“Together We Can” Kathy Haven, Director of Grants, Programs & Community Impact
A giving circle is a collective philanthropic program that brings a group of people with shared values together to collectively discuss and decide where to make a pooled gift. Giving circles support with their dollars, but also build awareness, volunteer, become board members and more. Usually, a giving circle involves a “membership” which comes with an incentive, like a vote.
We may not be wealthy as individuals, but together we hold great wealth!
Giving circles bring people together to focus on community needs. Giving Circles also give a group of people a common cause and a louder voice.
A giving circle is an easy way for a person to give A LITTLE, which allows the organization to give out A LOT. A giving circle is easier than fundraising, planning events, having bake sales, or finding sponsors.
• $40 or more = an annual membership
• EDC High Schools included: EDHS, GSHS, ORHS, PHS, STHS, UMHS
• Scholarship application will be open to Seniors from Nov. 1- Feb. 1
• We will give a minimum of one $1,000 scholarship to each of the high schools
• Collect Giving Circle “memberships” ($40 or more constitutes a membership) from May – December 31.
• Nov. 1: Open Application up to Students (DUE Feb. 1)...application will be on scholarships.edcoe.org along with 200+ other local applications.
• First week of February: tally up total to donate back to each scholarship; allow membership to vote on type and number of scholarships. SAMPLE BALLOT
• Feb-March: Have scholarship committees read apps & meet and choose scholarship recipient(s).
• March 30: Announce recipients to the membership and send info to respective schools for scholarship nights.
• April/May: Present scholarships at scholarship nights.
• May – Dec. 31: collect “memberships” for the next graduating class.
