Membership FAQs

When can I join?
We welcome new members throughout the year.

Do potential members need to be “invited” to join?
Absolutely not! Membership is open to all women interested in philanthropy. Join online today.

What is my commitment?
Each member makes a $2,300 annual contribution. We encourage members to continue their membership for at least five years; the sustained involvement of our members allows the Foundation to provide a stable source of funding for the community.  Members can tailor their involvement based on their schedule and priorities.  At a minimum, we hope you will make your annual contribution and cast your vote for the pooled fund awards each June.  Beyond that step you may tailor your participation in committee and educational programs based on your schedule and interests. 

When do I renew?
If you joined the Foundation between January and June you will be asked to renew in March of each year. If you joined between July and December you will be asked to renew annually in October.

When do I make my Individual Grant recommendations?
We ask that you make your individual grant recommendations within six months of initially joining the Foundation or, within six months of your renewal. The office will provide a form for making this designation. Recommendation forms received by the 15^th of each month will go through the due diligence process and be acted upon by the Board of Directors at its next monthly meeting. You will be contacted if there is any question regarding your recommended grants.  Checks will be issued  by the 15^th of the following month.

Why is the Individually Designated Grant important? What is the purpose of this money going through WWF?
Through their participation in the Foundation, our members learn about the breadth of issues and organizations in the community and are better informed in the practice of their personal giving. Giving through the Foundation also helps raise our visibility in the community so more organizations are aware of our pooled grant program.

May I suggest a potential project to be considered for a WWF Pooled Fund grant?
Yes. Members are encouraged to bring projects to the attention of the Grant Committee at any time during the year. Please submit your member suggestion form by November 28 for consideration in the following year’s grant cycle.

May I contribute more to the Pooled Grant Fund?
Members are welcome to designate their individual grant portion to the pooled fund.  However, during the annual voting, each member receives one vote, regardless of the amount contributed.

What does my $300 contribution pay for?
The $300 contribution goes toward the Foundation’s operating expenses, including our grants process, education programs, office rent, staff, supplies, etc. The remainder of the Foundation’s operating expenses are paid for through contributions to the annual fund and earnings from the endowment, as described below.

What is the purpose of the Annual Fund?
The $300 annual contributions from members do not cover all the operating expenses of the Foundation. Generous donations to the annual fund typically cover most of the remaining expenses. Donations to the Annual Fund flow directly to support the Foundation’s current year operating budget.  Learn more about the annual fund. Participation in the annual fund is entirely voluntary.

What is the purpose of the Endowment Fund?
Proceeds from the $2 million endowment support the sustainability and operations of the Foundation for years to come. The endowment fund is named as a tribute to Colleen S. Willoughby, our inspiring founder and former President  who served the Foundation as an unpaid volunteer  leader from 1995 to 2008. Learn more about the endowment.

“I joined the Foundation specifically to get involved in the grant process. I wanted to learn about the needs in our community, the innovative ways that nonprofit organizations are responding to those needs, and how I could be involved in making a difference. I’ve been able to learn not just about our community’s nonprofit organizations, but also how to really evaluate them, to analyze their capacity to achieve their goals, to look for tangible results and the impact they’re making.

“My involvement with the Foundation has also had a huge effect on my personal giving and my volunteer time, too. I used to give to a variety of different organizations based on when or how they approached me or who happened to ask. I’d give $50 or $100. I do much less of that now. I understand the impact of bigger gifts. I’ve learned to look more closely at which organizations could most benefit from my contribution or my involvement, which could use my gift of time, skills or money to make the greatest impact.”

Cynthia L. Smith
member since 2005