An anonymous donor has made a gift of $200,000 toward the endowment for Greenville Women Giving, eliciting gratitude from the group’s founders and excitement for what the gift might mean to the community.
“Our reaction is stunned and absolute delight,” says Sue Priester, a founder and chair of the Endowment Committee, adding of the donor, “They deeply believe in what we are doing.”
Formed in 2006 as a special initiative of the Community Foundation of Greenville, GWG now has more than 500 members and makes more than half a million dollars in grants each year. Members make a three-year commitment to donate $1,300, of which $1,000 is immediately awarded to nonprofits in May during each year’s grant cycle. The remaining $300 covers programming and administrative costs such as educational events and maintaining a website.
“Our philosophy of grant making is that we don’t want to sit on money. We want to put it where it can do the most good for people now,” says Priester. “We have become known as a reliable donor to a variety of nonprofits and part of the philanthropic fabric of the community.”
Frances Ellison, also a founder along with Priester and Harriet Goldsmith, says the endowment was created in 2016 to allow GWG to maintain its level of impact in the community despite downturns in the economy, while also making funds available for emergencies or opportunities that arise outside its normal grant cycle. As with its annual grants, any use of endowment proceeds would be voted on by the membership.
“Sometimes devastating things happen, and to say, ‘We might give you some money in May,’ is not helpful. We want to be able to respond quickly,” Ellison says. “The endowment is also a way to have a structure for larger gifts and bequests. If we get a sizable gift, the endowment is a place to put that, invested to meet future needs.”
The group set a 10-year goal to let the fund reach $500,000 before spending the investment proceeds. With this $200,000 and another anonymous match of $35,000, they are close to meeting that target well ahead of schedule.
Greenville Women Giving annually funds several projects designed to strengthen the community in five key areas: arts and culture, education, environment, health, and human services. It also presents a program and panel discussion each year on a topic of current interest in each of the five areas. Recent programs covered gentrification, the opioid epidemic, the teacher shortage, the role of the arts in social awareness, and improving access to food. The next event, “Spotlight on Health – Mental Health Emergencies: Who You Gonna Call?” will be held March 14 and is open to the public.
“We confront difficult, unhappy things that go on and ask, ‘Are we meeting the needs of all people?’ The programs can be disturbing but are also inspirational,” Priester says.
Joining GWG allows newcomers and longtime residents to get involved and connect with other women of all ages.
“What we have found is that the kinds of women we attract are those who care about the community. We are all motivated similarly. When you associate with other women who share those goals, you’re going to find friends,” Priester says.
In surveys, members report donating larger amounts overall and more strategically since joining GWG. Many have become personally involved with nonprofits they encountered through the group — donating, volunteering and taking board positions.
“It’s gratifying to see how many women are interested in the community and fun to watch them learn about the issues and responsible grant making,” Ellison says.
The Community Foundation of Greenville facilitated the launch of GWG and has supported it ever since.
“I am confident that the endowment fund will be well supported and will exceed its goals based on the energy, enthusiasm and generosity of its members and supporters,” says Bob Morris, CFG president.
