Women in Philanthropy Awards $132,000 in Grants to Local Organizations “Promoting Mental Health”

The theme of WIP’s 2024 grant cycle is “Promoting Mental Health,” which was an expansion on the 2023 grant theme “Strengthening Mental Health Services for Children and Young Adults Through the Age of 21.” The luncheon featured inspiring and emotional presentations by 2023 WIP grant recipients, as well as the announcement of the 2024 grantees. With this year’s awards, WIP surpassed the $1 million mark in grants awarded to local organizations since its inception in 2003! 

The 2024 WIP Grant Recipients are:

Hopeful Horizons - $25,000 (Dr. Juliann Bluitt Foster Memorial Fund Grant): To fund no-cost mental health services for victims of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual abuse. Funds will pay for salaries and expenses associated with mental health counseling programs, offered in English, Spanish, and other languages. 

Lowcountry SC Chapter of the American Red Cross - $19,000: To fund mental health programs and support for both disaster victims and military service personnel and their families. Mental health professionals and active/retired military personnel will be recruited and trained to provide immediate trauma support, family workshops and individual counseling.

Spirit of Sebastian - $18,000: To support uninsured and underinsured individuals entering a Lowcountry drug or alcohol rehabilitation facility for detoxification and mental health treatment. The new organization is dedicated to spreading awareness about the dangers of drug use and addiction. 

Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island - $12,000: To fund the development and implementation of a new program for K-12 Beaufort County students, in collaboration with Therapy Group, LLC, designed to build awareness and understanding of overall mental health, with targeted guidance on subjects such as emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal skills. 

Heroes on Horseback - $4,000: To fund an equine therapy program that targets physical and/or emotional and mental challenges for active duty military personnel and veterans, many of whom suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and disabilities.   

Lowcountry Autism Foundation - $12,000: To fund the continuation of last year's program to help low-income families access diagnostic testing for their children who are suspected of having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Early diagnosis is necessary for these children to obtain essential services in school.

Memory Matters - $20,000: To support a variety of programs promoting mental health and wellness for families facing Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD), including monthly educational seminars, multi-week intensive training programs, and one-on-one counseling, in addition to a new database tool for tracking cases and referrals.

Volunteers in Medicine, Hilton Head Island - $22,000: To fund a bilingual Mental Health Patient Coordinator, in cooperation with the Bluffton/Jasper VIM and Mental Health of America. Sixty percent of VIM’s patients are Latino.

For over 20 years, Women in Philanthropy has been supporting nonprofit organizations throughout Beaufort County, strengthening communities and celebrating the value of giving back to benefit those in need. If you would like more information about Women in Philanthropy, please visit https://cf-lowcountry.org/giving-circles/women-in-philanthropy-wip or contact Lisa Hodge at 843-681-9100.