Women's Impact Fund is a collective giving organization in Charlotte. Claire Tate and Mary Lou Babb founded it in November 2003 as an initiative of Foundation For The Carolinas; members pool their dues and vote together on grants to nonprofits serving Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
Who it's actually for
Women who want their giving to go further and want to learn the local nonprofit landscape alongside others. The Fund has more than 450 members and no cap. There is no invitation or application, no age, professional, religious, political or geographic requirement, and no required volunteer time.
Members vote on grants and can join committees, leadership and education events as they choose. Janet LaBar, former CEO of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, became executive director in June 2025.
It is a weaker fit if annual dues don't fit your budget or you'd rather give time than money. SHARE Charlotte connects you to volunteer shifts at hundreds of nonprofits.
What they run
One grant cycle a year. The Fund makes unrestricted grants, typically $8,000 to $60,000, in arts and culture, education, environment, health and human services, plus Spark Awards. It has invested more than $8.9 million since 2003. 2026 recipients include Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, McAdams Free Clinic, Sustain Charlotte, North Carolina Wildlife Federation, Charlotte Bilingual Learning Center and Arts for Life.
An Annual Kickoff in September, open to all, and an Annual Meeting in May, where grant recipients and Spark Award honorees are announced; non-members are welcome. Education events through the year, including Social Hour for Social Issues and Lunch & Learns.
What it costs
$1,300 per program year (July 1 to June 30): $1,000 goes to the grant pool and $300 to operations. A $600 level, with $300 to the grant pool, carries the same vote and leadership opportunities, and only staff know which level a member chose. The Fund describes dues as fully tax-deductible. Some events are ticketed; the 2026 Annual Meeting was $60, including appetizers and a first drink.
Where
Charlotte-Mecklenburg, with events at venues around Charlotte. Mailing address: PO Box 30864, Charlotte, NC 28230.
How to start
Join through the membership form. You can join any time of year, and annual dues are due by December 31. If you'd like to meet members first, call 704-707-4292 and ask which upcoming education event is open to guests.
Links
womensimpactfund.org · Membership · Past grants
Last verified: October 2026.
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