Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A group of women who support philanthropy through the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln have made their largest annual award yet.

In the seventeen years “Women for Women” has been around, they’ve not given $67,000 in annual awards until this year.

“They’ve built a permanent endowment in our community that’s topped $1.2 million now,” said Stacy Reed, Chief Program Officer, Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, to the WTAX Morning Newswatch.  “What’s incredible about this is they’ve built permanent resources to support issues affecting local women.  These resources aren’t ever going to go away.  So, they’re going to be able to grant every single year to causes that matter.”

The $67,000 is being divided between two first-time award recipients this year.  One of those is “Hope on Fifth,” based in Lincoln.

“We are a new resource in our community,” said Kim Turner, Chairperson, Regional Housing and Support Services.  “We are a shelter for homeless, and those at risk of homelessness.  This is brand new to our community, started last year in ’24.”

The other is Table of Life Ministry, and its Hope of Life Outreach Project.

“Every Sunday after church, we feed the community hot meals  — those that come in need of a meal,” said Jesse Herring, pastor.  “Every Thursday night, we give out backpacks to children — over 140 children.  Three schools we have adopted in the community — 25 kids from each school with low income.”

“Women for Women” is described as a “local giving circle dedicated to engaging women of all generations in the power of community philanthropy….”