Melissa Lowe has always donated to various causes around Atlanta.
But when she wanted to make a bigger impact, she reached out to her circle of friends. An idea started with eight or so committed women and soon grew to 50.
Together, they formed Ribbons of Hope — Invest in Women, which brought together 50 women — former and current lawyers, business executives, small-business owners and community leaders — who shared a passion to empower other women. And they’re doing so by pooling their resources and expertise.
Each woman donates $2,000 annually. The money is combined, and each year an award is made to a nonprofit that helps women in the areas of economic independence, education, health, human rights or social well-being.
“We all write a check for $50 or $100 to different organizations,” said Lowe, an Atlanta marketing consultant. “Each woman recognized that $2,000 times 50 could have a greater impact.”
The organization recently gave its first $100,000 award to Tyrone-based Wellspring Living, which helps survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking rebuild their lives.
Wellspring Vice President Jenn McEwen said the money will be used for the renovation of a building for girls ages 12 through 17 who are survivors of domestic sex trafficking in Atlanta. “That money will go a long way,” McEwen said. The award has a special meaning because it comes from an organization run by women.
The women patterned Ribbons of Hope after organizations that have similar structures, but they wanted to make sure that — for now — the emphasis stays close to home.
In addition to the larger donation, the goal was to “excite our membership to get involved in other organizations that benefit women as volunteers as in their personal giving,” said Rebecca Welsh O’Connor, who co-owns a real estate development company and is a Ribbons of Hope member.
She said the hope is that the Ribbons of Hope model can be used in other cities. states and countries.
Each year, the organization plans to donate $100,000 ($2,000 from each member). Although there are no binding commitments, the term of membership is 10 years, member Caroline McLaughlin said. That would mean at least $1 million given to nonprofits over a decade, she said. Members can drop out at any time and have as much, or as little, involvement as they wish.
Not every nonprofit, however, qualifies.
Awards will fund the nonprofit’s capital investment or a one-time, self-sustaining program. The funds cannot be used to pay salaries or for overhead.
For its first award, about 20 nonprofits submitted proposals. That number was later narrowed down to four. The membership then reviewed the applications and voted for one.
“It’s such a blessing to us, and it makes a great impact on the lives of young girls,” McEwen said. The members of Ribbons of Hope, she said, “believed in us and the potential of our girls.”
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