More Than Money: The Power of Connection
When people hear about a giving circle, they often think about the dollars raised or the grants awarded. Those things matter, and we're incredibly proud that Santa Rosa Women for Good has granted more than $80,000 to local nonprofits in just a few years.
But if you ask many of our members what has impacted them the most, you'll hear a different answer.
It's the people.
It's finding a community.
It's remembering that there is still so much good in the world.
Building Community In a Time of Disconnection
Many people today feel isolated, disconnected, or uncertain about the future. The headlines can be overwhelming, and it's easy to wonder whether one person can really make a difference.
We believe there is another way.
Instead of asking, "What can I do alone?" we're asking, "What can we accomplish together?"
Research from the Johnson Center for Philanthropy found that giving circles create benefits that extend far beyond charitable giving.
91% of members said participating in a giving circle increased their sense of belonging to a community.
83% said it increased their confidence to take action and create positive change in their community.
55% said participation positively impacted their overall health and well-being, whether physically, mentally, or spiritually.
Those numbers are encouraging, but they also reflect what we've witnessed right here in Sonoma County.
One of the things we love most about Santa Rosa Women for Good is the mix of women who come together. Our members span multiple generations and life stages. Some are just beginning their careers. Others are raising young families. Some are empty nesters or retirees looking for meaningful ways to stay engaged.
Many may never have crossed paths otherwise.
Yet every month, women gather over coffee, at happy hours, volunteer events, and throughout the community. They share ideas and experiences, learn from one another, and build friendships that often extend beyond our events. What began as a shared desire to support local nonprofits has become something even bigger: a genuine community.
The Impact We Didn't Expect
Over the past year, we've heard stories from members that remind us why this work matters. Women have shared that before joining, they felt discouraged by the state of the world. Some felt disconnected from their community. Others struggled to find hope amid a constant stream of negative news.
Today, those same members tell us something different.
They've rediscovered optimism.
They've found a community of people who care deeply about making a difference.
They feel connected to something bigger than themselves.
They've made new friends, discovered local nonprofits, and found meaningful ways to give back. Many tell us our monthly gatherings have become something they genuinely look forward to.
You won't necessarily find those outcomes in a grant report, but they matter.
Communities become stronger when people know one another, trust one another, and believe they can create positive change together.
Stronger Together
Every quarter, our Impact Members pool their individual contributions to create grants that have a meaningful impact for local nonprofits. Together, we've accomplished far more than any one of us could have done alone.
But perhaps our greatest achievement isn't simply the money we've granted.
It's creating a space where women connect, inspire one another, and discover that hope grows when it's shared.
That's the real power of a giving circle.
The grants change nonprofits.
The connections change people.
Together, they strengthen an entire community.
If you've been looking for a way to make a difference or simply a place where you can find connection, purpose, and hope, we'd love to welcome you. Whether you become an Impact Member or join us for a coffee meetup, happy hour, or volunteer event, you'll find a community of women who believe that when we come together, we really can grow the good.
At Santa Rosa Women for Good, we often say we're building a community that gives. The truth is, we're also building a community where people belong. Every grant we award is possible because women choose to show up with their generosity, their time, their ideas, and their compassion. Together, we're creating a stronger Sonoma County, and that may be the most meaningful impact of all.
