Get Involved

Why a Giving Circle?

 Giving Circles are the embodiment of collective giving. Giving Circles provide an opportunity for people to join together, pool their financial resources and decide together how to distribute them in the form of grants to small, local nonprofit organizations, often overlooked by larger funding sources. Giving Circles connect like-minded people, create greater impact for the causes that members care about, and build an even stronger community in the process.

How do I Join Giving Circle Philadelphia?

You join by making a financial contribution.  Just click on the Donate button and follow the instructions. You may donate any amount you wish, but we require a minimum $200 gift to be a voting member. A voting member qualifies to serve on committees and votes for the nonprofit organizations receiving a GCP grant in May. 

As a GCP member, you may do as much or as little as you wish. Below are some ways to be involved.

 The Grants Committee

One of the best ways to get involved is by joining the Grants Committee. The Grants Committee meets from January through May. Being a member requires attending a number of meetings during the review cycle and participation in the vetting of applications from qualified nonprofit organizations. The Grants Committee's work incorporates the tenants of trust-based philanthropy into every stage of the process.

GCP members interested in the Grants Committee should email their interest to the grants@givingcirclephl.org before the end of December in order to participate on the following spring's committee.

How the Grants Committee works

The Grants Committee is the heart of GCP and a great way to learn about nonprofit organizations that are doing amazing work in Philadelphia. Committee members decide which nonprofits will be in the finalist group recommended for grants to the full voting membership of GCP each May.

 The timeline for the grants process is outlined to the right. 

• Sign Up
• The Grants Committee offers on-line training
• Applications from nonprofit organizations are received and assigned to Grants Committee teams
• The first review of applications is conducted by the full Grants Commitee
• Site visits are conducted by members of the Grants Commitee
• The second review by the full Grants Committee is conducted and finalist organizations are selected
• Each May, voting members vote for the nonprofit organizations to receive grants

To learn about the process from an applicant's perspective, visit our "Grant Applicants" information page..

Other Committees

We have other committees as well which that may suit your fancy!

Members Engagement Committee – Various activities focus on increasing the number of new members, retaining existing members, and encouraging higher levels of giving. Member Engagement activities focus on ensuring all donors have a rewarding GCP experience, by creating opportunities for them to interact, learn, and engage with each other and our grantees. 

Trust Based Philanthropy Committee - addresses better connecting GCP to its grantees.  This includes being responsive to awardees' questions, helping create an annual focus area based on community needs and membership interests, and giving our grantees a voice in the annual grantee decision-making process.

Communications Committee – designs and implements communications that build awareness of the GCP's mission, activities and achievements; drives attendance and engagement; and educates our community on the needs of Philadelphia’s women and children. The Communication Committee is always looking for people with communications backgrounds or those with an interest in helping to get the word out about GCP's educational programs and mission.

Programming Committee – designs and implements educational programs around chosen focus areas and other initiatives – to increase our membership's understanding of and support for the challenges facing children in Philadelphia. 

Events Committee – designs and implements in-person events to foster community engagement and provide opportunities to mix and mingle with fellow GCP donors.

Volunteer - GCP members are also welcome to volunteer at any of the nonprofits we have funded. There are many ways to give back and volunteering at a local nonprofit is one of them.   

Contact us if you are interested contact@givingcirclephl.org

As Winston Churchill said, "we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

Philanos Affiliation

Giving Circle Philadelphia is proud to be a member of PHILANOS, a national network dedicated to supporting collective giving organizations. Our Philanos membership provides us with useful information on giving circle activities, trends, issues, and best practices. To learn more about Philanos, click here . All are welcome to join!

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