 Local Women Change Face of Philanthropy(Page 3 of 4) The Women Donors Network, a coalition of philanthropists that has doubled in size in the past few years, is based on this approach. Founded 16 years ago, it grew directly from Resourceful Women, an organization for women who wanted to develop their overall financial literacy. As participants in Resourceful Women became more comfortable with issues such as investment and inheritance, they naturally turned to the subject of philanthropy, and the Women's Donor Network was born, said Hall. The network now offers an intimate, anonymous space where women with "progressive" values can come together to talk about wealth, learn about issues such as sustainable agriculture, reproductive justice, and peace, and take action together. Women can participate in an annual conference as well as study circles throughout the year. To join, a woman must donate at least $25,000 annually to progressive nonprofits, political candidates, issues, or individuals. "Our women give away a huge amount of money, and the process of helping them become strategic, targeted grantmaker, is an exciting one," said Hall. The Network's Action Fund is designed to affect major change. "Initiated last year, we are making a series of staggered, four-year $1 million grants, payable over 4 years ($250K/year) that will contribute to rebuilding the infrastructure of the progressive movement," said Hall. "Our first grant is supporting 'think tank' type work and reframing progressive values." The grant went to the Center for Community Change in Washington, D.C.; the second grant will be focused on media. The process, just beginning, is "a complicated, but thorough and democratic one." Hands-On Giving Donor circles are highly popular at women's foundations as well. At the Women's Funding Network and the Women's Foundation of California, women can come together around a specific cause — such as eradicating poverty or ending violence against women — donate money, and then participate in the granting process through reading proposals and making site visits, giving them an active, hands-on experience. In addition, they: conduct regular studies to collect information about the issues that women find most important; host special events and convene groups to highlight and educate donors about specific issues; and offer opportunities for women and youth to participate in legislative advocacy activities in Sacramento. "We find that many women like to be hands-on donors, which I think can be a fabulous thing," Thornell-Sandifor said. Giving "Now or Never" | ||
|
Bay Area Business Woman Digital Edition
Double click above for FREE subscription!
|
|
|
Copyright
2008 by Business Woman, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Legal
and Privacy.
Website ReDesign by Chaska Creative Web Hosting by Modo Web Design |
