SUPPORT OUR WORK

GIVE ONLINE

Giving Opportunities

Click the button below to see a list of funds at the SWFL Community Foundation that you can donate to. DONATE TO A FUND

MAKE A GRANT FROM YOUR DONOR ADVISED FUND

MAKE A GRANT
Please click here to request the most current information on Fund Transfers and Wiring Instructions

LOGIN
GIVE ONLINE
Home > Womens Legacy Fund
 

Womens Legacy Fund

Inspire. Educate. Empower.

The WLF’s Mission Is To Engage Women In Effecting Change In Our Community Through Collective Philanthropy.

 

Who We Are

The Women’s Legacy Fund (WLF) was established in 2007 by the Southwest Florida Community Foundation to enable women in Southwest Florida to direct their giving in focused, strategic ways.

Through a group of Contributors and our annual grant program, we:

  • INSPIRE women to become leaders in philanthropy
  • EDUCATE women and the community on current issues and philanthropic strategies
  • EMPOWER women to strengthen our community from their unique giving perspective

Together, we can do so much more than we could ever do alone.

Contributors’ annual donations are used for immediate grants as well as to increase the WLF’s permanent endowment fund. Annual Contributors choose the focus of the annual grants, which so far have included literacy, violence prevention, mental health, mentorship, STEM education and homelessness.

Grants to local non-profit organizations are selected by the WLF’s Grants Committee and funded by both annual contributions and income from the endowment fund.

The endowed funds are segregated but invested with other Community Foundation assets and are managed by SEI, the Foundation’s national investment manager. The assets are overseen by the Finance Committee of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation board of trustees.

Become a Contributor
Your contributions are a catalyst for change, now and later. Women may join the WLF at any time, the annual calendar runs May 1st until the spring luncheon each year. We have three annual contribution levels:

  • Contributor = $250
  • Patron (25 years or younger) = $100
  • Prima Donor = $10,000 or more; considered to be a lifetime annual contributor

One half of all contributions will be pooled for the purpose of immediate annual grants; the second half will be pooled into the WLF’s endowment fund, which provides additional grants to be made both now and in years to come.

Join Us
If you are interested in making a difference in Southwest Florida through the Women’s Legacy Fund, click here to sign up, or download our WLFContributorForm.pdf, read it over, and send it in, OR, please call us at 239-274-5900, we always like talking to our friends.

Be An Angel Maker: An honor that will last forever…
The WLF Angel program is a fundraising initiative unique to the WLF. Donors who would like to honor or memorialize a friend, relative, neighbor, or influential woman in their life contribute a minimum of $1,000 to designate her as a “WLF Angel.” Angels are publicly honored at WLF luncheons and are inducted into the “Gallery of Angels.”   100% of WLF Angel contributions are placed in the endowed fund so they can provide future grants in perpetuity.

Know an Angel?  Call us, or click here to add the halo with this online form, or download a form here and you can send it in if you prefer.

Gallery of Angels 

 

Prima Donors
A prima donor is a woman who is thinking of her philanthropic passions, planning her estate, and thinking about her legacy.  She is experienced, reflective and supportive in her philanthropy and wants to impact lives of others in Southwest Florida. Prima Donors are contributors who have made a commitment to the WLF of $10,000 or more. Primas can pay once or pledge the contribution over up to 5 years. Prima Donors get together for round tables, dine-arounds and educational opportunities to learn more about the community and emerging issues. Prima Donors are considered lifetime contributors to the WLF.

WLFContributorForm.pdf

Click here to view our current list of Prima Donors

WLF Luncheon and Gatherings

The WLF hosts a fall event and a spring luncheon. The spring luncheon is for Contributors only where the group can have lively conversations around the broad cause areas chosen by the WLF grants committee. A group of facilitators is divided among the lunch tables to lead a deeper dive into each of the cause areas for round table discussions. All contributors are invited to vote for the cause area for the year after the spring luncheon. Then, the grants committee works with the foundation which calls in area non-profit organizations within the final selected cause area to present their idea for the funding available to address or help to solve a regional issue.

The fall event is for WLF Contributors and guests. The grant check is presented to the grantee non-profit organization, and the group learns more about the goals of the program being funded that year. New WLF Angels are also given their “halo” and honored at the fall gathering.

At these events, women come together to network, and learn about the impact of their past contributions in the community. WLF Contributors are also invited to other foundation events such as art receptions, films and other events.

 

For More Information

Even with all of this online information, you might still have a few questions and we would love to answer them for you. Just call us at the Southwest Florida Community Foundation at 239-274-5900 or email us at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Women’s Legacy Fund (WLF)?

The WLF provides dynamic women the opportunity to be engaged in effecting change in our community through collective philanthropy. Through our contributors and our annual grant program we Inspire women to become leaders in philanthropy, Educate women and the community on current issues and philanthropic strategies, and Empower women to strengthen the community from their unique giving perspectives.

2. What is the WLF’s connection to the Southwest Florida Community Foundation?

The Women’s Legacy Fund is a Fund of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. The WLF was established by the SWFLCF in 2007 to enable women in Southwest Florida make an impact on issues in our community through collective philanthropy.

3. What does my $250 contribution entitle me to?

When you contribute a minimum of $250 to the WLF you become a contributor and join the rest of the WLF contributors in making decisions on our community focus areas, and local grants. Additionally you receive newletters and community updates.

4. How can I contribute?

If you would like to become a WLF contributor your check will be made payable to the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. Just note WLF on your check. If you would like to pay by credit card you can do so on our website or call our office at 239-274-5900.

5. Can I give more?

The fantastic advantage of collective philanthropy is that your contribution is combined with all of the contributions to the WLF. This creates maximum impact on an issue. The minimum gift is $250 but there is no maximum. Donors who contribute $10,000 or more to WLF join our Prima Donor Circle and are considered lifetime contributors to the WLF.

6. Can I pay online?

Yes, CLICK HERE. Once you have entered your information, be sure to indicate this donation is your WLF Contribution.

7. Will you bill me annually?

If you are a current WLF contributor you will receive an invoice each February to extend your annual contribution. Each year you contribute (by May 1), you are engaged in the selection of the local grant focus for the year.

8. Is this contribution on a calendar year basis?

Yes!

9. Where does my contribution go and what is it for?

The WLF is based on collective philanthropy and the idea we can do far more together than we ever could alone. Each year, 50% of your contribution is placed in the WLF endowment fund which lasts forever while 50% goes to meeting immediate needs.

10. How does one get selected for the WLF Grants Committee?

We are always looking to engage new members on the Grants Committee. If you are a contributor and are interested in serving on the committee, please contact Carolyn Rogers at the Southwest Florida Community Foundation.

11. What do I get as a Prima Donor?

Prima Donors are contributors who have made a commitment to the WLF of $10,000 or more. Primas can pay once or pledge the contribution over up to 5 years. Prima Donors get together for round tables, dine-arounds and educational opportunities to learn more about the community and emerging issues. Prima Donors are considered lifetime contributors to the WLF. There is also a tradition of Prima Donors purchasing each other Blue Shoes which are worn on special occasions!

12. Can I leave some or all of my estate to the WLF? If so, how?

Yes. In working with your professional estate planning attorney, you may always designate a specific gift to the WLF. The Foundation’s website contains sample bequest language which allows making a gift through your will or trust documents easy. As you think about making an estate gift, consider whether to include a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your total estate towards WLF. Each is a unique way to leave a legacy about what is important to you now, and, for the future.

13. What do I do if I need to change my estate plans to include the WLF?

The Southwest Florida Community Foundation is dedicated to working with donors to create custom funds to change the world and our community. We would love to talk to you about creating a legacy that includes the work of the Women’s Legacy Fund. Please contact Carolyn Rogers, Vice President of Development and Communications, and we can work with you to make this wish a reality.