2025 ANNUAL IMPACT SNAPSHOT

Reflecting with Gratitude. Moving with Purpose.

A transparent look at how community generosity translated into meaningful impact across Wake County in 2025.

Why This Snapshot Matters

At the CRO Community Foundation, we believe transparency builds trust—and impact grows when our community can clearly see how support is put to work.

This Annual Impact Snapshot offers an honest, accessible look at how community generosity was transformed into scholarships, mental health support, and wellness initiatives during 2025. While the Foundation continues to strengthen systems and reporting infrastructure, we are committed to sharing progress along the way—not waiting for perfection to tell our story.

For donors, partners, and funders, this snapshot reflects both accountability and momentum. It shows where we have been, how we steward resources, and how we are intentionally building toward sustainable, long-term impact.

Who We Are

The Cultivating Resources and Opportunities (CRO) Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2013 by the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Chi Rho Omega Chapter.

Serving Wake County, North Carolina—with a particular emphasis on Eastern Wake communities—the Foundation addresses unmet social, physical, and economic needs through scholarships, youth development, and community wellness initiatives. Our work is grounded in equity, access, and intentional investment in people and communities.

Message from the President

As I step into the role of President of the CRO Community Foundation, my heart is full—with gratitude, pride, and deep excitement for what lies ahead.

The work of this Foundation is not abstract. It shows up in classrooms, counseling centers, family kitchens, and student dorm rooms across North Carolina. Because of the collective commitment of our members, donors, partners, and volunteers, 2025 was a year of meaningful impact.

My commitment is simple and unwavering: to steward our resources responsibly, strengthen governance and transparency, honor the legacy of those who built this Foundation, and boldly position CRO for sustainable growth and long-term community impact.

Sharon Jackson, President, CRO Community Foundation

Impact by the Numbers

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Total Charitable Impact
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Scholarships Awarded
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HBCU Mental Health Grants
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HBCUs Supported Across North Carolina

Program Impacts

Investing in Student Success

In 2025, the CRO Community Foundation awarded $16,500 in scholarships to four exceptional students whose academic excellence, leadership, and service reflect the promise of tomorrow.

Our scholarship recipients pursued diverse fields—from pharmaceutical sciences and engineering to counseling and animal science—yet shared a common thread: a commitment to purpose, growth, and community impact.

Each scholarship represents more than financial assistance. It reflects a community choosing to invest in talent, opportunity, and future leadership.

Strengthening Mental Health Support at HBCUs

Recognizing critical gaps in student mental health services, the Foundation raised and awarded $30,724.61 in grants to counseling centers at nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across North Carolina.

These grants supported expanded access to mental health resources for students navigating academic, emotional, and social pressures—reinforcing the belief that student success is inseparable from emotional well-being.

Community Giving That Makes a Difference

Community generosity powered the Foundation’s work throughout the year, including:

  • Day of Giving Campaign: $1,092.97 raised
  • Giving Tuesday Campaign: $713.44 raised
  • Ongoing support from monthly sustaining donors
  • A $1,000 employer matching grant

Every contribution—large or small—played a role in expanding access and opportunity.

Looking Ahead

As the CRO Community Foundation moves into 2026 and beyond, we are focused on deepening impact while strengthening sustainability.

Key priorities include expanding community health and wellness initiatives, strengthening scholarship and youth development programs, enhancing donor engagement and reporting, and continuing to build systems that support transparency and long-term growth.

Upcoming initiatives include Pink Goes Red for Heart Health, Family Night Out with Chi Rho Omega, and the CRO Foundation 101 Workshop—each designed to deepen connection and charitable impact across Wake County.

Stewardship & Trust

The CRO Community Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors committed to ethical leadership, fiduciary responsibility, and mission-driven service. The Foundation has adopted enhanced governance and financial systems to ensure transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of all charitable resources.

This Annual Impact Snapshot reflects the Foundation’s 2025 charitable activities and serves as a foundational reporting tool as we continue strengthening transparency, accountability, and community trust.

Cultivating Resources and Opportunities (CRO) Community Foundation
Serving Wake County, North Carolina
info@crocommunityfoundation.org