Dr. Sara Reynolds (Shepherd University) and Bonnie Brannon (former co-chair of the WISH grant committee)
A giving circle can be a little mysterious, a bit like a crop circle — you see the results but you don’t necessarily see how it happens. In the case of Women Investing In Shepherd (WISH), a lot happens, without a lot of fanfare. The group has provided over $1 million in grant funding since its inception in 2015. In 2023, WISH awarded four grants totaling $142,000 collectively to two community nonprofits, Girls on the Run Shenandoah Valley and Jefferson County Community Ministries, and two Shepherd University projects.
WISH invites all Shepherd alumnae as well as women in the local community to become members. The group was established in 2014 by the Shepherd University Foundation with a mission to educate, engage, and empower women to achieve their philanthropic goals. For its 2024 cycle, WISH will be granting a total $160,500, split among six grants. Nonprofit organizations and Shepherd University groups that are addressing critical community needs are invited to submit letters of inquiry by March 10 to be considered for this year’s grants.
The deadline to apply for a 2024 grant is March 10. Eligible organizations must have a current 501(c)(3) public charity status and be based in (and primarily serve) one or more of the following counties: Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan, and Hampshire (West Virginia); Frederick, Loudoun, and Clarke counties (Virginia); or Frederick and Washington (Maryland). Information and application forms are availble online at ShepherdUniversityFoundation.org.
The 2023 WISH grant award recipients pose for a group photo. Pictured, (front row, l. to r) are Annoica Ingram, executive director of Girls on the Run Shenandoah Valley; Caitlin Walters, Girls on the Run Shenandoah Valley; Meg Patterson, Shepherd University; Dr. Mary J.C. Hendricks, Shepherd University president. Second row, Kasey Perdue, Jefferson County Community Ministries; Pattie Schiotis, Girls on the Run Shenandoah Valley; Lisa Wolff, sponsor; John Wolff, sponsor. Third row, Wendy Carlson, Girls on the Run Shenandoah Valley; and Sherri Janelle, Shepherd University Foundation interim executive vice president. Fourth row, Jamie Schooley, Jefferson County Community Ministries; Peachy Staley, WISH advisory committee; Bev Hughes, WISH advisory committee; Dr. Brenda Johnston, Shepherd social work program; Taylor Staubs, Shepherd social work program; and Dr. Craig Cline, Shepherd social work program. Fifth row, Liz Oates, WISH advisory committee; Jennifer Verdugo, Jefferson County Community Ministries; Carolyn Fleenor, WISH advisory committee; Dr. Peter Vila, Shepherd Department of Natural and Physical Sciences; Dr. Sytil Murphy, Shepherd Department of Natural and Physical Sciences; Dr. Jeff Groff, Shepherd Department of Natural and Physical Sciences; and Dr. Zach Musselman, Shepherd Department of Natural and Physical Sciences. (photo credit: Sam Levitan)
By Staff Contributor