Letter from the President:
Worth the Wait!
After a four-year hiatus brought about by COVID-19, we were finally able to celebrate our first Symposium since 2018. Jessica Jackley, our keynote speaker who was scheduled for our planned 2020 Symposium, stayed on board and gave a very engaging keynote address for our over 400 dinner guests.
Prior to 2018, the Symposium format included workshops and a luncheon. Four years ago we transitioned the luncheon keynote to a dinner event. This year we decided to enjoy the best of both worlds and brought back our luncheon event as well. Thanks to Micron and CWI, we were pleased to have Gordon Jones, President of CWI, as our luncheon keynote speaker. Sheila Hennessey facilitated the event and led a very enlightening Q&A with Gordon following his talk. If you were unable to attend this event, there is a great recap included in this newsletter.
Like our very first Symposium in 2005, this year’s event featured morning workshops planned and executed by our IWCF Education Committee. The workshops this year left engaged, encouraged and challenged audience members to think differently about entrepreneurial philanthropy. Now if only we could have attended them all! If there was a session you were unable to see but wanted to hear more about, we also have articles covering those in the Symposium section of this newsletter.
The Symposium committee chaired by Education Chair, Molly Harder, stayed engaged and involved during the four-year-break–and it showed! Thank you to our Symposium committee, sponsors, table captains, education Committee, and to Robyn Gee Tucker for sharing why she’s a member of IWCF with our dinner audience.
Our focus this year was on Entrepreneurial Philanthropy. Both our keynote speakers and those who spoke at our morning workshops gave us all so much to think about. The Symposium strengthens the IWCF mission and demonstrates in real time how important educated philanthropy is for our community. We have a lot to be proud of!
GRANTS
It’s Grant Season!
By Trinjia Dell’Aglio, Grants Chair
It’s my favorite time of year–grant application season! (Okay, maybe my second favorite. My absolute favorite time of year is when we give the grants away.)
IWCF’s grant cycle is now open and the application is live on our website through December 15. We will be funding grants in six interest areas: Cultural Arts, Environment, Education, Health, Financial Stability, and Rural Communities.
IWCF is looking for nonprofits with an impactful and innovative project that:
- Attempts a new approach to a program they have implemented before.
- Expands a current service area.
- Addresses a new or different target demographic.
- Is trying something new all together.
If you know of a nonprofit that is doing any of the above, please encourage them to apply for an IWCF grant! The application, as well as additional helpful information, can be found online at IWCFBoise.org. This is a great resource for both our members and nonprofits.
Whether you are a grants expert or new to the IWCF grants process, we would love for you to join us in some capacity on the grants committee. There are several different ways to get involved and it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet other members and be engaged with many of the nonprofits doing important work in our communities.
Members of the Grants Committee review the applications submitted by nonprofits in a particular interest area. Working with other IWCF members, committee members evaluate the proposals, choose three
to five nonprofits for a site visit, visit the nonprofits, and ultimately select the two nonprofits that will represent the interest area on the ballot.
- Time Commitment: January-March, 2-3 hours of volunteer work/month.
- Experience Needed: Absolutely NONE!
Interest Area (IA) Leads are responsible for guiding the grants committee assigned to one interest area (typically 8-10 members). IA Leads review the proposals, guide the discussion, and communicate with the members of the committee.
- Time Commitment: January-March, 2-3 hours of volunteer work/month.
- Experience Needed: At least one year participating in the grants cycle.
The Business & Finance committee reviews the nonprofits’ applications, financials, and budgets.
- Time Commitment: January, 4-6 hours
- Experience Needed: At least one year participating in the grants cycle and a background or experience in finance and/or accounting.
Once the grant application cycle is complete and we’ve selected our six grantees, the baton is passed to the Assessment Committee. This group works with the newly granted nonprofits as they spend their money. Your job will be to help them through the process of progress reports, answering questions, and helping the nonprofits pivot as needed.
- Time Requirement: The assessment committee meets monthly but the bulk of the work happens in May/June with the non profits.
- Experience Needed: At least one year participating in the grants cycle is very helpful!
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions about being a part of the work we are doing with grants. We also have our Welcome to Grants meeting on December 14th from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. This will be an informative lunch-hour meeting on the valuable work performed by the Grants Committee. It is also a great time to ask questions and sign up to participate. Stay tuned for more details!
MEMBERSHIP
Time to Renew!
by Linda Riley, Membership Chair
Thank you for continuing to make IWCF a powerful presence in our community with your membership! You made it possible for us to invest another $220,000 in nine deserving organizations. Thank you to our Grants Committee for identifying areas where our funds are needed most and putting them to great work.
The 2023 renewal window has opened, and members have until January 31, 2023, to renew. I am so excited to join you all in another wonderful and impactful year of collaborative, educated philanthropy.
Please visit the IWCF Website to renew your membership today. If you prefer to pay by check, you will have that option, but it will lessen the administrative work if you pay online. Thank you in advance! For a printed renewal form, please email office@iwcfboise.org.
Our 2023 membership offers two options:
- $625 Annual Membership Contribution: $500 to IWCF’s pooled-fund grants, $125 toward operations, and the opportunity to vote on the awarding of pooled-fund grants.
- $1,125 Annual Membership Contribution: $500 to IWCF’s pooled-fund grants, an additional $500 for allocation to your Individual Grant Designations (IGD) to further support our local community, $125 toward operations, and the opportunity to vote on the awarding of pooled-fund grants.
We will also be continuing with a payment plan option. Members who wish to take advantage of the payment plan may pay $100 per month for 12 months beginning in February and ending the following January to fulfill the next year’s membership payment. This will be toward your 2024 membership.
If you know anyone who may be interested in joining, please connect them with me for further information or invite them to one of our many educational events.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season; I continue to be grateful for each and every one of you!
Welcome to IWCF!
IWCF is excited to welcome the following new and returning Blue Ribbon Members to IWCF!
Melanie Bannister
Darci Bauer
Christy Calhoun
Janine Greene*
Kathy Jennings
Carrie Melvin
Cheryl Miller*
Sue Rourke
Jaclyn Scholten
Carole Schroeder
Rachel Teannalach*
Lynn Wasser
Kim Wegener
*Returning
Something to Smile About
While we encourage all of our members to shop local or use organizations such as goodbuy, if you plan to do some of your online shopping with Amazon we encourage you to take advantage of their Smile program. When using Amazon Smile, a percentage of eligible purchases will go to a charitable organization of your choosing. Simply go to Smile.Amazon.com and select Idaho Women’s Charitable Foundation as your charity of choice. Prefer to use the app? Open the app and find ‘Settings’ in the main menu (☰). Select ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone. Don’t forget to choose IWCF as your charity!
EDUCATION
IWCF January Education Event: Supporting Caregivers in Our Community
January 25, 2023
11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.: Social Gathering
12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: Presentation
Library! at Cole and Ustick
Sagebrush Meeting Room
7557 W Ustick Rd, Boise
There are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers. Caregiving is universal.
– Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady of the United States of America
Many people don’t identify as a caregiver, yet one in four Idahoans support a friend or family member of any age with physical, cognitive, mental health, and/or chronic needs. A caregiver can be defined as anyone caring for a spouse or parent, an extended family member, or even a friend or neighbor. Yet often, people who are caregivers fail to identify themselves as such. Take a minute to complete the quiz below to see if you are a caregiver.
A key element to preventing abuse, neglect, and the exploitation of vulnerable adults is to ensure that the caregiver has access to the support and information they need to stay healthy and resilient. If caregivers are supported, then it has a direct impact on the quality of care they can provide. If they are not informed, supported, and connected then this can negatively impact their ability to provide care to their loved one. This may result in the care recipient being placed in a facility or even neglected or harmed in some way.
It is in the best interest of families and communities that caregivers are supported so they can provide support. This educational event will feature local experts discussing the impact of caregiving on our community and issues/challenges facing Idaho caregivers. Stay tuned for details on how to register.
Presenters:
Lynn Fyanes, MHS
Program Specialist, Idaho Commission on Aging
Marilyn Sword, MPA
Coordinator, Idaho Caregiver Alliance
Sheila Weaver, LCSW, ACADC
Program Coordinator and Lead Navigator, Family Caregiver Navigator
Adrian Rodriguez, BAPH, CHES®
Graduate Research Assistant & Bilingual Family Caregiver Navigator,
School of Public & Population Health, Boise State University
March Education Event: RBG and Idaho’s Role in Women’s Rights
March 8, 2022
Time & Location TBD
Since the dawn of the republic, American women have been forced to fight for the rights that most men have enjoyed since birth. From Abigail Adams and Susan B. Anthony to Myra Bradwell and Pauli Murray to Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the crusade for women’s rights and gender equality has been carried by women, with the aid of a few good men. The iconic RBG championed an Idaho lawsuit, Reed v. Reed (1971), that transformed the law for women. Reed, said RBG, was a “turning point” in the drive for gender equality.
Dr. David Adler is a constitutional law professor and currently the President of The Alturas Institute, a nonprofit organization created to promote the Constitution, gender equality, and civic education. He is an engaging speaker who will mesmerize us with the story of Reed v. Reed, a case that reflects the historic efforts of Sally Reed and RBG, and the Idaho men–two lawyers and a judge–who made the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment a reality for women. Adler will place Reed v. Reed in the context of this historic crusade and comment on enduring issues of importance to women.
Stay tuned for more details and an opportunity to register for this educational presentation in honor of Women’s History Month.
DEI Thesaurus
By Deb Eisinger, DEI Committee
Since DEI came to my attention a few years ago, I’ve thought a lot about the D (Diversity) and the I (Inclusion), but not as much about the E (Equity). I decided it was time to speak with local leaders—people who were recommended by fellow IWCF members—in the nonprofit sector about equity.
While I learned some about equity, I learned more about the ways diversity, equity, and inclusion are intertwined and I was greatly impressed by the way local organizations work together to create undifferentiated outcomes.
As I was doing this research, I made note of an article in the Idaho Press Tribune (October 7, 2022) describing plans for the YMCA Harrison Boulevard Fun Run. Organizers were collaborating with IncludeAbility to make plans for runners of all kinds, including those in wheelchairs. That looked like Equity to me—providing for each individual what’s needed to reach equitable outcomes. The president of IncludeAbility said in a news release, “We hope to have as many as 30 kids with disabilities competing alongside able-bodied kids, which sends an important message of the importance of inclusion.” So, my equity was her inclusion.
“You can’t have the E without the D,” said Kelli Parker, Director of Economic Opportunity by Jannus, a nonprofit that aids clients in creating financial stability. She told me about her team of five staff members who speak seven languages among them. “It’s so fun,” she added. Jannus, supported by federal and private grants, meets with each client for a financial health assessment to set individualized goals for a better financial future. Sometimes there is training for clients, provided with classes and materials in the many languages needed; sometimes a small loan, as for a local woman who started a licensed in-home day care. Parker notes that it’s important to help clients stay away from predatory lending.
As I continued to think about diversity, equity, and inclusion I began to see that they were comparable to vines climbing a brick wall–intertwined, no one vine discernable from the others. It is as if DEI is all one thing.
Derrick Nelson, Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion at St. Luke’s, used a phrase I’d heard elsewhere and plan to include in my personal philosophy. “We meet people where they are,” he said. The hospital provides translators in Spanish and other languages, welcomes service animals, and employs social workers to do outreach in the community. Many people have a “lack of trust” in health care providers, so he helps staff coordinate while “striving to identify and eliminate barriers.” Nelson added that his work is “well beyond a career, but a life for me–progress toward perfection.”
Melanie Fales, Executive Director and CEO of the Boise Art Museum (BAM), uses the term accessibility alongside inclusion. She and her staff design art exhibitions and programs to meet the needs of a range of people of varying and diverse abilities. BAM has been piloting affordances (another term in the DEI thesaurus) for people with low or no vision and/or hearing, as well as other differences of ability with a national, multi-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. “Those that prove successful will be sustained over the long term,” she added. BAM also works with a community advisory group, “continuing to learn and to take additional steps to be even more accessible and inclusive, which leads to equity.”
The intertwined nature of DEI is clear in Fales’ responses to my questions about equity. I think I can move forward with diversity, equity, and inclusion as a single entity in my working definition. As I speak with DEI leaders in our community I see that it makes sense to keep them all connected.
Jodi Peterson, Executive Director of Interfaith Sanctuary, a low-barrier emergency shelter, brings passion and compassion to her advocacy for people experiencing homelessness in Ada County. Peterson gave a heartwarming example of providing Equity in her TEDx Talk, Reclaiming a Homeless Man’s Life in 15 Crazy Steps.
She described how she doggedly helped Bodie, a man who had been homeless for fourteen years, get his birth certificate so he could get an ID. She helped fill out forms and visit agencies over and over for as long as it took. This was complicated and unique to his circumstances–another example of a local organization providing individualized help and the equity I was looking for in my research.
Peterson explained that each person has different needs. One person might only need shelter or they might need help with a lot more. The Interfaith Case Management Team assists with a variety of cases including helping people on parole meet parole requirements, providing recovery and mental health assistance, food service training, and legal assistance. The organization partners with St. Vincent de Paul, which hires people to work in the warehouse and the shop. It also provides space for the Interfaith Sanctuary Art Collective where artists weave, paint, knit, and create all kinds of art to sell in the St. Vincent de Paul retail space.
When I began this research I was hoping to dissect the concept of equity to gain a better understanding of what is needed in our community. What I discovered was a story of collaboration and connection. I’ve had some cold, sad days when I think about the troubles that abound for those around me. However, I feel a warm hope when I talk to people such as Melanie Fales, Kelli Parker, Derrick Nelson, and Jodi Peterson who are improving the way they help people through their DEI efforts. I have come to see that collaboration is a key to the success for everyone I interviewed. Each one is engaged in community outreach and are familiar with other nonprofits working to provide services in an equitable way.
When I asked Parker what she does when Jannus can’t meet someone’s needs, she explained one of the beautiful things about Boise is a large network of collaborative partners. She has partnered with St. Luke’s, Women Innovators, the Idaho Office for Refugees, and many others.
I feel some pride when I think of the collaborative nature of IWCF. Our committees work together to evaluate promising grants, and our financial support goes to a variety of diverse communities, practicing equity and inclusion as they invest IWCF funds in their projects. As a member of the IWCF DEI Committee, my hope for the future is that we would continue to climb the beautiful, intertwined vines of diversity, equity, and inclusion and use what we have learned to strengthen and equip people throughout our community.
EVENTS
2002 Fall Symposium
Entrepreneurial Philanthropy: Celebrating Change Making Women
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Accidental Entrepreneurial Philanthropy: The Magic of Opening Doors
By Robyn Gee Tucker, Marketing Committee
Payton McGriff was finishing up a Bachelor’s Degree and preparing to step into her dream job when a door opened for her to explore an idea of helping girls go to school in the West African country of Togo. She stepped through that door and Style Her Empowered (S H E) was formed. The single most effective way to help women in poverty is to educate them. When McGriff discovered the number one hindrance in preventing the education of girls in Togo was a simple school uniform, she got to work and developed the world’s only school uniform that grows six sizes and up to one foot in length. S H E hires, trains, and educates local seamstresses through their Paid-to-Learn Employment Model to sew these one-of-a-kind dresses.
S H E is also focused on sustainability and impact. In addition to sewing school uniforms, S H E recycles 100% of fabric waste from their factories into their unique reusable menstrual pads. They also collect single-use plastic bags (just like the ones we get at the grocery store) and fuse it together to make durable, water resistant, beautiful backpacks.
What started with school uniforms in Togo has spread to 22 communities and evolved into a holistic girls’ education program serving 1,500 girls annually from kindergarten through 13th grade. Girls who enter the S H E program receive a uniform that grows, full tuition scholarship, school supplies, reusable menstrual supplies, tutoring and training, and year-round support from a local team. Those interested in sponsoring a year of education for a girl or finding out more about S H E can visit StyleHerEmpowered.org.
Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is: Shopping as Activism
By Jennifer Dunmire, Marketing Committee
In an engaging mid-morning session, we learned that over 70% of all U.S. online spending goes to only 15 mega retailers. The growing online small business shopping tool, goodbuy, encourages spreading that revenue to the multitudes of small businesses out there by helping make conscious shopping easier.
Founders Cary Telander Fortin and Cara Oppenheimer created goodbye out of the realization that many items are purchased from mega retailers, like Amazon, out of convenience when one would much rather support small businesses who sell similar wares. A direct extension to your web browser, goodbuy notifies you of items you are searching for available from more than 185,000 small businesses. You can even shop by value whether that is a women run business, LGBTQIA+ owned, sustainable, etc. Currently in process of becoming a Certified B Corp, Cary and Cara stressed the importance of mindful shopping and living your values.
Art of Connection
By Linda Hummel, Marketing Committee
Susan Kuehl and Lori Martin, co-founders of Consilio Consultants, offered an engaging session on the importance of connection both in the workplace and within our lives as a whole.
The foremost pillar of happiness is a sense of belonging; the opposite of belonging is isolation. Connection with others is the cure but it takes consistent practice and intention. The ability to connect authentically to yourself, your role, your community, and the world is a vital skill. People who feel more connected to others have lower anxiety and depression, have more self-esteem, are more trusting and cooperative.
It is believed that people are feeling more disconnected than ever. Optimism & Hope are the tools needed to break this pattern. Optimism is the fundamental belief that things will work out, even when they’re not going according to our plan. It’s knowing that tomorrow will be better than today. Optimism can raise your resilience and help you cope better with hardships.
Hope is expecting something with confidence and causes us to look forward to something that is not yet here. It is a resilient, powerful, and productive strategy for changing the state of our brain. This can result in a down regulation of our nervous system and we feel more calm and focused. Hope can place you in a better position to reach your goals and strengthen your tenacity. People who are more optimistic and hopeful are better at handling uncertainty.
There are more than 3,400 different emotions but they can all be categorized under two umbrellas: love and fear. Our goal is to function primarily in the love-based realm rather than a fear-based one. For every “fear” emotion there is a direct “love” emotion that counteracts it. We must identify the fear-based emotion in which we are residing and and move toward a love-based realm. The best way to do that is to give that to someone else. If we are feeling humiliated and need to move into a space of self-confidence, try building up someone else’s confidence. Our brains will create a mirroring effect that will help us transition into that positive emotional space. It may also be helpful to make a list of three things you can do when you feel yourself sitting in a “fear” emotion. Some ideas include taking a walk, calling a friend, helping someone with a chore, taking a deep breath, etc.
We may find ourselves falling into the fear-based realm when we feel out of control. Recognize and accept that we can only control so much in our lives. “Control what you can control,” said Kuehl, “And that extends to the end of your fingers. That’s it.” We cannot control our environment, only our reaction to it.
To learn more about these concepts visit www.thinkconsilio.com. Download the handout from their session: IWCF Fall Symposium The ART of Connection (1)
Designing your Life for Impact–Love into Action with Tara Russell
By Linda Hummel, Marketing Committee
Tara Russell shared her professional and personal journey highlighting how she ultimately came to be flourishing in her life and living with impact. Her story described the path she took to define what a sustainable impact looks and feels like for her and encouraged attendees to define what it might look like for them. As she moved through various jobs and roles with several social impact enterprises, she found herself exhausted and stressed. She had to make some decisions about where she fit in these organizations and what strengths she could best bring without burning out. She was a Selfless Giver and came to recognize the priority to be a Self-Protecting Giver. This meant taking care of herself first, before she could offer her best to the global world and causes. She developed a list of things that matter to her as she designed her path forward: imagination, creativity, gratitude, curiosity, innovation, strategy, generosity, inspiration, and story. These were the elements her work needed to be impactful.
Key takeaways:
- Comparison is the thief of joy.
- Saying no is important. We must learn to do that and recognize that taking on more things means others will be neglected. Sometimes we must say no to make room for the new thing.
- She wishes early on in her work life she had found someone to hold her accountable for taking care of herself and making selfcare a priority.
- She would have started therapy sooner in her life. She described it as an oil change and a way to advance her self-reflection.
- We must build a rhythm and balance within our life choices.
Three Amazing Local Success Stories of Entrepreneurial Philanthropy: The Basque Museum & Cultural Center; Because International, Jesse Tree
By Evin Bask, Marketing Committee
Idaho Women’s Charitable Foundation’s 2002 Symposium included a morning breakout session with three panelists who shared local success stories of entrepreneurial philanthropy. We learned from Ali Rabe, Executive Director of Jesse Tree about how our changing community is impacting those struggling to stay housed. In the Treasure Valley housing costs have increased by 40% in the past few years. Half of our renters are living month to month. With these drastic changes, Jesse Tree supports renters across the Treasure Valley with temporary financial support.
Kenton Lee, Founder of Because International, shared his experience with his time serving communities internationally. After Kenton saw the impact a shoe could make for a child, The Show That Grows was born. Today, more than 400,000 pairs have been distributed to kids in over 100 countries. The Because Accelerator also trains global entrepreneurs to have success with their own ideas for world-changing products.
Lastly, Patty Miller, Basque Community History Project Director, shared with us about the Basque Community History Project. The Basque block was built from the ground up by passionate community members. Today the museum has seen huge growth and is a hub for Basque culture and celebration. Miller is currently working with a team of researchers to document the histories of communities with a Basque presence in the American West.
All three panelists are making a huge impact in our community and are doing so though unique strategies and entrepreneurship.
“Partnership is what has made us most successful” -Ali Rabe with Jesse Tree
Addressing Economic Equity in Our State Panel
By Jennifer Dunmire, Marketing Committee
In both a morning panel session and a deep-dive session in the afternoon, symposium participants learned how underserved populations in Idaho lack access to education, skills-development, and the capital needed to achieve economic mobility. Theresa McLeod, St. Luke’s Health Systems Director of Community Relations, moderated a panel of five local organizations who are working to remove barriers and close the wealth-gap in our community.
Theresa began the session encouraging participants to “take a moment to think about what they can do” while listening to panelists share their organizations’ stories. It quickly became clear that supporting these organizations and sharing with others the opportunities available would be two great ways to help the underserved population in Idaho.
Marie Baker, Regional III Director for the Idaho Small Business Development Center, kicked off the discussion excited about the launch of a financial literacy program for new business owners and the many free services available to those starting a new businesses or looking to make improvements. She noted that one way we can help is by sharing with others the accessibility of their programs. Diane Bevan, Executive Director of the Idaho Women’s Business Center, echoed that encouraging sentiment and shared about the free services their organization offers including mentoring other women in their entrepreneurial endeavors. Kelli Parker of Jannus Economic Opportunity emphasized the obstacles refugees face when trying to build businesses here including predatory loans with massive interest rates. She ended with a positive impact story about a client who took their Credit as an Asset class. The client worked with their team and was able to launch a wedding planning business. Terra Rossetto with International Rescue Committee noted that refugee women are less likely to seek out financial support so by sharing these services and stories, we can help build trust and confidence in those populations. Kathleen Minogue, Founder & CEO of Crowdfund Better, concluded with information on the different types of crowdfunding available beyond the standard “Kickstarter” or “GoFundMe” model. She added that more education is needed to let people know of the many opportunities and resources available to them.
LUNCHEON KEYNOTE
Innovation In Action
By Robyn Gee Tucker, Marketing Committee
Gordon Jones, President of the College of Western Idaho (CWI), offered a riveting presentation on some of the challenges within the current higher education system and the ever-increasing need for innovation. “The value proposition of higher education is about social and economic mobility,” said Gordon. “But that proposition is under stress– both self-inflicted and inflicted upon.” According to Jones, college debt represents the second highest debt category for Americans. The number one reason students go to college is to get a better job and yet affordability and employability are two of the most significant stress issues within the institution. Higher education must put innovation into action and find a solution to these issues. “More and more public higher education is priced as a luxury good” but CWI is focused on not taking the cost curve up. Jones stressed the importance of universities being leaders in collaboration with businesses and industry partners.
When asked how one knows when to take action, Gordon responded that truth comes in two forms–genuine insights and collision with reality. Once you have 60-70% of the information you have to make a decision and move forward. If you wait until you 100% you’re colliding with reality and that is no longer leadership.
CWI is a comprehensive community college serving the Treasure Valley and State of Idaho. Prior to CWI, Jones served as the founding Dean of the College of Innovation + Design at Boise State University and also worked at Harvard University, serving as the Evans Family Foundation Managing Director of the Harvard Innovation Lab.
DINNER
Keynote Speaker: Jessica Jackley
By Jamie Jacobson, Marketing Committee
“We walk around with our stories on repeat,” said Jessica Jackley–author, entrepreneur, and mom of four littles. Jackley had grown up with a negative connotation to the world of business. A negative story on repeat in her mind that doing good for others was siloed to nonprofit organizations while business, finance, and entrepreneurship were for greed.
But Jackley’s perspective started changing. “The more I can stop and check myself and change a seemingly small detail the more things can unfold,” Jackley said. And that’s how her story of founding a microloan business, Kiva, that would soon change the lives of 4 million borrowers to the tune of almost $2,000,000 began. That is, after she had an “Ah-Ha” moment listening to a speech while working a temp job at the Stanford Center of Business. The speech changed her mindset on her association with business and greed, and the impact lending small amounts of money with very little interest (later to become modern micro-finance) could do.
Shortly after hearing this speech, Jackley moved to Africa and heard stories firsthand of individuals that woke her up and made her want to continue to help and hear more journeys of hard work, hope and joy. She thought, “If others heard this story, how would they think or feel? Would their role in these stories change?”
Her intuition was right, since founding Kiva in 2005, more than 2 million lenders have crowdfunded $1,800,000 in loans to 4.4 million borrowers across 79 countries. This was just the tip of the iceberg.
Jackley continued thinking of ways to bring meaning to entrepreneurship. The next question for her to solve: What if I could volunteer with my kids from home? And so, Alltruists was born–a company focused on educating, inspiring, and giving back by cultivating socially conscious activities for children.
Alltruists builds experiences for families to get involved with others from afar. Whether it is creating a key chain for a family moving into their new 3D printed house, curating a care package for a refugee family, or one of the many other Alltruist activities, they are sure to help make the world feel more connected.
For those who couldn’t join us for this dynamic presentation, Jackely’s stories are also told in her book Clay Water Brick: Finding Inspiration from Entrepreneurs Who Do the Most with the Least for anyone looking for a fantastic story on entrepreneurship and connecting with our global community.
Thank you to our 2022 Symposium Sponsors
Educator Level
Impact Level
Community Table Level
Apel Family
Aspen Capital Management
Christine Avey
Berkeley, Inc.
Bithell Law PLLC
Boise Cascade
Boise Dental Center
Boise State University
City of Boise
College of Idaho
Erstad ARCHITECTS
First Interstate Bank
Idaho Central Credit Union
Suzanne Groff Lierz
LORORI, LLC
Saint Alphonsus Health System
Stoltz
TRICA: Treasure Valley Institute for Children’s Arts
University of Idaho, Boise
US Bank
Table Sponsor Level
Annette Christensen
Danielle George
Bev and George Harad
Molly Blackaby Harder
Kay Hardy
Sheila and Alice Hennessey
Carol & Ernie Hoidal
Heather Jauregui
Koru Leadership
Vicki Kreimeyer & Jo Anne Minnick
The Liebich Family
Sally Long
Carol MacGregor
Susan May and Andy Owczarek
Amber Myrick, P.A.
Rep. Lauren Necochea
Georgiann Raimondi
Michael & Susan Smith
Adrienne Swain Smith, Mission Critical Events, Inc.
Ultimate Pet Bed
Shawn Del Ysursa
Media Partners
Boise State Public Radio
KTVB
In Kind Donations
HP
Murie Design Group
Rediscovered Books
Thank you!
Erin Anderson
Christine Avey
Sue Balluff
Evin Bask
Laura Barton
Molly Blackaby Harder
Zoe Brunelle
Annette Christensen
Shawn Del Ysursa
Jennifer Dunmire
Robyn Gee Tucker
Danielle George
Sheila Hennessey
Carol Hoidal
Carolyn Holly
Linda Hummel
Jamie Jacobson
Christine Keller
Adrienne Lane-Martin
Sandy Lease
Kim Liebich
Suzanne Lierz
Sally Long
Linnea Lovlien
Jo Anne Minnick
Brooke Ramstad
Beth Schattin
Susan Smith
Jena Vasconcellos
Mikel Ward
Janelle Wise
Mark Your Calendars
NOVEMBER
New Member Orientation
Saturday, Nov. 12
Time & Location TBD
DECEMBER
Holiday Party
Tuesday, Dec. 6
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Crane Creek Country Club
500 W Curling Dr, Boise, ID 83702
Welcome to Grants: Introductory Grants Committee
Wednesday, Dec. 14
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Members Only
Deadline for Grant Proposal Submissions
Thursday, Dec. 15
JANUARY
Grants Education Session: Proposal Evaluation
Tuesday, Jan. 24
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (via Zoom)
Members Only
Education Event: Supporting Caregivers in Our Community
Wednesday, Jan. 25
12:00-12:30 p.m.: Social Gathering
12:30-1:30 p.m.: Presentation
Library! at Cole and Ustick
Sagebrush Meeting Room
7557 W Ustick Rd, Boise
Member Renewal Deadline
Tuesday, Jan. 31
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