Why Giving Circles Matter: A Q&A with Meg Rush on Local Impact and Leadership

Leader of the Women Igniting Change in Kentuckiana Giving Circle

Every Giving Circle is shaped by the people behind it, and Meg Rush truly embodies what it means to lead with intention and care as one of the leaders of Women Igniting Change in Kentuckiana (WICK) Giving Circle. Through WICK, she’s building meaningful connections and making a lasting impact for women and children in her community.

Meet Meg Rush

Meg Rush is a recently retired Chief Operating Officer and Digital Strategist who brings heart, intention, and decades of leadership experience to her work in local philanthropy. Now focused on giving back, Meg leads Women Igniting Change in Kentuckiana (WICK), a Giving Circle supporting nonprofits that serve women, children, and underserved communities across Louisville and Southern Indiana. She’s passionate about making philanthropy feel more personal, approachable, and hands-on while inviting others to lead with their giving and form real, lasting connections along the way. Under the leadership of Meg and her co-leaders Yvette, Larri Ann, Sharmelle, and Tina WICK has granted more than $60,000 to local organizations and continues to grow as a space rooted in community, purpose, and shared impact.

Meg is known for her thoughtful, values-driven approach and her gift for bringing people together around what matters. After years of moving around the country and supporting nonprofits from afar, she’s found new meaning in being deeply involved and offering her experience to help others lead with confidence. From welcoming new members to championing grassroots organizations, Meg approaches it all with empathy, humility, and a genuine commitment to making a difference.

With a heart for service and a deep belief in the power of connection, Meg shares what drives her work, how she approaches leadership in the WICK Giving Circle, and why this chapter of giving feels especially meaningful.

Q & A with Meg Rush

Q: What inspired you to join a Giving Circle?

Meg: I was drawn to the power of collective giving and the unique opportunity to network and connect with women in our region interested in finding meaningful ways to give back. After a career focused on strategy and transformation, I wanted to be involved with something deeply rooted in the community—something accessible, intentional, and impactful. WICK is a way that I can give back and support local nonprofits serving women and children in Louisville and Southern Indiana, and to offer women a way to lead with their giving, not just donate. The Giving Circle model where donors feel connected to the impact they’re making resonated deeply with me, and WICK has become a vehicle for change.

Q: What has been the most meaningful part of your Giving Circle experience?

Meg: Being a leader of WICK has given me a meaningful way to dive deeper into the heart of our community. It’s opened my eyes to the incredible people and organizations working quietly and tirelessly to uplift women, children, and families across Louisville and Southern Indiana.

Through WICK, I’ve had the privilege to not only learn about their work but to build real relationships with the changemakers behind it. It’s also been a personal way for me to give back, one that aligns with my values and allows me to leverage my experience in strategy and leadership to help others. This journey has reminded me that philanthropy doesn’t have to be distant or abstract, it can be hands-on, relational, and deeply rewarding.

Q: What made you want to become a leader?

Meg: As I began to approach retirement, I realized I had more to give beyond just dollars. I wanted to better understand the needs of the community I live in, learn about the organizations doing the work, and contribute my time, energy, and experience in a more personal way. I also saw it as an opportunity to build real relationships in a community that I have lived in for 12 years but have never really been involved in, to connect with others who care deeply about making a difference and to be part of a network rooted in purpose. Stepping into a leadership role with WICK has given me all of that and more.

Q: How has being part of a Giving Circle changed the way you think about philanthropy or giving back?

Meg: At a time when traditional funding sources are growing more limited, we recognize collective giving as a powerful, future-ready framework to support nonprofits—especially smaller organizations doing vital work for women and children in our region. Giving Circles are a timely response to the shifting landscape of nonprofit funding and the approach works.

For me, WICK is philanthropy made personal by allowing us to deeply learn about the nonprofits in our community; impactful by providing unrestricted funding; and inclusive with a $100 quarterly donation model making participation accessible. This quarter, we proudly celebrate officially surpassing $60,000 in grants to 11 local nonprofits! But we have more to do.

Q: Can you share a memorable moment or impact story from your Giving Circle?

Meg: One of the most memorable moments for me and I believe for many of our members was in Q4 of 2024, when our donation cycle focused on nonprofits serving refugee and immigrant communities. We selected See Forward Ministries as our grant recipient, and the impact of that decision was immediate and deeply meaningful.

See Forward exists to help refugees and immigrants build balanced, fulfilling lives through education and support. They were offering valuable classes, but they noticed a troubling trend, people weren’t showing up. When they dug into why, the answer was simple but powerful: participants either lacked childcare or were bringing their children with them, making it impossible to focus on the lessons.

Our WICK grant allowed See Forward to staff their daycare during class hours. The result? A significant increase in attendance and engagement. Parents could finally learn without distraction, and their children were safe and cared for in the next room. This story is a perfect example of why Giving Circles matter. A relatively modest grant didn’t just fund a program—it removed a barrier, unlocked potential, and helped a community take one more step forward. That’s the kind of impact that stays with you.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone thinking of starting or leading a Giving Circle?

Meg: Like most Giving Circles, WICK has gone through a series of deliberate iterations as we continue to learn how to effectively connect with our members and the community in a meaningful way. Our vision for WICK is more than as a Giving Circle, it’s a way to empower members to be part of something bigger.

My advice, embrace the simplicity of this model. Grapevine provides the infrastructure and foundation, then it’s up to you to make it work for your members. But more than that, make it personal. Invite your friends. Create space to truly welcome new members and get to know them. The connections you build will be just as impactful as the dollars you grant. And remember, it’s an evolution. Keep working on the engagement. Stay open to learning from other leaders, adjusting, testing and maturing. We are still a work in progress, and that’s okay. What matters most is showing up with purpose and continuing to move the mission forward, together.