As we write this letter, Nebraska is in the joyous and erratic throes of spring. Renewal and growth are evident in the greening of our lawns, tree buds bursting into bloom and newly hatched eggs.
Spring is also a time of renewal and growth for WIN. A whopping 150 new grant letters of inquiry were received, and the review process has narrowed these down to 16 full application evaluations, led by Grants Committee Chair Halley Kruse. Site visits of the selected finalists will occur throughout the month June. All are welcome to join any of the site visits, if you so choose, to see the proposed projects firsthand.
It’s also time to renew and grow WIN membership to make the greatest impact possible. June 30 is the deadline to sign up WIN members for this grant year cycle. Any gifts coming in by June 30 will be invested in two wonderful projects. You get to vote in August to help decide where the money will go, and the recipients will be revealed along with a super keynote speaker at our Grants Celebration to be held in Lincoln.
As of this writing, we have 302 members, thanks to the work of the Membership Committee under the leadership of Peg Slagle and Tina Spatz. Our goal is 350 members. If you know of someone who would be a great addition to our growing network of caring women, please reach out to them before June 30.
Let’s not forget to renew and grow ourselves! Our Education Committee, led by Betsy Tonniges, has a full calendar of events lined up that will keep you entertained, educated and inspired. On May 15, we will hear from one of our previous grant recipients. The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s emergency nurse practitioner certificate program will update us on their progress. See the WIN website and your email for details. A similar event was held in March in Lincoln for an update of the Foster Care Closet, and a visit to Omaha’s Kiewit Luminarium was held on April 23. More social and educational events are in the works for future dates.
Thank you so much for your participation and support of bold University of Nebraska and nonprofit initiatives that address critical issues in our state. Here’s to WIN and to the power of collective giving — and to the fun we get to have along the way!
Lisa Smith and Karen Linder
WIN Co-Chairs