Celebrating the Legacy of Women in the Giving Spirit - WINGS

The Community Foundation is proud to carry on a fine tradition of local philanthropy that began in 1996. Women in the Giving Spirit - well known in the region as “WINGS” - started when three local women saw a need for fundraising support for small local nonprofits that provide essential services to our community. Many area agencies were delivering important programs, but lacked the capacity to hold fundraising events successfully. Initially WINGS decided to raise money to help Hospice Support Care open Harbor House, a respite house for people without means at the end of their lives. Although it is now a program of Mary Washington Healthcare, at that time Hospice was an independent grassroots nonprofit. Their first event, the April 1997 Daffodil Luncheon, raised $12,000!

WINGS quickly grew in membership with over 200 area women working together to support critical causes. Over time, WINGS raised over $315,000 and made 67 contributions including gifts to Boys and Girls Club, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Fairy Godmother Project, Hope House, Micah Ecumenical Ministries, Moss Free Clinic, and Salvation Army, along with numerous disease prevention and treatment programs and support for area individuals in need.

When the WINGS membership decided that the organization had run its course and was ready to sunset, they sought an appropriate way to carry on their legacy of generosity. A solution appeared when a WINGS board member suggested establishing an endowed fund at The Community Foundation that would perpetually support the Women and Girls Fund’s grantmaking to area nonprofits that benefit local girls and women.

“We were so pleased that the spirit of WINGS would live on through the new WINGS (Women in the Giving Spirit) Charitable Fund of The Community Foundation,” said founding WINGS President Alice Parvin. “And it was a breeze to establish the fund. We found the right choice to ensure the WINGS legacy can continue.”

n addition to the significant charitable funds raised, WINGS has been an opportunity for its members to grow in their circle of friends, grow within themselves and grow as a community. The Community Foundation is honored that its Women and Girls Fund can extend the opportunity to bring talented, dedicated, energetic and committed women together and make the lives of those less fortunate a little better.

The Community Foundation would like to echo WINGS’ message of gratitude and thank each person who donated, volunteered and worked to make WINGS successful over the years.