Giving Club changes location amid membership growth | Western Colorado

The Giving Club, a group of women’s philanthropists who provide grants to Mesa County organizations, will host its next quarterly meeting on August 5. The first will be held at the Art Center of Western Colorado.

The Giving Club launched in 2014 with a group of 60 women who wanted to bring other women in the community together to support area nonprofits. Over the next decade, the club held its meetings at the SpringHill Suites on Main Street in Grand Junction.

However, the Giving Club’s membership has grown significantly since then. More than 260 women are club members, with five to ten women joining the club at each quarterly meeting. As a result, the Giving Club will be looking to the Art Center as its new home base to house its members.

The move was announced to club members at the quarterly meeting in May.

“The response from our members has been overwhelmingly positive,” Kristin Donahue, chair of the Giving Club Steering Committee, said in a statement. “Outgrowing is a huge problem to have, and we’re excited to have found a solution that’s a win-win for everyone!”

Donahue recognized the role SpringHill Suites has played in the growth of the Giving Club.

“We couldn’t be more grateful for the continued support of SpringHill Suites,” Donahue said. “As we begin our next chapter at the Art Center, we look forward to developing a partnership that will enable the continued growth of the Giving Club.”

Since its inception, Giving Club members have donated more than $762,300 — $100 per member at a time — to 36 different nonprofit organizations in Mesa County. The most recent organizations to receive funding were the Colorado National Monument Association, KAFM Radio and MarillacHealth.

At the August 5 meeting at 5:15 p.m. in the Art Center, Giving Club members will vote on the next nonprofit organization to receive a total contribution of just over $26,000.

“The amount of money this group has raised is truly impressive,” Donahue said. “It’s a wonderful reflection of the dedication of women in Mesa County to supporting the nonprofits in our community. Our members have a huge heart for giving.”