Just in time for International Women’s Day, March 8, the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva recently distributed grants totaling $37,500 to five Lee County non-profits plus Zonta International, all funds going to organizations whose mission reflects empowering women.
The Lee County grantees are CHR (Community Housing & Resources, Sanibel); FISH of Sanibel-Captiva; Goodwill Industries of SW Florida; OILE (Organizacion Internacional de Latinos en el Exterior SWFL); and Habitat for Humanity of Lee County Women Build. These organizations received varying amounts from a total of $33,750.
A grant of $3,750 went to Zonta International, which celebrates International Women’s Day in conjunction with its own Rose Day. According to the website zonta.org, this is a time to reflect and give tribute to the individuals who have empowered you or women in your community.
Since Zonta’s policy is to defer distribution of funds until the following year, this money reflects funds raised during March 2022. Pam Eccles, Grants Committee co-chair, commented: “The committee recognizes that, during hurricane recovery, the Zonta Foundation will not be hosting major fundraising events in the near future. We felt strongly that the bulk of available funds should stay local so we focused on non-profits that are helping island workers and residents, along with those whose requests related to housing and education.”
The committee also voted to reserve an equal amount of $37,500 for next year’s awards.
Chartered in 1987, Zonta SanCap has raised funds since inception to support organizations whose work helps to improve the status of women and girls. These funds are typically awarded in grants during January each year, and the club’s practice has been to bring together all grantee organizations at a gathering at the Sanibel Community House. This year, checks had to be mailed or delivered individually. Presenting the check to Goodwill Industries, which empowers women by helping them start businesses, Zontian Sharon Miller said: “They were so happy to receive this generous donation from Zonta.”
For information or to donate, visit zontasancap.com.
Caption: (From left) Sandra Plazas, director of community education for Goodwill; Sharon Miller; and Carolyn Johnson, Goodwill senior vice president of mission services & development