A.N.A.’s Friends receives $15,000 from Women’s Giving Circle to support Children's Needs Program and Heartfelt Hangouts
A.N.A.’s Friends received a $15,000 grant from the Women’s Giving Circle of Southwest Florida to support the nonprofit's Children's Needs Program and Heartfelt Hangouts. The programs help children and teens in Collier and Lee counties access individualized resources as well as opportunities to experience the everyday joys of childhood.
The generous grant brings together two organizations built around a similar idea: individual acts of generosity become more powerful when people unite around a shared purpose. Through collective giving, Women’s Giving Circle members pool their resources and knowledge to address pressing needs across Southwest Florida. For A.N.A.’s Friends, that collective support translates into something deeply personal for each child.
“There is something powerful about women coming together, learning where the needs are and deciding collectively that children in our community are worthy of their investment,” said A.N.A.’s Friends CEO Jessica Kaestner. “This gift gives us the flexibility to respond to what each child needs while also creating opportunities for laughter, connection and memories that remind them childhood can still hold joy.”
The Women’s Giving Circle of Southwest Florida formed in 2012 with 10 members. It has grown into a network of more than 140 women committed to improving the lives of women and families through philanthropy. The organization has awarded more than $1.15 million in grants to local nonprofits, combining financial contributions with research, volunteerism and firsthand learning about community needs.
Through A.N.A.’s Friends’ Children’s Needs Program, one request might provide a bed for a child entering a new home, while another could cover tutoring, therapy or an activity that helps restore a sense of normalcy. Heartfelt Hangouts expands that support by bringing children, teens and caregivers together for shared experiences where they can connect, try something new and simply enjoy being together.
At A.N.A.'s Friends, anyone can be a Friend by using their time, talents or resources to support children navigating difficult circumstances. The Women’s Giving Circle demonstrates what can happen when many Friends bring those individual contributions together, turning a circle of generosity into a wider circle of support for children across Southwest Florida.
