Share your time and talent with us and gain an up-close-and-personal experience within the innovative world of women’s philanthropy. You’ll meet new people, become a local grant maker, and help us better serve women and girls throughout our region.  Please consider the following ways to engage:

• Leadership Awards Committee
• Annual Leadership Luncheon Committee
• Communications and Marketing Committee
• Development Committee
• Open Door Committee
• Program Committee
• Pro Bono Advisor for Grantee Partners

Leadership Awards Committee
The Leadership Awards is Washington Area Women’s Foundation’s signature program. Launched in 1998, the Leadership Awards recognize local nonprofits that demonstrate innovation and positive impact on the lives of women and girls. Volunteering on the Leadership Awards Committee is an incredible opportunity to meet other leaders, identify and promote exceptional organizations in your community, and experience philanthropy first-hand – reviewing award applications, visiting community-based organizations, and making award recommendations to our Board of Directors. Members are divided into 4 geographic teams (Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Northern Virginia, and the District of Columbia). Approximately 75-80 Leadership Awards Committee Members are needed each year, and all donors of The Women’s Foundation at any level are welcome to join. 
For more information, contact Nicole Cozier at ncozier@wawf.org.

Annual Leadership Luncheon Committee
Each October, 1,500 people gather for Washington Area Women’s Foundation’s annual Leadership Luncheon to celebrate our region’s growing women’s philanthropic movement. The event is a vivid example of The Power of Giving Together and supports The Women’s Foundation’s grantmaking and community education programs.  Leadership Luncheon Committee members begin meeting monthly in January and collectively commit to meeting the fundraising goal for the event, including a $1,000 or greater contribution from each committee member (or their employer). Approximately 30-40 volunteers will serve on the 2008 Leadership Luncheon Committee. 
For more information, contact Sharon Levin at slevin@wawf.org.

Communications and Marketing Committee
Writing, RSS, blogs, new media, PR, collateral materials: if these words speak to your talent, please consider joining the Communications and Marketing Committee. Members of the committee are committed to helping The Women’s Foundation communicate both its depth and innovation.  Committee members donate about 10-12 volunteer hours every month. 
For more information, contact Lisa Kays at lkays@wawf.org.

Development Committee
The Women’s Foundation depends on our Board of Directors and community leaders to help raise the funds necessary to fulfill our mission as a foundation dedicated to the women and girls of the Washington metropolitan area.  The Development Committee recognizes a simple truth: people donate because they are asked.  This committee focuses on hands-on strategies to inform more people about our work, as well as the many creative ways we offer to engage their support financially.  Approximately 10-15 community leaders are needed and meetings are held monthly at The Women’s Foundation’s office. 
For more information, contact Stacey Miller at smiller@wawf.org.

 Open Door Committee
Members of our Open Door Committee often have a passion for engaging in ways to support and improve the internal operations of nonprofit organizations. The committee’s work helps determine the capacity-building grants given to The Women’s Foundation Grantee Partners (any nonprofit who has received at least one previous grant from The Women’s Foundation). Committee members spend 8-10 hours each month meeting as a group to learn about grant requests received from Grantee Partners and/or working with The Women’s Foundation’s staff to develop grant recommendations for the Board of Directors. Approximately 20-30 volunteer committee members are needed each grant cycle. 
For more information, contact Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat at jlockwoodshabat@wawf.org.

Program Committee
The Program Committee makes certain that all grantmaking and community programs support the mission of The Women’s Foundation. Members of the committee reflect the diversity of the Washington region and have expertise in grantmaking, program development, policy development, research, evaluation, and/or community engagement. This is a terrific opportunity to help shape new and innovative programs and strategies. A 3-year commitment is requested and committee meetings are held quarterly, often at a leading community-based organization serving women and girls. Approximately 20-30 volunteer committee members are needed each 3-year cycle. 
For more information, contact Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat at jlockwoodshabat@wawf.org.

Pro Bono Advisor
The Women’s Foundation provides ongoing workshops and technical assistance to our Grantee Partners (e.g. board development, communications and marketing, legal support, resource development, strategic planning). Please let us know if you would like to be added to our list of pro bono consultants. 
For more information, contact Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat at jlockwoodshabat.org.