The Willoughby Award

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The Willoughby Award

Philanos presents this award annually on March 8 - International Women's Day. What better way to recognize a woman whose experience and affiliate with her collective giving organization has empowered her to become a visional leader among women in philanthropy?

The Willoughby Award recipient is recognized for taking philanthropy and leadership in new directions and challenging the status quo, as Colleen has done, to inspire more women to find and amplify their voices today, tomorrow and for the foreseeable future. Colleen's visionary leadership will continue to inspire new and groundbreaking leaders in philanthropy through the Philanos Willoughby Award.

Colleen S. Willoughby

Willoughby Award Background

Colleen Willoughby challenged the status quo of traditional philanthropy 25 years ago when she found it deeply troubling that women did not have an organized vehicle for using their own money — and they controlled plenty of it — to invest in their communities in ways that reflected the issues they cared about, and in ways that also reflected their collaborative style of leadership. Colleen's idea of collective giving grantmaking changed the face of philanthropy forever, not just in Seattle where it began with Washington Women’s Foundation, but across the country and the world. She inspired and mentored groups in New York, Boise, Ketchum, San Diego, Roanoke, Jacksonville, St Louis, Minneapolis, Austin, and Charlotte, and as far away as Shanghai and Melbourne. She expanded the movement in 2009 by establishing Women’s Collective Giving Grantmakers Network (WCGN), now Philanos. The Willoughby Award is sponsored by Colleen S. Willoughby, and Past Philanos Board Member Dale Clifford, in honor of her mother Laura Egerton Lothrop. Hear Colleen's thoughts on collective giving:

2023 Willoughby Award Honoree

Malynda Hawes Madzel
Women's Giving Circle of Howard County, MD

"We were so excited to nominate Malynda Madzel, our 2023 Philanos Willoughby Award winner" said Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz of the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County. "The nomination questions were straight-forward and the process of answering them resulted in a meaningful journey through Malynda's leadership and the growth of our circle - we couldn't be happier that she was awarded this well-deserved honor." - Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz

2022 Willoughby Award Honoree

Katherine Fulton
Impact100 Sonoma, CA

Lynne Lancaster, co-president emeritus of Impact100 Sonoma, the 2022 recipient of the Willoughby Award. “Nominating Katherine was an easy choice, but she is so modest I didn’t even tell her I was doing it. I am thrilled she was chosen for national recognition.” - Lynne Lancaster

2021 Willoughby Award Honoree

Kyle Ruffin
Impact100 South Jersey

"We nominated our Kyle Ruffin for The Willoughby Award for her dedication to elevating diverse voices and perspectives in philanthropy. Kyle became a powerful advocate, initiating and leading a program to spotlight the stories of women and people of color already active in giving. She continues empowering others to share their unique experiences, showcasing the significant contributions of people of color to philanthropy and volunteerism." - Ellen Ragone

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