ABOUT US
We believe that together is better. Through collective giving, we transform our community by funding programs that enrich the lives of women and children.
Collective giving enables the Women’s Fund to leverage the philanthropic capacity of individual members and create a truly impactful fund of philanthropic dollars. Through our membership model, we empower women to make transformative gifts to the community.
The Women’s Fund of Smith County is open to any woman with a giving heart. As individuals, we pledge our annual gift; together, we award impact grants to nonprofits. Our grant recipients are thoroughly vetted during an extensive grants review process conducted by our volunteer Grants Committee, so every member can trust that her dollars are being used effectively to enrich the lives of women and children in Smith County.
OUR CORE VALUES
COLLECTIVE GIVING
COLLABORATION
RESPECT
EXCELLENCE
RESPONSIBILITY
OUR LEADERSHIP
2023 Board of Directors and Staff
- Deborah Race, Chair
- Tomi Ellis, Vice Chair for Governance
- Kristy Everitt, Secretary/Treasurer
- Christi Khalaf, Vice Chair for Advancement
- Cristy Arscott, Vice Chair for Grants
- Smittee Root, Vice Chair for Membership
- Jackie Bruton, Immediate Past Chair
- Mary Ann Blair
- Gillian Brasfield
- Betsy Brush
- Kara Camp
- Michelle Carr
- Jennifer Gaston
- Shannon Glenney
- Leigh Goodson
- Jennifer Henry
- Susan Hill
- Kim McClure
- Holly McFarlin
- Whitney Patterson
- Jennifer Reynolds
- Megan Riaz
- Sue Saxenmeyer
- Sharon Wynne
- LaToya Young
- Johnna Fullen, Past Chairs Council Liaison, Ex Officio
- Zoe Lawhorn, President/CEO
- Patty Machin, Executive Assistant
OUR COMMITTEES:
The Women’s Fund has several volunteer committees made up of voting members.
ADVANCEMENT/LUNCHEON COMMITTEES
Mother’s Day Luncheon – May
Power of the Purse Luncheon – Fall
Provides oversight of our two major events, advancing strategic goals and sponsor relationships. The Luncheon Committees are open to all members and are most active in the months prior to the events.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
This committee measures the long-term impact of grants previously awarded by the Women’s Fund. Committee members may serve as liaisons to grantee agencies to continue learning and reporting about the success of their grant awards. Through this process, our members and the community see our mission exemplified.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT
Investment and Finance is a nominated committee made up of financially-minded women who oversee the investment and financial activity of The Women’s Fund. We value effective financial stewardship and appreciate the time and talents of women who are able to serve in this way.
GIVE (GIRLS INVESTED IN VOLUNTEER EFFORTS)
Join this initiative and guide area high school girls (grades 9-12) to learn about philanthropy. Patterned after the Women’s Fund model, this is an opportunity to mentor young ladies as they work together to experience collective giving and grant making. The girls meet monthly on Sunday afternoons.
GRANTS
Approved by the Board of Directors, this committee guides the process for grant applications, awards and the annual membership vote. The important work of this committee is the heart and primary focus of the Women’s Fund. The committee meets monthly with 3-4 additional meetings in the summer to discuss and vet grant applications.
MEMBERSHIP
This Committee is comprised of three sub-committees:
- Education focuses on the opportunities to learn more about giving and plans annual education seminars on community issues, best practices in women’s philanthropy and other topics of interest to the Women’s Fund.
- Member Relations connects our members to our mission and measures member engagement . We hope each woman’s membership is meaningful, and this committee strives to strengthen our circle of givers.
- Recruitment creates opportunities to invite and welcome prospective new members. This group is excited about sharing the Women’s Fund story with others through small and large gatherings, written communications and social media.
OUR HISTORY
Early in 2007, a steering committee formed to develop a Women’s Fund in our community. Their goal was to maximize the impact of women’s philanthropy. Steering committee members represented the Women in Tyler committee, Fourth Partner, and East Texas Communities Foundation.
After researching funds around the country the steering committee hosted a membership kick-off with overwhelming response. An executive committee was formed, as well as, membership and grant making committees.
One hundred and twenty eight Charter Members raised over $150,000, enabling the Women’s Fund to award $100,000 in grants to three non-profits their first year. In addition they added 15% of every gift to an endowment that had already been started by the Women in Tyler.
The message was clear: have the greatest philanthropic impact possible NOW and grow funds to be used in the FUTURE.
In the following two years, continuing with a steady membership of over one hundred twenty members the Fund was able to award an additional $200,000 to six more nonprofits in the Tyler area.
Late in 2010 our website was established and in January of 2011, The Women’s Fund agreed to become a program of The Fourth Partner organization and continued to grow in members and in the amount of money given back to the community.
In early 2014, as part of its own strategic plan, Fourth Partner outlined a gradual decrease in funding of Women’s Fund. This began the Women’s Fund of Smith County count down to “sustainability”. Also in this year, The Women’s Fund established The Compass Club as a means of garnering unrestricted funds that can help sustain and grow our organization.
As of July 1, 2015, the Women’s Fund of Smith County is an independent, stand-alone not-for-profit organization and continues its mission of impacting the lives of women and children in our community.
We celebrate over 15 years of Giving Together – awarding more than $2.8 million in grant funds to 32 different nonprofit agencies in Smith County…transforming countless lives.