A women’s giving circle is simply a group of like-minded women who join together to pool their time, talent, and treasure in order to effect social change. Typically, each woman in a circle contributes the same amount of money, and the circle, as a group, determines where it will designate its contributions. In short, a women’s “team” is established with the whole being larger than the individual parts.
The original Women in Philanthropy giving circle, The Founders’ Circle, comprised of 22 women is complete and gave WIP its beginnings. This circle supports the Division of Student Affairs through the Center for Community Service Endowment Fund. This $50,000 endowment supports the Student Community Outreach Resource Endowment (SCORE) grant making program. WIP members work with the Community Service Leadership Council, which includes leaders of various student service organizations, to help them with the grant making process in order to fund various events and projects. This helps to train the next generation of students in philanthropic issues.
The Leveraging Leadership Circle, which also supports the Division of Student Affairs, is complete and helped grow the following Women in Philanthropy endeavors:
- The Baker University Center Programming Endowment Fund
- The Amanda J. Cunningham Leadership Center Endowment Fund
- The Leona Hughes LeaderShape Endowment Fund
The Founder’s Circle and the Leveraging Leadership Giving Circle have raised $250,000 for the Division of Student Affairs. Now WIP is focusing on the broader vision to grow our endowment.
If you’re interested in a member initiated giving circle please contact Dorothy Schey for an application. Current member initiated giving circles include the Jody Galbreath Phillips Giving Circle and the OU Chillicothe Giving Circle.