Strength in Numbers: Women for Women Proves the Power of Collective Giving
Robin Stickney - Ellen Sandweiss
Many great ideas are born from the vision of a few. The Women for Women giving circle is no exception, and it developed as the “women’s collective giving” movement grew, launched by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) and fueled by the passion of Eleanor Owen, Pat Smith, Marla Adams, Sue McClinton, and Janice Brumit. Today, in its 16th year of grantmaking, Women for Women has invested over $4.4 million to support 51 regional nonprofit organizations across 18 counties. While the mission remains the same – to improve the lives of women and girls in Western North Carolina through collective giving – needs in our region have changed and grown, particularly over the course of the pandemic.
“Women have long-known the challenges of balancing economic self-sufficiency with caregiving responsibilities. A crisis of any kind upsets this delicate balance, disproportionately so for women who are chronically under-resourced,” says Women for Women’s Chairperson Bolling Farmer. “The pandemic laid bare inequities and increased poverty, putting enormous pressure on organizations who support women in need.”
Women for Women’s recent grant cycle awarded $310,000 to seven regional nonprofits. “Last year, Women for Women members voted to expand the scope of issues we address, striving to make our grants as diverse as the women and girls they empower,” says Grants Committee Chair Pam Lane. “The response says it all – in this past grant cycle, we received the highest number of Letters of Intent in our history.” Award recipients are:
Buncombe Partnership for Children – to fund the Early Childhood Education Workforce Development Project
High Country Caregivers – to expand the Kinship Navigation Program
Jewish Family Services of WNC – to expand mental health counseling services
Planned Parenthood South Atlantic – to provide essential reproductive and sexual health services and comprehensive sexuality education programming
Smart Start of Transylvania County – to expand the Family Connects program in support of newborn parenting skills
Thompson Child & Family Focus – to expand existing foster care program
YWCA of Asheville – to support “Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World” program to build economic self-sufficiency
Janet Thatcher - Anne McFarland - Leslie Dressler - Jennifer Vogel
The guiding ethos behind women’s giving circles is both simple and profound: empowered women empower other women and girls. “We are a leading voice on women’s issues in the region, educating and advocating for policies that drive social change at the systemic level,” says Women for Women’s Vice Chair of Advocacy and Education Committee Jewel Tavener.
Recent grant recipient Smart Start of Transylvania is one of those organizations working to bring about systemic change. "The removal of barriers that prevent a child from thriving is at the core of the mission,” said Executive Director Deb Tibbetts. “The generous grant from Women for Women in support of the Family Connects program promotes access to quality healthcare and advances healthy lifestyles, starting within 30 days of a child's life.”
With today’s membership in the 200s, Women for Women is hoping to break the 300 mark. “A giving circle is such a different experience from other types of philanthropy,” says Vice Chair of Membership and Communications Shelia Christofalos. “Our members have a front row seat to the needs in our region and a voice in how we support organizations working to address them.”
Members make a three-year commitment to give $1,100 each year. From those dues, $100 goes to the circle’s administrative fund and $1,000 funds grants. Those member funds, combined with spendable income from the CFWNC’s Women’s Fund, are granted out each year.
“Each member has a vote in how the funds are distributed,” says Vice Chair of Grants Pam Winkler. “And with 90% of member contributions going back out into the region via our rigorous grants process, we’re focused on keeping our costs low and our impact high.”
Along the way, there are plenty of opportunities for women to connect, learn, and grow. “I’ve been a member of Women for Women since its inception,” says Member Louise Glickman. “In the beginning, I was new to Asheville and considered it a valuable way to learn about my community and the needs of women and families. Each year of membership has brought new insights, more friendships, and increased gratitude to be able to be of service.”
Women for Women welcomes new members any time of year. For more information, go to: https://cfwnc.org/initiatives/women-for-women/become-a-member
Written by Kathy Rauch, Women for Women Vice Chairperson
Carrie Coward - Beth Johnson - Leslie Anixter