Stories of Impact: Carolinas CARE Partnership
by Meaghan Dunham Arena
Carolinas CARE Partnership (CCP), a 2024 Women’s Impact Fund grant recipient, has been busy making impactful changes over the last year. From a successful office relocation to preparing for a major community event, CCP continues to expand its reach and deepen its services.
Progress and Transformation
Since receiving the WIF grant, CCP has relocated to a more central location—an intentional move to ensure better access for clients. The transition went smoothly, and their new space is already proving to be a valuable asset in serving the community more effectively.
Leadership changes within the organization provided an opportunity to reflect and reimagine internal processes. CCP took a comprehensive look at their infrastructure and implemented improvements, including the adoption of SharePoint, which has streamlined communication and operations across teams.
With support from an Opioid Settlement Grant, CCP has expanded its Housing and Case Management teams, strengthening their capacity to meet growing community needs.
Community Engagement on the Rise
This spring, CCP will host its first major community event, Unity in the Community, on May 17. The event aims to foster connection and awareness around health and housing services. In addition, they are collaborating with RAIN for the annual AIDS Walk and planning their own event in recognition of National HIV Testing Day on June 27.
Grant in Action: A Case Study in Organizational Growth
CCP’s story illustrates how catalytic funding paired with intentional relationship-building can create meaningful, sustainable change. The Women’s Impact Fund grant allowed CCP to invest in essential staff capacity at a pivotal time, particularly by offsetting the salary for an Operations Manager. This role has been key to supporting organizational improvements, expanding services, and positioning the team for continued growth. Their experience also highlights the value of trust-based philanthropy, where grantees feel seen, supported, and able to truly focus on their mission.
Reflections on the WIF Partnership
CCP shared that working with their WIF Relationship Manager, Pia, was a standout aspect of their experience. “She really got down to the heart of ‘what do you need?’” they shared. The grant reporting process felt accessible and well-paced—“not too much, not too little”—making it easier to focus on the work at hand.
Although life circumstances have limited their ability to fully participate in the honorary Women’s Impact Fund membership, CCP expressed appreciation for the gesture and the importance of being seen not just as a grantee, but as a valued member of the WIF community.
The Power of Support
The WIF grant significantly offset the cost of salary for CCP’s Operations Manager—a critical investment that helped them build organizational stability during a period of growth and transition. “This was HUGE for us,” they emphasized.
How You Can Help
As CCP looks ahead, they welcome support from the WIF community in several ways:
- Attend or spread the word about Unity in the Community on May 17
- Join or support their team for the AIDS Walk in collaboration with RAIN
- Help them connect with potential board members, especially those with experience in finance, marketing, or grant writing
If you or someone in your network is interested in board service, reach out directly to Tawanna at Carolinas CARE Partnership.
