Members of Philanthropy Inspired by the Needs of Our Community pose with a painting created by participants in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County’s SMART Girls program. PINC donated $95,000 to expand the program, which serves girls ages 8 to 18. Photo via PINC/Facebook.

Philanthropy Inspired by the Needs of Our Community (PINC) has donated $95,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County to support the expansion of the organization’s SMART Girls program.

The donation was funded through proceeds from PINC’s 16th annual PINC Party, held in June at Pardini’s. The event drew more than 250 attendees, with the formal check presentation ceremony held on Wednesday, July 29.

Over the past year, PINC members spent time volunteering alongside Boys & Girls Clubs staff members, participating in weekly SMART Girls meetings and special events while building relationships with the organization’s participants.

“The heartbeat of every community are our youth,” PINC President Meagan Cavalla said. “This partnership has been about so much more than fundraising; it has been about showing these girls they are seen, valued, and capable of achieving extraordinary things.”

The nationally recognized SMART Girls program serves girls between the ages of 8 and 18. It is designed to help participants build life skills, confidence and make healthy choices, with sessions covering topics including identity, values, body image, peer pressure, media influence, health and wellness.

“When we invest in our youth, we invest in the future of our entire community,” Cavalla added.

Leaders from both organizations said the partnership allowed volunteers to see firsthand the growth and development of program participants.

Officials said the funding will expand the program’s reach and provide more young women throughout Fresno County with access to its resources and support services.