Dear Giving Circle Members:

Your giving circle has a new name! We are now Giving Circle Philadelphia (GCP), an independent, incorporated organization in Pennsylvania. Take a moment to visit and bookmark our new website www.givingcirclephl.org. Our own Susan Storb has done an outstanding job building this website. It is filled with information about GCP, our grantees, impact, and why giving circles are a terrific choice for your philanthropy. You probably also noticed that this month’s newsletter came to you via our new email address: contact@givingcirclephl.org.

We are truly excited about GCP’s future, but is this a transition or transformation? What does the shift to an independent GCP mean for you, our loyal supporters? Scientists and mathematicians talk about transformation as a change dramatic enough to make the original unrecognizable. Fortunately, that doesn’t describe the shift for our giving circle. Instead, we have undergone a transition, defined as a positive change for the better that retains the best of what we are and have always been: 

A group of like-minded, accomplished, curious, and caring women that

use the power of collective giving to help improve the lives of women

and children in Philadelphia.

Some history

It is fitting that transition is a fundamental part of GCP. We began in 2012, in partnership with the Philadelphia Foundation as the philanthropic arm of The Transition Network (TTN) Philadelphia chapter (renamed Women’s Connection in 2024). Our first grant of $10,000 went to Valley Youth House of Greater Philadelphia in spring 2013. Since that modest beginning, with your contributions, our giving circle has awarded more than $700,000 in grants to 35 local nonprofit organizations.

For fourteen years, being a part of TTN/Women’s Connection was a great benefit. However, the Women’s Connection national board explained to us that its primary mission of education and building social connections for women over 50 was no longer an appropriate match with the Giving Circle’s primary mission of philanthropy. Consequently, an amicable separation --making GCP an independent organization was the best solution. With Women’s Connection’s support, we have made that transition and we are happy to call you all members of GCP!

The Future

There has been a lot of work behind the scenes to make this transition possible. We especially want to thank the Steering Committee of Women’s Connection Philadelphia Chapter for their support. Also, a big thank you to GCP board members who have generously given their time, knowhow, and financial contributions to the operation of our independent giving circle.

Fall GCP fundraising campaign

It is now time to launch GCP’s annual fundraising campaign. After considering the results of the June email survey, informal feedback from many of you, and research into pressing community needs and the pool of nonprofit organizations that fit our criteria, the GCP board has chosen women’s health as the focus of this year’s fundraising campaign. Our giving circle successfully centered on children and family issues over the last few years. With that in mind, we heard from many of you that it seemed an especially good time to center this year’s campaign on women’s health care.

Giving Circle Philadelphia will continue its partnership with the Philadelphia Foundation for our fundraising campaign. The Foundation collects, manages, and distributes your donations to the nonprofit organizations chosen by you-- our members.

Donations are tax deductible and must be received by December 31, 2026, to be included in this year’s campaign. It is never too early to send your gift. We appreciate contributions of any amount, but require a donation of $200 or more to qualify as a voting member and be part of the process choosing the nonprofit organizations receiving grants in May 2027. For detailed instruction for making your donation, click here.



Save the date for our annual Gather for Giving Event which will take place on December 1 at Independence Live. In the meantime, we will continue to update you on the exciting and positive changes for GCP. You also can Help us Grow...Tell your friends and family about GCP and invite them to be part of our mission to make Philadelphia a better place for women and children.

Together in Giving,

Kris Lindenmeyer and Phyllis Bookspan, co-chairs
 

We are pleased to announce that the focus area for 2027 for our Giving Circle (GCP) will be health care for underserved Philadelphia women.  Eligible nonprofits will be those dedicated to helping women overcome barriers to affordable, quality health care including access to preventive and ongoing care; maternal and reproductive health services; educational programs and initiatives which empower women to make personal health choices; and advocacy nonprofits addressing these issues.

We have a date for our next Gather for Giving Evening! 

Please join us as we gather to "catch up with each other" as well as we begin to kick off a new fundraising campaign. Our focus area for 2027 is WOMEN'S HEALTH and it is a timely and important cause, so come hear from your fellow Giving Circle members as to how we can all make a difference.

Registration will open in a few weeks. The event is $25 for Giving Circle members but guests are free. For now we just ask you to . . . SAVE THE DATE!

We are holding our annual Engagement Events in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia. If you know anyone who you feel would like to hear more about our organization, please email Mary Klein at marywealklein@gmail.com and bring them. These are casual gatherings with like-minded women who care about the issues facing Philadelphia today.

If you see a "Login" button on the new website, you can disregard it. The site is open architecture so . . . no logins are required. But, if you wish to see your last donation, the login button will take you there.



This is a new system and we are still working out the kinks. If you see something on the webpages that is incorrect or missing, let us know. You can email Susan Storb at sstorb@gmail.com.

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