Prescott Area Women Who Care: an efficient “giving circle” to support the local nonprofits that help our community thrive

By Hilary Dartt

One woman can make a difference. One hundred women or more—they can make an impact. That is the philosophy and the mission of Prescott Area Women Who Care (PAWWC), a “giving circle” of generous women who are dedicated to helping the community thrive by supporting the tireless efforts of local nonprofits.

Each member agrees to make a quarterly $100 donation to a local nonprofit. Each quarter, three members nominate and present on their favorite charities (to be eligible, each charity has to meet certain criteria). All members vote, and the charity with the most votes receives at least $10,000. Members commit to donating regardless of the outcome, and don’t have to be present at the meeting to contribute.

“For any woman who is passionate about giving back to the community, we’re raising $10,000 or more in an hour,” said Nicole Kennedy, who in 2017 founded PAWWC (which is the Yavapai County chapter of the national 100 Who Care Alliance). “We are bringing women together and providing them the opportunity to be part of something that’s greater than themselves.”

So far, PAWWC’s 106 members have given $120,600 to local nonprofits doing extraordinary work.

Krystal Koons is the founder and supervisor of one of those nonprofits, Teens’ Closet (which provides free, quality clothes to teens in need). She’s also a member of PAWWC.

“I was overjoyed when Teens’ Closet was chosen as a quarterly recipient,” she said. “The much-needed funds were used to purchase items we were low on. In addition, it is comforting to have funds on hand for when we run out of certain items. PAWWC’s generosity is helping us to make a difference in the lives of teens. The teens are very grateful, and so am I.”

Nicole is also the Executive Director of Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Arizona, so she understands the importance of awareness when it comes to fundraising.

“If you have a forum that brings people together in an efficient, impactful way to share [their favorite nonprofits], you create that awareness,” she said.

There is a great deal of need in the Prescott area.  Notably, there are 72% more nonprofits per capita in Yavapai County than Maricopa County.  The PAWWC format—where members showcase deserving charities—delivers that awareness.

“I belong to many organizations that do great work around the city,” said Billie Orr, a PAWWC member, “and the PAWWC is definitely one of my favorites because there are more than one hundred women from all walks of life and I love that we can write a check directly to an organization and every dime goes to that nonprofit. It’s a very special organization and I love being a part of it.”

In addition to providing financial support, Nicole said, the group creates beneficial connections between organizations. For example, a member who is a judge learned of an organization serving teens during a meeting.  She now further assists her teens in the courtroom by referring them to this local nonprofit.

“Our members join for connection and because we care, and we leave meetings both informed and inspired,” Nicole said.

The PAWWC membership is just over 100 women, and Nicole would like to see it grow even larger. While PAWWC does not have any political affiliations, Nicole cited a local women’s political group that has 900 members and is one of the biggest in the nation—and she would love to see PAWWC grow to even half that size.

“It would be amazing if we were raising $50,000 per hour,” she said. “We could make a transformational difference in the lives of people who need us.”

So far, PAWWC have donated to Hungry Kids Project, Prescott Meals on Wheels, Christian Family Care, Prescott Area Shelter Services, North Star Youth—Teens’ Closet, The Launch Pad, Northern AZ Dream Center, Yavapai Exceptional Industries, Coalition for Compassion & Justice, U.S. Vets, People Who Care, Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation, Mayer Meals on Wheels and Boys to Men.

For more information, visit https://prcwomenwhocare.com.