The Link
November 2023
Presidents’ Letter: What type of TPC member are you?
This November, we want to say how thankful we are to lead an organization of women dedicated to local philanthropy. Because of you, we are rounding out another successful year of supporting remarkable nonprofits and fostering valuable connections between members. And our next grant cycle is just around the corner!
As your co-presidents, we have been reflecting on what it means to be a TPC member. There is no singular type of TPC member, but most fall into one of three types. And we cherish them all.
Maybe you are the type who renews their membership year after year, and that’s it. Someone who wants to contribute to local nonprofits and is looking for assurance that your donation will be used wisely. You can join TPC and trust that the grant times will skillfully identify organizations that align with your values.
Or you could be the second type, who wants a little more connection, a little more learning. Many of these members have participated in our Racial Equity Challenge (look out for our next session in the spring!), joined a Philanthropy Dialogue event, or volunteered with a grantee. The most popular way, while building skills, is to join a Grants Team – an incredibly rewarding experience.
And the third type is interested in taking on a leadership role. Whether it is supporting outreach on our Membership Committee, advancing inclusion on our DEI Committee, advising our grant process on our Grants Committee, or engaging in another opportunity – there are so many ways to connect even deeper with like-minded women.
To our members reading this, who are likely identifying with one type or another – thank you! No matter how you show up as a TPC member, our impact is possible because of you. If you haven’t already, we hope you will continue and renew for 2024.
For any non-members, we hope you know you are welcome! No matter how you want to get involved, TPC would be honored if you considered joining us.
Grant teams are forming- you can still sign up!
TPC members, we invite you to dive deeper into a core part of TPC’s mission and join a Grant Review Team. Serving on a grant team is consistently named as the most rewarding aspect of TPC membership. It is an excellent way to connect with members and learn about Boston area nonprofits.
Please read the grant team member job description, and learn more about our Grant Review process on our website.
Join TPC at the Mass Conference for Women!
TPC is excited to participate in the Massachusetts Conference for Women on Thursday, December 14 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. We will host a table to meet women who may be interested in our mission and work.
We are looking for volunteers! You can still help out during this sold-out conference at TPC’s table. Volunteers will be asked to join for one three-hour shift. If you are interested, email Barbara Gaskin.
Grantee Spotlight
We’d like to introduce you to three of our amazing grantees: Dignity Matters, Apprentice Learning, and Young Man with a Plan. Gain insight into their transformative work by watching this VIDEO and explore the opportunities below to actively support their missions.
Dignity Matters is a non-profit organization that collects, purchases and supplies menstrual products, bras and underwear to women and girls who are homeless or disadvantaged, in order to help them stay healthy, regain self-confidence, and live with basic dignity.
How you can help: Donate funds. Donate goods. Volunteer.
Apprentice Learning provides real-world work experiences for eighth graders. At such a critical period in a young person’s life, these are the opportunities that ignite growth and change: sparking passions and interests, giving a sense of purpose to the present, and more importantly, to a young person’s future.
How you can help: Donate. Volunteer.
Young Man with a Plan (YMWAP) delivers a program of holistic mentoring sustained over 4+ years that helps over 200 young Black and Latino men in Boston build brotherhood, make academic and social emotional gains, and access sustainable futures.
How you can help: Donate.
More from grantees
Well-earned recognition for Dignity Matters
On September 28, TPC grantee Dignity Matters’ Founder and Executive Director Kate Sanetra-Butler was honored with MassNOW’s 2023 Feminist in Action Award! She founded the organization in 2016 to assist homeless women and girls by providing underwear and menstrual products when they need them most. Governor Maura Healey, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, and Mayor Michelle Wu each congratulated Kate and thanked Dignity Matters for supporting thousands of women and girls across the state. Don’t miss the video of her recognition.
Volunteer with Project Citizenship
Did you know that grantee Project Citizenship has many volunteer opportunities for different skill sets? Volunteer and pro bono service increases their capacity to serve immigrants, keeps their organization cost-efficient, and involves community members in the transformative citizenship process. Whether you support one-off workshop days by providing application assistance or regularly lending your multilingual skills to support intake calls, find a position that fits your needs and skills!
Learn about serving as a Partakers Mentor
Join Partakers virtually on Thursday, November 30, 7:00pm to 8:15pm, to hear about Partakers’ two unique Criminal Justice System-related mentoring programs: Partakers College Behind Bars Mentors & Partakers Empowerment Program Reentry Mentors.
On November 30, you will have a chance to learn: What is involved in mentoring an incarcerated individual or returning citizen? How do the College Behind Bars and PEP Re-entry mentoring programs differ? What qualities or skills are you looking for in mentors? How much time will I be committing? What kind of training or support is provided. There is no commitment required to join the info session. Learn more and RSVP.
A successful New Member Invitational!
On Wednesday, October 11, TPC hosted its first “New Member Invitational” event at Cisco Brewery in the Seaport. The event connected current members with those interested in learning more about TPC and gave us the opportunity to highlight the ways that TPC makes a difference in the Greater Boston community and beyond. Over forty guests joined us for this inspiring and welcoming evening.
We would like to extend a special thank you to members who invited guests to the event. Your efforts to share TPC’s mission and expand our community are invaluable. Sixteen new members joined TPC thanks to the event!
The energy in the room was electric and we look forward to bringing more social events to TPC members and guests in 2024!
Creating Impact Through Advocacy: Webinar
The Education Committee encourages you to learn more about Advocacy by watching this 1-hr webinar: Beyond Grantmaking: Creating Impact Through Advocacy. Presented by Philanos, this recording features two collective giving circles that have embraced advocacy as part of their organization’s work. TPC, too, has begun to incorporate advocacy more into our work. Several TPC members tuned into the September event and highly recommend it! TPC members can access all Philanos webinar information here.
Remember all affiliate members have access to live and past webinars via our Affiliate Portal! If you don’t have access, Philanos says: contact us.