Women in Battle Creek, a city of
52,000 residents, are quietly making a difference with their dollars.
Their philanthropic efforts are supporting childcare for low income residents, arts programs and the work of nonprofits. They go about the business of allocating their money in groups categorized as "giving circles."
At least three circles are now giving across the city.
If "giving circles" conjures up images of women gathered around a table leisurely sipping tea while demurely discussing which group or cause should receive their largesse, that image would be wrong, says Donna Lartigue, chairperson of Women of Impact and director of the Catalyst Project, a two-year, capacity-building initiative at Kalamazoo College.
"I would say there’s always lot of energy about this because as women we know how impactful collective giving can be in a community," Lartigue says. "When somebody comes in to join our group they have all the information and there’s a lot of energy and curiosity about the organizations we talk about giving to. They gain clarity and having a deeper understanding of what they’re giving to."
Women of Impact began informally as the Women’s Giving Circle of Battle Creek and conducted their giving from May 2010 to January of this year. They have so far given $12,925 to seven organizations including Gracious Homes, the Women's Co-op and Community Healthcare Connections.
In March, the group adopted a more structured approach and gained 45 new members who meet four times during the year and contribute $100 each per meeting.
"If a member has an organization that they are interested in giving to they submit the name of the organization and we select three out of a hat, if you will," Lartigue says. "We’re most interested in giving to organizations that improve the lives or conditions of women, children and families in the greater Battle Creek area. If a member’s organization is selected they have to make a brief presentation and then the group votes on who they want to give to."
Members include professionals in the real estate, food and beverage, and healthcare sectors.
Although established foundations play a visible and powerful role in charitable giving, about 80 percent of philanthropy comes from individuals, women, younger donors and members of racial, ethnic and tribal communities, according to the Regional Associations of Grantmakers.
The
Women’s Caring Program bolsters the RAGS findings. Women’s Caring is a statewide organization with volunteer membership in communities including Battle Creek who host Twilight Gatherings throughout the year with a focus on raising money to pay costs associated with childcare for low income individuals. Kathleen Mechem, who co-hosted a Twilight Gathering in Battle Creek earlier this year, has been involved with the organization for about 30 years.
"Many of us worked together in Lansing and this was an opportunity to get together and network with other women," says Mechem, who has worked for the Michigan Jobs Commission and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. "It became apparent that this group could really do something to contribute to society."
When officials with Women’s Caring focused on expanding the organization’s statewide footprint, Mechem and others in Battle Creek began volunteering three years ago to host an annual gathering where everything is donated from the food to the venue. Invitations are extended to women in the community who pay $40 each, which goes directly into a pool of funds which are distributed back to the area hosting the event.
In 2011 Women’s Caring raised about $117,000, which represents a 75 percent increase over the previous year and tallied more than 800 attendees, up from 563 in 2011. Mechem says the Battle Creek events draw anywhere from 30 to 50 women.
Similar gatherings took place in Grand Rapids, Grosse Pointe Park, Lansing, Traverse City and West Bloomfield, says Nancy J.H. Jennings, chief executive officer for Women’s Caring.
"To date WCP has awarded 71 scholarships in Calhoun County," Jennings says. "Battle Creek is one of the top 10 highest child poverty cities with large populations (over 50,000) in the state and as such is one of WCP’s priorities for 2013. WCP will make awards in Battle Creek that exceed the revenue that was generated by this year’s Twilight Gathering event."
A lack of access to quality, affordable childcare is a major barrier for low-income women who are trying to remain in the workforce, says Mechem, who was most recently president and CEO of Battle Creek’s Chamber of Commerce before beginning a consulting firm in 2010 called Organizational Solutions LLC.
"In my experience with economic development and working with the Chamber it was obvious that there are many needs people have in order to remain in the workforce and be productive," Mechem says. "This allows women to remain in the workforce by helping them get childcare they might not otherwise be able to afford."
Results of a study conducted by the Regional Association of Grantmakers, the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and the University of Nebraska Omaha show that members of circles give more, on average, than donors who are not in giving circles. The study also says that giving circle members give more strategically: "They are more likely to give to advance a vision for change, conduct research to help decide on which organizations to support, support general operating expenses in addition to or instead of specific programs, check organizational performance data, and take into consideration cultural differences and race, class, and/or gender when making funding decisions. Giving circle members are also more likely to make multi-year gifts."
This is the case with
Women Who Care, formed five years ago by Linda Kenyon, a retired teacher, to support arts-related work in Battle Creek. The group has 35 members who meet quarterly during the year and contribute $100 each to arts organizations.
"Cuts to state funding for the arts prompted us to form," says Jean Krohn, a retired elementary teacher and member of Women Who Care. "It just pained me when the first thing that was cut was a music program."
Since Women Who Care formed, they have given a total of $60,000 to organizations including the Kingman Museum, the Music Center of Battle Creek, and the Battle Creek Junior Theatre. The focus, Krohn says, is on providing access and opportunities to experience the arts, especially for the community’s children and young people.
The group sends letters to organizations at the beginning of each year encouraging them to submit a form detailing their needs. During the quarterly meetings members are given a ballot and vote on the organization that will receive their money. An organization which receives funding from the group can’t re-apply for two years.
Lartigue says these women-driven philanthropic groups represent successful grassroots efforts fueled by diverse membership bases.
"I really truly do believe in the power of giving back," Lartigue says. "In general, I think women are much more empowered and they really understand the purpose of giving back to the community and understand the difference we can make. Women in Battle Creek really care about the community and what happens here."
Jane C. Parikh is a freelance reporter and writer with more than 20 years of experience and also is the owner of In So Many Words based in Battle Creek.
Photos by Erik Holladay.