Portsmouth Living Magazine December

Charity Spotlight
Since 2006, the Seacoast Women’s Giving Circle
(SWGC) has supported the community through targeted
financial giving to local non-profits. Working in
a spirit of collective action and giving, SWGC is comprised of
more than 150 members and a 25 member board of directors
with a different area of philanthropic focus each year.
This year, their focus is Substance Use Disorders. According
to longtime SWGC member and current Chair Kathleen
MacLeod, their support of local nonprofits in this cycle may
exceed $70,000, although that only tells part of the story.
Their approach to complex issues each year is guided by a
three-step process of Learn, Give, and Act.
“In the Learn portion of their process, members learn about
their chosen topic through extensive research that includes
meeting with state and local experts in the field,” she says.
An educational highlight of their work is an annual Learn
Forum in early November in which they moderate an expert
panel discussion.
Their Give component begins after the Learn Forum during
which time they take what they have learned and create
a Request for Proposal (RFP) that goes out to hundreds of
organizations in December. Upon receiving applications, a
rigorous evaluation process begins that culminates in votes by
the board to select that particular year’s grant recipients.
6 PORTSMOUTH LIVING
FORMING A CIRCLE
OF COMMUNITY
BY ROB LEVEY
In Act, the third part of SWGC’s process, members host
several events throughout the year, including a holiday drive
to provide clothing, gift certificates or other forms of assistance
to those in need.
In commenting on this year’s chosen philanthropic focus,
MacLeod refers to substance use disorders as “an issue that is
having devastating effects across our state.”
Since 2006, SWGC has raised more
than $630,000, all of which has been
invested in non-profits throughout
the Seacoast region.
“It is one that does not discriminate,” she adds. “It is why
we will also work to educate people on the complexities of
this issue and help fight the stigma of addiction so people feel
more comfortable seeking help.”
Since 2006, SWGC has raised more than $630,000, all of
which has been invested in non-profits throughout the Seacoast
region. In addition to donations by individual members,
SWGC relies on support from corporate donors.
One such corporate donor is Piscataqua Savings Bank,
which President/CEO Rick Wallis said is a community bank
that relates very strongly with SWGC’s philanthropic
mission.
“They’re well organized and take the time to really understand
community issues--a truly grassroots approach,”
he says. “Our support allows the Seacoast Women’s Giving
Circle to keep their promise that 100% of the memberships’
donations go directly to the organizations they support by
covering some of their costs. That’s an important promise for
them to keep and we’re glad to be a part of making that happen.”
Expressing gratitude for such support, MacLeod says
SWGC is currently looking to not only raise awareness of its
mission, but increase its membership.
“We are open to all women and are by no means exclusive,”
she says.
To become a member, individuals are asked to donate a
minimum of $200 each year of which 100% goes to
nonprofits.
“With each additional member, our impact on the
community grows,” she says.
For more information about the Seacoast Women’s Giving Circle, or to learn more about becoming
a member, visit www.seacoastwomengive.org.
Real Estate
PORTSMOUTH REAL ESTATE STATS TO DATE
IN PORTRSMOUTIN
MONTH YEAR #UNITS SOLD LOW MEDIAN HIGH TOTAL
OCTOBER 2017 37 $169,200 $595,203 $2,786,176 $22,022,526
OCTOBER 2018 31 $198,000 $553,425 $1,126,967 $17,156,175
SEPTEMBER 2017 31 $13,000 $677,983 $3,056,000 $21,017,500
SEPTEMBER 2018 32 $18,000 $492,825 $900,000 $15,770,425
AUGUST 2017 40 $17,000 $585,308 $2,289,000 $23,412,350
AUGUST 2018 45 $169,900 $583,155 $1,600,000 $26,241,980
JULY 2017 23 $169,900 $545,736 $1,300,000 $12,551,950
JULY 2018 30 $188,500 $638,783 $1,400,000 $19,163,490
JUNE 2017 40 $173,500 $427,171 $859,286 $17,086,864
JUNE 2018 37 $238,000 $550,268 $1,249,000 $20,359,950
MAY 2017 30 $205,000 $467,971 $839,000 $14,039,137
MAY 2018 30 $169,000 $607,001 $1,950,000 $18,210,045
APRIL 2017 23 $161,000 $434,321 $875,000 $9,989,400
APRIL 2018 26 $175,000 $465,184 $700,000 $12,094,790
MARCH 2017 22 $15,000 $612,763 $1,699,000 $13,400,800
MARCH 2018 30 $130,000 $465,565 $949,900 $13,966,970
FEBRUARY 2017 13 $191,500 $461,100 $650,000 $5,994,300
FEBRUARY 2018 18 $166,000 $475,970 $1,000,000 $8,567,475
JANUARY 2017 24 $147,900 $593,622 $2,087,080 $14,246,930
JANUARY 2018 12 $228,000 $672,000 $3,697,500 $11,540,400
Best Version Media does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. Any real estate agent’s ad appearing
in this magazine is separate from any statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement.
Think selling your home
in the winter is
senseless?
Barbara Dunkle | NH & ME Broker
Web: www.barbaradunkle.com
Cell: 603-498-7927
Office: 800-450-7784 ext.7078
Email: barbara.dunkle@beangroup.com
Think again.
DECEMBER 2018 7