Purses with a Purpose raises over $6,000 at inaugural event

Women gathered at the Waukon Golf & Country Club last month to celebrate the power of purses in philanthropy. Collectively, a group of nearly 30 ladies from communities across the county donated over $6,000 to launch a new women’s giving initiative hosted by the Allamakee County Community Foundation. The Alice Hermeier Foundation has provided a generous $5,000 match in support of the initiative. 

The Community Foundation’s advisory board was humbled by the generous outcome of this Purses with a Purpose initiative. The Foundation will continue the effort in order to establish a new endowment fund that pays out a percentage each year for grantmaking to benefit organizations meeting the needs of local women and children. Not only will last week's show of generosity help build the fund over time, but it also will have an immediate impact. A portion will be used to make the first grants from the fund.

Anyone and everyone is welcome to join and help shape the initiative from its infancy. To learn more and join the effort, contact Betty Steege, the Foundation’s executive director, at accf@dbqfoundation.org or 563-586-2046.

“No matter who you are, you are welcome, and your contributions to our community are valued,” says Steege. “It’s inspiring to think about the ways we can change lives for the better. At the same time, there are many unmet needs in our communities. Each of us can help address those needs by listening, learning and giving what we can.”

Attendees of the inaugural event were invited to make a donation at their table. The table with the most gifts got to choose a purse to take home. Purses were donated by lead sponsor Jane Regan, as well as Margo Sweeney and Foundation advisory board members Lisa Snitker and Leah Benzing.

The event was sponsored by a grant from the Iowa Council of Foundations. Steege and Benzing attended the Council’s Connect Conference last fall, where they heard from speaker Lois Buntz, author of Generosity and Gender. Buntz’ book focuses on women as philanthropic decision-makers over the course of history, and the increasing influence of women as leaders in charitable giving. 

“This was the inspiration for a type of women’s giving circle,” says Benzing. “Our vision is to make an impactful change and lasting impression by investing in the in the dreams and ambitions of women in our community.” The new group will meet in September to make decisions about where to award its first round of grants. 

The Allamakee County Community Foundation is hosted by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, which coordinates a similar women’s giving group that has been building an endowment for nearly 20 years. This summer, that group awarded $25,000 to organizations serving women and children.

Gifts to the new endowment can be made online or mailed to the Allamakee County Community Foundation at Box 332, Waukon, IA 52172. Checks can be made out to Purses with a Purpose. Gifts of $50 or more to endowment funds may be eligible for the generous Endow Iowa 25% state tax credit. In addition to cash or checks, the Foundation can also accept gifts of retirement assets, stock, grain, and other assets. Contact Steege with questions. 

The Allamakee County Community Foundation offers many opportunities to improve quality of life by addressing an array of local issues. To learn more about how you can establish a fund or make a gift that impacts your community, contact Steege at 563-586-2046.