Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Surman.
Hi Tiffany, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Texas Women’s League of Fayette County was founded in 2003 by a group of local women who wanted to make a meaningful and lasting impact in our community. They saw a need to support the many nonprofit organizations serving Fayette County and believed that by working together, women could create a powerful force for philanthropy and community improvement.
What began as a small group with a shared vision has grown into a strong network of women committed to giving back. Through fundraising events, community engagement, and thoughtful grantmaking, Texas Women’s League has been able to support a wide range of local nonprofits that provide vital services across Fayette County.
Over the past two decades, the League has distributed more than $1.7 million in grants to over 90 nonprofit organizations, helping fund programs that strengthen families, support health and wellness, expand educational opportunities, and improve quality of life across our community.
Today, Texas Women’s League continues to grow and evolve while staying true to its founding mission: women coming together to raise funds and invest them back into Fayette County nonprofits where they can make the greatest impact.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like most volunteer organizations, it hasn’t always been a perfectly smooth road. Over the years, Texas Women’s League has navigated the normal challenges that come with a nonprofit run by dedicated volunteers — balancing busy personal and professional lives while continuing to grow the organization and its impact.
One of the ongoing challenges has been sustaining fundraising momentum year after year so that we can continue to support local nonprofits at meaningful levels. Planning large fundraising events requires significant time, coordination, and community support, and each year brings new logistical and economic factors to consider.
Another challenge has been evolving as the community grows. As Fayette County changes and the needs of local nonprofits shift, the League has worked to refine its grantmaking process and ensure funds are distributed in ways that create the greatest impact.
Despite these challenges, the strength of Texas Women’s League has always been its members and community support. The dedication of volunteers, sponsors, and local partners has allowed the organization not only to overcome obstacles but to continue growing and making a difference in Fayette County for more than two decades.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Texas Women’s League of Fayette County is a women-led philanthropic organization dedicated to strengthening our community by supporting local nonprofits. Our work focuses on raising funds and redistributing those funds through grants to organizations that serve Fayette County. The nonprofits we support work across many areas — including education, health and wellness, services for families and children, senior support, and programs that improve the overall quality of life in our community.
What we specialize in is community-driven philanthropy. Each year, our members come together to organize fundraising efforts and events, and those funds are then carefully distributed through a grant process to nonprofits that are making a meaningful difference locally. Our goal is to ensure that the resources raised in Fayette County are reinvested right back into the community where they can have the greatest impact.
Texas Women’s League has become known for bringing women together around a shared purpose of service and giving back. Beyond fundraising, we create opportunities for women to connect, volunteer, and learn more about the needs of our community. That sense of collaboration and shared commitment is a big part of what makes the organization special.
One of the things we are most proud of is the lasting impact the League has had over the past two decades. Since 2003, we have awarded more than $1.7 million in grants to over 90 nonprofit organizations that serve Fayette County. Seeing those funds translate into real programs, services, and opportunities for our neighbors is incredibly rewarding.
What sets Texas Women’s League apart is that we are entirely community-driven. Our members are volunteers who live and work here, and they care deeply about the future of Fayette County. Because of that local perspective, we are able to identify needs, support organizations doing meaningful work, and build partnerships that strengthen the entire community.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
For those just starting out, our biggest piece of advice is start with a clear purpose and stay focused on the mission that brought you together. When Texas Women’s League began, it was simply a group of women who believed that by working together they could make a meaningful difference in Fayette County. That shared vision has guided the organization for more than two decades.
It’s also important to build a strong community around your work. Relationships with volunteers, donors, local businesses, and nonprofit partners are what allow an organization to grow and sustain its impact. Taking time to nurture those connections makes a lasting difference.
Another lesson we’ve learned is that growth takes time. Not everything happens overnight, and there will always be challenges along the way. Being willing to adapt, listen to feedback, and evolve as your community’s needs change is key to long-term success.
If there’s one thing we wish we knew in the beginning, it’s just how powerful consistent, small efforts over time can be. When people come together year after year with a shared commitment to giving back, the impact can grow far beyond what anyone initially imagined.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.texaswomensleague.org/
