Women’s History Month: Impact Giving & The Power of Collective Giving

By: Kayleigh Wood, Senior Marketing Manager & Chairperson of Community Service 

Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women throughout history. One way to do that is by supporting organizations that are dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities and there is no better example of that than Impact Giving, a women's collective giving organization based in Southern California.

Beginning in 2009 with five friends who were ready to change their way of giving and growing, Impact Giving has grown to 125 partners giving away 81 grants totaling $1.6 million. Impact Giving empowers women to make a positive impact both locally and globally by pooling their resources and donating to non-profit organizations that make a difference through positive sustainable change. By working together, these women are able to amplify their impact and make a real difference in the lives of others.

I first discovered Impact Giving through my leader and mentor, JoAnne Williams, Founder & CEO of JWilliams Staffing. JoAnne has been an Impact Giving partner for the last 7 years and has had the opportunity to influence positive change through many non-profit organizations within that time.

“I joined Impact Giving because I wanted to be part of a group of women who were passionate about making a difference in our communities. Together, our individual contributions create real, meaningful changes in the world.”

– JoAnne Williams

JoAnne’s commitment to supporting organizations that are making a difference is just one example of the many ways that women are leading the charge for positive change through Impact Giving. By coming together and using their collective resources to support non-profit organizations, women like JoAnne are helping to create a brighter, more equitable future for everyone.

Late last year, I was given the opportunity by JoAnne to attend an Impact Giving event. From the moment I arrived, it was clear that Impact Giving was more than just a giving circle – it was a community of women who shared a passion for creating change. I felt welcomed and supported, and was eager to get involved.

As a new Jr. Partner with Impact Giving, I can now better understand the incredible difference they are making both locally and globally. Upon joining, I was immediately met with kindness, encouragement, and enthusiasm from the other partners. I have had opportunities to meet and connect with so many inspiring women and learn just how much care and consideration goes into every step of the process.

It has been incredibly rewarding to see the impact that collective giving can have on our communities. Rather than giving a little here and there and not knowing the difference we make, with Impact Giving we can see exactly how our donations are encouraging sustainable change. That, I feel, is the most important focus of what Impact Giving does. They don’t just give to give, they ensure that their grants promote education and sustainable change. It is one thing to donate one time and affect something just that one time, but that method of giving cannot solve systematic issues that contribute to the ongoing need for support. It is an entirely different concept to donate in a way that promotes real, consistent, and ongoing change. 

The level of research, thought, and analysis that goes into this process is extensive and comprehensive, starting with the identification of potential grantee organizations and ending with the evaluation of the impact of the grants. The process is designed to ensure that every grant made by the organization is impactful and has a meaningful effect on the communities served by the grantees.

Impact Giving has given women the opportunity to connect with other women who share a passion for creating positive change, and has provided a platform to make a meaningful impact in their communities. 

I am grateful for the knowledge, relationships, and experiences that I have gained through my involvement with Impact Giving, and look forward to continuing to give back with this incredible group of women.

If you’re interested in learning more about Impact Giving and participating in the collective giving experience, visit their website at: https://impactgivingnow.org/