OPTIONS and Impact

We all have options to give money where we like: church, museums, not-for-profits, etc. My OPTIONS class number four had the opportunity to give money as a group. That is what I love about Women’s Fund. It takes all the money we give, pools it all together and gives it where it is needed.

Our group had $3,500.00 that we chose to give to Planned Parenthood, Hawthorne Community Center, Girls Inc., the Julian Center and the OPTIONS Scholarship Fund. I could have given a donation to each of these groups initially but my small gift probably would not make as big as an impact as the bigger gift we gave as a group. Don’t get me wrong... in today’s economic time, any donations are welcome. I know that giving money to Women’s Fund makes an impact that I cannot make alone.

There are now nine OPTIONS classes, each having the opportunity to give money to various organizations. It is amazing when we see the difference we have made in the community. If you are in OPTIONS or an alumni of the group think about the impact your donations will make. A little bit of money can go along way!

Power of Girls: A Life-Changing Experience

Power of Girls is a one-of-a-kind program providing a unique opportunity to learn lessons that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Since March 2004, Women’s Fund of Central Indiana has partnered with Indianapolis Power & Light Company and the Julian Center to host eight Power of Girls events. Power of Girls IX will be held Saturday, November 7, 2009. Over the course of a six hour period, participants:

• Learn what constitutes healthy relationships, recognize the signs of abusive ones, and learn how to get out of a destructive relationship before it’s too late.
• Learn about all forms of philanthropy and how to help.
• Hear a summary of current research about problems faced by women in our community and how Women’s Fund is helping in a very special way.
• Understand what the Julian Center does, how it is funded and the cost of providing its services.
• Hear how the Julian Center is changing the lives of many women in our community that simply have no where else to go.
• Meet and do a project with shelter residents and tour the facility.
• (Girl participants) Grant approximately $3000 to the Julian Center for purposes that they decide based on what they've learned about the Center during the day.
• (Adult participants) Watch girls present the grant and explain their rationale for choosing particular services or programs to support.

There are several things that make this event so special:

1. It targets teenage girls, ages 13 to 16, at a critical time in their journey toward relationship building and teaches them some very valuable and practical lessons about healthy and not‐so‐healthy relationships.
2. 17 adult/girl couples participate, making this an intimate and interactive session.
3. Although a girl can attend with her mom, she may also attend with an aunt, grandmother or other special woman in her life.

The cost per couple is $250. While this may sound pricey, I assure you this program provides tremendous value and an unforgettable experience ; the fee is also tax deductible. For full details and to register, please download the brochure by clicking here or calling 317.634.2423. Spaces are limited and are first-come, first-served, so register soon.

I can’t recommend this program highly enough. I attended with my daughter in 2004 and I encourage you to participate with your daughter or special teenage girl. You won’t regret it – in fact, it just may change your life… and hers.

Becoming Passionately Pink

During October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wear more pink than normal; I eat pink M&Ms and I eat Yoplait and save the lids. For several years I have walked in numerous breast cancer walks locally and even 60 miles in San Diego for the 3-Day Walk. I’ve attended fundraisers and made donations. In a way, I hoped that would make me exempt from breast cancer ever affecting me – or my friends. Not so. Last year was a year when breast cancer became more than a “cause” and more of a “personal passion”.

Last year, my best friend from college was diagnosed, fought –and beat breast cancer. While I celebrated her survival, I mourned the loss of another friend’s mom who lost a long battle with it. With all of the money raised, research being done, innovative programs established, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.

As I’ve become more “passionately pink”, my interest in organizations supporting breast cancer has increased. In my attempt to learn more, I decided to explore the work of Women’s Fund and find out what they’ve done to support breast cancer. I was pleasantly surprised by what I learned. Once again, I was introduced to new organizations and new programs through the organizations and programs they support. Some of the organizations I wasn’t familiar with; some of the needs I wasn’t aware of – all of it will be things I will further explore as I continue my passion for pink.

Here’s what I discovered. Over the years, Women’s Fund has provided dollars to and for:

• Gennesaret Free Clinic and Shalom Health Care Center: for breast exams, screenings and breast health education for women.


• Indiana Women in Need Foundation: money to help women going through cancer treatment pay for non-medical services, such as housecleaning and childcare.


• Little Red Door: to pay for garments, hats, bras, breast prostheses and other items so cancer patients can get them for free.

During October – and all year long, I hope you will celebrate the survivors, remember the fighters and find your own way to support the cause. One new thing I'm doing this year is chairing the 2010 Komen Indianapolis Race for the Cure. What ways are you becoming "passionately pink"?

Business Ownership Initiative - Another WF Success Story

Three years ago, I attended my first Women's Fund dinner. I was in awe of thousands of attendees, all of whom were involved with and passionate about Women's Fund. Fresh off my OPTIONS class, I was feeling happy and motivated about staying involved, but I wasn't sure what avenue would best suit my enthusiasm. During the dinner, Jennifer announced a bold and transformative grant to an organization called the Neighborhood Self Employment Initiative. I was impressed. I loved the idea of helping women help themselves by giving them the tools to start and run small business, like daycares and cleaning services.

For a while, that was the extent of my involvement with the NSEI. In the meantime, they changed their name to Business Ownership Initiative. With the help of the bold and transformative Women's Fund grant, BOI grew into a much bigger, broader organization, offering one on one business counseling services, planning, and workshops to help people with any of their small business educational and support needs. In June of this year, I started a law practice with a focus on small business and entrepreneurial services. I contacted BOI and was thrilled to hear about all the programming being offered to small business owners. What was most impressive was the full slate of workshops BOI offered, everything from basic instruction on how to incorporate a business in Indiana to complex topics about sales and marketing. And now, I have worked with BOI to assist in teaching some of their legal related topics, even developing a new class for their clients on the legal risks of marketing using social media tools.

It was just a happy coincidence that I was introduced to BOI from Women's Fund, but it is not a coincidence that both organizations are meaningful to me. Women's Fund yet again exposed me to an organization using innovative tools to help women and girls in Central Indiana, and I am sure BOI's success is in no small part because of the Women's Fund grant that I saw awarded in 2006. There are so many other organizations out there that need our dollars and or time. My experience with BOI is just a great example of how I have been able to give both, directly and indirectly because of my involvement with Women's Fund.

Investing in Our Community

What would you do with $337,500? My first instinct would be to buy a house, save for retirement, and give a portion to my favorite nonprofits. While this might bring joy to me and my family, I am proud to work for Women's Fund, where, with a similar amount, we regularly impact hundreds of people's lives through funding of central Indiana nonprofits. Thanks to our permanent endowment and all donors to it, Women's Fund will be able to continue this impact in our community for generations to come.

Women's Fund recently awarded grants totaling $337,500 to 13 central Indiana organizations. This year, in the difficult economy, we focused on organizations keeping women and children safe and helping women gain and retain employment. To do this, we engaged organizations with which we had established relationships, going on site visits and facilitating roundtable discussions to learn more about current community needs. A sampling of grants awarded includes:

• Day Nursery Association of Indianapolis - $30,000 for the Tuition Assistance Program, helping low-income families access early care and education for young children.
• Girls Incorporated of Franklin/Johnson County - $25,000 for operating support to help inspire girls to be strong, smart and bold.
• Hawthorne Community Center - $20,000 for operating support to help women and girls living in Indianapolis’ near westside.
• Prevail, Inc. - $15,000 for operating support of its victim awareness and support program serving Hamilton and surrounding counties.
• Turning Point Domestic Violence Services - $30,000 to support a matching grant for operating support for Johnson and Shelby County services of victims of domestic violence.

Learn more about all of the organizations we supported this year by clicking here.

I encourage you to get to know what each of these organizations is doing in our community to support women and girls!

Friendships Made; Experiences Gained – Your OPTION

Recruiting for OPTIONS Class 10 already? It doesn’t seem that long ago that I participated - eight years goes by quickly. Back then I was eager to learn; eager to make a difference. I wanted to participate in every leadership and community program offered. OPTIONS was one of several – and the one that had the greatest impact on me.

Times have changed and community needs may be different, but I’m certain Women’s Fund has adapted in order to continue strengthening OPTIONS and making it a meaningful experience for participants. Just to be sure, I called a friend. Tonia Lotz, community volunteer, OPTIONS Class 9. Our conversation reinforced what I was thinking.

OPTIONS:

• is a wonderful way to meet and network with like-minded women. We made great friendships and connections – not just with classmates, but with community leaders.


• opened our eyes to other organizations. We had been involved with nonprofits, but we agreed our knowledge was pretty limited until OPTIONS. We were introduced to organizations we didn’t know existed.


• challenged the way we thought about philanthropy. It helped us understand when, where, why and how to give in order to make the greatest impact.


• site visits provided powerful messages and often intense experiences. We were both impacted by our visit to the Women’s Prison. Tonia also talked about Girls, Inc. and how impressed she was by the girls' confidence. I recalled the Julian Center and how shocked I was at how many women and children were affected by domestic violence.

Friends, knowledge and incredible experiences – that’s what we remember most from OPTIONS. Consider applying and inviting others to join you. It’s an experience you truly won’t forget.

E-mail me at kelly@baisecommunications.com if you want to talk more about OPTIONS.

Creating OPTIONS and Opportunities

We all want options in life: paper or plastic, Coke or Pepsi, run or walk, chocolate or peanut butter ... peanut butter in our chocolate. All of the grants Women's Fund makes are designed to give women and girls options, the kind of options and opportunities that position them for success in life. How do we have the money to give to organizations, who helps make those decisions, where does the leadership begin? One resource for all of those answers comes from OPTIONS.

OPTIONS is a year-long philanthropy education program for women who are 25-45 years-old. For nearly ten years, Women's Fund has been educating a new class of twenty women every year to learn about the needs and concerns of women and girls, personal and group philanthropy, the role of non-profit board leaders, and creating opportunities for site visits to organizations we support.

OPTIONS members are today's donors and leaders for Women's Fund. OPTIONS members and OPTIONS Alumnae are creating the future path for Women's Fund ... our future donors and leaders. In the past nine years over 200 women have participated in OPTIONS and Alumnae and have contributed more than $260,000 to Women's Fund. Amazing!!

To find out how you can participate in OPTIONS, go to our website: http://www.womensfund.org/ and click on OPTIONS ... hurry ... the next and last information session is October 13th and applications for 2010 are due by October 31, 2009.

Shining a Light on a Quiet Issue

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Thanks to initiatives like Shattering the Silence, led by Angela Caine at WTHR Channel 13, domestic violence is more openly discussed in our community. As one of our primary funding areas, Women's Fund welcomes opportunities to shine a light on domestic violence and its impact on our community. Last week, Women's Fund awarded a total of $105,000 to three organizations providing direct service to victims of domestic violence: The Julian Center, Prevail, Inc. and Turning Point.

Connect 2 Help and Domestic Violence Network founded the Domestic Violence Navigation Hub (2-1-1) in 2003 to field domestic abuse calls in central Indiana. For the 2008-2009 year, Connect 2 Help's "Domestic Abuse on the Rise" reports:

• 3,682 recorded domestic abuse calls, a 5% increase from the previous year.
• The violence is increasing, with 20 domestic violence fatalities.
• There has been a 65% increase in the number of child abuse-related calls in homes were domestic violence is also reported.

Women's Fund research shows that children who witness domestic violence incidents, and those in homes where domestic violence is present, are 1,500% more likely to become victims themselves.

Domestic violence persists in central Indiana and impacts the health of our children, families and entire community. It is a quiet issue we tend to tiptoe around because we believe "it doesn't happen in my neighborhood," yet it knows no boundary by income level, educational level, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. It's hard to imagine a neighbor or friend is experiencing this terrible violence, but it is happening more than we think. Will you join Women's Fund and help shine a light on this quiet issue?

If you or anyone you know is a victim of abuse, call 2-1-1 immediately.