About Women'sGift

How It Works

 

Women'sGift is an all-volunteer registered 501(c)(3) organization. Our funding only comes from member dues, an annual fundraising event, and donations. We have no paid officers or staff. All work is volunteered, including operations, development, and website design and maintenance. 96% of our proceeds are given to Lane County nonprofits.

Every member commits to a monthly donation, the usual minimum is $20/month. Many donate more. No one is excluded based on financial abilities. All donations are confidential, all members donate at their comfort level. To date we are 45+ members and growing! Of course the more we increase our membership, the more we can donate to Lane County nonprofits!

There are 11 meetings a year. During the yearly business meeting in October, we select ten (10) local nonprofits to be recipients for the upcoming fiscal year and we select one of the ten to be the recipient of our annual fundraiser. In lieu of an August meeting, we conduct a backpack/school supplies drive for a school in Lane County. Additionally, in December, we supply holiday gifts to families through St Vincent de Paul.

At each monthly meeting, one of the nine selected nonprofits comes to speak to us and receives a $1,500 donation. In the Spring, we conduct our annual fundraiser.

No agencies or nonprofits are allowed to request donations. We research each one for stability and good work that matches our mission, and then invite a representative to speak to our members and accept a check. In our founder's own words ... we are the "extra, unexpected" funding. 

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History of Women'sGift

Founder Rae LaMarche's story.

I have always focused on service to my community. In 2007, while teaching in Thurston High School, I posted a New Year's resolution addressing that desire in the back of my classroom, where I saw it daily. In June, I realized that I needed to act, or it would never happen. Inviting a small group of friends to join me, we met and together chose to support local women and children at risk. Following my desire, we decided to pool funding and that all dues would be minimal so that everyone could participate. As of 2019, Women'sGift has donated well more than $147,700 to the local community.

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In the beginning, Women’sGift members pooled $10 a month; most members gave whatever they felt comfortable with, often far exceeding the minimum. Since then, Women'sGift has continually grown in membership and increased its financial giving to nonprofits in Lane County. In the last eight years, Women'sGift increased its annual donations each year. Membership is now 45+ and the monthly minimum donation is $20. Each year, Women'sGift donates to ten local nonprofits, conducts a back-to-school backpack/supplies drive, and supports families in need during the end-of-year holidays.

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Women'sGift Board Members

Marty Moran, President

Eliana Vera, Vice President

Lynnette Campbell, Treasurer

Cindy Turell, Secretary

Sandy Watkinson, Director

Mary Brooner, Director

Bobbe Burkhalter, Director