The Link
March 2023
Happy Women’s History Month from TPC’s Co-Presidents
This Women’s History Month, we want to recognize you, our members, who take the time to invest in your communities and in yourselves.
This month gives us the opportunity to reflect on how far women’s rights have progressed over the past century, as well as how far we still have to go. TPC’s work is rooted in the belief that diverse groups of women pooling their time, skills, and dollars, can positively impact their communities. In fact, women in the United States are more likely than men to donate their money and support their community through mutual aid and giving circles. About 70% of collective giving organizations are majority-women and giving circles themselves have been multiplying for decades. Women are also more likely than men to donate more as their income rises, in spite of the enduring pay gap between women and men.
We are proud of the way that TPC members dedicate their time to evaluate and discuss grantees, pool their resources for deserving Boston nonprofits, come together to volunteer with grantees and on TPC committees, and focus on personal growth through our educational events and Racial Equity Challenges.
TPC is community-centric and ever-growing. In 2023 we are 253 members strong, with over 46 new members in the last year. We are a group that includes all women who identify as cisgender, transgender, agender, gender queer, and femme. TPC welcomes everyone for whom “woman” is a meaningful identifier or experience.
So, for Women’s History Month, we want to recognize all of the hard work our members have put into making this an impactful and welcoming community. TPC is a member-led organization, and we thrive because of you. Thank you!
Don’t Miss These Upcoming Events
Rebuilding and Healing: How Mothers for Justice, RESPOND, & RIA Inc. work to stabilize lives after trauma
Please join us on Thursday, April 20th from 6:30 – 7:30pm as we welcome speakers from TPC grantees in a virtual Philanthropy Dialogue.
Executive Director Monalisa Smith of Mothers for Justice, Executive Director Victoria Helberg of RESPOND Inc., and Director of Peer Mentorship and Advocacy, Stacy Reed of RIA Inc., will speak to us about how each of their programs build hope and purpose, and support women stabilizing their lives as they recover from trauma. Their work centers on both the individual and the community, building resiliency.
You have the option of attending virtually or at an in-person Watch Party – view the event live with other TPC members at a small social gathering. There are locations to choose from: Downtown Boston, Brookline, or Newburyport. When you register, indicate your interest and we’ll get back to you with details.
Missed last month’s Dialogue?
At last month’s Dialogue, we heard from the Executive Directors of Lawyer’s Clearinghouse and MARE (Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange), as well as two of their board members, about how they work to build necessary partnerships in their respective communities. Though they are both tied to established systems (the court system and the Department of Children and Families), their non-profit status allows them to be innovative and think longer term about the challenges facing their clients. Despite their different missions, commonalities emerged over the course of their conversation.
If you missed the live event, watch the recording, including concluding remarks from TPC friend and past grantee David Delmar Senties, who praised TPC for our “refreshing relationship with power dynamics…unlike a lot of other funders”, and encouraged us to read his new book, What We Build With Power: the fight for economic justice in tech.
Save the Date for our most exciting event of the year
TPC’s annual Grants Award and All Member Meeting (GAAMM), where we will announce the recipients of our 2023-2024 grant awards, promises to be an event you won’t want to miss! This year we are back in person at Wayfair Boston on the evening of June 8th. Registration will open soon.
Interested in supporting this event? Learn more in our volunteer section below and contact Leslie Levenson by March 31st
This year’s We Give Summit looks amazing!
Held from May 2-4, the We Give Summit is a virtual celebration of collective giving. You can attend one or more of the workshops, panels, or talks offered over the course of the three days. Meet and hear from other collective giving groups, or tune in virtually to one of the keynote speakers, adrienne maree brown, Dr. Ibram X.Kendi, Carlos Saavedra, and Gloria Walton.
Registration is free, but donations are welcome.
Volunteer Opportunities!
Join our Grants Awards and All Member Meeting Team
When: Leading up to our event on Thursday, June 8
Where: Virtually
Needs: We’re assembling a team of TPC members to coordinate this exciting event. We have a range of volunteer opportunities depending on your interests and availability! We’ll need planners to help with food coordination, speaker engagement (grantees), event promotion, and name tags. Maybe you’d rather help during the evening with check-in, greeting/connecting guests, or membership renewals?
Contact Leslie Levenson by March 31st if you’d like to join the team and meet fellow TPC members.
TPC Volunteer Day at Neighbors in Need
When: Friday, April 14, 2PM—4PM
Where: Neighbors In Need Warehouse, 60 Island Street, Lawrence, MA
Needs: Work with fellow TPC members to assemble food pantry bags!
Last year Neighbors in Need distributed 250,000 pounds of fresh produce to hungry families at their 13 Food Pantries in Greater Lawrence. NIN strongly relies on volunteers to serve the poor and hungry with dignity and compassion. After finishing the volunteer shift, you can always relax next door at the Spicket River Brewery!
Serve as a MARE team captain at the Jordan’s Walk/Run for Adoption!
When: Sunday May 21st 2023, 9AM-1PM
Where: Jordan’s Furniture, 450 Revolutionary Drive, Taunton, MA
Needs: Lead a group of your friends, family members, or fellow TPC members at MARE’s annual fundraiser.
The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) hosts their Jordan’s Walk/Run for Adoption event each year. All funds raised from this event go towards helping children and teens in foster care find adoptive homes. This event includes festivities, food, games, balloons, and family-friendly fun! Walkers and runners are invited to complete a 5k fun-run, consisting of three loops around the course.
We are looking for a team captain who can rally a group of TPC members to support this exciting event. Interested? Email Annemieke Rice.
Putting the ‘Fun’ in Fundraising: Support our Grantees’ Upcoming Galas and Soirées!
Support day-of at RESPOND’s Spring Soirée!
When: Thursday, May 4, 2023, 6PM
Where: Hotel Marlowe (25 Edwin H Land Blvd, Cambridge, MA 02141)
Needs: Volunteers are needed to help with set-up, greeting, and more at RESPOND’s annual event. This is a great opportunity to learn more about RESPOND’s work and help raise critical funds for survivors of domestic violence.
Unable to help at the event? Consider becoming a sponsor, donating an auction item link, or registering for the event.
Minds Matter Spring Soirée Support
When: Leading up to the event on June 1, 2023
Where: Artists for Humanity in South Boston
Needs: Minds Matter Boston is looking for help planning their “Spring Soiree” taking place June 1 at Artists for Humanity in Boston’s Fort Point. Committee members are asked to make planning calls (no more than 3-4 calls between now and the event), to attend the event, and to invite their own friends/family/colleagues to attend. It’s relatively low lift, and a great way to participate in a very fun and inspiring evening.
To learn more, contact Meredith, Director of Development.
RIA, Inc. Gala Planning Committee
When: Leading up to the event in October
Where: Support virtually
Needs: RIA, Inc (Ready, Inspire, Act) is also looking for event planning committee members for their October Gala at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. They seek those with experience with event planning, marketing, social media, silent auctions, guest registration, and procuring sponsors. Volunteers will meet virtually once a week.
To learn more, contact Chantha.
Get to Know Minds Matter Boston
Minds Matter Boston (MMB) is committed to making college education a reality for students from low-income backgrounds. Since its founding in 2003, Minds Matter Boston has achieved remarkable and consistent success – 100% of its students have been accepted into four-year colleges, and 98% of alumni are still enrolled or have graduated from college. This year MMB is serving 200 students from 20 schools in Greater Boston.
MMB is focused on not only helping students gain acceptance into the college, but also ensuring they are best prepared — academically, socially, and financially — to succeed in college. MMB consists of three distinct, complementary programs that operate on an annual basis: the Prep Program, the Senior Program, and the Alumni Program.
Prep Program
During their sophomore and junior years in high school, students participate in a holistic preparation program.
- Each student has two adult mentors who guide, challenge, and celebrate them on their journey to college.
- Every Saturday, students meet with their mentors and work on a college-prep lesson and standardized test prep.
- For two consecutive summers, students are sponsored by MMB to attend academic programs at top universities.
Senior Program
This program supports high school students as they navigate the college admissions and financial aid processes. College Guidance Managers and student mentors help students to:
- Write college essays, build balanced college lists, and apply to best-fit colleges.
- Identify and apply for all applicable financial aid and scholarships.
- Take college tours and meet with admissions directors and financial aid officers.
- Make final college decisions, analyze financial aid packages, and advocate for additional funding, when needed.
Alumni Program
This program supports students who have completed the MMB program (“alumni”) with their transition to, and persistence through, college.
- Alumni continue working with one or both of their mentors, convening remotely every other month, to work through a College Success Curriculum.
- Alumni also receive exclusive internship opportunities, workshops, and a first-year scholarship or laptop for college from MMB.
- TPC’s 2022 grant will be used to further expand alumni programs.
Ways TPC Members can Support MMB:
- Help plan the Spring Soiree – see above in the volunteer section for details.
- Lastly, if you missed the February Philanthropy Dialogue with Rachel Cantor, MMB’s Executive Director of Minds Matter Boston, you can view the recording.
Get to Know RESPOND, Inc.
Did You Know? One in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. For those identifying as transgender or gender non-conforming, this number jumps to a staggering 54%.
RESPOND has been at the forefront of the movement to end domestic violence for close to 50 years. Created by survivors for survivors, RESPOND provides life-saving shelter, a crisis hotline, support services, training, and education. Services are free, confidential, and available to all survivors of domestic abuse—no matter their age or gender.
RESPOND’s doors remained open while navigating unprecedented challenges brought on by the pandemic. Safe housing remains a strategic priority. This year RESPOND is focused on expanding its housing program to add residential units for families and individuals fleeing violence, including young parents.
Get Involved:
- Volunteer at the RESPONDing to Domestic Violence Spring Soiree Cocktail Reception: Volunteers are needed to help with set-up, greeting, and more at the Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge on May 4. Interested TPC members can contact the RESPOND team at development@respondinc.org. (Learn more above!)
- Donate Shelter Wish List Items: Wish list items purchased through the Amazon link can be sent directly to RESPOND.
- Donate Gift and Charlie Cards: Gift cards from major grocery stores and pharmacies as well as MBTA Charlie cards are always in demand by the families we serve. The cards can be mailed directly to RESPOND, Attn: Greta Hagen, 66-70 Union Square, Suite 203, Somerville, MA 02143.
If you are concerned for a friend, loved one, colleague, or family member, please call RESPOND’s Support Line at (617) 623-5900. Counselors are trained to listen and help determine the best way to approach your loved one.
DEI Spotlight
In recognition of Women’s History Month, it’s important to acknowledge the progress that has been made towards gender equality, while also maintaining a sense of urgency and purpose about the work that is necessary to lift up all women.
Here are some specific action steps you may take:
1. Educate yourself: Learn about the experiences of women from diverse backgrounds and communities, including women with disabilities, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+. Read/watch/listen to content by women and actively seek out their perspectives by participating in events in diverse communities. TPC’s Dialogues, volunteer opportunities and the 7 Day Racial Equity Challenge are some great ways to do so, in community with other members.
2. Your immediate surroundings: Think broadly and creatively about all the places you have impact and then “pick a lane” to focus your efforts. This could include:
- Amplify diverse voices: Use your platform to amplify the voices of women from underrepresented groups. Share their stories, perspectives, and accomplishments on social media, in meetings (whether at work, school, place of worship, community meetings) and in conversations with others.
- Mentor and sponsor other women: use your relative position of power to mentor and sponsor women and girls from diverse backgrounds. TPC grantees Minds Matter Boston and Partakers offer formal opportunities to do this critically important work. Does your employer have a mentoring program? An employee resource group (ERG)?
- Support women-owned businesses: Seek out and support local women-owned businesses, particularly those owned by women from underrepresented groups. Help promote economic equity and create opportunities for women entrepreneurs. The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce maintains a list of women-owned businesses.
- Challenge bias and discrimination. Speak up when you witness bias and discrimination against women from underrepresented groups. Challenge harmful stereotypes and advocate for inclusive language and behavior in all aspects of life. Allyship is a verb!
3. Bigger Picture:
- Advocate for policies that support women: Support policies at the local, state and federal level that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, including pay equity, access to comprehensive healthcare, parental leave, affordable housing, and childcare and flexible work arrangements. Make sure your elected representatives know what you support. Find your elected officials here.
- Hold companies accountable: Hold companies accountable for their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Use your purchasing power to support companies that prioritize these values and consider investments through an ESG (Environmental Social and Governance) lens.
These are just a few steps that can be taken to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion for all women. Let’s continue to work together towards a more equitable and just future. Happy Women’s History Month!