About Us

Who We Are

Our Purpose

Gather women who care about our community and want to increase social consciousness with collective investing and grant-making.

As a group, determine and address the greatest needs in our community.

Educate and motivate women to make a difference locally and get involved with local community needs.

Executive Team

Kathy MacMillan

President

The Women’s Giving Connection has become an important and powerful philanthropic force for pooled and collective giving in Southern Idaho. We should be proud of its impact on people served by small local nonprofit grant recipients. Collective giving is a growing and successful way to help you be involved in local philanthropy and have a greater impact on people. 

I encourage you to join our WGC movement and be part of the community benefit, the celebration of giving to others, and the fun! 

Linda Watkins

Past President

 

Education has always been my passion, through college and beyond.  I have served as Executive Director of an area education nonprofit for over 10 years and have worked in many capacities locally, and at the state level, to improve my community and our state.  These experiences have shown me the importance of community involvement. I am excited to have launched a new philanthropic endeavor, an idea that has gained energy regionally and nationally. The Women’s Giving Connection of Southern Idaho will be another way of giving back to our local communities, by gathering women to make an impact, collectively, for the common good of where we live.  Join us!

Lisa Hymas

Vice President

Everyone can be a philanthropist through collective giving – many hands don’t just make light work, they change communities! Making an impact where I live motivates my support of and involvement in the Women’s Giving Connection-Southern Idaho (WGC). Coming together as women in the Magic Valley fosters meaningful relationships among members of the WGC, connects us personally to the myriad of nonprofits in the area, and empowers us as a community to create tangible change. I have long had a passion for community involvement shown through volunteering, serving on committees and boards, and being an active participant in the community where needed. My background in public interest communication reaffirms that you create lasting change by going beyond just raising awareness to motivating people to effect positive societal change through actionable and measurable ways. This is the work of the WGC and why you should get involved!

Sami Ashenbrener

Secretary & Communications Chair

 

My passion for community involvement is rooted in my desire to empower and help one another. In my career as a physical therapist, I am able to help individuals heal and regain quality of life by improving function, and I am thrilled to now have a part in a larger community outreach through the Women’s Giving Connection (WGC).  I want my hometown community of Twin Falls to thrive, and this group aims to support this goal by bringing women together through philanthropic collective grant giving for a large community impact. Outside of a history of volunteering, my life’s joy comes from exploring the great outdoors through camping and rafting, running, teaching yoga, and spending time with family.  I am honored to serve as a founding member of the WGC and encourage women of all ages and backgrounds to join us!

Lisa Donnelley

Treasurer

I’ve been fortunate to have a 42 year career in public accounting – working in a community that has provided so much to me and my family.  It is important to me to give back to that community. What better way than with a wonderfully diverse group of women working together!

Gloria Gott

Grant Committee Chair

In my career, I’m able to support clients to live a life with greater purpose and generosity with their time and resources.  I believe generosity is expressed differently from person to person,  and that we can all make a difference. Being  involved in service and volunteer opportunities for several years has given me a deeper desire to be part of the “impact”. My belief is that our organization will empower women to discover or deepen their philanthropic lifestyle that is unique to them.   I am honored to be a part of the Women’s Giving Connection as we help bridge the gap between community need and resources; as well as empower the next generation to fall in love with giving back!  Together we can fill the gaps!

Danielle Titus

Event Committee Chair

A decade after relocating to Twin Falls, the Magic Valley has become my home. I have watched our town grow over the years and continue to be invested in seeing it thrive! I have been involved with several local charitable organizations to give back and support our community’s needs. The WGC provides a unique vehicle empowering local women to have direct input on giving to causes they care about. I am grateful to be part of an amazing group of women making a wider, collective impact!

Our Impact

Gathering and using this collective energy for positive change in our community.