The Women's Giving Circle of Southwest Florida Announces 2025-2026 Grants 8 Grants Total $154,000

NAPLES, Fla., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Women's Giving Circle of Southwest Florida, a volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of Southwest Florida women and their families through collective giving, today announced eight grant recipients for 2025-26.

Since its founding in 2012, the Women's Giving Circle of Southwest Florida has awarded close to $1 million in grants to local nonprofits in Collier and Lee Counties, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening the community and improving the lives of thousands of women and their families. The group has also grown from 10 founding members to more than 125 current members.

Funding priorities for 2025 focused on supporting seniors -- specifically, organizations that help older community members thrive by providing access to housing, legal counsel, social engagement, hot meals, financial stability, and other critical services.

"As our community ages, it's essential that we invest in programs that support older community members' independence, well-being, and quality of life," said Lesley Hill, Cochair of the Women's Giving Circle of Southwest Florida. "We are honored to partner with these organizations, ensuring that seniors in Collier and Lee Counties have the resources they need to live with dignity and purpose."

The 2025-26 grantees are:

The Baker Senior Center: $15,000 will be allocated for their Food Security for Older Adult Women Program.

Collier Senior Center – Golden Gate: $20,000 will be used for their UPSLIDE Program, designed to enhance senior women's mental wellness. The UPSLIDE Program sponsors a Friends' Connection group to address depression, loneliness and isolation and help seniors build relationships and engage more socially. 

Community Cooperative, Inc: $20,000 will be dedicated to their Senior Women Wellness Project. 

Senior Friendship Centers:  $14,000 will be allocated for their Friendship at Home Program which provides crisis intervention services; home visits and telephone reassurance; and emergency food assistance.

The Dubin Center:  $25,000 will be used for their Supporting Seniors with Dementia and their Caregivers Program. 

Dr. Piper Center for Social Services, Inc . : $20,000 will be allocated for their Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent Programs to provide mileage and stipend support to the volunteers (all seniors themselves) who man these programs. 

Legal Aid Service of Collier County: $20,000 will be used for their Senior Women Legal Project. 

St. Matthew's House: $20,000 will be allocated for their Senior Homelessness Program, specifically to help fund the expenses of homeless senior women living in St. Matthew's three shelter locations (Ft. Myers, Naples, Immokalee).

About The Women's Giving Circle of Southwest Florida

The Women's Giving Circle of Southwest Florida is an all-volunteer philanthropic organization dedicated to empowering women and their families through strategic grantmaking. By pooling resources, members amplify their impact, supporting programs that foster education, economic security, health, and well-being across Collier and Lee Counties. For more information about The Women's Giving Circle of Southwest Florida and its initiatives, click here.

SOURCE The Women’s Giving Circle of Southwest Florida