Iva Roberts Welton, WIP member and former owner of the gothic Rose Hill Plantation Home in the Rose Hill community, gave a passionate presentation of her affection for the house and its long and interesting history.

Rose Hill was originally built for the Kirk family, and they owned all property now known as Greater Bluffton. The Sturgeons were the second owners of Rose Hill Plantation Home (nearly 90 years later) and restored it to its majestic opulence.

Iva and her husband purchased it in 1980, maintained it meticulously, opened the home for public tours and proudly hosted many Hilton Head Island social events.

Iva dedicated herself to researching every detail affiliated with the home. She worked diligently to get this home on America’s Historic Preservation Home Registry, where it is listed today. She continues serving on many Beaufort and Bluffton historical societies, as well as on the board of directors of the Arts and Cultural Council of Hilton Head Island and the Heritage Library Foundation.

We have two amazing save-the-dates you must note on your 2022 calendar!

Monday, February 14: Valentini at Jean Henderson’s lovely home, featuring her signature Jalentini cocktail! RSVP here. This event is for WIP members only

Monday, May 10: Women in Philanthropy Spring Luncheon at Colleton River. Keep an eye on your inbox - and on this newsletter - for upcoming information and RSVP details.

The work of the grants committee has begun in earnest! By our application deadline of January 14, we received 27 grant applications, requesting a total of $565,812.01. The grants committee members have begun the very difficult process of determining the best use of our Women in Philanthropy funds to address this year’s grant theme of “Continuing Efforts for Pandemic Recovery to Address Issues of Family Stability.” We have four meetings scheduled before the end of February, when the committee plans to submit the 2022 grant recommendations to the advisory board for approval at its March meeting.

It’s January, and time to continue making a difference in our community. Please check to confirm your membership is current. Lisa Hodge, the Community Foundation’s WIP liaison, will be mailing out membership lists by the end of January. Please verify your information is accurate. If you don’t receive an email, please contact Lisa Hodge.

To renew your membership, go to cflowcountry.civicore.com/Women-in-Philanthropy or a mail a check to the Community Foundation at P.O. Box 23019 Hilton Head Island, SC 29925. *Be sure to include "WIP Membership" in the subject line of your check.

Founding Member – Founding Members are the original 100 members who are each contributing $1,000 per year for three consecutive years - resulting in the original $300,000 endowment fund.

Diamond Member – The Diamond Member has pledged to contribute $3,000 - a three-year commitment of $1,000 per year.

Legacy/Lifetime Member – The Legacy/Lifetime Member pledges to contribute $10,000 over a three-year period. After her pledge is complete, her membership is considered paid up for life, although she is free to contribute more at any time.

If Diamond or Legacy/Lifetime membership seem right for you, please advise Lisa Hodge at the Community Foundation.