The best, and the most needed non-profit organizations begin with a founder's vision to do something good for society. The relationship between women and philanthropy has evolved significantly over the past 250 years. Starting in the 1800s, women began aligning their philanthropy with their volunteering—a model that persists today.
Today, women own one-third of America’s private businesses and control more than 51 percent of the wealth in the United States. Among the nation’s top wealth holders, 43 percent are women, according to the Treasury Department.
No longer having to rely on spousal or familial resources, women with increased access to personal resources stepped into philanthropy with gusto. A recent study of women’s philanthropy found that women give 3.5 percent of their wealth compared to 1.8 percent for men, and that single women are more likely to give to charity than single men. Women also tend to be the decision-makers in their family philanthropy (both individually and for family foundations.)
Meet the Women Founders of some of the most cherished Non Profits of the Douglas County Colorado Community.
Facing Homelessness
Amber Dinh, Founder and Executive Director
Amber Dinh has been an advocate for educating others about homelessness for years but finally found her authentic voice by creating a Facebook page and a community called Facing Homelessness – Denver. She spends her free time feeding, clothing and talking to people who otherwise may be overlooked as people hurry through their day.
Amber specifically aligned herself with the “Just say Hello” movement. Since starting Facing Homelessness – Denver, she has had the opportunity to meet and befriend hundreds of homeless in Colorado and share their unique stories and photos with the world. By sharing what she witnessed in her days serving the homeless community, her Facebook page has now reached nearly 6,000 people across the United States who leave greetings for the homeless and gifts that a homeless person may need to endure the elements. Now, the giving has grown and encompasses "hello-ers" from across the front range. Individuals, businesses, charity organizations, churches and groups gather biweekly to say hello in Civic Center Park to meet basic needs of our un-housed friends.
Rylie’s Ark
Meghann Guentensberger, President / Co-Founder
Meghann is lucky enough to have been Rylie's mom. With Rylie as her biggest cheerleader, she spent years as an English teacher, a triathlete, aspiring entrepreneur and dreamer. She completed Ironman Boulder just 16 days after Rylie's death as a way to honor that Rylie always challenged her to reach for her dreams. Heading up Rylie's ARK is Meghann's way of sharing the spirit of Rylie and continuing her legacy.
Rylie's ARK was created in honor of Rylie Guentensberger who had a huge impact on those around her–all because she lived a life designed to make others happy. Rylie died at the age of 12 after a freak accident and 28 days in the hospital. Those who knew Rylie will tell you that she sought to bring joy and happiness to those around her in every way. She was known for lifting up others and doing silly things to make someone smile. It's in this spirit that Rylie's ARK (Acts of Random Kindness) was created.
Rylie's ARK is committed to organically spreading kindness through random acts both big and small. Rylie’s life is now inspiring others to spread happiness by putting others first. The foundation hopes to continue to help individuals and families in times of need, sponsor scholarships to summer camps, pay sports fees and much more.
Robin’s Nest
Wendy Ingraham, Founder and Executive Director
Wendy Ingraham is a Michigan native and the owner and founder of Robin's Nest Foundation. Before her work with the foundation, Wendy practiced her love for health and fitness as a professional athlete for 20 years. During this time, she repeatedly supported the adage "anything you can do, I can do better," comparing herself as a female competitor to her male counterparts. She recalls being the first person out of the water at triathlons (whether male or female). Men would line up behind her, knowing she would “pull them through the water.”
In the end, though, Wendy says, "It's not a matter of winning or losing. It's giving it your all that makes you better than anyone else."
Wendy took this mindset with her when she founded Robin's Nest, an amazing little farm in Castle Rock, Colorado. She realized that being able to communicate, groom and deal with large animals can be an empowering experience and wanted to share that with others. Not to mention, with today's open spaces disappearing at a rapid rate, Wendy wanted to develop an open space to explore, use the imagination, get away from the noise of electronics, and be with nature and animals.
In the wake of tragedy, after losing three close friends to depression, Wendy felt it was her mission to find a way to help others accomplish goals and build self-confidence to make them feel that life is worth living for.
Sock it to ‘em
Susan Elizabeth Lee & Phillis Shimamoto, Co-Founders and Executive Directors
The idea for Sock it to ‘em came to co-founder, Susan Lee, while shopping for Thanksgiving dinner items in 2011. Not able to let go of the idea, she emailed a group of friends about collecting socks through the end of that year and then donating them to local homeless shelters. One of those friends, Phillis Shimamoto, stepped up to assist in the efforts to co-found the organization, and together they led the efforts to collect 575 pairs of socks and deliver them locally. During that delivery, they were told how important and how needed socks are to the homeless community. So, they expanded their reach to mobilize volunteers to join the efforts by becoming Sock Ambassadors.
The first few years the efforts were focused in the Denver metro area and was completely led by volunteers. By July 2015, the group had received the official 501(c)3 incorporation status and has now served those in need in 41 states. With a mission to provide new socks to men, women and children who are experiencing homelessness or who are in need, the organization provides socks to individuals, shelters, veteran groups, clubs and Title 1 schools serving under-privileged youth.
To date, more than 800,000 pairs of new socks have been given to cover the feet of those who need them!
Wellspring Community
Mary Lou Fenton, Founder
Mary Lou Fenton is the founder of Wellspring. It was her love for her children, her desire to give her youngest daughter with disabilities the best life possible, her faith in God, and her husband's constant encouragement that inspired her to start Wellspring. Her background includes being a social worker, working with homebound elderly, the homeless, and unwed mothers. Mary Lou loves to travel, especially to places she’s never been. Some of the places on her bucket list include Alaska, Australia and Israel. On the weekends, you’ll find Mary Lou hanging out with her family and friends and riding her bike.
Hope Held by a Horse
Diane Chafee, Founder
Diane Chafee is a breast cancer survivor, diagnosed in 2007. As a healthcare provider, she understood the disease and the healthcare system. She even had a wonderful support team. However, through the process, she realized there are so many women who don’t.
“Even though I had people in my life to support me, I wanted to connect to others with breast cancer, others who were experiencing what I was experiencing,” she says. “Most importantly, I wanted to connect outside of the normal hospital arena.”
One of her providers knew how deeply impacted she was and how much better she felt every time she spent time with her horse, Skye, and suggested she find an Equine Facilitated Learning program for breast cancer patients, but she was unable to find one.
“It was because of my experience with Skye that I saw the healing power of horses!” she says. “At that moment, a seed was planted in my mind and in my heart to one day provide an equine program for women with breast cancer. That way, women, like myself, would have the opportunity to experience the magic of community and the wonder of horses and how both truly help us to learn, grow and heal.”