Women for Women: SA’s newest giving circle
“When we invest in women and girls, we are investing in the people who invest in everyone else.” – Melinda French Gates
Australia’s newest giving circle, SA Women for Women, launched in August with a celebratory event that welcomed women from across the state.
Led by a group of five passionate volunteers, SA Women for Women focuses on building connections while making a difference through charitable giving.
“A few of us talked about how good it would be to have a giving circle here in SA, especially because we all felt we had been lifted up and supported by people around us at some point during our lives,” says Leanne Brus-Bentley, one of the group’s founders. “So, we started asking ourselves, how can we help other women who need help in our community and that’s the heartfelt essence of SA Women for Women.”
“We spoke to some people who attended the Philanthropy conference in Adelaide last year and we thought maybe we could do something ourselves. We hadn’t done anything like this before, and one thing led to another and here we are. We have been very fortunate to have people help us along the way.”
Building an inclusive community for change
When members of a giving circle come together to pool their donations, knowledge, and connections, they can make a much bigger difference than they could alone. Working together to amplify their giving, they have the potential not just to support change – they can help make change happen.
SA Women for Women will focus its efforts on supporting grassroots initiatives across three pillars: education and employment, health and wellbeing, and safe housing. Membership and participation in the group is designed to be as accessible as possible.
“Contributing here is about more than money, it’s about connection, community and change,” Leanne says.
“We have decided not to be too prescriptive in terms of our membership model. You don’t need to contribute a certain amount of money each year to be a member.
“You can be a member by donating as much as is possible for your individual circumstances – if that’s $20, that’s fine. If it’s $10,000 that’s fine as well. And if you can’t donate money, maybe you could donate time or your talent to us, which will help us create learning communities and more understanding about the issues affecting South Australian women.”
With inclusivity being a guiding principle for the group, Leanne says anyone with an interest in creating positive change for women is welcome, including men.
“Everybody is welcome,” she says. What we’re committed to however is a women-led organisation for women, so it will be women making decisions for women.”
The launch event saw an inspiring group of like-minded women come together to understand more about giving circles and feel passionate about what is possible. Though the event was held at Inparrila in Adelaide’s CBD, SA Women for Women has plans to host future events and get togethers in regional communities too. “Rural communities have their own challenges that city dwellers don’t even think twice about”, Leanne says.
“I grew up in the country, so I am quite passionate about making sure that we are inclusive of rural issues and supporting rural communities.”
“We want to be sure that no matter where you are in SA, Women for Women is an opportunity to connect with purpose. For members to share their passion with like-minded people in a community that’s all about learning and using that knowledge to inform our decision making.”
SA Women for Women’s first gifting opportunity has been secured with Catherine House.
“We are proud to assist Catherine House to fund the next group of participants in the life changing course ‘Live you Best Life and Plan for the Future’,” Leanne says.
“This program enables women who have experienced trauma to rediscover their voice, confidence and personal power. It really resonated with us that course participants had acknowledged how it helped build their self-esteem and realise the strength women have from within.”
Creating a legacy for future generations
SA Women for Women has set its sights on a long-term horizon of creating positive change now and for future generations of South Australian women too.
“Together we can create a legacy for the future,” Leanne says. “I would love people to think that their membership is making a difference to the lives of their granddaughters and their granddaughter’s granddaughters.”
“So come and help us build this passionate and generous community,” Leanne says. “Let’s build something together that South Australia can be proud of.”
Learn more about becoming a member, make a donation, or get in touch via the SA Women for Women website.
