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Since 2015, Commonwealth Charlotte (CWC) has made its mission to help guide Charlotte’s economically vulnerable population with trauma-informed education, certified financial counseling, asset- and wealth-building skills, and access to banking services and 0% interest loans.

As our 2022 Human Services Nonprofit Partner, they received a $95,000 grant, and in the last 6 months, CWC has:

  • Served 5,044 total clients (20,000+ since 2016)
  • Enrolled 4,273 clients in Financial Empowerment Workshops (19,000+ since 2016)
  • Assisted 1,912 clients with budget development, spending analysis, and credit report repair in one-to-one counseling sessions (7,000+ since 2016)
  • Opened 613 new checking and savings accounts from previously unbanked clients (3,500+ since 2016)
  • Closed 179 new loans (1,000+ since 2016)
  • Introduced a new program to help home ownership as a component of generation2080, helping to foster generational wealth through a matched savings program

CWC has been focused on rekindling partnerships post-pandemic as well as allying with Charlotte Rescue Mission, and Mecklenburg County Community Resource Center where CWC will have counselors on site to identify potential clients. This location on Freedom Drives sees 300-500 community members daily for support services.

Ways to support them would be to share their name with potential clients such as individuals or companies that employ hourly wage earners. They would like to be introduced to contacts in the banking, financial services, or wealth management space to share information on their Financial Health Workplace EAP program. If there is a relationship in the Latino community, tell them about VITA Latino, CWC’s free tax prep program exclusively for Charlotte’s Latino community.  They also need volunteer tax professionals and others to support this program – more info here.

CWC has volunteer opportunities available for anyone interested in getting more involved! From workshop assistants to tax preparation to event volunteers, learn more about volunteer opportunities and sign up to begin receiving CWC’s new volunteer newsletter at commonwealthcharlotte.org/volunteer.  Please note, to volunteer you must first complete a volunteer application and a background check.

Watch this video to find out more about Common Wealth Charlotte.

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Janet LaBar

Executive Director​
jlabar@womensimpactfund.org

With more than 25 years of experience, Janet has a proven track record of leading organizations and teams in developing strategies that foster thriving communities. Her career is dedicated to the well-being of the places she serves, and the people and businesses within them, positioning her as a trusted sounding board, critical thinker, and purposeful protagonist across corporate, government, education, entrepreneurial, and civic spheres.
Janet joined Women’s Impact Fund in June 2025 to guide one of Charlotte’s most respected, women-led philanthropic organizations into its next phase of growth and impact. In partnership with the Women’s Impact Fund team, Board, Advisors, members, volunteers, and key community partners, she will continue strengthening communities by maximizing women’s leadership in philanthropy through collective giving, education, and engagement.
Inspired by her family, teams who dare greatly, and people and communities striving to be their best selves, Janet’s impactful career includes leadership roles as President and CEO of Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, President and CEO of Greater Portland Inc, and Chief Performance Officer of Greater Phoenix Economic Council. As a first-generation Filipino American, her lived experience deeply informs her professional drive to create equitable economic growth and opportunity in the metro areas she’s served.
She holds a BA in Communication Arts from the University of West Florida and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Phoenix. Janet and her husband James are proud parents to an older daughter, and a daughter and son who are twins.