With members voting electronically, the WKU Sisterhood recently awarded $30,000 in grants to fund three University initiatives for 2020.
The following grants were awarded:
- $12,000 for the Food Pantry at WKU
- $10,000 for the One WKU Academy
- $8,000 for the Kelly M. Burch Institute for Transformative Practices in Higher Education at WKU
The WKU Sisterhood, chaired by Julie Harris Hinson, is an organization of women advancing University priorities through philanthropic engagement and a collective voice. Members pool their financial gifts and award funds to a limited number of University designations to maximize the impact of their philanthropy. Any alumna, friend, faculty or staff member of WKU is invited to join this group of women.
“Though we are planning to hold a virtual meeting next month, we wanted to award our grants as soon as possible so the funds can begin making an impact for the University community,” said Hinson. “The Food Pantry, the One WKU Academy and the Burch Institute represent critical and timely initiatives, and we know that each will utilize this funding in their own unique ways to support their diverse needs. The Sisterhood overwhelmingly wanted to include support for the Burch Institute to honor Dr. Barbara Burch, who was chair of the Sisterhood from 2017 to 2019. She was a dedicated leader and a passionate philanthropist. I learned so much from her, and I am glad that we can continue to recognize her through the work of an organization for which she cared so much.”
