Pearls of Empowerment Luncheon Lays Foundations for Future Giving
On a crisp Friday afternoon, November 14, 2025, the elegant ballroom at Bermuda Run Country Club came alive with the spirit of generosity, purpose, and sisterhood. Nearly 100 women gathered for the Davie Community Foundation’s annual Pearls of Empowerment Grants Luncheon, a celebration of collective impact and a powerful reminder of what can happen when women unite for a common cause.
Pearls of Empowerment (POE), the foundation’s women’s giving circle, was founded on the belief that modest individual gifts can combine to drive meaningful change. With a mission to improve the lives of women and children in Davie County through collective giving, education, and community engagement, POE brings together women of all ages and backgrounds to support local nonprofits. By contributing just $1 per day — $365 a year, members make a steady and accessible commitment to their community.
As was noted during the luncheon, the breakdown of that contribution ensures sustainable impact: typically, $300 of each annual membership goes directly to POE’s grantmaking pool, $35 is added to its endowment, and $30 helps sustain the circle’s programming and operations.
At this year’s event, POE awarded $36,200 in grants to five deserving agencies. While the total requests from applicants exceeded $72,000, the circle was only able to fund selected portions of five of those proposals — underscoring both the depth of local need and the importance of growing membership to amplify POE’s impact.
Here’s a closer look at the recipients and their vital missions:
- Advocacy Center of Davie County — The Advocacy Center supports residents facing financial crisis, helping with rent, utilities, and other immediate needs. Its work strengthens families under pressure and promotes long-term stability.
- Family Promise of Davie County — This organization tackles homelessness by providing shelter, case management, and transition programs for families with children, helping them move toward self-sufficiency.
- Habitat for Humanity – Davie County — Habitat partners with low-income families to build and renovate safe, affordable housing, enabling homeownership and community stability.
- Smart Start of Davie County — Focused on early childhood, Smart Start supports families so that children enter school healthy and ready to learn, promoting stronger educational outcomes over a lifetime.
- The Dragonfly House Children’s Advocacy Center — A safe and child-friendly space, The Dragonfly House offers forensic interviews, therapy, and advocacy services for children who have experienced abuse.
Each of these organizations does critical work; yet, because they were not funded fully, their leaders shared heartfelt gratitude while also expressing the ongoing need for resources.
The luncheon itself was much more than a check presentation. Attendees enjoyed fellowship, shared stories of community challenges and triumphs, and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Davie County. The energy in the room was hopeful, and the collective resolve clear: more hands make lighter work and deeper impact.
POE leaders highlighted that as membership grows, so does their ability to support more agencies and fund grants more comprehensively. Every new member not only brings financial strength but also a voice at the table — because each member (or group) earns a vote in grant decisions.
For women interested in joining Pearls of Empowerment, the process is simple: visit the Davie Community Foundation website at www.DavieFoundation.org, where you can sign up for membership. You may also call the Foundation directly at (336) 753-6903 to inquire about joining, paying your membership, or learning more about member involvement.
POE welcomes both individual members and group memberships. Whether you want to simply give and vote or play a more active role on committees, your involvement helps build a stronger, more resilient community.
As the luncheon drew to a close, there was a tangible sense of momentum. With more women joining the mission, POE expects its grant pool to grow — and with it, the ability to meet even more of the county’s urgent needs. The calls for expanded early-childhood support, affordable housing, and advocacy for children remain loud and clear, and Pearls of Empowerment is uniquely positioned to answer them.
In the words of one longtime member, “Together, we aren’t just writing checks — we’re writing the future.”
If you’re a woman in Davie County looking to make a meaningful impact, consider becoming a Pearl. Your daily dollar can grow into transformative change. Join the circle — and help shape a brighter tomorrow for women and children in our community.