On Nov. 19 Women in Philanthropy announced the giving of $41,000 in grants to ten separate projects that benefit the Eastern Michigan University community.
Women in Philanthropy is a fundraising group that began in April to help fund programs on campus that need financial support. The group uses a giving circle concept to raise money. Each member is asked to make a $1,000 commitment for 3 years in order to raise funds.
Ten projects were awarded funds this year. Award amounts ranged from $700 to $5,000. EMU faculty, staff, alumni, faculty-sponsored students and University-registered student organizations are all welcome to apply. Applicants submitted a three-page description and budget plan for review by Women in Philanthropy. Members then voted online to cut the list down from 28 to 10 applicants.
The idea for the group has been in the works since 2008, but came to fruition in 2009.
“People kept talking about it so it seemed like the right thing to do,” said Laura Thomas, executive committee member and program chair.
The group of women, originally numbered at 10, began looking at Ball State University’s women’s philanthropic organization for ideas that might transfer to the EMU community.
After adopting the idea of a giving circle, the original 10 members began recruiting and by April the number grew to 34 committed women. On April 19, Women in Philanthropy showed up to the INVEST.INSPIRE. campaign kick-off with a check for $100,000 representing the three-year commitment of all 34 members.
According to the group’s mission statement, Women in Philanthropy aims “To strengthen ties between women and EMU, educate women about the personal and collective power of philanthropy, increase gifts by women to EMU, and distribute financial awards to members of EMU community.”
Thomas believes that the group is, “going to give professors and students the opportunity to explore areas that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to.” She said it will help the EMU community by providing opportunities for both students and staff that they may not otherwise have had.
Co-president Jaclynn Tracy has lofty personal goals for the group.
“I would like to see the group at least double in size and I’d like to see us be able to create an endowment to be able to support the (EMU) foundation over time,” said Tracy, who is also a department head at the College of Education. She also hopes to see the group triple in size within the next five years.
Donna Schmitt-Oliver, co-president of Women in Philanthropy, wants the group, “to provide a concerted effort to raise money for the EMU community to begin to help students and faculty/staff to learn and grow in ways that are advantageous to students and community as a whole.”
Schmitt-Oliver knows what it’s like to be a professor and lack the funds desired to give students the teaching they deserve. She retired from EMU in 2001 after teaching leadership education. Since her retirement, she has remained involved with the EMU community and her involvement with Women in Philanthropy is another way for her to remain connected.
Thomas, Tracy and Schmitt-Oliver all were a part of the initial 10 members who began generating interest. Seeing the group grow has been exciting and enjoyable for all three women.
“I enjoy working with so many women who are inspired to give to our students, faculty and staff to realize their goals here at the University,” Tracy said.
“Eastern is again on the cutting edge,” Schmitt-Oliver said. “I think we’re the only place across the state of Michigan that is doing this right now”
Women in Philanthropy’s current 41 members meet twice a year and have the opportunity to vote on how their funds are allocated.
Members of Women in Philanthropy are retired professors, faculty, staff and alumni. The group is currently made up of women, but is open to all genders.
A student version of the group is being talked about, but as of right now, it is not quite in the works.
Anyone who is interested in becoming a member of or donating to Women in Philanthropy should contact outreach chair Karen Paciorek at kpaciorek@emich.edu.
Awardees include:
Prof. Jeffrey Bernstein, $2,130 for “Hevruta Discussions and the American Government Classroom.”
Prof. Martin Shichtman and Prof. Carla Damiano, $5,000 for “Scholarship Funding for ‘Representing the Holocaust,’ a Study Abroad.”
Prof. Anita Rich, $5,000 for “Let’s Watch: Playing with and Learning through Our Stories.”
Disability Empowerment Advocacy League, $3,170 for “Bridges to Understanding.”
Prof. Leslie Atzmon and Prof. Ryan Molloy, $5,000 for “Open Book Catalog and Intensive Summer Workshop at EMU Parsons Center.”
VISION, $5,000 for “Creating a World of Active Citizens: Alternative Spring Break.”
Prof. Rebecca Sipe, $5,000 for “Honors Diversity Ambassadors.”
Prof. Maria Milletti and Prof. Harriet Lindsay, $5,000 for “Building a Summer Research Experience in the Chemistry Department.”
Prof. Claudia Petrescu, $5,000 for “Engaging Communities through Student-Led Philanthropy.”
Tau Beta Sigma, $700 for “Women in Music Lecture Series.”
