Three years ago, a small group of philanthropic-minded women wanted to make a significant impact in the lives of black women and girls.

That was the beginning of SisterFund, created with a spirited responsibility, coupled with dollars, to change and enhance the future for African-American females.

SisterFund, a nonprofit, charitable organization, is a part of the Community Foundation’s Giving Circles network and associated with Catalyst, a national philanthropic group of women giving circles.

Chairwoman Evette Roots, a founding member, says, “If each of us looks back on our lives, we realize that we did not become successful on our own. There is someone in our family, a relative or a close friend or church member that saw promise in our faces and said, ‘We are going to help you get to where you want to go,’” Ms. Roots says.

“We must give back.”

SisterFund’s mission is to pool members’ time, talent and treasures to support organizations working to transform the lives of Richmond area African-American women and girls.

“Our members are as diverse as our community, from all walks of life and age range, from millennials to retirees, professors, politicians, physicians, ministers, nonprofit leaders, artists, teachers and administrators,” Ms. Roots says, as she works through her two-year term ending in 2021.

“We provide an annual gift of $1,100 each to support one or more annual grants directed at our sisters.”

Poverty disproportionately impacts the African-American community, especially women and girls. SisterFund intentionally focuses on education, leadership development, workforce development, empowerment and health.

Since 2016, the nonprofit has granted more than $20,000 to Richmond organizations such as Partnership for the Future, the Children’s Home Society and Girls For A Change. Each addressing the needs of African-American females. The Community Foundation administers all grant awards

“When nonprofits recognized that we were unapologetically supporting organizations geared to black women and black girls, SisterFund saw other organizations say, ‘This may be something we need to focus on,’ ” Ms. Roots says.

“There is a social, economic and educational gap for black women and girls and we, as a society, need to spend time in how we fund organizations that are focused on the gaps. That growth in awareness is really the key to what SisterFund is doing.”

For Ms. Roots, SisterFund has given her an opportunity to broaden her network in meeting some incredible women that she didn’t know were a part of the Richmond community.

“Every time I participate in a Friendraiser, an annual meeting of members only, I meet a different black female that I didn’t know was in Richmond,” she says.

As she looks at the organization’s future, Ms. Roots says she would like to increase membership to 75 by 2021. Currently, there are 40 members.

Ms. Roots envisions a signature series of educational events where SisterFund shares information with the community about philanthropy — workshops, seminars and/or lectures addressing what black spending looks like and its impact on the community.

“Come join us,” Ms. Roots says. “This is an opportunity to show what your financial impact would look like. At some point, we are going to have to figure out how we, as African- American women, are going to financially take care of our own women and girls.”

Women interested in joining SisterFund only need to connect with the Community Foundation or go to the SisterFund website, www.sisterfundrva.org, and send an email stating an interest in becoming a part of the organization.

The deadline to submit membership requests for this funding cycle is April 30. After that, interested women can call (804) 330-7400 before the next funding cycle in the fall.

Meet this week’s Personality and a woman determined to pay and fund it forward, Evette Roots:

Occupation: Social enterprise specialist.

What I do: I am responsible for creating an anchor institution (hospitals and universities) strategy that will encourage social enterprises (small business start-ups focused on under-employed individuals) and increase employment opportunities for low-wage workers moving up the economic ladder toward self-sufficiency. I also encourage businesses in the Richmond metropolitan area to pay a living wage and remove economic barriers for small and minority-owned businesses.

No. 1 community involvement: Chair of SisterFund.

When elected: Feb. 28.

Length of term: Two years.

Date and place of birth: May 23 in Richmond.

Current residence: Richmond.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science, Virginia Commonwealth University

Family: Dad, sister and lots of close friends.

Why I became involved with SisterFund: I am one of six co-founders of SisterFund. I wanted to do something extraordinary with a group of my friends and like-minded “sisters” that would make a measurable impact in the Richmond region.

Mission of SisterFund: Our mission is to improve the lives of African-American women and girls by providing collective investments into local nonprofits that serve them.

What is SisterFund’s relationship with the Community Foundation: The Community Foundation acts as our fiscal agent and provides administrative assistance to our organization. The Community Foundation is a partner in helping to grow this unique way of engaging donors through giving circles.

When is the Friendrasier and how can women of color get involved: Our spring Friendraiser is 6 p.m. April 18. Please visit our website at www.sisterfundrva.org for additional information or call (804) 330-7400.

What are the programs to which SisterFund has donated: SisterFund was established in 2015. Our first grantee was Children’s Home Society. We funded the Possibilities Project, a collaboration between Children’s Home Society of Virginia and the Better Housing Coalition. The project provides access to education, safe housing and life coaching for young women aging out of foster care.

Our second recipient was Partnership for the Future, which provides highly motivated local high school students from challenging circumstances the tools and experience needed to attain a college degree.

And last fall, we were proud to award a grant to Girls for a Change, which empowers young women by inviting them to design, lead, fund and implement social change projects that tackle issues girls face in their own neighborhoods, with our largest grant of $40,000.

Membership requirements: Each member of SisterFund makes an annual investment of $1,100 by April 30. Each contribution of $1,100 provides membership for the current grant-making cycle.

Why I am excited about SisterFund and the Friendrasier: Our friendraisers give us an opportunity to meet and greet women of color who are interested in learning more about SisterFund. Potential members hear first hand from our grantees about the impact of our investment and how it has impacted their organization. It is also an incredibly fun time to meet amazing women who are making a tangible difference in our region.

How do women of color connect with the SisterFund: SisterFund can be reached via email at sisterfund@cfrichmond.org and please “like” us on Facebook.

Why is it important for women of color to join and volunteer: SisterFund gives women of color an opportunity to support what is important to us and what we care about in our community. By joining our giving circle, you are pooling your time, talent and treasures to support organizations that transform the lives of women and girls who look like us.

How I start the day: Thanking my heavenly father for allowing me to see another day.

Quality I most admire in another person: Compassion.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I love to play my guitar. I started taking lessons last year and it is the best part of my week!

A quote that I am inspired by: “If you want something you’ve never had before, you must do something you’ve never done before.”

How I unwind: I love to take walks in The Fan with friends that culminate with brunch.

Best late-night snack: Ruffles potato chips.

At the top of my “to do” list is: Making sure SisterFund hits its target of 75 members for 2019.

The best thing my parents ever taught me: Always be respectful. And know that when you leave your home, you not only represent yourself, but your family.

The person who influenced me the most: Everett T. Roots Sr., my daddy.

The book that influenced me the most: “Never Eat Alone” by Keith Ferrazzi with Tahl Raz.

What I’m reading now: “The Hidden Rules of Race: Barriers to an Inclusive Economy” by Andrea Flynn, Dorian T. Warren, et al.

My next goal: To continue to build awareness about SisterFund, ultimately increasing our membership, which will lead to significantly increased investments that will positively impact women and girls of color.