WWVP is a women’s philanthropy group committed to supporting academic opportunities at Washburn University and Washburn Institute of Technology
Background • Washburn University has two other women’s organizations • Washburn Women’s Alliance • Funds scholarships for non-traditional students; often single parents who are also students • Nonoso • Honorary organization on campus recognizing outstanding performance academically, campus leadership, and occasionally honorary members who have demonstrated a commitment and leadership to Washburn. • They also fund scholarships
Background (cont.) • Consequently, there was not an organization for Women who desired to “give back” to Washburn in a more general way. • WWVP provides a vehicle for women to invest in Washburn and to work with University and alumnae leaders.
History • We were founded in 2008 • We originally had 6 members • Currently, we have 16 active members • We have awarded more than $289,000 in funding • 91 different gifts to campus departments and programs
Our Membership Commitment • $2,000 minimum gift annually • Minimum of three-year commitment • Have a passion for Washburn University!
Our Process • January – Request for Proposal (RFP) form published across the University and Tech • Description of the request • Justification of the costs • Number of students that it will benefit • For larger projects, would there be a “partial funding” option • Requires signature of the Department Head for which it is being submitted • Early March – RFP’s due to the Foundation • RFP’s distributed electronically to the members for “ranking” • Each member ranks the RFP’s “1 thru x” • A member can designate a “never fund” project for whatever reason
Our Process (Cont.) • Late March – each member submits their ranking to the Foundation • Early April – Foundation summarizes the rankings, provides any answers to questions that were submitted, identifies any “never fund”, and distributes back to members • Late April – Face to face meeting where the members discuss the projects, discuss any “never fund”, and make final funding recommendation! • In other words…….WE GET TO GO SHOPPING! • May – Funds distributed by the Foundation so that they are available for the beginning of the school year in the fall
Our Process (Cont.) • Early October – Business meeting via conference call for all members • Discuss any recommended changes to the process or our priorities • Submit names for suggested new members • Late October – Reception • Members, prospective members, representatives from the Foundation, and representatives from the organizations receiving the funds • Presentation of the funds and a brief comment by the recipients as to the impact of the funds • An opportunity for prospective members to interact with University and Tech leadership as well as the members
Our Priorities • Projects that are “campus wide” • iRead Program • Student Government Lecture Series • Assets that have an expected life of at least 3 years • Assets utilized in the classroom or lab rather than furniture • Assets or software that update the learning experience for a broad number of students • Projects that are focused on the engagement and/or advancement of women
Examples of things we would typically “not fund” • Student travel • Snacks or meals at an event • Scholarships • Items that impact a limited number of students • Activities or events that are for “potential students” rather then active students • There are always exceptions to these……if the need is deemed compelling to the membership!
My Story
Hear from some of our recipients! • Dr. Beth Hill – Job Readiness Coach and Adult Basic Education Instructor for Washburn Tech • Dr. Ann Marie Snook – Chair of the Washburn Music Department
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