It all started with a simple e-mail to the Women's Fund website. "I would like to set up a meeting to talk about a matching grant. Please call me." Five days later we were finalizing the details of an exciting new opportunity from a generous member of the Women's Fund family.

We are thrilled to announce that Women's Fund member and local philanthropist Betty Elings Wells has committed $250,000 in a 2-for-1 match for every dollar the Women's Fund raises above $350,000 by December 1.

The goal of the Betty Elings Wells Matching Grant  is to enlarge the pool of funds the Women's Fund will be able to award to local nonprofit agencies early next year by inspiring larger donations and attracting new members. We awarded $365,000 in grants this past February after raising $350,000 from members in 2009., When $350,000 has been raised this year, the Betty Elings Wells Grant will go into effect, matching every subsequent dollar donated, 2 for 1.

Why has Betty made 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 only 3% of the money they raise on expenses - due in large part to the generosity of member underwriters. I was inspired by that, and hope this matching grant, in turn, inspires members and the community to go above and beyond this year."

Betty Elings Wells is a successful real estate investor and property manager in the Santa Barbara area, Iowa and Arizona. In partnership with her former husband Virgil Elings and her two sons, Betty has generously supported UCSB, Elings Park and the Elings Aquatic Center at Dos Pueblos High School. She tells us the matching grant to the Women's Fund is the first she's made on her own and we couldn't be more proud to be the organization that deserved such an honor.

We know this matching grant is powerful motivation to our membership and potential new members to make their contributions to the Women's Fund go even further, enabling us to provide even more support to the critical programs and services we fund in Santa Barbara. This is our chance to give more to get more...so we can give more to help our community.

We hope you'll consider increasing your donation to the Women's Fund this year to help us reach and exceed the $350,000 threshold that will trigger the 2-for-1 match. Or if you have any friends or acquaintances who haven't joined the Women's Fund, this could be just the inspiration they need, to know that their $1 can turn into $3!

WF Member and generous donor Betty Elings Wells, center, with Sarah de Tagyos, WF Steering Committee Chair on the left, and Carol Palladini, WF Founding Committe Chair on the right.