Gilbert CPAs provides professional services to hundreds of nonprofit organizations and supports the nonprofit community philanthropically as a cornerstone of their Culture of Caring. Gilbert cultivates special relationships with many of its nonprofit clients, providing professional expertise and often supporting their missions through volunteering and financial support. Gilbert’s impact is significant — in 2017, they earned the California Society of CPAs award for the highest level of public service among CPA firms statewide.

A long-term client and partner with Gilbert, Women’s Empowerment is dedicated to educating and empowering women who are experiencing homelessness with the skills and confidence necessary to get a job, create and maintain a healthy lifestyle, and regain a home for themselves and their children. Each year, this nonprofit provides 600 women with services including a job readiness program, counseling, childcare in their child development center, a clothing closet, housing assistance and more.

“We have found in recent years that even when the women we help get jobs, they can’t afford housing,” says Lisa Culp, executive director. “To help address that, we have just acquired 24 cottages that we will sublease to these women and their families. While living there, they will focus on rebuilding their credit, creating a savings account, increasing their income and engaging in programs to help them understand and fulfill what being a good resident is.”

“It is such a joy to serve Women’s Empowerment on both a professional and personal level. I truly appreciate the value they bring to our community.” — Cassandra Nesler Manager, Gilbert CPAs

Expected to be occupied by summer, the cottages will provide transitional housing and a foothold for vulnerable women in a time when rising rent costs are outpacing salaries. “We rely on the community so that these women and their children can rely on us,” Culp says. “Gilbert has enabled us over many years to be good financial stewards of the community’s money, which is a significant seal of approval since the firm is so well respected.”