Our First Grow the Good Community Celebration
Last night, nearly 50 women gathered for our first-ever Grow the Good Community Celebration, including representatives from more than a dozen local nonprofits, many of them past grant recipients or nominees, and all organizations doing incredible work throughout Sonoma County.
It was an evening filled with energy, conversation, and connection, but more than anything, it was a reflection of what has been building quietly and steadily since Santa Rosa Women for Good was founded in November 2022.
What started with one woman saying yes to the idea of coming together to give was quickly followed by another, and another. That simple beginning has grown into a community of 128 women who believe in the power of collective giving, and in the idea that small acts, multiplied together, can create meaningful and lasting change.
Standing in the room last night, that growth felt tangible. It wasn’t just a number. It was conversations happening between people who had never met before. It was introductions between members and nonprofit leaders. It was new ideas forming in real time about how we can support and strengthen our local community.
As the evening unfolded, we saw exactly what Women for Good is meant to be.
We saw women who arrived not knowing each other leave as new connections. We saw members engage directly with nonprofit leaders, learning more about the work happening across Sonoma County and discovering organizations they hadn’t yet encountered. We heard conversations about future nominations, new partnerships, and ways to get involved beyond the grant process itself.
There was a shared sense in the room that this work is not transactional, it is relational. It is about showing up, listening, and learning from the people and organizations doing the work every day in our community.
Several guests shared that they plan to join Women for Good after attending. Others left inspired to nominate organizations they had just learned about for future grant cycles. These are the moments that remind us why gathering matters.
Measuring Impact Together
In just three years, Santa Rosa Women for Good has granted more than $80,000 to local nonprofits across Sonoma County.
But that number represents something deeper than dollars. It represents dozens of women contributing what they can, consistently and collectively, to create meaningful impact. It reflects a model of giving that is accessible, community-driven, and rooted in shared decision-making.
We often say that making a difference isn’t reserved for the wealthy or well-connected. Last night was a living example of that belief. Impact happens when people come together with intention and a shared commitment to their community.
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter for Granting
Last night also marked an important moment for our organization as we shared a preview of an exciting new chapter in our grantmaking model, one designed to expand both our impact and the number of organizations we are able to support.
We will be sharing full details later this week, but at its heart, this next step is about responding to what we’ve heard from our members: that choosing just one recipient from a group of incredible finalists is often the hardest part of the process.
This evolution reflects our ongoing commitment to growing thoughtfully, listening closely, and continuing to strengthen the way we give together.
Santa Rosa Women for Good Volunteer Board of Directors
Grateful for What’s Growing
As we left the evening, one thing felt clear: this community is still just getting started.
What we are building together is more than a giving circle. It is a network of women committed to showing up for Sonoma County in meaningful and sustained ways. It is a place where relationships form, where learning happens, and where collective action becomes real impact.
To everyone who joined us last night: thank you. And to those who are just discovering Women for Good, we hope you’ll step into this growing circle with us.
There is so much good still to grow.
