A few years ago I read about community giving circles and was impressed with how much impact a collective effort and mission can make. I never felt I would make much of a difference with small individual gifts so the concept was appealing to reach significantly wider and further. The idea of collective giving motivated me to see if there were any local opportunities, and thanks to Google I found ninety-nine girlfriends! I was thrilled to learn there was an established, engaged community that honestly "makes it so easy." Easy to give, easy to be involved, and easy to make a difference! I became a member in 2024 and am now going into my third year.
I came to the organization not knowing a soul, but decided to jump right in by signing up to read letters of interest and joining a grant review team. This was no small undertaking, but I felt immediately welcomed and supported and never felt I was out of place. Being a part of the grant review process in my first year was such a wonderful introduction to the work of our group. It's refreshing to be a part of something that genuinely embraces collaboration and community learning. I've stayed involved with the grant review work, even leading a team last year, and look forward to being a part of the process again this year.
In a former life, I worked in fundraising and nonprofit development for arts organizations. My experience left me with a profound appreciation for the need and impact of charitable giving. After the birth of my second daughter (I have two amazing daughters, 22 years and 26 years old), I decided to make a career change. I now work as a licensed mental health counselor running a small group practice. While so much of my time is immersed with the issues surrounding mental health, it's enlightening to return to learning about other areas of community interest and to feel a level of involvement again.
I'm truly honored to be a part of this organization. When I sat down to write my profile, I scrolled through the member directory listings and prior member spotlights and was blown away by the amount of knowledge, expertise, and wisdom brought together in our shared effort. It's humbling and motivating, so thank you! I'd also like to give a special shout out to the leadership team for the amazing structure and guidance they provide for members. Communication is on point, meetings start and end on time - it's very much appreciated to have our time so highly valued.
