Women4Women awards $34,000 in grants to local nonprofits

The Women4Women (W4W) giving circle, affiliated with the Community Foundation of Greater Clemson in Upstate South Carolina, has awarded $34,000 in grants to four local nonprofit organizations. These organizations provide critical services for women, children, and families in the region.

The grants will fund a range of needs including temporary housing, education and training for survivors of domestic violence, safe spaces for children, and emergency assistance with essential household expenses. The largest award, a $25,000 Susan Marie Foster Sharp Memorial Grant, was given to The Hiding Place. This organization offers safe environments for survivors of domestic violence and their children to heal and rebuild their lives.

"This grant will help us establish The Monarch Center, a trauma-informed space where survivors can participate in educational programs and activities that foster connection and community, while providing children with a dedicated space to play," said Breann Griffin, Co-Executive Director of The Hiding Place. Since its founding in 2023, the organization has served over 1,500 women and 750 children.

Three additional organizations each received $3,000 grants: MARYS House, for safety and support services for domestic violence victims; Pickens County First Steps, for early childhood readiness programs; and The Salvation Army of Oconee County, for emergency utility and rent assistance.

Giving circles, a philanthropic model where individuals pool resources for collective charitable decisions, are growing in prominence. Women4Women's model allows members to contribute $300 or more annually ($100 for students), enabling their combined donations to create significant local impact.