The Community Impact Committee’s work continues to evolve as Women’s Impact Fund embraces a focus on trust-based philanthropy. New for the 2021-2022 WIF year, Community Impact committee members planned and conducted Anniversary Connections conversations with past grantees. The objective is to continue the relationship between WIF and past grantees, spread the word of the past grantee’s continued impact to our membership, and create awareness of how WIF members can continue to support these organizations beyond collective giving—through voluntarism, community engagement, and more.

First up this month is a spotlight on past grantee Envision Charlotte, which was awarded an unrestricted WIF environment grant in 2020-2021. Envision Charlotte started in 2011 as a first-of-its-kind public-private collaboration between Duke Energy, Cisco, and Charlotte Center City Partners to make commercial buildings in Charlotte’s urban core more energy efficient. Since then, Envision Charlotte has evolved as a champion of circular and sustainability efforts and works on projects throughout the Charlotte area with a variety of partners from both the private and public sectors.

In March, Amy Aussieker, Executive Director of Envision Charlotte, shared the exciting news that the Innovation Barn opened to the public in September 2021. It is an expansive space at 932 Seigle Ave. where Envision Charlotte hosts a variety of opportunities and events to build a better Circular Economy. This includes:

• Recycling takeout containers are used to create filament for 3D printers, which in turn creates new things such as personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Monthly Trash Talks where people connect to discuss how to build better in a Circular Economy
• Circle Up! networking opportunities, bringing people together to discuss interests in a more sustainable future
• Volunteer opportunities each Saturday morning for adults and families
• Volunteer, team building, and meeting space opportunities for businesses

Aussieker was also quoted in a recent WFAE Climate report. Check out the article for a good reminder of what we can and cannot recycle in Charlotte today, why, and how we can evolve in the future.

Want to understand more about the Circular Economy or visit the Innovation Barn to get involved? Learn more at envisioncharlotte.com and sign-up for their newsletter.

April 18 marks the start of Earth Week. Check out these special Earth Week events:

Clean the Queen!

April 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Charlotte Solid Waste and Envision Charlotte will be cleaning the city’s litter!

With two shifts per day, volunteers will be given an area of town, a safety vest, litter pickers, and bags. Volunteers will be expected to take a picture before and after of their area and to bring back the litter to the Innovation Barn. Additional volunteers will measure the amount of litter, analyze the contents, and sort and recycle. A full report will be generated.

A Special Trash Talk with a Showcase!

April 21, 3:00–8:00 p.m.

• 3:00–8:00 p.m. Business Showcase—swing by and check out companies with products and solutions that assist in the transition to a Circular Economy.

• 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Circle Up—Network with others who have a passion for sustainability and the Circular Economy.

• 5:30–7:00 p.m. Trash Talk—How to BUILD better in a Circular Economy. Learn how both residential and commercial are built and designed in a more circular way!

• 7:00–8:00 p.m. Continue the conversation . . .