By Ellen Ragone
Impact100 South Jersey 
Philanos Comminications Committee 

Honoring a visionary philanthropic leader who is using their collective giving experience in new and innovative ways!

Philanos is proud to recognize Jenny Berg of Impact 100 Cincinnati as the 2026 recipient of the Willoughby Award—its highest honor celebrating visionary leadership in women’s collective giving. Announced in conjunction with International Women’s Day, this milestone marks the fifth presentation of the award, continuing a tradition of honoring women who are reshaping philanthropy through collaboration, inclusion, and bold thinking.

For more than 20 years, Jenny Berg has been a driving force in expanding the reach and impact of collective giving. Since joining Impact 100 Cincinnati in 2004, she has helped redefine what it means to be a philanthropist—opening the door for women of all backgrounds to engage in meaningful, community-centered grantmaking. As Jenny shares, “I believe anyone can be a philanthropist – if one has the opportunity to be exposed to the positive effects of philanthropy. This may mean one has been on the receiving end of philanthropy, has witnessed someone involved in serving others, or has been fortunate enough to see firsthand a family member or friend whose financial donation, no matter how small or how large, has made an impact.”

Her leadership has strengthened membership, increased accessibility, and empowered more women to see their voices as essential to the philanthropic process. Jenny’s personal reflection captures the essence of her journey. What began as a new experience evolved into a deep sense of purpose and belonging within a diverse community united by shared impact. Today, she continues that legacy as the 2026 president-elect while mentoring future leaders, ensuring sustainability and growth for years to come.

Beyond Impact 100 Cincinnati, Jenny’s professional and national contributions are equally significant. As former Executive Director of the Leadership Council for Nonprofits, she expanded leadership development and fostered cross-sector collaboration across Greater Cincinnati. Her influence also extends through Philanos, where she served as Board Chair and remains actively engaged, helping strengthen the collective giving movement nationwide.

A connector, mentor, and changemaker, Jenny Berg exemplifies the spirit of the Willoughby Award—demonstrating how one leader’s vision can inspire a more inclusive and impactful philanthropic future.

What an extraordinary few days in Austin!

PowerUP! Texas was more than a conference — it was a gathering of bold, generous, forward-thinking leaders who believe deeply in the power of women’s collective giving.

From the opening moments to our final conversations, attendees showed up with curiosity, courage, and commitment. They asked hard questions. Shared real challenges. Celebrated impact. And we were reminded — over and over — that when women give together, transformation follows.

Keynote That Moved Us Forward

We were honored to welcome Diane Yentel, President & CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, as our Monday night keynote.

Diane challenged us to:

Her message was clear: philanthropy must be courageous, informed, and unwavering in its commitment to community.

It was a powerful call to action — and a reminder that leadership is not optional in times like these.

And were inspired by all of our plenary speakers: Kasandra Vitacca Mitchell, Sara Lomelin, Julian Castro, Tony Bowen, Michelle Gayles, Mike Nellis and Lynne Twist.

2026 Spotlight Award Honorees

We were proud to celebrate these outstanding circles whose impact exemplifies the strength of collective giving:

Impact100 Sonoma - Recognized for its long-standing partnership with Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance.

Impact San Antonio - Recognized for a transformational investment for cultural preservation in Esperanza Peace and Justice Center – Museo del Westside

100 Women Strong at Central Florida Foundation - Celebrated for its powerful investment in Women on the Rise. 

Through Breakouts and Affinity Groups, We…

We are deeply grateful to our speakers, sponsors, volunteers, Opportunity Advocates, and every participant who contributed their voice and energy.

Conferences like this don’t just happen — they are built by a community that believes in something bigger than itself.

The ripple effect continues.

With gratitude,
Ann Marie McGee
On behalf of the Philanos Board of Directors

At PowerUP! Texas, we had the privilege of honoring three extraordinary Philanos Affiliates whose grantmaking reflects deep trust, responsiveness to community voice, and measurable impact.

Our Spotlight Awards recognize giving circles that listen closely, lead with values, and remain committed over time. These are circles that understand philanthropy is not just about funding — it is about partnership.

We are proud to celebrate our 2026 Spotlight Award recipients and their nonprofit partners:

Impact100 Sonoma

Nonprofit Partner: Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance

Impact100 Sonoma was recognized for its extraordinary, long-term partnership with the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance. Since 2011, the circle has awarded eight grants — responding to evolving needs by funding mentoring centers, supporting program expansion, and helping build wraparound services that now serve 2,400 youth.

The results speak volumes: every participating 12th grader has graduated from high school. This is sustained, community-centered philanthropy in action — and a powerful example of what trust-based partnership makes possible.

Impact San Antonio

Nonprofit Partner: Esperanza Peace and Justice Center – Museo del Westside

Impact San Antonio was honored for values-driven philanthropy that affirms history, culture, and community voice. Their high-impact grant to the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center’s Museo del Westside helped bring to life the first museum dedicated to honoring the stories, art, and culture of San Antonio’s historically Mexican-American Westside community.

As the first funder to step forward, Impact San Antonio inspired additional support — demonstrating how collective giving can catalyze momentum and protect cultural heritage. This is philanthropy that says: your story matters, and your future matters.

100 Women Strong at Central Florida Foundation

Nonprofit Partner: Women on the Rise

100 Women Strong was recognized for trust-based, responsive giving in action. Through a $70,000 grant, the circle supported Women on the Rise and their Career Development Program as it adapted based on what participants said they truly needed — addressing economic barriers, including the benefits cliff, and investing in mentorship, education, and technology access. 

The result is a program centered on dignity, lived experience, and leadership development — empowering women to stabilize financially, grow professionally, and step confidently into their futures.

As Susan Benford shared in closing the celebration: “Your leadership, trust, and commitment remind us what’s possible when women come together to give with intention and heart.”

Please join us in congratulating these remarkable giving circles and the nonprofit leaders who stand beside them.

Together, we continue to amplify the power of women’s collective giving.

With appreciation,

Ann Marie McGee
On behalf of the Philanos Board of Directors

New to Your Circle's Leadership?
Just Joined Philanos? Start With Philanos 101!

Our next session is Mar 3, 2026- 12 PM ET

Stepping into leadership within a giving circle is both exciting and meaningful—and it often comes with questions. 

• How do you make the most of your Philanos affiliation? 
• What resources are available to support your role? 
• And how can you connect with peers across the country who are navigating similar opportunities and challenges?

Philanos 101 is designed to answer those questions and more. 

Why Attend Philanos 101?

Philanos 101 is a virtual onboarding and orientation session created specifically for new and emerging leaders within Philanos Affiliates. The session covers a broad range of topics and provides opportunities to ask lots of questions. 

Whether you’re new to your leadership role, new to Philanos, or simply looking to better understand what’s available to you and your members, this session provides a clear and welcoming starting point.

Participants leave Philanos 101 with a stronger understanding of the network—and ideas on how to engage with it.

What You’ll Learn

During this interactive session, you’ll explore:

• The mission and purpose of Philanos and how it supports collective giving
• Ways Affiliates engage nationally, including shared learning, collaboration, and peer connection
• Philanos programs and offerings, such as webinars, affinity groups, CircleUps, and leadership resources
• How to get involved and strengthen your circle’s local impact

You’ll also hear how Philanos Affiliates across the country are using Philanos resources to support governance, membership growth, communications, grantmaking, and leadership development,

Who Should Attend?

Philanos 101 is ideal for:

• Affiliate groups that are new to the Philanos network
• New leaders at current affiliates (plus committee chairs and emerging leaders)
• Staff supporting Philanos Affiliates
• Anyone seeking a refresher on how to engage more fully with Philanos

Event Details 

Philanos 101
Date: March 3, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM ET 
Format: Virtual (Zoom)

Register here to save your spot and receive the Zoom link.

We hope you’ll join us!
Michelle Cottrell & Demetria Caston
Affiliate Engagement Co-Chairs

Questions - email Philanos Administrator

It Takes a Village: Thank You to Our PowerUP! Texas Supporters

Bringing the Philanos community together for PowerUP! Texas is a powerful reminder that meaningful impact is never created alone.

A conference of this scope—designed to inspire, connect, and strengthen women’s collective giving across the country—truly takes a village. It takes thoughtful planning, dedicated volunteers, engaged leaders, and partners who believe deeply in the power of collective philanthropy and local community impact.

We are profoundly grateful to our conference sponsors, whose generosity and partnership have made PowerUP! Texas possible. There are so many supporters to thank individually. The support is truly inspirational. Thank you! We also want to lift up sponsors such as Bank of America and The Raikes Foundation as examples of the values-driven partners who helped bring this gathering to life—investing in leadership, learning, and the long-term strength of communities. 

All of our supporters help us create space for:

• Honest, forward-looking conversations
  

• Learning to strengthen our giving circles and nonprofit partners
  

• Connections that will ripple outward and across the country
  

• Reflection on how to steward resources with purpose, intention and integrity
  

Their support has also impacted our plenary sessions, learning experiences, and moments of reflection to challenge us to think more boldly about leadership, philanthropy, and impact.

We are also deeply grateful to the many attendees who chose to PowerUP! their registration by making a small additional donation. These individual acts of generosity reflect the very heart of Philanos—women stepping forward together to strengthen the network and ensure access, learning, and connection for leaders across our community. Each contribution, no matter the size, has made a meaningful difference.

To all of our sponsors—and to every individual who supported PowerUP! Texas in ways large and small—thank you. Your partnership strengthens not only this conference, but the broader Philanos network of women leaders and giving circles working every day to create change in their local communities.

As we head to Austin in just over two weeks for the 2026 Philanos National Conference, PowerUP! Texas, we want to take a moment to recognize and express our deep appreciation for the sponsors who make this gathering possible.

Our sponsors are more than supporters—they are partners in advancing women’s collective giving. Their investment helps ensure that Philanos can convene leaders from across our network, deliver meaningful learning experiences, and create space for connection, collaboration, and shared leadership that strengthens impact in local communities nationwide.

Because of their generosity, PowerUP! Texas will bring together women philanthropists, nonprofit leaders, and partners committed to learning from one another and amplifying what works—together. Sponsorship support helps us deliver a conference experience that is accessible, thoughtful, and grounded in the values that define Philanos: collective leadership, shared learning, and community-centered impact.

We are grateful to our sponsors for their confidence in Philanos and their commitment to the power of collective giving. We look forward to recognizing them throughout the conference and celebrating the important role they play in strengthening our network.

Thank you to our sponsors—and to our entire Philanos community—for being part of this shared work and collective momentum.

With appreciation,
Philanos and our Philanthropic Community

Philanos by the Numbers — Impact in Action

As we begin 2026, we are thrilled to recognize our growing, global Philanos Affiliate Network of 110 women-led giving circles, each a women’s giving circle deeply rooted in its local community. Together, these Philanos Affiliates represent more than 22,000 members who are mobilizing collective philanthropy to drive meaningful change. Since their inception, Philanos Affiliates have awarded $271 million in grants to nonprofits serving communities across the United States and beyond—demonstrating the extraordinary power of women-led collective giving to create sustained, local impact at scale.

In 2025, the Philanos Network also expanded enterprise-wide through our Philanthropic Network Partners—engaging organizations that included the Arizona Community Foundation and the Idaho Community Foundation. These partners now represent 30 of Philanos’ 110 giving circles, bringing new perspectives, increased diversity, and expanded pathways to collective giving—while remaining firmly focused on strengthening the local communities each Philanos Affiliate serves.

“As our network grows, so does Philanos’ commitment to ensuring every Philanos Affiliate has access to useful resources, peer connection, and learning opportunities. In 2026, our robust schedule of Affinity Groups and Webinars will continue to support the leadership of our Affiliates to grow and connect their membership, run impactful grantmaking and education programs, and run more efficiently - all with the goal of amplifying the power of collective giving in local communities and increasing the number of philanthropists.” — Michelle Cottrell, Philanos Board Member and Co-Chair, Affiliate Engagement

By Ellie Vernick
Philanos Student Intern and Member of the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County’s Young Women’s Giving Circle 

At Philanos, we know that the future of philanthropy depends on engaging and empowering the next generation of givers. That’s why we are excited to shine a spotlight on affiliate giving circles that have created Young Philanthropist programs to nurture youth and young adult involvement in collective giving. 

Through these programs, young people learn about philanthropy, community needs, and the power of working together to make a difference. Each of the giving circles we’ll feature in this series has developed a unique approach to bringing younger voices to the table — helping to ensure that collective giving remains vibrant, inclusive, and impactful for years to come.

Impact100 Greater Milwaukee is an organization of women who collectively award transformative grants that make a lasting impact on the surrounding community. Founded in 2015 by Anne Trunzo, Mary Therese Breger, Cynthia Harris, Sue Connor, and Jamy Malatesta, it became the 28th Impact100 organization in the nation, following the model first established in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2001. Today, the organization consists of 350 members and has awarded over $3M in grants to 40 unique nonprofit organizations. Focusing on areas including arts & culture, education, environment & revitalization, health & wellness, and family, this giving circle plans to award up to $350,000 in grants in 2025.

 

In 2023, Impact100 Greater Milwaukee began their Young Philanthropist Program, aiming to introduce as many young women to their organization as possible, with the goal of showcasing the power of collective giving. In doing so, they wanted to expand the age range that contributed to large-scale charitable grantmaking within their organization. Thus, the program was opened to women under 40, allowing them a chance to get to know the organization without having to commit to a full membership. In the 2025–2026 year, the program will host 30 members, two away from their initial goal, with 10 of these members being renewed members from the year prior.  And with the increase in youth members each year, the organization hopes to strengthen its pipeline of future leaders, donors, and community advocates.

These Young Philanthropists partake in a special two year half-membership-model, donating $550 per year, half the cost of a normal membership. This discounted rate is supported by members who choose to invest in the next generation of women philanthropists, through restricted donations directly to the program. During this period, they are able to fully engage in and learn about the grantmaking process through committee participation, and voting. Thus, they are still full members and follow the organization's leading principle, “One Woman. One Vote.” Additionally, youth members are encouraged to take an active role with the grant review process, engaging with the local nonprofits through site visits, committee work, and Connect & Serve events. 

Through this process, youth members gain an understanding of how their grants, along with the power of collective giving, generate tangible and visible impact for the next generation. This opportunity also allows the youth members to grow as philanthropists, regardless of their age, and helps the organization further its mission of strengthening, uplifting, and enriching lives within their community. YP Ambassador Stacy Scheffer claims, “I often hear YP members say, ‘I didn’t know something like this was out there!’ Philanthropy is so often seen as something you do later in life, but it’s powerful to see young women realize that their voice… can make a real impact.”

During the 2025–2026 year, Impact100 Greater Milwaukee has implemented key improvements to grow and strengthen its YP Program, following the Philanos YP Cohort sessions. These include increasing YP leadership on the organization’s board, hosting more networking events, and appointing an official Young Philanthropist ambassador role within the organization.  This position is dedicated to planning YP events, directing communications, and encouraging membership renewals. As a result, membership has nearly doubled. However, the program still faces many challenges including, leadership recruitment timing and ensuring sustainable funding. Currently the difference in membership dues is provided by private donors or current members that sponsor young philanthropists. The group is working to address these barriers by increasing event offerings and program visibility.

The Young Philanthropists of Impact100 Greater Milwaukee are a powerful example of how giving circles can engage and inspire the next generation of changemakers. By offering opportunities to learn, give, and lead, these programs ensure that collective giving continues to grow and thrive.

At Philanos, we are proud to highlight the innovative ways our affiliate members are building a strong future for philanthropy. To learn more about Philanos and our network of women’s giving circles, visit www.philanos.org. Additionally, to learn more about upcoming opportunities, including the October 30th Young Philanthropist Affinity Group virtual meeting, visit https://philanos.org/Young-Philanthropist. 

Looking Ahead in 2026: A Year of Connection, Learning, and Collective Impact

As we look to the year ahead, Philanos is energized by the growing momentum of the collective giving movement and the many ways we’ll continue to connect, support, and elevate our Affiliates and partners.

A major highlight on the horizon is our Philanos National Conference, February 8–10 in Austin, Texas. This gathering will bring together circle leaders from across the country for learning, inspiration, and connection - offering space to share ideas, explore emerging trends, and strengthen relationships that fuel our work year-round.

Beyond the conference, Philanos will continue to convene our community through nine active Affinity Groups and four webinars throughout the year, creating regular opportunities for peer learning, leadership development, and shared problem-solving. These spaces allow Affiliates to connect around specific roles, interests, and topics - deepening collaboration and strengthening the network.

We’ll also continue to grow and refresh the Philanos website and member portal, which serves as a hub for tools, resources, case studies, and practical guidance to support giving circles at every stage of development.

Strong, consistent communication remains central to our work. Affiliates are encouraged to share Philanos updates throughout their giving circles, including:

• Our website with curated resources and timely updates

• The monthly Philanos eNewsletter, featuring stories, insights, and opportunities

• The bi-weekly Philanos Events email, highlighting upcoming convenings and learning opportunities

• Our active and growing social media presence on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky, where we amplify the voices, impact, and leadership of the collective giving movement

Together, these touchpoints help keep our community informed, engaged, and connected.

The year ahead is full of opportunity - to learn from one another, to strengthen our circles, and to continue advancing a more inclusive, collaborative, and powerful philanthropic future. We’re grateful to be on this journey with you and look forward to all we’ll accomplish together.

Kyle Ruffin, past President of Impact100 South Jersey, received the first-ever Willoughby Award in 2021.

As a founding member and past-president of Impact100 South Jersey, Kyle led efforts to raise a collective contribution of $1.4 million to non-profits throughout the South Jersey community. She also led the initiative to implement the Community Heroes Grant, which has expanded the number of organizations supported annually and provided funding options for smaller organizations. It sprang from the desire to incorporate trust-based philanthropy into Impact100 South Jersey's mission to level the playing field for smaller, often minority-led organizations.

Being one of the founding members of Impact100 South Jersey, Kyle realized that the power of women's philanthropic efforts was a "best-kept secret." She realized that women-centric giving circles and women-focused organizations play an impactful role in their communities. Kyle figured if these programs were so successful, why not get everyone together to help further the efforts and get visibility by sharing the secrets and creating partnerships.

In addition to her work with Impact, Kyle participated in the Blacks In Philanthropy conference, where she served on the "Strengthening the Results of Black Philanthropists & Misconceptions of Giving in the Black Community: Where We Give & Why We Give" panel. In 2024, she served on the Conference's Steering Committee. The Conference is put on annually by the Smith Family Foundation in Trenton, NJ.To this day, Kyle sits on several community boards. In 2021, Kyle published her book "In's Stroke's Shadow: My Caregiver Story" and has been focused on offering resources that encourage self-care for family caregivers.