Together Women Rise is “a beacon of hope,” says CEO Beverley Francis-Gibson. This national nonprofit, formerly called Dining for Women, funds projects that change the lives of women and girls in countries with higher levels of poverty, income inequality, lower life expectancy and harsh living conditions. Collective giving by nearly 5,000 members makes this possible. Francis-Gibson recently visited Springfield to meet with local members.
There are more than 350 chapters across the U.S., and Springfield has five chapters with 130 active members. Vicki Megginson leads a chapter which will soon celebrate its 15th anniversary. She participated in a seminar for chapter leaders where Francis-Gibson expressed interest in connecting with members. The next day, Megginson invited her to Springfield. Approximately 70 women from all five chapters attended a May 15 reception at the Springfield Art Association. Francis-Gibson spoke passionately about the collective impact of TWR and challenged each member to be an ambassador.
Dining for Women began with the concept of women coming together in people’s homes to share a potluck meal and donate what they would have spent to dine out. In 2019 the name changed to Together Women Rise to better reflect the seriousness of what it strives to do. Since it began in 2003, the organization has invested more than $13.5 million in grants and partnerships in more than 70 countries, impacting more than 106 million people.
At the May 13 reception, 18-year member Mary Caroline Mitchell told the history of TWR in Springfield. Anne Capestrain started the first chapter in 2006 after seeing an interview with Dining for Women founding director Marsha Wallace on “Good Morning America.” That has led to more 400 local women engaging with TWR over the past 20 years. Collectively, local members have donated $663,174 – without any dues or minimum donation required.
“All of the groups and donations are directly or indirectly connected to Anne,” said Mitchell. “Anne represents the power of one.” She heard a message and acted on it.
“The power of community drew me to this organization,” Francis-Gibson told the assembled members. She described TWR as a global sisterhood that has nothing to do with economic status and is open to anyone who wants to be part of a movement larger than oneself. TWR uses collective philanthropy to empower women. A goal is to increase grants by 75% over the next three years. “The world needs us,” she said.
Francis-Gibson grew up in St. Thomas and knew as a little girl that she wanted to help others. She’s done that throughout her career as a national leader working on initiatives addressing mental health, HIV/AIDS, homelessness, poverty, domestic violence and equity and the wellbeing of women and girls.
“What we want for our daughters is what people around the world want for their daughters,” Francis-Gibson told Illinois Times.
In April, TWR announced its intent to invest at least $1 million in grants this year, a 35% increase over 2025.
“Our grantees are experiencing one of the most challenging funding environments ever, while women’s rights are being rolled back around the world,” said Francis-Gibson as part of this announcement. “When public and private funders step back, people-powered movements must step up — and that’s exactly what we are doing at Together Women Rise.”
Grants range from $35,000 to $50,000 for projects that address education, healthcare, economic opportunities, gender-based violence and child marriage.
The number of applications tripled last year. Since May 5, more than 700 applications have been submitted and the deadline is June 5. Previously, TWR typically received 125. The abolishment of USAID and disruption in international funding is having an impact. TWR does not receive government funding, but many of its grantees lost USAID funding.
A survey of TWR grantees revealed that as a result two organizations closed, others reorganized and some lost staff. On the bright side, Francis-Gibson said groups are coming together who hadn’t worked together before.
The need far outweighs funds available. Currently TWR awards 12 grants annually. The review process is highly rigorous. Francis-Gibson is proud of the way they award grants, which she says are “intentional, with grace and compassion, and not transactional.”
Members learn about grantees at meetings through online videos and interviews. One grantee is featured each month. All of the Springfield chapters are spin-offs of the first group. Chapters meet at different times and have different formats. One emphasizes being multi-cultural and multi-generational. Another meets only online.
Many Springfield members also support local organizations that help women and girls, such as the Community Foundation’s Women for Women giving circle, Wooden It Be Lovely and Compass for Kids. TWR is “an opportunity to impact women and girls who have even more barriers,” said Mitchell.
Although local chapters are the foundation of TWR, there are many other ways to be involved. There are online virtual chapters, an online book club and an advocacy group. TRW sponsors international trips to visit grantees and see results first-hand. Both Mitchell and Sandy Bellatti travelled to India with Francis-Gibson, which was very impactful.
Francis-Gibson invites people to “noodle around the website” to see the many ways TWR is making a difference and how to get involved. For more information about joining a chapter or starting a new chapter contact Mary Caroline Mitchell at marycarolinem@gmail.com.
Karen Ackerman Witter is a member of the newest Springfield chapter of Together Women Rise.
If you want to change the world, first change yourself.