Terri J. Goldich
Founding Member, 2018-
Steering Committee Chair, 2020-2021
In May of 2018, I moved from Connecticut to Montana to be closer to my daughter, Rose. In June, I saw in The Missoulian that there would be a meeting of a new program of the Missoula Community Foundation and the Women’s Foundation of Montana, called The Women’s Giving Circle. I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet people, learn about Missoula, and support the community I had chosen.
I found a large and committed group of women from all walks of life who came together to talk about community needs, the roles of women in philanthropy, the future, and what the big M and L were on the hills. There were presentations by directors of both of the foundations responsible for the establishment of the Giving Circle. There were snacks, drinks, chats, and loads of networking and connections being made. The group talked about what the foci of grant activity are most important for the Circle to address going forward. What a dynamic group!
And wow, am I glad I went. I’ve been involved with the Circle since that meeting. So far we’ve given out $27,000 in grants to deserving nonprofits in Missoula County in 2018 and 2019, and the latest grant in May of 2020, to a front-facing organization dealing with the terrible consequences of the pandemic.
Join us and you will learn about our community, our members, and yourself.
Katie Vaughan
Founding Member, 2018 –
Steering Committee Member, 2021-
In 2018, I returned to Montana after a long absence. I was elated to be home again and anxious to dive into participating in our community. I love our vibrant city, and I recognize that engagement and investment are required to build and support the businesses, groups, and organizations that make this such a wonderful place to live.
Several years ago, a dear friend introduced to the concept of a Giving Circle. She had created one with women from her synagogue. These women recognized that by strategically pooling their resources they could amplify the impact they would have on the nonprofits they supported. They also gained awareness about the needs of their community and learned about the innovative and inspiring organizations addressing those needs. This coordinated method of giving struck me as so practical and effective.
By engaging in philanthropy, we not only financially support groups and individuals, but also gain the opportunity to express our values, build networks, and leverage our collective expertise. We get to help advance our vision for change in a thoughtful manner. To me, these are essential concepts, and I was thrilled to learn of the formation of the Missoula Women’s Giving Circle so I could express them. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to begin as a founding member and I hope that others will continue to join us to support and grow our community.