Catholic Women’s Giving Circle benefits archdiocese, empowers women to lead

Sue Ellspermann, right, president of Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, speaks with women of the archdiocese about women’s philanthropy during a gathering at the college launching the archdiocese’s Catholic Women’s Giving Circle on April 24. (Photo by Jennifer Lindberg)

By Jennifer Lindberg

Surrounded by more than 65 like-minded Catholic women of the archdiocese, April Sasso made an observation.

“The collective aspect of women is that we operate as a group, and the impact we make as a group is so much bigger than what we can do by ourselves,” said the member of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis.

She made the comment at an informational gathering in Indianapolis on April 24 to launch the archdiocese’s first-ever Catholic Women’s Giving Circle.

Any Catholic woman in central and southern Indiana can join, multiplying her own and the circle’s ability to impact the works of Catholic ministries in the archdiocese.

“We can change lives with these grants,” said Kim Pohovey, director of major and planned gifts for the archdiocese.

And grow in faith, knowledge and friendship along the way.

‘Female giving from a Catholic perspective’

It was Pohovey who conceived the concept of an archdiocesan Catholic women’s giving circle.

“Tonight is a culmination of several years of thought and preparation to create a Catholic women’s giving initiative within the Archdiocese of Indianapolis,” she told the women gathered.

Pohovey said she “attended many presentations on the rise of women’s giving in this country.” In the process, she learned that, “Statistically, women prefer to give collectively.

“I began to ponder the idea of creating an effort to promote female giving from a Catholic perspective.”

The giving circle concept was a perfect fit.

It is a mode of collective philanthropy involving a group of people with shared values pooling donations. At a certain point in the year, members vote on organizations—selected through an application process—they wish to support through the group’s gathered funds.

The process is repeated annually, both in terms of membership and awarding grants.

Her vision was to create a Catholic Women’s Giving Circle open to any female member of the archdiocese. Membership lasts one year, with commitments of $1,000 or $250 determining whether a member gets a whole or quarter vote on the final grant recipients.

Currently, 33 women have joined the giving circle, contributing a total of $33,000. Membership is open through June 17.

As for the recipients, they must be archdiocesan-supported agencies or ministries that submit an application describing how they would use a $25,000 grant from the giving circle. (Related: Catholic Women’s Giving Circle membership and grant applicant information)

“Simply put, our goal is to empower Catholic women to raise money to fuel Catholic ministries,” Pohovey summarized.

‘Women give differently than men’

Two experts also spoke at the event, discussing the science behind women’s giving circles.

Sue Ellspermann, president of Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis where the gathering was held, shared statistics of women’s philanthropy, while Andrea Pactor of Indiana University Women’s Philanthropy Institute explained more about the research behind the statistics.

“Research shows women give differently than men, and women’s giving is increasing,” Pactor said.

She noted that Catholic women in philanthropy have a deep history in America, starting in 1727 when Ursuline sisters started a hospital, school and orphanage in New Orleans. The school is still there.

Pactor also shared that the trend is catching the attention of researchers, who report women gave more than $3.1 billion last year—and that figure is still increasing. They also found that women tend to give across broader interests and give consistently, making it all add up regardless of the dollar amount.

“It is interesting to me that women are natural connectors,” said Elisabeth Williams of what she learned from the presentation.

Williams, a member of St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis and part of the archdiocesan Catholic Women’s Giving Circle steering committee, said the idea of a Catholic women’s circle is to “build each other up,” the way women do as natural nurturers.

“We are a group of women sharing the same faith and values,” said Sasso. “We want to help each other grow.”

‘Spiritually enriching’

Before launching the Catholic Women’s Giving Circle, Pohovey consulted with Archbishop Charles C. Thompson.

She shared how he emphasized that a spiritual component is a pivotal part of the process he wants to see incorporated into the group, that it should not be just about raising funds, but increasing the Catholic faith of the women involved.

Ellspermann, who has been involved in several giving circles, assured this growth.

“This will be spiritually enriching for you so that we can be the hands of our Lord,” she told the women, noting she has gained more than she’s ever given from her giving circle participation.

The group is dedicating its mission to St. Katherine Drexel (1858-1955), a hero of women’s philanthropy who gave all her wealth to serve Black and Indigenous Americans. A native of Philadelphia, she used her family’s banking fortune for philanthropy after meeting Pope Leo XII, who urged her to be a missionary. She founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in the late 1800s and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000.

St. Katherine’s witness of using her talents and treasure to inspire others to work together is an inspiration to the women helping start the Catholic Women’s Giving Circle.

“It’s not only about the money,” Pactor said of the giving circle concept. “It’s an opportunity for friendship, connection, community, learning about philanthropy and about joy. Giving makes us happy.”
 

(Jennifer Lindberg is a freelance writer and a member of St. Mary Parish in North Vernon. Natalie Hoefer contributed to this article. For more information on the archdiocesan Catholic Women’s Giving Circle or application for their grants, see related article or go to www.archindy.org/womensgiving.) †