United WE Donor Feature: Jennifer Ingraham
As a former United WE board chair, Jennifer Ingraham has supported the mission of United WE with her time, talent and treasure for nearly 20 years. She is engaged on every level – which means she holds many titles at United WE, including Appointee, Advisor, Trailblazer, Changemaker and member of the Legacy Society.
“Even though I no longer have an active role as a board member, United WE’s work of eliminating the barriers to women’s economic growth continues. When we lift up women, they in turn lift up economies. Supporting that work through philanthropy is my way of investing in those at United WE who are continuing to make a difference for women.”
Jennifer Ingraham is a working mother with 25+ years of experience in fundraising for the arts and higher education sectors. Jennifer currently serves Kansas City University as Vice President of Philanthropy & Alumni Relations. “This role affords me the honor of inviting alumni to reflect on their success and give back to their alma mater. I feel when I make a personal gift in support of United WE, it gives me that same opportunity to reflect on the work that has been accomplished to advance women during my lifetime and make an investment in the next wave of change I want to see in the world.”
As an appointee through the Appointments Project, Jennifer serves as Vice Chair of the Missouri Community Service Commission and is the co-chair of the Kansas City PIEA Crossroads Arts Advisory Committee. Jennifer is passionate about making a difference in our communities and philanthropy is an easy and active way of supporting United WE’s crucial mission. “I encourage others who believe in equity and opportunity for women to make their own gift in support of United WE. There is a time and place for all of us to be actively involved in the nonprofits and missions we care about. But when we can’t be personally engaged, we can still support those who are doing the work through our personal philanthropy.”
A monthly recurring donation (Changemakers) or planned gift (Legacy Society) is also an affordable way to make an impact. ”I made my planned giving commitment to United WE at a time when the organization wanted to grow its endowment. I was board president and I felt that before I asked others to make a significant gift to the campaign, I needed to lead by example. I knew I couldn’t make a leadership gift from my discretionary income, but I could if I made a planned gift. That experience is what led me to make my first charitable planned gift.”
Thank you, Jennifer, for your on-going support and passion for empowering women!
We invite you to join Jennifer today by becoming a Changemaker, Trailblazer, Legacy Society member – or like her, all three! Contact Robyn Kollar at agd@united-we.org or 816-988-2006 to learn more.