Giving Tuesday is celebrated as a global day of giving, held each year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. At Impact Austin, we celebrate with a special focus on women’s giving circles and rebrand the day as Collective Giving Tuesday! Check out our recap of last year's Collective Giving Tuesday event. Topics
On November 29, we'll celebrate how Impact San Antonio, Seeds of Strength (Georgetown) and Impact Austin are building champions for collective giving and creating extraordinary impact across Central Texas. These are topics we will explore:
The growth of giving circles in the U.S.
When and how these three circles started and grew
How the "sisterhood of collective giving" pertains to each membership or community
How collective giving might inspire women to give "above and beyond" in their personal philanthropy
Special impact stories of broader reach or impact because members give and work together
How new members are inspired to join and existing members motivated to renew
Each giving circle's goals and plans for 2023
Panelists
Nicole Genovese
Interim Executive Director - Impact Austin Impact Austin was founded in 2003 to amplify women's impact in Central Texas through collective giving and "an army of informed philanthropists." Founder Rebecca Powers was inspired by Wendy Steele and the Impact 100 (Cincinnati) story, but Impact Austin remains independent of Impact 100 while sharing many of its guiding principles. Impact Austin's mission is to cultivate and expand the knowledge, passion, and generosity of our members to make a positive impact by developing strong relationships and leveraging the power of collective giving. Members embrace the values of inclusivity, empathy, curiosity, and impact. Now in its 20th year, Impact Austin has included 2,857 women who have awarded 112 grants totaling $8.26 million to 91 organizations in Bastrop, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties. Impact Austin is a member of the Philanos network. Representing Impact Austin will be Nicole Genovese, Interim Executive Director. Nicole graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Interdisciplinary Chemistry and has been fundraising professionally for the last fifteen years for healthcare, science, and education focused organizations. She moved to Austin in 2016, working as a grant writer for Girlstart and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas before joining the Impact Austin team in October 2019.
Prior to her move to Austin, Nicole served as a writing consultant for local nonprofits and biotech companies in the Boston area. She began her professional career in Chicago at the University of Chicago Medical and Biological Sciences Development Office providing expertise in strategy and high-level writing to advance relationships and gift discussions for the University’s cancer programs.
Nicole has been immersed in the nonprofit world from a young age and is thrilled to be channeling her passion for women and philanthropy through her work with Impact Austin and its members.
Marsi Liddell President, Board of Directors - Seeds of Strength Seeds of Strength was founded in 2009 by a group of 13 women who wanted to impact their community now and in the future by identifying unmet needs in Georgetown, Texas, and providing a philanthropic path to address those needs. The name they selected represents the idea of many small seeds being planted to grow into something strong that benefits its surroundings. The giving circle provides the opportunity for individuals to come together, combine their dollars in a shared fund, and through a voting process collectively decide where to give grants that serve the Georgetown area. Their education events and gatherings support the members’ understanding of philanthropy. In 2022, $185,000 was distributed to 10 nonprofits. Since its inception, Seeds of Strength has awarded $1,891,000 to nonprofit agencies in the Georgetown community. Representing Seeds of Strength is Dr. Marsi Liddell, the current President of the Board of Directors. Marsi is also a past president of the American Association of University Women-Georgetown and member of the Berry Creek Women’s Association. Marsi feels passionate about serving in her community, and making a difference in the lives of its residents, especially women and girls. Before her retirement Marsi served as President of two colleges in Michigan and Colorado. She was National President of the American Association of Community College Women and the recipient of the National Top Ten Woman of the Year award by the American Business Woman’s Association.
Angelle St. Germain President, Board of Directors - Impact San Antonio Impact San Antonio launched in 2004 with just 25 members. They remain affiliated with Impact 100's Global Council and business model. Impact San Antonio connects its members to their communities in life-changing ways and gives philanthropic women the opportunity to see their charitable donations in action. Since its first $100,000 high-impact grant in 2008, Impact San Antonio has awarded more than $5.3 million to nonprofits in greater San Antonio and the surrounding area. Their membership exceeds 500, and their organization is volunteer-led. Impact San Antonio is a member of the Philanos network. Angelle St.Germain is the President of Impact San Antonio. She grew up in Pierre Part, a small town in the swamps of Louisiana. After graduating from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science – Management Information Systems and a concentration in Internal Audit, she began her audit career at Ernst & Young, LLP in Houston. Angelle moved to San Antonio in 2005 for a career opportunity with Valero Energy Corporation, and was introduced to some of the amazing organizations in San Antonio that are helping to address the many needs of the community. Over the years, Angelle has served on various committees or boards for Impact San Antonio, the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, Valero Texas Open, American Diabetes Association – Central South Texas, and LSU San Antonio Alumni chapter. Angelle is currently the Executive Director of Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance for Valero Energy Corporation. She is a graduate of UTSA’s Executive MBA program and holds CISA, CRISC, CRMA, and CDPSE certifications. She has served the IT audit community locally by serving on the board of the ISACA San Antonio / South Texas Chapter from 2005 – 2010, including Chapter President, and globally by serving as a member of knowledge management committees for ISACA from 2009 – 2015.
Moderator
Summer McAfee, NDCCDP
Lead Program/Project Manager - USAA
Impact Austin Member, Class of 2022
Summer McAfee is Lead Program Manager at USAA, where her 23-year career has encompassed a variety of roles. Her subject matter expertise is rooted in compliance and risk management, identifying trends, pinpointing themes, and delivering insights for action. She helps organizations streamline their operations and reduce their costs while building strong relationships and modeling cross-team collaboration and partnerships.
Summer has a passion for community outreach. She wants economically challenged and low-income minority youth to have encouraging mentors, exposure to STEM careers, and enriching experiences that may not typically be available to them. She is interested in roles around corporate social responsibility, DEI, sustainability, and community impact.
Summer has numerous honors and awards for her community work from Americorps, USAA, Dress for Success Austin, and Black Women in Business. Outside of Impact Austin, she also volunteers with Nepris, Inc., Dress for Success Austin, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Can't make this session?
Keep your eye on our Past Events page to watch the recording and find a recap on our blog. Learn more about Impact Austin membership here and meet our Community Partners here.
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