FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Jamee Rodgers, PhD., CEO, The Community Foundation
Phone: 540-373-9292 x120
At The Community Foundation, we believe that when women and girls are empowered, entire communities thrive. The Women & Girls Fund is more than a charitable fund. It is a growing movement of women and community members coming together to invest in opportunity, equity, and long-term change across our region.
Established by the Community Foundation’s Board of Governors in 2008–2009, the Women & Girls Fund brings together women of all backgrounds to pool their resources and collectively direct grantmaking. Today, more than 530 members are part of this giving circle, each contributing time, treasure, and talent to support initiatives that uplift women and girls.
A hallmark of this collective impact is the Fund’s annual Live Ballot event, held each May. This signature gathering brings members together to hear directly from selected nonprofit finalists and vote in real time to award a $50,000 grant to one organization creating meaningful change.
At last year’s Live Ballot event, members selected the Fairy Godmother Project as the 2025 grant recipient.
Based in Fredericksburg, the Fairy Godmother Project (FGP) provides compassionate, hands-on support to families facing pediatric cancer. What truly sets them apart is who they center in their care.
Unlike most pediatric cancer organizations that focus primarily on the child, FGP focuses on the parents and caregivers, most often mothers, who are holding everything together during an incredibly difficult time. Their philosophy is simple but powerful. By alleviating day-to-day stress through emotional and financial support, they give caregivers the gift of time. Time to be present, to support their child, and to hold their family together.
A Year of Meaningful Impact
Over the past year, the $50,000 Women & Girls Fund award allowed FGP to expand this mission in meaningful ways, serving 36 families and 164 individuals as treatment timelines increased and needs grew more complex.
Through this support, FGP delivered both immediate relief and long-term care, including:
- 318 community care packages thoughtfully prepared by volunteers
- 2,853 volunteer hours dedicated to supporting families
- $100,185 in in-kind donations including meals, clothing, and essential items
- Direct financial assistance and daily living support such as groceries, gas, and household services
- 4 families supported through end-of-life care, funeral planning, and the first year after loss
These numbers tell a powerful story, but the real impact is felt in the quiet, meaningful moments they make possible.
“We are a unique organization in pediatric cancer support because we focus on the caregivers and family members who are also deeply affected. At the heart of what we do is giving families the gift of time, precious time to be present with their child, to cherish moments together, and to focus on what matters most.” – Cathleen Pessolano, Executive Director, Fairy Godmother Project
One story shared in their report captures this impact deeply. Volunteers came together to prepare a family’s backyard so their child could return home safely during end-of-life care. While circumstances changed, the effort gave the family peace of mind and allowed them to focus on their child rather than the burdens of daily life. It is a reminder that even the smallest acts can create lasting meaning.
The Power of Collective Giving
The Women & Girls Fund continues to demonstrate what is possible when women come together with a shared purpose. Each year, through the Live Ballot event, members do more than contribute. They actively participate in directing funding where it will have the greatest impact.
“The Women & Girls Fund represents the kind of momentum our community needs, women coming together to invest in one another and create lasting change. By supporting women-focused initiatives, we are not only addressing immediate needs, but building stronger, more resilient communities for the future.” – Kimberly Young, Ed.D., Chair of The Community Foundation’s Board of Governors
Join the Movement
The founding vision of the Women & Girls Fund was bold: 1,000 women each contributing $1,000 to build a $1 million endowment. That vision is still within reach, and every new member brings us closer.
By joining, you become part of a collective voice shaping how resources are invested in our region. Together, we are not just giving. We are creating opportunity, strengthening families, and building a legacy of impact for generations to come.
Why Join?
Be a part of something bigger: Join a powerful network of women creating meaningful, collective impact.
Have a voice: Help review, discuss and vote on which nonprofit receives the $50,000 grant.
Engage in philanthropy: Learn, connect and take an active role in community-driven giving.
Expand the impact: Invite others and grow a movement that supports women and girls.
Why Give?
Multiply your impact: Your gift combines with others to fund one transformational $50,000 grant.
Support what matters: Invest in programs that improve outcomes for women and girls.
Create lasting change: Help organizations grow, scale and deliver measurable results.
Be a part of a shared vision: Fuel a collective effort to strengthen families and communities.
Learn more about the Women & Girls Fund at https://www.cfrrr.org/who-we-are/women-and-girls-fund-2-2/
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About The Community Foundation
The Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the more than 407,000 residents of Planning District 16, including the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. We partner with individuals, families, businesses, and organizations united by a shared purpose—strengthening our region through thoughtful, impactful philanthropy.
Since inception, the Community Foundation has invested more than $24.8 million in grants and scholarships to support the people, programs, and initiatives that define and uplift our community. Today, we steward 226 named charitable funds established by donors to address a wide range of causes—from education and workforce development to human services, the arts, and community vitality.
Beyond grantmaking, the Foundation serves as a trusted philanthropic leader and resource. We have provided more than 8,000 hours of education and training for local nonprofits, equipping organizations with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to maximize their impact and build long-term sustainability.
With more than $60 million in net assets under management, the Community Foundation maintains a strong financial foundation and a long-term commitment to responsible stewardship. Our strength ensures that the charitable legacies entrusted to us continue to serve this region—today and for generations to come.
For more information, please call (540) 373-9292, email info@cfrrr.org or visit www.cfrrr.org.