Shreveport, Louisiana, September 26, 2025
News Summary
The Women’s Philanthropy Network (WPN) recently celebrated its 20-year commitment to Caddo Parish at an annual meeting. During the event, WPN awarded a grant to Louisiana Key Academy’s Caddo STEAM Program, highlighting their dedication to enhancing educational opportunities. Since its founding, WPN has contributed $1.7 million towards various educational initiatives, supporting projects that benefit students from Pre-K through high school. The organization continues to encourage women from all generations to join in their mission of promoting educational opportunities in the community.
Shreveport, Louisiana — The Women’s Philanthropy Network (WPN) celebrated two decades of serving Caddo Parish during its annual meeting on May 21, 2024, at the Center for Medical Education at LSU Health Shreveport. The organization showcased its commitment to educational initiatives by awarding its latest grant to Louisiana Key Academy’s Caddo STEAM Program, presented by Principal Pam Barker.
Since its inception in 2005, WPN has made a substantial impact, granting a total of $1.7 million towards various educational projects across Caddo Parish. These projects primarily focus on enhancing opportunities from Pre-K through high school, addressing critical areas including tutoring, truancy, and overall educational support.
The formation of WPN was inspired by Janie Richardson, who served as the first chair of the network. The organization took cues from a women’s giving circle called Impact 100, adapting its membership model and dues structure to effectively meet its charitable goals. Membership remains open to women of all generations, with no long-term commitment required, encouraging a diverse range of participants.
Annual membership fees for WPN are set at $200 for women aged 16-49, and $500 for women aged 50 and over. There are variations in participation levels, including options for a lifetime membership. Members can actively engage in assessing grant applications, volunteering, or contribute financially without direct involvement.
Dues are collected on a rolling basis; however, to have voting rights on the grant recipients for 2026, members are required to pay their dues by March 31, 2026. The organization has established an endowment fund now valued at over $600,000, contributing to its sustainability. Of the collected dues, 80% contribute directly to the grant pool, while 20% supports the endowment, which yields approximately 4% of its market value for grant funding annually.
WPN has funded various local organizations throughout its history, including Volunteers for Youth Justice, Volunteers of America North Louisiana, The Arc Caddo Bossier, and Louisiana Key Academy. The network’s strong emphasis on responsible stewardship of funds is designed to bridge the educational needs within the community.
As WPN looks towards its future, it aims to continue making a positive impact in Caddo Parish over the next 20 years. The network encourages women from diverse backgrounds to join them in their mission of fostering educational opportunities within the community.
Key Achievements of the Women’s Philanthropy Network
- Annual grants totaling $1.7 million over 20 years.
- Establishment of a $600,000 endowment fund.
- Support for educational initiatives from Pre-K through high school.
- Openness to women from all generations with optional participation levels.
Membership Overview
- Annual dues of $200 for ages 16-49.
- Annual dues of $500 for ages 50 and over.
- Rolling dues collection; dues must be paid by March 31, 2026 to vote on 2026 grants.
Past Grant Recipients
- Volunteers for Youth Justice
- Volunteers of America North Louisiana
- The Arc Caddo Bossier
- Louisiana Key Academy
FAQ
What is the Women’s Philanthropy Network?
The Women’s Philanthropy Network (WPN) is an organization that has awarded $1.7 million in grants for educational initiatives in Caddo Parish over the last 20 years.
How can women participate in WPN?
Membership in WPN is open to women of all generations, with no long-term commitment required. Annual membership dues are $200 for women aged 16-49 and $500 for those aged 50 and over.
Where do the dues go?
WPN established an endowment fund valued over $600,000, with 80% of member dues going into the grant pool and 20% toward the endowment, which contributes 4% of its market value to the grant pool annually.
What past grants has WPN funded?
Past grants have funded organizations such as Volunteers for Youth Justice, Volunteers of America North Louisiana, The Arc Caddo Bossier, and Louisiana Key Academy.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate
- Shreveport Times: Virginia K. Shehee Nominations
- Shreveport Times: Jacqueline A. Scott
- KTAL News: Katrina Boden
- Dignity Memorial: Lola Kendrick
- Wikipedia: Women’s Philanthropy
- Google Search: Women’s Philanthropy Network
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Philanthropy
- Google News: Women’s Philanthropy Network
- Google Scholar: Women’s Philanthropy
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
