In the spring of 2010, Women's Fund member and local philanthropist Betty Elings Wells surprised Women's Fund leaders with a $250,000 donation to stimulate increased giving and enlarge the pool of funds available to award to local nonprofit agencies. For two years, the Betty Elings Wells Matching Grant provided a 2-for-1 match on every dollar raised after reaching a $350,000 annual threshold. Betty's generosity resulted in larger grants pools in 2010-11 and 2011-12 as well as ALL expenses being underwritten by member donors in 2010 and 2011.

And then, at the Women's Fund Presentation of Funds luncheon on April 30, 2012, Betty surprised the entire room by committing another $250,000 in matching funds for 2012!    

Why did Betty make this generous commitment? "I was drawn to the Women's Fund by their successful track record of pooling charitable dollars to make a greater, more significant impact on local programs and services. I'm also impressed by their efficiency. The Women's Fund is run by volunteers who spend no more than 3% of the money they raise on expenses - due in large part to the generosity of member underwriters. I was inspired by that, and hoped this matching grant would, in turn, inspire members and the community to go above and beyond as well."