September 24, 2025
South Lake County – Five $2,000 grants were awarded at the annual Women’s Giving Circle (WGC) Collective Grantmaking Event on September 9 held at The East Point Venue. The Women’s Giving Circle Collective Grantmaking Event is part of the philanthropic efforts of the Crown Point Community Foundation. The WGC invites women from the area to attend the event with a $100 or larger donation, which can be made throughout the year. Attendees’ donations are then pooled and awarded to area nonprofits. All WGC attendees vote for the nonprofits of their choice at the organization’s annual event, which is held on the second Tuesday in September.
In addition to the five, $2,000 grant recipients at the Women’s Giving Circle Collective Grantmaking Event, the WGC members will also supply a $2,500 Scholarship for an Adult Learner (21 and over) in 2026.
“The Women’s Giving Circle Collective Grantmaking Event is more than just a gathering—it’s a chance for women to come together, connect with one another, and better understand the challenges and opportunities facing our community,” said Mary Nielsen, President of the Crown Point Community Foundation. “By pooling our resources, we amplify the power of every individual gift, turning it into meaningful impact that truly changes lives. We invite every woman in South Lake County to be part of this inspiring evening and see firsthand how generosity, when combined, can shape the future of the community we so proudly call home.”
The event was sponsored by Kathy Roeser of The Roeser Group at Morgan Stanley and Jane Lambesis of Federated Hermes Investment. At this year’s event, Women’s Giving Circle members voted on and awarded $2,000 grants to the following nonprofits:
1. Cedar Lake Historical Association
2. Community Help Network
3. In-Pact
4. Northwest Indiana Cancer Kids Foundation
5. St. Jude House
“We are deeply grateful to the Women’s Giving Circle for their generous grant and the encouragement it brings to our mission,” said Sue Moreno, Marketing Coordinator at In-Pact. “The event was both inspiring and uplifting, reminding us of the power of women coming together to make a difference. Through the support of the Crown Point Community Foundation and its many programs, we feel connected to a vibrant network of partners, resources, and opportunities that strengthen our nonprofit community.”
“We are thrilled that St. Jude House was selected as a recipient of the $2,000 grant from the Women’s Giving Circle,” said Lauren Zurbriggen, Director of Development at St. Jude House. “This support allows us to provide welcome kits filled with toiletries, bedding and linens – all basic needs that help us to transform our shelter into a place that feels more like home for survivors seeking safety and healing.”
“I always look forward to this event,” said CPCF Board Member Cyndi Walsh. “It is inspiring to witness the collective impact of likeminded women with generous hearts.
For more information about becoming a member of the Women’s Giving Circle, visit the Crown Point Community Foundation website at www.thecpcf.org.
About the Crown Point Community Foundation: The Crown Point Community Foundation connects people who care to causes that matter. Since 1990, we have served the citizens of Crown Point and South Lake County through a range of charitable and civic activities, while helping individual donors achieve their philanthropic goals. As a public charitable organization, the CPCF is dedicated to building permanently endowed funds. The Crown Point Community Foundation will help to positively shape the future of the community and act as a facilitator of community good.