The Willoughby Award
The Willoughby Award honors a visionary philanthropic leader who is using their collective giving experience in new and innovative ways to support their local communities, particularly for underserved or marginalized populations - a changemaker who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership through her work in the collective giving movement at the local or national level. All Philanos Affiliates are invited to nominate a member of their circle, including a member who has been previously nominated but not selected!
The award will be announced and presented annually in conjunction with International Women's Day celebrated on March 8.
Colleen Willoughby challenged the status quo of traditional philanthropy 25 years ago when she found it deeply troubling that women did not have an organized vehicle for using their own money — and they controlled plenty of it — to invest in their communities in ways that reflected the issues they cared about, and in ways that also reflected their collaborative style of leadership. Colleen's idea of collective giving grantmaking changed the face of philanthropy forever, not just in Seattle where it began with Washington Women’s Foundation, but across the country and the world. She inspired and mentored groups in New York, Boise, Ketchum, San Diego, Roanoke, Jacksonville, St Louis, Minneapolis, Austin, and Charlotte, and as far away as Shanghai and Melbourne. She expanded the movement in 2009 by establishing Women’s Collective Giving Grantmakers Network (WCGN), now Philanos. The Willoughby Award is sponsored by Colleen S. Willoughby, and Past Philanos Board Member Dale Clifford, in honor of her mother Laura Egerton Lothrop.
The Willoughby Award | 2026 Willoughby Award Honoree | 2025 Willoughby Award Honoree |
Philanos presents this award annually on March 8 - International Women's Day. What better way to recognize a woman whose experience and affiliate with her collective giving organization has empowered her to become a visional leader among women in philanthropy? The Willoughby Award recipient is recognized for taking philanthropy and leadership in new directions and challenging the status quo, as Colleen has done, to inspire more women to find and amplify their voices today, tomorrow and for the foreseeable future. Colleen's visionary leadership will continue to inspire new and groundbreaking leaders in philanthropy through the Philanos Willoughby Award. Hear Colleen's thoughts on collective giving: | Jenny Berg Impact 100 Cincinnati  “We were so proud to nominate Jenny Berg, our 2026 Philanos Willoughby Award recipient, “ said Kathy Thornton, Past President of Impact 100 Cincinnati. “Jenny is a visionary leader, a supportive collaborator, an inclusive advocate, and a legendary connector who is known and widely respected throughout the community. We are thrilled that Jenny has received this well-deserved recognition, highlighting her extraordinary impact on women’s collective giving and on the entire nonprofit community across the Greater Cincinnati region.” | Crickett Woloson Baltimore Women's Giving Circle
“We were so proud to nominate Crickett Woloson, our 2025 Philanos Willoughby Award winner,” said Renee Gordon, Co-Chair of the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle. “The nomination process offered a wonderful opportunity to reflect on Crickett’s extraordinary leadership and the impact she’s made through collaborative giving. We’re thrilled that she has received this well-deserved recognition for her vision and dedication to community.” |
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The Willoughby Award 2027
Nominations Close February 1, 2027!
Who should be nominated?
- Do you have a member who has been inspired by collective giving to go beyond the philanthropic efforts of your circle’s grantmaking?
- Do you have a member who is a role model and mentor for others because of their philanthropic giving?
- Do you have a member who has identified needs in their local community that need to be served in different ways?
- Do you have a member who is inspiring more women to elevate, engage and amplify their philanthropic voices?
Who is eligible?
- A member or staff member of a Philanos Affiliate who is in good standing.
- An individual member of a Philanos Affiliate.
- Anyone who was previously nominated but not selected may be renominated.
- Current Philanos board members are not eligible.
Who may submit a nomination?
- A Philanos Affiliate Executive Director, Board Chair or President.
- A member who is self-nominating, identifies an endorser in their submission.
In honor of Colleen Willoughby, this award will be given to one woman in the Philanos Affiliate network who has taken her philanthropic experience beyond her circle affiliation. This is a member committed to leading women and challenging the status quo to meet the needs of nonprofits in their communities.
- In the same way that Colleen Willoughby brought women into male-dominated philanthropy, Philanos is looking to recognize a woman who has done the same nearly three decades later: listening to and representing historically underrepresented populations.
- Learn more about the history of the award and our past honorees here.
- Submitting a nomination? Find details here! Nominations close February 1, 2027.
"Each of our Willoughby Award recipients exemplifies the ripple effect of women's collective giving" said Ann Marie McGee, Philanos Co-Chair. "Their leadership shows how one circle—and one woman's vision—can spark waves of change that extend far beyond their own communities, addressing needs that might otherwise go unmet."
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