One Year In: Next ChaptHER Launches Microgrant, Thanks Community

By Maren Fagen

The women’s empowerment group Next ChaptHER announced a new grant and reflected on one year of their work at their first birthday party July 9.

On the rooftop of the Rosewood Hotel, about 100 people attended to celebrate, coupled with hors d’oeuvres and a themed mocktail. The four founders of Next ChaptHER — Hilary Phelps, Lindsay Gill, Alicia McKenzie and Anina Belle Giannini — revealed the creation of a microgrant program with four $1,000 grants for women beginning the next chapter of their lives and announced a membership on their website.

Phelps said she never expected the growth Next ChaptHER has seen throughout the past year.

“The growth that we’ve seen tells us that it’s really important and really necessary in D.C. to get women together who are mindful and intentional and are looking for that next chapter,” Phelps said at the event.

Next ChaptHER began last July and started with small lunches. They eventually sold out three lunches and launched a mentorship program. The group aims to support women embarking on a new chapter in their lives, whether that involves starting a new hobby or changing their career path.

Attendees celebrated Next ChaptHER at the Rosewood Hotel, where they received branded sunglasses and notes featuring inspiring women. Photo by Maren Fagan

Gill also reflected on the growth of Next ChaptHER, saying the group’s growth was originally unimaginable yet now inspiring.

“That’s what we tell everyone, just start,” Gill said at the event. “You don’t have to figure it all out or know all the answers, but if you just start, you never know what can happen. So, in one short year, look where we’re at.”

Giannini said the idea for Next ChaptHER began after a lunch with McKenzie, when they considered how it would be impactful to “recreate this wonderful support group that we’ve created for ourselves, but for more women.”

According to Giannini, McKenzie outlined a business plan, officially beginning the work to found Next ChaptHER.

“An idea is only as good as having the people around you to support you to make it happen,” Giannini said at the event. “If you find that person, that is magic.”

Gill said the microgrant program will invest in women to support them in their next chapter. “We have decided we want to pay it forward to women who want to start the next chapter of their life.”

She added that, based on personal experience, a $1,000 grant can be life-changing, as it provides the tools for women to start their next project. Lafayette Federal Credit Union funded the first of the four microgrants, and Next ChaptHER announced that they are seeking sponsors for the remaining microgrants.

Gill said that as the first year of Next ChaptHER’s work comes to a close, she is grateful for the relationships she has seen develop among the women at the events.

“We’ve seen you all create relationships and partnerships and collaborations very organically on your own through these meetups and through our lunches, and we love that so much,” Gill said. “That’s the best gift you can give us is the connections that you’re making with each other. We hope you’ll stay in touch as we grow and as we continue our programming for the rest of the year.”

Next ChaptHER will host “Ladies Who Power Lunch™ | Financial Wellness” on October 8, 2025.