.
give
Give collectively to maximize our donations in furthering good work in our community. Greenwood Women Care granting decisions are egalitarian, self-directed, and highly participatory.
grow
Grow together with new and current friends and neighbors while enjoying informative, social gatherings in various venues. You will be instrumental in empowering women to make a difference in Greenwood.
PLEASE SEE OUR ~
History of GWC: Five Years and Growing (electronic copy) here.
GWC 2021 Grant Recipients video, “Celebrating Collective Giving“, here.
2021 Annual Report video, “A Year to Celebrate“, here.
GWC 2020 Grant Recipients video, “Celebrating Community Together“, here.
2020 Annual Report video, “Keep the Light Burning“, here.
GWC 2019 Grant Recipients video “Impact!” here.
Greenwood Women Care (GWC) engages community-minded Greenwood women in collective learning, giving, and growing together. GWC enjoys a membership of a broad range of women from many professional and personal sectors. Each Member contributes an equal amount annually and has an equal vote in granting decisions.
Greenwood Women Care Membership is continually open and new Members are always welcome! Our current membership includes more than 140 women.
Our Quarterly Meetings are social and learning events for all Members and interested guests. GWC’s granting guidelines and application process were designed by our Grants Review & Awards Committee. GWC Grants are voted on by our Members annually. In four years of granting, GWC has awarded 41 grants totaling $256,800!
The overarching goals of GWC are to offer participants the opportunity for personal growth, to develop as engaged members of our community, and to improve the quality of life for everyone in Greenwood County through our grantmaking. The tagline serves as an abbreviated reminder of Greenwood Women Care’s mission:
learn • give • grow.
GWC is self-determining in governance, organizational structure, and grantmaking. An active Advisory Board has provided a strong foundation and shape to this initiative and continues to guide our development. Participation is welcomed (though not required) on one or more of our six standing committees. They are: Communications, Governance & Finance, Grants Review & Awards, Membership, Programs & Education, and Social.
GWC Quarterly Meetings, socials, and other events are open to all GWC Members, as well as to any interested women who would like to attend as guests (whether on their own or with a Member). Please contact us at gwc@greenwoodcf.org if you’d like to find out more about GWC and any of our events. And please see more information here: News & Events .
Membership contributions are directed to our GWC Granting Fund for grants awarded in our annual grants cycle to nonprofit organizations serving Greenwood County and to the GWC Endowment. A small percentage is applied to GWC administrative costs.
Additional contributions in any amount may be designated for the GWC Granting Fund or GWC Endowment and may also be made in honor or memory of someone. The full membership contribution and all additional contributions to GWC are tax-deductible.
The Greenwood Women Care Endowment was established to provide a permanent revenue source for GWC to address needs and opportunities impacting the Greenwood community. The GWC Endowment continues to grow with each new GWC membership or renewal, and with gifts designated for the GWC endowment and will be utilized as determined by the GWC membership.
GWC Members are asked to renew by December 31 for the following year. New Members joining by September 30 in a given year will be eligible to vote in that year’s GWC Grant Awards in October.
GWC Celebrates Our 2022 Grant Awards!
Greenwood Women Care is pleased to announce our 2022 GWC Grant Awards! Our collective funds received through annual membership and other designated contributions enabled GWC to disburse $56,800 total in grant funding for eleven nonprofits serving residents of Greenwood County. In our four years of offering GWC Grants, we have made 41 grants totaling nearly $260,000!
GWC 2022 Grants were awarded to:
Greenwood Pathway House $10,000 for Pathway Village (cottages for homeless families)
Food Bank of Greenwood County $8,500 for Program teaching families about diet, nutrition, cooking techniques, and health
Healthy Learners $8,000 for Staffing and transportation of low-income children to health providers
Greenwood Cancer Fund $5,000 for Assistance for Greenwood County residents diagnosed with cancer
Next Level Lifestyles $5,000 for Youth mentoring program building character through athletics, fitness, & nutrition education
Alston Wilkes Society $4,300 for Reintegration program for offenders, former offenders, and homeless populations
Crossroads Pregnancy Center $4,000 for Counseling and parenting education for coping with an unplanned pregnancy
Greenwood Performing Arts $3,000 for Art therapy for nursing home residents, “Blues School” for youth, and Nutcracker Tea Party for children
The Period Project $3000 for Menstrual supplies and medically accurate health information for students, low-income, or homeless women
Humane Society of Greenwood $3,000 for Heartworm treatment for shelter dogs
Arts Council of Greenwood $3,000 for Arts Exhibition and projects celebrating the culture and history of the Gullah Geechee people of SC
Congratulations to our 2022 GWC Grant recipients! We are grateful for all your excellent efforts to improve the quality of our shared life in Greenwood County!
Please see our web post about our 2022 GWC Grant awards here.
Caring Women Building Community
Are you ready to learn, give, and grow? Join Greenwood Women Care or renew your Membership by submitting this online GWC Membership form along with your payment by charge or debit card.
If you prefer to pay by check, please download, print, complete, and mail this GWC Membership form.
(Please note that online payment incurs a PayPal fee per membership deducted from the GWC Administration budget line.)
You may also make a Memorial or Honor gift or provide a gift membership by downloading and completing the forms linked here and mailing with payment by check or contributing online with a credit or debit card using the buttons to the right.
To find out more, contact Mary Woodiwiss via email at gwc@greenwoodcf.org or call 864.223.1524 x2.
GCCF works collaboratively with individuals and organizations that are interested in improving the quality of life in Greenwood. Through annual granting cycles the Foundation provides funding to charitable organizations located in the county.