WOMEN’S GIVING CIRCLE

This is an exciting next step in a ten-year journey empowering and exploring the issues facing women and girls in our County.

A giving circle is a group collaborating for change. Like-minded individuals join together and pool their funds, discuss issues that matter to them, and decide together where to give their money, time, and talent.

We have seen the impact of Circles across the country where women pool their donations to have a greater impact together than they may have had separately. The most successful groups learn together about the needs and opportunities facing their community. They deepen their engagement with the community and foster belonging.

In 2024, members of the Coalition of Chautauqua County Women and Girls Steering Committee launched the Women’s Giving Circle of Chautauqua County. This membership effort provides structure and financial stability for the Coalition’s long-term vision of providing opportunities for women and girls to thrive.

The Women's Giving Circle Steering Committee
The Women's Giving Circle Steering Committee

Our Mission

Building a better future for women and girls of Chautauqua County.

Our Purpose

We empower women and girls by pooling our resources and experiences to amplify our impact.

Our Values

Belonging
Community
Growth and Learning
Shared Leadership

Chautauqua County Data & Status Reports

  • Chautauqua County Community Needs Assessment – Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc.

  • Financial Hardship in New York – ALICE Data (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed)

  • Status Report of Women and Girls

Meet Our Leadership Team

Judith Claire

Jane Cleaver Becker

Jennifer DeLancey

Amanda Gesing

Karen Goodell

Polly Hampton

Diane E. Hannum

Anne Hoyt

Tory Irgang

Sue McNamara

Erin Pender

Rev. Amy Rohler

Terrie Tucker

Meet Our Members

Ann Morse Abdella

Breeanne Agett

Cindy Aronson

Sherra Babcock

Nancy Gay Bargar

T. Marion Beckerink

Cathy Bonner

Elizabeth Booth

Mary Boyle

Nancy Boynton

Linda Cahn

Sandra Calalesina

Leslie Calimeri

Krista Camarata

Jill Casey

Alison Churchill

Dawn Columbare

Callie DeLancey

Kate Ebersole

Kathleen Evans

Elisabeth French

Karen Magnuson Galbato

Whitney Gleason

Barbara Goldman

Lisa Goodell

Betty Catania Gossett

Lynda Graham-Barber

Sharon J. Hamilton

Donna P. Hampton

Izumi Hara

Carol Hay

Julie Heflin

Cristie Herbst

Mary Virginia Hustead

Patty Idzik

Angela James

Bridget Johnson

Janice U. Johnson

Justina Johnson

Susan Jones

Liz Keogh

Betsy Kidder

Jane Kidder

Heather Kinal

Maria Kindberg

Jen Koss

Dr. Susan Laubach

Kristin M. Lee Yaw, Esq.

Rachel M. Ludwig

Andrea Gerace Magnuson

Micki McCray

Kristan McMahon

Joan Mistrough

Pamela Noll

M. Cathy Nowosielski MD

Susan O'Connor Baird

Laura Otander

Susan Parker

Laura Pembridge Currie

Jill Penrose-Smith

Sheila Penrose

Cynthia Howard Peterson

Beth Peyton

Jacqueline Phillips

Katie Prechtl Cooke

Linda Prechtl

Courtney Rappole

Mary Helen Rappole

Pamela Reis

Leslie Renjilian

Leigh Rovegno

Shannon Rozner

Marilyn Scarpino

Sheila Schroeder-Phillips

Betsy Shepherd

Alexis Singleton

Patricia A. Smith

Megan Sorenson

Michele D. Starwalt-Woods

Kristie Steitz

Pamela Steitz

Holly Sullivan

Deborah Sunya Moore

Christine Swanson

Linda V. Swanson

Heather A. Turner

Solimar Vazquez

Ro Woodard

Mary Beth Wuebbolt

Megan Wuebbolt

Hope A. Zielinski Degarie

Join the Giving Circle

We invite you to join the Women’s Giving Circle of Chautauqua County. This requires a commitment of at least $500 per year. Our members will create and facilitate a grantmaking process that will funnel your commitment into the community. Initial grants will be made in 2024. Please consider making your commitment to join today and inviting a friend, family member, or neighbor to do the same.