Dear ,     

Sonya Tomlinson, our Office and Grants Manager, announced, "I'm calling this month 'NO-vember'!"  She committed to not putting anything new on her plate - just aligning her energy in the places where she can best serve herself and others. Sonya is saying an emphatic "YES" to the places of alignment. When she shared her plan at the Portland Women's Leadership Series focused on 'Energy,' it was an instant hit. Women left the event wishing each other "Happy NO-vember!"

Organizations, like people, thrive best when there is a clear alignment of energy with authentic purpose. After the difficult "no" conversations, there is the manifestation of the "yes" conversations. That's where organizations experience excitement. At the Maine Women's Fund, that energetic, fun and strategic alignment manifests itself when we focus on what we do best: grantmaking and philanthropic leadership.  

We are excited to announce nine new grantees from two initiatives that occurred last month. The Splash micro grants event, an innovation of our Midcoast Regional Advisory Council, was held at Lincoln Street Center in Rockland. Four grants, out of twenty-eight applications, were funded through an interactive, community-based process. The Girls' Grantmaking Initiative, in its second year, brought together a learning community of thirty girls and eight philanthropists to review seventeen grant proposals and award five grants. The girls came to the event with a lot of energy and excitement about making a difference in their communities. They left committed philanthropists with the knowledge and skills to leverage their energy and power in the world.  

We are also seeking to attract energetic, fun and strategic alignments in other areas - please keep circulating, near and far, our CEO posting for a bold, dynamic new leader for the Maine Women's Fund. 

Happy NO-vember! To what will you be saying an emphatic "Yes"? 

Best,

Cathy