Madeleine Tammi, Stephanie Kresse and Katy Peek understood the meaning of philanthropy. In 2004 each was a member of the board of directors of the El Dorado Community Foundation. Collectively they knew that nationwide women were increasingly influential and proactive about charitable giving. From this knowledge they crafted a plan of bringing women together to practice collective philanthropy in their own back yard.
The Women’s Fund El Dorado was born.
A Women’s Fund was a new concept to El Dorado County. An organization which included women from all walks of life, paying the same amount for membership every year and awarding yearly grants…voted on by the members of the fund.
The founders were united in their quest to keep things simple for the membership. They knew that women were tired of meetings, tired of baking cakes and casseroles for fund raisers and tired of decorating for those fund raisers. Simple was the guiding principle. Join, cast a grant making vote every year and be as involved as you want.
The Women’s Fund concept was presented in April, 2007 to an informal gathering of 13 women who were known for their charitable works in the Arts, Human Services, Environment, Education, and Health. They came together one evening, heard the story of how the Women’s Fund would work, and that evening they ALL signed on to be the founding cabinet.
The following October the Women’s Fund El Dorado announced its presence to the community. The cabinet had invited friends and neighbors, treated everyone to dinner and an inspirational talk by Colleen Willoughby, the founder of the Washington Women’s Fund. The response was inspiring. Over 200 women attended that evening.
The founders did not have the proper expertise to properly manage this project themselves. They found a welcome mat at the El Dorado Community Foundation where they established their Fund. The Foundation continues to provide the fiscal oversight, clerical assistance and also the physical place the Women’s Fund calls “home”. This professional support has contributed to the Fund’s phenomenal success and credibility in the community.
There is a strong philanthropic spirit in El Dorado County and the Women’s Fund is a successful model of how charitable individuals can come together to practice collective philanthropy to benefit our area of El Dorado County.
If you have any questions or would like more information about becoming a member of The Women's Fund El Dorado, please contact us by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us at 530-622-5621.
Women's Fund El Dorado
P.O. Box 1388
312 Main Street, Suite 201
Placerville, California 95667
