What started as a simple idea — 45 women, $100 each — has grown into a community giving circle with a big impact. Since 2012, Women Making a Difference in Plano has awarded more than $456,650 to local nonprofits, all without forming a formal organization, creating a website or collecting dues.
“We’re not a nonprofit,” says charter member Barbara Walch. “We’re just a band of women pooling our money to make a bigger impact than we ever could alone.”
One Gift at a Time
The group meets four times a year, each woman bringing $100. Together, they choose one nonprofit to receive the full amount, usually over $10,000. The latest gift, presented earlier this month, was an $11,500 donation to City House, a Plano-based organization serving at-risk children and young adults across Collin and Denton counties.
Over 1,000 young people turn to City House each year. Their services include:
-
My Friend’s House, an emergency shelter for children ages 0–17
-
Street Outreach, connecting youth ages 16–22 to services
-
Transitional Living, with group homes for ages 18–22
-
SAFE PLACE, a 24/7 crisis network across the region
“Thank you to Lisa Rodgers, volunteer director at City House, for giving us such a thoughtful presentation and answering our questions,” shared current group leads Donna Head and Margaret Dyer.
A Grassroots Legacy
The giving circle’s roots go back to 2012, when the late Mary Beth King introduced the idea after being inspired by her sister’s group in Ohio. Early meetings took place at the Haggard Party Barn. But during the pandemic, the group went virtual — and stayed there.
“Now we nominate, discuss and vote online. And honestly, it works even better for everyone’s schedule,” says Walch.
There’s no application form. No commitment. No red tape. Just impact.
Every Dollar Counts
Unlike traditional charities, every dollar collected goes straight to the recipient. “There’s no administrative cost. We don’t take a single penny out,” Walch says. “It’s clean, simple, and impactful.”
The model is direct: each quarter, three nonprofits are nominated. After an online discussion, the group votes. The nonprofit with the most votes receives the full donation, while the others remain eligible for future rounds.
Organizations they’ve supported include:
-
Hendrick Scholarship Foundation
-
Lovepacs
-
Agape Resources
-
The Caring Place
-
Veterans Center of North Texas
-
Assistance Center of Collin County
How to Join
“There’s no membership form, no obligation. Just a willingness to give and be part of something meaningful,” says Walch. To join the next giving round, set for July, reach out to:
-
Margaret Dyer – [email protected]
-
Donna Head – [email protected]
“It’s one of the most meaningful things I do,” says Walch. “Every single time we give, I feel like we’re changing lives, not just giving money.”
Don't miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.
