With the advent of our new membership options, what has been an invitation-only program for just a few members aged 20-35 is expanding to include all interested members 35 and younger. The current Fellows are eager to welcome you to leadership development opportunities, small learning events, occasional social events, and as many one-on-one mentoring matches as possible. Please contact Michelle Hynes at the Fellows Program if you’re interested in joining or helping out. Watch this space for more information in the new year.
Exciting News from the Fellows
Several of our Fellows are completing their time in this program that engages a group of our younger members as Girlfriends. Thank you to Rebecca Goldcrump and Van Pham for your contributions over the last three years; to Kathleen Porcello and Ana Rau for two years with us; and to April Jay Unterberger, completing her first year and welcoming her first baby.
Fellows Program Changes for 23-24
The ninety-nine girlfriends’ Fellows Program currently includes 13 younger members in their 20s and 30s. Three of them will “graduate” this spring – Rebecca Goldcrump, Van Pham, and Kathleen Porcello. A huge thank-you to the members who’ve served as these Fellows’ mentors – including Deborah Edward, Michelle Hynes, Diane McCartney, Gina Riley, and Agnes Zach.
Exciting Times for the Fellows
Our Fellows program engages a small, diverse group of members ages 20-35 in professional development, mentoring, and leadership opportunities within ninety-nine girlfriends. Currently, there are thirteen members who are in their first, second, or third year as Fellows. In recent months, lots of different kinds of life events have happened for people in this group! Cristal Finley got a new job as Senior Business Finance Officer at Prosper Portland. Katrina Machorro became the new Chief Impact Officer at Brown Hope. Ana Rau had a new baby (as did Fellows grad Emma Hoyle). April Jay Unterberger got married. Several Fellows moved houses. And, in the midst of all of this, many raised their hands for leadership roles on Grant Review Teams, the Financial Review Team, and the Communications Committee! Look for them in volunteer spotlights in future Member Updates.
Fellows Program Rocks On!
Our Fellows program for young philanthropists, aged 20-35, offers a few members each year the opportunity to take on leadership roles, connect with a mentor, and build a network among their cohort and within the wider organization. One way we do this is through a professional development series. This year, we're diving into how values help us make decisions -- easy and hard, at work and beyond, decisions that move you in a new direction or that help you change your mind.
Call for Fellows Mentors
A few Fellows are still looking for Mentors -- girlfriends who can help them get connected in and beyond our organization. We are particularly looking for Mentor candidates who have expertise in career coaching, nonprofit communications, event planning, or fundraising. A love of local coffee shops and/or outdoor activities would be a plus. Interested? Please contact Michelle Hynes, program co-lead. Learn more about the Fellows Program here.
Fellows Program Update
Many of our new and continuing Fellows, Fellows grads, and program leaders got to meet each other at an in-person event, co-hosted by Year 2 Fellow Liz Starke (Development Director at grantee partner Rose Haven) and recent Fellows grad Mikayla Posey (Manager at the Hostel Cafe right across the street). A few of us also took a walk, thanks to Year 2 Fellow Kathleen (Kay) Porcello, at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge.
Six New Fellows Join Our Philanthropy Program for Younger Leaders
Since 2017, ninety-nine girlfriends has recruited women ages 20-35 into our Fellows Program, a three-year learning and networking experience. Ninety-nine girlfriends is thrilled to welcome our six new Fellows: April Jay Unterberger, Brianna Babbitt, Hanna Lilly, Josie Greer, Katrina Machorro, and Tuyen Ta.
We Welcome Our Six New Fellows!
The Fellows Program is thrilled to welcome our six new Fellows: April Jay Unterberger, Brianna Babbitt, Hanna Lilly, Josie Greer, Katrina Machorro, and Tuyen Ta. Earlier this month, we also hosted a virtual graduation for third-year Fellow Mikayla Posey – featuring customized Zoom backgrounds, spring tulips, inspiring poetry, and a gift certificate for a professional photo. Thanks to everyone who celebrated with us!
Fellows News
Over the last two weeks, the Fellows Program hosted a terrific professional development event with Alice Tang about lifelong money and financial health (thanks again to member Agnes Zach) and invited SIX new Fellows to join us for the 2022-2023 year. Stay tuned to meet these remarkable young women(*) early next month. Also, we're looking forward to celebrating Mikayla Posey's graduation in April. Mikayla has completed her three-year Fellowship, during which time she's made remarkable contributions to the girlfriends' grantmaking, events, and more! Mikayla manages NW Portland’s Hostel Cafe, so if you find yourself in the neighborhood please drop in and say hello to wonderful Girlfriend and Fellow Mikayla Posey.
Celebrating Rose Haven
Rose Haven, a 2019 $100,000 impact partner, has accomplished their goal of opening a new day shelter in northwest Portland and we couldn’t be more excited for them! Learn more in this KATU news piece featuring Liz Starke, Rose Haven Development Director and Girlfriend.
Fellows Program Draws Wonderful Applicants
The Fellows program has had an exciting start to the year. In January, we kicked off a new professional development series curated by new girlfriend and new governing board member Agnes Zach. Our every-other-month topics include the Enneagram, Lifelong Financial Health, and Bringing Your Whole Self to Work. In February, Agnes's daughter Maggie hosted a virtual social/game night for us where we all pretended to be different kinds of goats, wreaking virtual havoc from Portland's east side up to a party at the Pittock Mansion. Some of us got to celebrate grantee partner Rose Haven's grand reopening on International Women's Day, where Fellow Liz Starke is the development director. And finally, we received a terrific group of applicants for the next cohort of Fellows. Jeanette Swafford, Michelle Hynes, Mikayla Posey, and Kathleen Porcello conducted interviews in early March, and later this month we hope to invite several new women* to join the program. Thanks to everyone who helped spread the word or referred a candidate. We look forward to introducing the new Fellows in a future Member Update.
Fellows Applications Close Sunday, March 6
Volunteer Spotlight
CAROLINE MCDONALD
What brought you to ninety-nine girlfriends? I first heard about ninety-nine girlfriends while hiking with a friend. She knew a woman who was a girlfriend and who raved about the organization. I wasn't in a financial position to fully contribute at the time but was intrigued by the concept of a women-led collective giving circle. I looked it up online and came across ninety-nine girlfriend's Fellows Program. I loved how the fellowship not only made the organization and its mission more accessible for young women but also included a mentoring and educational component. I applied a month later and was accepted!
The 2022 Fellows Applications Is Now Open!
Our Fellows program, launched in 2017, invites young women ages 20-35 to bring diverse voices and perspectives to our collective grant-making. The three-years-long program is for women residing in our four-county region (Clackamas, Clark, Multnomah, and Washington counties) who demonstrate a commitment to learning about philanthropy and deepening their awareness of our region’s needs. A Fellow’s membership contribution is partially subsidized, at decreasing levels over the three years. Fellows receive complimentary access to all ninety-nine girlfriends' events, a mentor, and a professional development series created just for them. The application is open for only six weeks. Additional details can be found HERE.
Co-Lead the Fellows Program - FULFILLED
The Fellows Program Team – part of our Membership Committee – is seeking a member who is organized, collaborative, and excited to co-lead this program focused on young women ages 20-35 who bring diverse voices and perspectives to our collective grantmaking.
Contact Jeanette Swafford with questions or to express interest in volunteering for this role.
Sponsor the Fellows Program
What if you could help bring in smart, skilled, and engaging young women to diversify our collective membership? That opportunity exists through our Fellows program. Can you help us reach our funding goal for 2021?
Now Accepting Fellows Applications
The Fellows Application is open Feb. 1 - Mar. 7. We are entering the recruitment period for our 2021 Fellows cohort and could use your help in finding amazing young women who could benefit from the program and would bring diverse perspectives to our community. Members have been our best recruiters because they understand ninety-nine girlfriends and tend to know young women who may add something to the membership and benefit from belonging.