The NC Council for Women (CFW) released over $1 million in grant funds this week, for a total disbursement of $2.8 million to 239 programs since October 29th. These grants are funded through Marriage License Fees, Divorce Filing fees and through sexual assault and domestic violence appropriations from the General Assembly. CFW disbursed the grant funds to grantees located across North Carolina for women and families to access county-based 24/7 crisis hotlines, shelters, counseling, education and advocacy.

“The Council is very pleased to release these funds that will go directly to serving women and families who truly need help, many of whom have no other place to go,” said Gale McKoy Wilkins, Executive Director of CFW.

In Fiscal Year 2013-14, CFW appropriated $7.7 million in total grant funds that will go to 239 programs. The first distribution of funds was on October 29th and November 5th, with the remaining funds to be distributed quarterly. This year marks the first time that funds were distributed in October as compared to late November. Early receipt of the funds was essential to helping many non-profits stay afloat.

“Our Center was very relieved that our funds arrived earlier than expected,” said Ann Peele, Executive Director of the Family Guidance Center in Catawba County. “I’d like to thank the Council for all they do to ensure that victims have access to these services.”

State grants provide access to essential services for North Carolina’s women and families. In Fiscal Year 2012- 13, domestic violence and sexual assault grants served over 51,000 people that included over 5,500 children. In addition, state grants provided crisis hotlines which received over 84,000 calls.

“We have worked hard to maintain services,” said Nancy Newman, Director of AVID, a domestic violence program serving Lincoln and Gaston counties. “Receiving the grants this month is vital to our agency and our community.”

Janie Spencer,Director of the Inner Banks Hotline in Tyrrell County, said the grant will help operations locally.

“The funding from the NC Council for Women is very crucial for continued services to victim of domestic violence and/or sexual assault for citizens of Tyrrell.   Receiving the funds earlier meant that that Inner Bank wouldn’t have to close it doors during the month of October  and part of November,” she said.

For more information on the NC Council for Women and a complete list of programs and funding amounts, please visit them online or call 919-733-2455.