Member Impacts

Systems Thinking Mini-Course by Felicia Chavez (MC45)  Can we make the world a better place with systems thinking?

Caridad Partners, A Bay Area Giving Circle

"Patricia Stirling and I actually conceived and founded Caridad Partners while we were in the EFM cohort."  Pamela Cook, 10/23/19

San Francisco, CA – Caridad Partners, a giving circle of Bay Area women, reached a milestone in distributing more than $500,000 during its 13-year history. 

The goal of Caridad Partners is to enhance the health, education and economic self-sufficiency of women and children in the developing world through high-impact grants to non-profit organizations. A giving circle is a pooled charitable fund through which members make grants together. Caridad Partners was founded by development professionals and philanthropists Pamela Cook and Patricia Stirling in 2006. 

Caridad Partners demonstrates an effective and efficient model for giving circles, inspiring others to engage in collaborative philanthropy. The name, “Caridad” was chosen because it is a Spanish word encompassing the concept of charity, philanthropy and generosity; this remains a motivational mantra for the partners. Partner numbers have fluctuated between 12 and 19 women and represent a diverse group of leaders from a variety of sectors and spheres of influence.

Pooling individual contributions made to collaboratively selected organizations allows the participant partners to increase their individual annual giving impact. The research and selection methods constitute a learning process resulting in the members becoming more astute and effective philanthropists. Caridad Partners identify organizations with an impressive track record, a commitment to measuring and reporting impact and results, as well as maintaining a Bay Area presence. This allows for in-person, direct relationships to be fostered between Caridad Partners and recipient organizations.

Caridad Partners is grassroots in nature, flexible and reflective of the partners’ preferences. Partners share their knowledge, experience, contacts and research to select two organizations to receive a high impact grant from the pooled fund made up with a minimum of $2,500 from each member. Each partner makes a direct individual donation to the selected grantees according to the minimum agreed by consensus.

Wetlands Habitat Restoration

Amanda Meecham (MC45) volunteered at the Hamilton Native Plant Nursery for six years supporting its work to establish and maintain native plants in the restored wetlands. The nature based adaptations employed in the Hamilton wetlands provide habitat for migratory shorebirds, waterfowl, fish, and other wildlife. In addition to wildlife benefits tidal wetlands dampen storm surges, prevent tidal erosion, and sequester greenhouse gases. When she heard that funding for the nursery operations was due to expire in two years she determined that unless steps were taken the nursery’s restorative work in the wetlands and education program would also end.

Amanda with two AmeriCorps volunteers

For her Master Class project she joined with classmate Barbara Ball to conduct a feasibility study of ways to continue the stewardship efforts of the nursery. They investigated the many aspects of the nursery’s programs, jurisdictions of different organizations currently involved with the wetland, and potential avenues for securing funding for continuation of the nursery operations.

Amanda and Barbara then secured a fiscal sponsor, MarinLink so they can accept funding under their 501(c)3 designation. 

May 2020 -  a two year grant of $1.4 million was received from the State Coastal Conservancy to not only maintain the Hamilton wetlands but also to oversee the Bel Marin Keys wetlands restoration. Christina McWhorter, project manager, and grant writer Jake McVaugh did an incredible job writing the application and got letters of support from Save the Bay, Point Blue, Conservation Corps, Jared Huffman and Jens Kullberg.

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