Pittsburgh-based women’s group set to hit $1 Million in charitable giving

At Inspired Women Paying It Forward’s quarterly happy-hour networking events, hundreds of like-minded women nominate and vote for a 501(c)(3) organization that supports women and girls in need. Each member contributes $100, and the full pot goes directly to the winning nonprofit – no overhead, no delay, just immediate impact. From combating food insecurity and domestic violence in the Pittsburgh region to funding clean water initiatives and girls’ education in Africa and the Middle East, the organization’s nine chapters have helped more than 100 nonprofits fund vital programs and services.

Founder Debra Dion Krischke, owner of Team Effort Events and Three Rivers Event Park, gathered the first group of women in Cranberry Township in 2015. Her mission, she says, was to “create space for women who have more in their lives to take action on behalf of women who have less, locally and globally.” The result is a model she calls “fast, fun, philanthropic networking with a big purpose,” one that has since taken root in community after community.

Inspired by that mission, former Pittsburgh television news anchor Kym Gable launched the organization’s second chapter in the South Hills in 2017. “Having featured so many incredible nonprofits in my news stories over the years, I always had the desire to help more of our neighbors in an even bigger way,” said Gable. “Now we get to witness a level of collective giving and collective impact that’s making a difference here at home and around the world.”

Today, Inspired Women Paying It Forward counts eight chapters across the Pittsburgh region plus a thriving new chapter in Chicago. Every chapter is led entirely by volunteer Chapter Leaders and  members, spreading the word to grow the circle’s reach. The organization’s next goal: expanding into more counties across Western Pennsylvania and into new cities nationwide.

To learn more about Inspired Women Paying It Forward or to start or join a chapter, visit www.inspiredwomen.com.

A woman you may never meet may have a better future because of a decision made right here in Pittsburgh.

Upcoming Chapter Meetings & Leaders

Pittsburgh North
July 16
Debra Dion Krischke (Founder)

East / Westmoreland
July 14
Joy Klohonatz

Sewickley
July 21
Catherine Montague

Pittsburgh South
July 21
Kym Gable

Pittsburgh Downtown
July 28
Rachel Maga

Beaver
July 22
Arax Hovsepian

East End
July 8
Diana Fletcher

Fayette, SW PA
July 30
Brittany Remington

Chicago
July 14
Leslie Dempsey