Open Doors: Networking and Philanthropy go Hand-in-Hand
One of the best things I have done since becoming the publisher of Frontdoors Media is taking time to go to as many women’s networking groups as time allows. I expected to find out what charities fellow business owners and community leaders were passionate about but I did NOT expect that each organization would be giving back as a collective. Here are a few examples of how several ladies are leading the charge to keep the art of giving back a constant conversation.
The Sisterhood of Superwomen
The Sister hood of Superwomen Catherine Anaya started the “Sisterhood”in 2009 as a way to learn about different charities and how to support them over a lovely two-hour Sunday lunch. The events are held at various restaurants throughout the Valley every other month and feature a representative or volunteer from a smaller charity or specific program. Each presentation includes a Q&A and a raffle, with all funds collected going straight to the organization being featured. Most events are posted to Facebook, if you’d like to follow along and consider join in: facebook.com/sosuperwomen
Women of Scottsdale, Central Phoenix Women, East Valley Women, North Valley Women
These monthly gathering across the Valley are owned by CEO JoAnn Holland. Each calendar year she selects a theme for giving back as well as an individual organization to benefit from being present at each gathering for the full year. The 2019 theme has been higher education and several institutions such as Paradise Valley Community College andArizona State University have been chosen to build relationships with members year-round. Members have been surprised to learn how many special events, community programs and educational opportunities there are within each college campus.
womenofscottsdale.org // eastvalleywomen.org // centralphoenixwomen.org // northvalleywomen.org
KNOW Phoenix Cares
When Sarah Benken started the KNOW Bookhere in Phoenix in 2017, philanthropy was nota part of the membership plan. In 2018, a few members got together and asked if giving back to women-focused causes could be part of their networking events and KNOW Cares was born. Four charities were selected to benefit from being the featured organization at one event in 2019, with each event customized to complete a goal in one night. From collecting female hygiene products for girls in Title I school to sorting specialty bras for breast cancer patients, members not only feel like they make a difference, they can opt to become involved with the organization directly.
theknowtribe.com/browse-the-know/phoenix-know-trib
Hit me up if you’d like to tag along with me to one of these events in 2020. They are always fun and filled with interesting women who make our community the special place it is to live, work and play.
Cheers!
