August Member Spotlight
Meet Kiarra Womack Kiarra Womack is serving in her fourth year at the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, now as Senior Scholarships Manager. She oversees all scholar-related activities including working with committees, data tracking, outreach to students and education partners, and special education-focused projects. She is the lead for the Regional Scholarship Providers Network, collaborating and sharing best scholarship practices across local funders in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties. |
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What is your involvement with Florida Philanthropic Network? What influenced you to join?
"I have been involved in the Florida Philanthropic Network since 2022 when I started at the Selby Foundation. The FPN Florida Education Funders Group (FEF) has been of special interest to me. Hearing from Bill Hoffman, Jesse Coraggio, and Kelly Romanoff as well as the others in the FEF Group has really aided me in my understanding of education initiatives and ways philanthropic partners collaborate across the state."
Name one thing you find special about the Florida philanthropic community.
"The Florida philanthropic community is adaptable. As federal and state laws continually change and impact the way we practice our philanthropic efforts, we are still able to adjust in ways that keep supporting our community."
Are there any partnerships or collaboration efforts you have found most meaningful to you in the last year?
What's the biggest challenge you've faced with your philanthropic efforts? How have you overcome them? |
"The greatest challenge I’ve faced is not being able to fund all students in need of financial assistance. The challenge is the same as all philanthropic entities in that we don’t have unlimited funds to support every student. Each day we make hard decisions about which students and non-profits we will grant to. The hardest part is knowing that we have limited financial resources every year and can’t help everyone.
I overcome this challenge by spreading as much information about financial assistance for college and post-secondary paths as possible. In my 4 years at Selby, I have connected with at least 70 different organizations and partners and hosted over 40 different scholarship and financial aid presentations to students of all ages at our local non-profits. I also share information when tabling at the county-wide college and career fairs across Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties with around 400 attendees of families each event. Lastly, I have served as a volunteer college counselor to low-income students and students of color for the past 5 years. One conversation with a student about the post-secondary opportunities available can help them make a decision that will alter the trajectory of their future financially, socially, and emotionally while creating a better life for their families. College access and success efforts allow all students to thrive, and I like to be a part of that push."
What fuels your cup - in life and at work?
"What fuels my cup in life is creating delicious baked goods for friends and family, nurturing my vegetable garden and travelling around the nation. I also enjoy a good kayaking day across our Florida rivers. At work, every conversation with a student and each brainstorming moment with the Selby Team makes my day!"
Can you share one piece of advice you would give to someone considering a career in philanthropy?
"I would encourage them to get connected as soon as they can. Consider joining a professional network like FPN to find a community to talk with and ask questions. All philanthropic partners can be a resource to each other through shared learnings and collaboration. Our collective philanthropic efforts are what make for a stronger Florida."