Susan Priester and Frances Ellison of Greenville Women Giving
July 25, 2013
July 22, 2013
Greenville Women Giving is a philanthropic organization serving Greenville County, SC, that was founded on the idea that women when informed about philanthropy and about needs in their community can collectively make a real difference. They strengthen the local community through the collective resources of its members by awarding high-impact grants in five areas: arts and culture, education, health, human services, and environment.
Begun in 2006, GWG is modeled after successful similar organizations in other communities including Seattle, Charlotte, Nashville, and Asheville.
GWG is a special initiative of the Community Foundation of Greenville, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006. In recognition of that milestone, the Community Foundation agreed to match the contributions of the first 50 GWG members which increased the impact of the group’s grants during its inaugural year. Appropriately, the matching monies came from the Jean Harris Knight Fund at the Foundation, a fund made possible by the generous bequest of this Greenville philanthropist whose generosity serves as an example to our group.
Membership in the new organization is open to any woman who commits to donate $1,000 per year for 3 years to the collective fund. An additional $100 annual charge covers GWG’s administrative costs. Grants are made annually to local charities after GWG members research local needs and vote for their preferences.
We sat down to chat with Members, Susan Priester and Frances Ellison.
