Years before there was a Women’s Fund, Fran Adams was arranging flowers for a benefit with her friend Meredith Scott. They commented on the cost and time spent raising money and agreed they’d prefer to just write a check. 

A few years later Fran got a note from Meredith, saying she and Carol Palladini had started an organization that would allow members to do just that. They were calling it the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara. All Fran had to do to join was write that check, which she did immediately. 

“Every year I am astonished and delighted with the work of the Women’s Fund and the quality of the research,” Fran said. “I look forward to writing that membership check each year. And leaving the Women’s Fund a bequest in my estate plan is my way of being able to continue to give after I’m gone.”