How women-led giving circles are reshaping the future of philanthropy: practical tips nonprofits can use to research, engage, and steward women-led giving circles for long-term impact.

Imagine a philanthropic movement quietly reshaping communities across the country — fueled not by billionaires, but by women of all giving abilities pooling resources, expertise, and passion for change. Roughly 260,000 women are part of this movement, collectively redefining generosity and driving a new wave of high-impact, community-centered philanthropy.

The rise of women-led giving circles

The anticipated transfer of $30 trillion in generational wealth to women by 2030 has sharpened attention on who will steward future giving. At the same time, giving circles — groups that pool donations and decide collectively where to allocate funds — have been growing rapidly. Since 2017, over 4,000 giving circles have collectively moved $3 billion to diverse causes, reflecting the vast interests and passions of their members. In 2023, 60% of all collective giving came from women-only giving circles. These everyday philanthropists — members, volunteers, and leaders — are directing dollars in ways that produce measurable change.

Example: On California’s Central Coast, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara — now more than 1,400 members strong — granted $1.25 million to local nonprofits serving women, children, and families in 2025.

Two characteristics distinguish many women-led giving circles from more traditional funders:

• Local focus: A pronounced focus on local organizations and community-rooted solutions.
• Values-driven issues: A strong emphasis on human rights issues (racial and gender equity, social rights). Nearly 35% of giving circle funds support human rights — more than double the reported rate among traditional foundations.

These giving circles reflect a democratization of philanthropy where everyday donors collectively elevate the causes most important to them.

Why women-led giving circles matter

Women have long been the quiet architects of community change. From the suffrage movement to civil rights, they’ve organized, advocated, and funded movements. Now they are bringing those skills and talents to philanthropy. Giving circles amplify women’s voices and impact: members learn about issues, vet organizations, and practice grantmaking together. For nonprofits, these circles are not only sources of funding but also pathways to deeper community engagement, advocacy, and long-term relationships.

For fundraisers, women-led giving circles represent a strategic opportunity to diversify your funder base with donors who are values-driven, collaborative, and often committed for the long term.

How Nonprofits Can Engage Women-Led Giving Circles

1. Do your research: know your audience
   • • Map circles by geographic focus, membership size, giving levels, and issue priorities.
     • Use directories like Grapevine (a global directory of over 4,000 giving circles) to identify circles by ZIP code and contact points.
     • Review past grantmaking patterns to assess “fit” and funding cadence (one-time, annual, multi-year).
2. Develop personalized outreach: build genuine connections
   • • More than a quarter of giving-circle grants are recommended by members — relationships matter.
     • Research leadership and member interests; find mutual connections for warm introductions.
     • Tailor your communication to their priorities. If a circle focuses on gender equity, lead with outcomes and programs that advance that mission. Find common ground that is both genuine to your mission and resonates with circle members.
3. Offer engagement that deepens trust and impact
   • • Women-led circles often take great care to select their gift recipients; when possible, provide value by offering in-person, hands-on engagement.
     • Create stewardship touchpoints that combine meaning and measurement: site visits, member briefings, small-group volunteer days, and short impact reports that connect dollars to outcomes.
     • Highlight benefits that matter to members: clear outcomes, member recognition, opportunities for learning, and visible community impact.
4. Build long-term partnerships and track what matters
   • • Many giving circles are moving beyond one-off asks. When appropriate, propose pilot grants, multi-year partnerships, or seeding collaborative initiatives that allow circles to see an evolving impact story.
     • Track KPIs that funders and nonprofits both care about: number of members engaged, retention of circle support, dollars committed, program outcomes, and story-based metrics (beneficiary testimonials, community indicators).
     • Share quarterly snapshots and an annual impact narrative that honors the circle’s role.

The bigger picture: stronger communities and a stronger funder base

Giving circles foster belonging, civic engagement, and wellbeing — benefiting individuals and communities alike. By understanding their priorities and building authentic partnerships, nonprofits can diversify their funding, increase community relevance, and strengthen long-term impact.

Want help engaging women-led giving circles?

At Changing Our World, we help nonprofits design bespoke engagement strategies — tailored messaging, outreach plans, stewardship frameworks, and partnership models — that align with both your organization’s priorities and best practices in the field. Contact us to explore a targeted approach that converts shared values into measurable community outcomes.

Sources

Kraus, I., & Layton, M.D. (2024). Patterns in the Tapestry: A Typology of Collective Giving Groups. Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University, Colmena Consulting, and Philanthropy Together.

Loson-Ceballos, A., & Layton, M. D. (2024). In abundance: An analysis of the thriving landscape of collective giving in the U.S. Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University and Philanthropy Together.

Kaitlin Kozora
Senior Managing Director, Changing Our World.