This quote by Debby Boone inspired a group of 13 women to join together and form a women’s giving circle in the spring of 2009. They wanted to impact their community now and in the future by identifying what needs in Georgetown were not being met and providing a philanthropic path to address those needs.
The name they selected represents the idea of many small seeds being planted to grow into something strong that benefits its surroundings. Seeds of Strength was born.
The Giving Circle provides the opportunity for individuals to come together, combine their dollars in a shared fund, and through a voting process collectively decide where to give the money. Grant Award Night is powerful! Each member is eligible to vote for the nonprofit agency she wants to receive funding.
The first year, in June of 2010, five nonprofits were awarded $55,000, and since then Seeds of Strength has continued to grow. This year, 2023, $161,000 was distributed to nine local nonprofits. Since its inception, Seeds of Strength has awarded $2,052,000 to nonprofit agencies in our community.
Our education events and gatherings support our members’ understanding of philanthropy. Together we share in the joy of giving.
Seeds of Strength is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.
Our Team
July 2023 – September 2024
Board of Directors
- Laura Packard – President
- Amy Bawcom – Incoming President
- Patti Groce – Treasurer
- Lexi Elliott – Secretary
- Marsi Liddell – Immediate Past President
- Mary Bray – Director
- Peggy Campbell – Director
- Rita Healy – Director
- Janelle McNeill – Director
- Teresa Shahan Shapiro – Director
Committee Chair Council
- Sydney Decker – Communications/Technology Committee Chair
- Dollene Thompson – Compliance Committee Chair
- Judy Arnold – Events Committee Chair
- Patti Groce – Finance Committee Chair
- Amy Bawcom – Governance Committee Chair
- Jo Annah Potts – Grants Committee Chair
- Kiersty Lombar – Membership Committee Chair
- Marsi Liddell – Nominating Committee Chair
Advisory Council
- Karron Wilson* – Advisory Council Chair, Past SoS Chair/President, Non-Profit Management
- Karen Cole* – Attorney, Past SoS Chair/President and a Seeds of Strength founder
- Brad Curlee – President, Prosperity Bank
- Shawn Goben – General Manager, Berry Creek Country Club
- Barbara Hallmark* – Past SoS Chair/President and a Seeds of Strength founder
- Elizabeth MacFarland* – Attorney, Georgetown ISD Board of Trustees
- Chris Spano – Past President and a founding member of League of Women Voters of Williamson County
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Barbie Sproull* – Marketing Director, Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick
* Denotes an SoS member on the Advisory Council. The Advisory Council is composed of Seeds of Strength members and community representatives.
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Past Presidents
- Jul 2022-Jun 2023 – Marsi Liddell
- Jul 2021-Jun 2022 – Susie Logan
- Jul 2020-Jun 2021 – Karron Wilson
- Oct 2019-Jun 2020 – Terri Boroczk
- Oct 2018-Sep 2019 – Lexi Elliott
- Oct 2017-Sep 2018 – Cindy Locke
- Oct 2016-Sep 2017 – Linda Foster-Smith
- Oct 2015-Sep 2016 – Pat Donica
- Jan 2015-Sep 2015 – Christine Hightower
- Jan 2014-Dec 2014 – Karen Cole
- Jan 2013-Dec 2013 – Kathy Krause
- Mar 2011-Dec 2012 – Eugenia Koog
- Jul 2010-Feb 2011 – Eugenia Koog & Judy Novak
- 2009-Jun 2010 – Barbara Brightwell & Barbara Hallmark