​In this Issue:

• Inspirational Site Visits
• Women Lead Growth in Charitable Giving Circles
• Membership Corner
• Join/Renew by December 29
• Happy Holidays!​

Site Visits Informative and Inspirational

Accelerated Reader Program, AHA! and PEAC. 

"The Women's Fund Site Visits are so unique. What a wonderful opportunity to really understand the difference our grants are making." From October through December, members:

• Visited a classroom at Harding School to observe the Accelerated Reader Program in action.
• Joined connection circles at local junior high schools to experience the AHA! Peace Builders program first hand.
• Visited the Casa Pacifica office and spoke with the staff to learn how their 24/7 crisis response saves lives.
• Toured the Noah’s Anchorage shelter to learn how staff is supporting youth and families in times of crisis.
• Saw the construction progress of the new play structure at the Domestic Violence Solution’s shelter.
• Witnessed the PEAC program in action at Dos Pueblos High School where we spoke to tutors and mentors who are providing academic and social-emotional support to students.
• Toured the newly-constructed PSHH Learning Center at Jardin de Las Rosas.
• Walked the campus of St. Vincent’s and learned about the Family Strengthening Program.

After a site visit, one member commented: “Even though I trust the WF to make wise decisions on how to spend the money there isn't anything like going to see for yourself. Until I went on my first visit I didn't really understand the impact our grant had. I highly recommend that everyone go to a site visit and see for yourself the good works we are helping to fund.”

Thank you to our Grantee Liaison, Jayne Brechwald, and her fabulous site visit coordinators, for making the 2017 Site Visits such a tremendous success!

Women Lead the Growth in Charitable Giving Circles

What is a “Giving Circle?” It is defined as individuals who pool their donations and decide together how and where to give their dollars. The purpose of the groups is primarily philanthropic, and they often have learning and networking opportunities for members. Giving Circles are, for the most part, independent and not associated with a single charity.

According to the non-profit Collective Giving Research Group, Giving Circles and other forms of collective giving are huge contributors of charitable donations, and women comprise the majority of those donors. Their examination of Giving Circles found 70 percent of all groups reported that woman make up more than half of their membership, while only about 7.5 percent stated men make up the majority of their members.

This is just one of many significant findings from their recent report. Some other examples of their findings about Giving Circles:

• They have tripled in number since 2007.
• They engage a diverse range of donors.
• Their funding remains largely local.

Membership Corner

We welcomed 28 new members in November—Dyan Colven, Sharon Curry, Karen Ensign, Mindy Fogg, Melinda Goodman, Shelby Guelff, Lesley Hall, Debra Herrick, Robin Jones, Marvel Kirby, Sandy Kuttler, Carolyn Kyle, Rudi Lion, Lisa Maglione, Robin Masson, Coleen McBride, Sophia McGibben, Revae Moran, Carol Murray, Rebecca Pred, Christine Ray, Pat Riezman, Sarah Rubin, Christy Stillwell, Kathleen Sullivan, Mackenzie Taylor, Cari Thomas and Katie Welch.

We welcomed 11 new membership groups in 2017—Be the Change Too, Carrie’s Group, Encore Too, Friends with Purpose, Health Cares, Heart2Heart, Lisa and Misty, Santa Barbara Associates, SB Friends, Spinning Friends and WHO.

Women’s Fund founding member, Maryan Schall was honored for her philanthropic work by United Way of Santa Barbara County at the organization’s Red Feather Ball, held on October 6th. She was given the 2017 Abercrombie Community Excellence Award for her many years of outstanding service and generosity within our community. Steve Ortiz, United Way of Santa Barbara County’s President and CEO, said, “Maryan has helped make so much of what we do at United Way possible through her leadership and generosity.” Congratulations Maryan!

Help make this year the best EVER!

Only TWO WEEKS remain before the 2017 membership year closes. Even if you have already renewed, there is still time to make an additional donation, so we can give more to deserving agencies.

Please remember: To be eligible to vote for our 2017-18 grantees in March, your membership donations must be received no later than December 29, 2017.

If you have questions about membership, contact our membership team.

Please join or renew Today!

Happy Holidays and a healthy, peaceful 2018!

We end this year with a reminder of what we have accomplished…and with great expectations for 2018.