Jennifer Buffett

From Staff Reports

More than 900 people gathered on May 23 in Asheville to celebrate women’s philanthropy and to hear a keynote address from philanthropist Jennifer Buffett at the 7th Annual Power of the Purse luncheon.

The event took place at The Crowne Plaza resort in Asheville and included the announcement of $270,000 in grants to nonprofits addressing the needs of women and girls in Western North Carolina made by the Women for Women giving circle.

A challenge grant from the Oliver Family Foundation enabled Power of the Purse to raise an additional $50,000 for the Foundation’s Women’s Fund, bringing the endowment to more than $500,000.

Proceeds from the endowment are distributed through the Women for Women grant program.

 Women for Women, an initiative of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, raises funds to make grants to increase the economic self-sufficiency of women and girls in Western North Carolina.