Local philanthropic group continues to grow

Any philanthropist has the opportunity to put his or her money where his or her mouth is. But the Nevada Women's Philanthropy gives its members the opportunity to put their mouths where their money is.

When President Heather duBoef founded the group two years ago with five friends, she said, the goal was threefold. The women were both social and philanthropically minded, but wanted the fruits of their fundraising to be more personal. They also wanted to pool their money to create a larger gift. And, as businesswomen, they saw it as an investment in the community.

The format was straightforward: Each member would contribute $5,000 a year -- "no more, no less," duBoef said -- and would in turn get an equal voice in how the money would be distributed.

In the first year, duBoef said, the group of six women became 40, raised $200,000 and donated $180,000 to the Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow. In the second year, it grew to more than 80 members and recently donated $350,000 to Boys Town to help the organization build a home for siblings on its campus.

"This year will be our third year, and we anticipate giving a half-million-dollar grant," duBoef said.

But donating money isn't all they do. DuBoef said the group's outreach committee goes into the community to learn about issues, meet agency representatives and discuss current projects.

Application is by invitation only, she said.

"They contact us and we have a general list of criteria, make sure they match that list," she said.

This year's process, she noted, began with 28 applicants, which will be narrowed each month through June to a final two.

"We look for sustainability, a strong board, good fundraising practices, that they have a unique solution to a critical unmet need," duBoef said. The members also review the applicants' financial statements for the past three years, look at their programs and consider such factors as cost per person.

The last two standing, she said, prepare written proposals, which are distributed to every member. They then give a presentation to the entire membership before the final vote.

And when the Nevada Women's Philanthropy makes its donation, its members "adopt" the recipient of their largesse and donate their time helping with the project.

Then, duBoef said, "we follow our investment for five years."

The Nevada Women's Philanthropy runs its fund in cooperation with the Nevada Community Foundation, which invests the money and holds it until it's time for the checks to be written.

Philanthropy members are working women from varied backgrounds, generally in their late 30s to early 40s, although the youngest is 25 and the oldest is 70, duBoef said.

"We had careers, we ended up in Las Vegas, we started our families," she said. "Obviously we want to give something back to the community."

There are no galas, no silent auctions -- no fundraisers. In other words, as duBoef said, "no more parties.

"We wanted to figure out a very wise way to invest in the community by pooling our money and wisely giving it without all the fluff that goes around it."

Membership also is by invitation only; the group has coffees twice a month to which members invite their interested friends. For those who are interested but don't know a member, "it's just a matter of letting us know that you have an interest," she said.

To inquire about membership, e-mail Dana Lee at danasulee@cox.net. Interested agencies are asked to e-mail susan@nevadacf.org.

Contact reporter Heidi Knapp Rinella at hrinella@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0474.