Supporter Stories

The MacKenzie Women's Fund: A Legacy of Giving
By: Jennifer Seeker Conroy

Philanthropy runs in the family for the MacKenzie women. The legacy of giving began with Katherine (MacKenzie) Reese. "She taught me," daughter Marcia MacKenzie said. "That's how it all started." MacKenzie has proudly advanced the family tradition through her two daughters, even taking them to buy gifts for needy families when the girls were young.

MacKenzie is Dane County Corporation Counsel and first joined A Fund For Women several years ago after attending the Annual Event and volunteering on committees. She was inspired by AFFW's mission and wanted to solidify her support. "Women's and girls' issues aren't addressed by traditional nonprofits," MacKenzie remarked.

She approached her daughters and mother about establishing an Acorn fund and giving $1,000 a year for ten years. The result would be a named fund that would permanently demonstrate their commitment to the women and girls of Madison.

MacKenzie's daughters Elisabeth Hendrickson and Annie Enlow agreed immediately. All four women now make generous donations of money, time, and talent to AFFW. Though their fund is less than ten years old, they have nearly reached their $10,000 benchmark and say they intend to keep giving beyond that.

The MacKenzie women believe that they get as much as they give. "You feel better giving than spending money," MacKenzie said. "If people would understand that, there would be a lot less suffering."

The MacKenzie women are strong and successful, but they say their generosity is influenced by their untraditional paths. Both MacKenzie and Reese were single mothers, and MacKenzie and her daughters took meandering paths through higher education. In fact, MacKenzie and Hendrickson attended the University of Wisconsin at the same time, and MacKenzie graduated from law school while in her 40s.

They say their support for each other was indispensable, and that's something they want to share with future generations of Madison women. "To have the resources and know that someone cares," Hendrickson said. "We want to teach these girls they're worth something."

The MacKenzie women like that AFFW is small and local. They feel that the grant-making committee makes careful, researched decisions about where the money goes, and they appreciate being able to see the difference their donation makes in the community.

For the MacKenzie women AFFW is a valuable community for women. They appreciate how it provides mentors for young women, networking opportunities, and discussion about the value of philanthropy. "It's teaching younger women to be philanthropists and the value of giving and participation," MacKenzie said. "It's older and younger women giving together."

The legacy of giving in the MacKenzie family will continue into the future and not just through their named fund. Hendrickson has two school-aged sons, and she is already teaching them about philanthropy. MacKenzie is also priming her 13-year-old step-granddaughter Isabella to carry on the family tradition. "I tell her, 'You're a MacKenzie.'"