You can read more about our board committees here. Committee participation is a great way to get to know other members! Committee sign-ups happen for members each summer, with some committees accepting new members all year. Most committees meet once a month virtually with other activities in between meetings.
Apart from the free survey software, we also have access to QuestionPro’s free survey templates. We’ve found many of them
useful and powerful to collect insights from various stakeholders of our organization.
This committee is for those with interest in story-telling. Are you proficient in or want to learn more about social media, writing, public relations, media relations, marketing, graphic design, videography and/or photography? Other desired skills and interests: blog writing, interviewing, creating and editing video, and strategic communications planning. The committee creates compelling content for our two monthly newsletters, social media, and website, and works cross-functionally with other committees to support their needs. Through our social media and external media outreach, we build awareness of our philanthropic leadership and community impact.
Committee work teams may include social media, writing and editing, external storytelling, photography, public relations and creating external-facing documents. Almost all work done virtually. No experience required! (1-2 hours per month)
2024-2025 Chair: Kristin Keen
This committee is for those who enjoy connecting with nonprofit partners and seeing the progress of grants as funds are implemented; women who write and communicate well; and for women who can work independently. The committee is responsible for fostering ongoing relationships with nonprofit partners, facilitating the sharing of social capital, and evaluating impact of approved Women’s Impact Fund grants.
Evaluation of WIF grants continues to evolve as WIF moves to general operating grants. As we embrace trust-based philanthropy principles, we are taking a relationship-based approach for assessing community impact. The committee generally has two scheduled conversations with each nonprofit partner per year. A written report is completed yearly and financials are reviewed for due diligence. The relationship with the nonprofit partner continues throughout the grant cycle and beyond, highlighting the organization’s impact to WIF membership and identifying opportunities to connect resources and share social capital.
Prior experience on a Grants Team is desired. The committee begins working with our nonprofit partners as soon as the grants are awarded. Check-ins are generally done twice per year in the fall and spring. The committee generally meets every 2 months and communicates frequently by email. (3-4 hours per month)
2024-2025 Chair: Karen Barton
This committee is ideal for women with a background in finance and/or accounting (though not required!) as well as those who seek to learn more about the operations of Women’s Impact Fund. The Finance Committee is responsible for the review of the annual budget, monthly financial reports, financial statements, and the Form 990 filing. The committee also monitors the financial position of the organization, advises on financial forecasts, considers funding matters related to the budget, provides financial assistance and training to other committees on an as needed basis, and focuses on the financial sustainability and financial policies of the organization. The committee works closely with Women’s Impact Fund staff. Requires monthly meetings with a potential for special projects, as necessary. (1-2 hours per month)
2024-2025 Chair: Erika Ross
This committee is ideal for members interested in WIF’s grantmaking process. Over the course of the grants cycle, members learn about critical community needs and issues, evaluate applications, identify advancing finalists, conduct site visits, and develop the annual ballot for membership vote. Members learn about grant making, understand the issues facing our community, and gain exposure to area nonprofits. The committee is comprised of five work teams, each aligned to one of WIF’s focus areas: Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Health, and Human Services. Each work team has two team leads approximately 15 members. Assignment to a particular committee will involve a variety of factors, including capacity and potential conflicts of interest among others. (Substantial time commitment, with training starting in late summer, grant review period (lots of reading) in November, and site visits (potentially two full weekdays) in January or February. Conflict of Interest Policy. (3-4 hours per month in November. January and February could be up to 10-15 hours per month)
2024-2025 Chair: Katherine Bunn
The Member Education committee plays a crucial role in equipping WIF members with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to make a meaningful difference in their community. By fostering a culture of learning and providing educational support, the committee empowers members to become informed and effective philanthropists, driving positive change and creating lasting impact. There are three subcommittees within the Member Education committee:
2024-2025 Chair: Tonya Bruce
This committee is great for members who enjoy connecting with others, designing, planning and attending events and who want to spread the word about the Women’s Impact Fund. The committee is responsible for sharing our story with prospective members and helping members connect with each other and the community. We run a number of different types of events across the year to attract and onboard new members and to engage current members and friends with the work of WIF. The Membership Committee has two subcommittees.
The Member Engagement & Events committee designs and runs monthly socials and larger events. Socials happen around town and are designed to appeal to different segments of our diverse membership including newer member mingles! Potential members of this committee should get a kick out of finding new venues, coordinating event logistics and making sure members and guests are connecting at the event.
The Membership Strategy committee will support the implementation of key priorities from the WIF strategic plan related to membership. This committee will run the committee fair to introduce WIF members and guests to ways to engage with the organization, design the annual membership survey, and help pilot new initiatives based on member feedback. Potential projects include supporting targeted outreach to expand our membership and/or finding new ways to create connections between our members and nonprofit partners. Most planning done virtually, event attendance required. (2-3 hours per month)
2024-2025 Chair: Nicole Hall
The Spark Initiative evolved in 2024. Our new Spark Awards are for women social change leaders who are in need of rest and renewal. Nominations happen twice per year. Members of the Spark Committee designed this program, read through the nominations, and make recommendations to WIF membership about who will receive these awards. The Spark Committee is small, with many members having deep knowledge of community issues and a variety of backgrounds, often including prior WIF Grants experience, community subject matter experts, and leaders in philanthropy and nonprofits. Terms are staggered two-year terms with the possibility of renewal for a second term. The targeted committee size is 7-9 members. Requires monthly meetings, additional work over email and phone, application reviews, and site visits. Meetings are often during the workday and some evenings. (2-4 hours per month) Full
2023-2024 Chair: Katherine Mooring
