KXLG – Watertown, SD The Watertown Area Community Foundation’s Women & Giving program hosted two innovative “speed-dating” style events last week, connecting donors directly with local nonprofit leaders. The events, held at the Terry Redlin Pavilion, were designed to foster meaningful conversations and highlight the impact of charitable giving.
More than 70 women attended the two sessions, “Coffee & Conversation” and “Cocktails & Conversation,” on Thursday, August 7. The format allowed nonprofit representatives to move between small groups of donors, sharing their missions and stories.
Cammie Mengwasser, Executive Director of the Watertown Area Community Foundation, described the events as a way to bring donors together and connect their gifts to “real faces, real stories, and real impact.” Nonprofit leaders in attendance included representatives from the Boys & Girls Club, Brothers & Sisters Behind Bars, Watertown Cares, Joy Ranch, Beacon Center, Girls Rule, and Rachel’s Hope.
Now in its 22nd year, the Women & Giving program has directed over $360,000 in grants and more than $136,000 in scholarships to programs that support women and children in the Watertown area. The program’s mission is to help women and children overcome barriers and achieve their goals.
The Women & Giving Committee is set to award its 2025 grants in October, with scholarship recipients to be announced in November. The Foundation expressed its gratitude to the nearly 140 donors who have already contributed to the 2025 campaign. Donations can be made online or by mail to the Watertown Area Community Foundation.