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THE PHILANOS PROFILE

Philanos, initially know as Women's Collective Giving Grantmakers Network (WCGN) began as a group of "thought leaders" - from eight organizations around the country modeled after the Washington Women's Foundation.  The group met one another in Boise in 2009 to celebrate the Idaho Women's Charitable Foundation's first million dollars in grantmaking. In 2013 the Network launched as a 501(c)(3) with 35 paid member organizations. As of March, membership in Philanos is now more than 90 independent philanthropic organizations in 29 states, District of Columbia, Australia and England, view our members.

Our members engage in a new, exciting, and collaborative style of community-based philanthropy that empowers women to pool their financial and intellectual resources to annually award multiple, high-impact grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. We call it “collective giving."

More than 18,000 women across the country belong to one or more of our affiliates. The first WCGN group began more than 25 years ago and new groups are starting regularly.

Since 1995, our member organizations have invested more than $200 million into their respective communities. In 2021 they collectively contributed more than $16 million to important causes in their communities.

Our members’ interests cover a lot of ground: The majority award grants in five giving categories each year, including health, education, human services, youth, women and girls, arts, and the environment.

Philanos member organizations come in many shapes and sizes. Our smallest organization has 35 members; our largest have more than 500. Annual contributions from individuals range from $300 to $10,000 per member.

Our members have devised their own consistent standards for assessing potential grant recipients. More than half use a structured impact assessment process to measure grantmaking effectiveness.

In 2021 our members offered a total of 415 educational programs. While many of our member organizations are exclusively volunteer-driven, 21 employ paid staff, and a few rely on paid staff from their community foundations.

One thing every member knows: Women can change the world by pooling their intellectual and financial capital for the common good. We’re just getting started.

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© 2014-2024 Philanos is the leading national women's giving circle network.  All rights reserved.
Philanos is a 501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID #46-3953482.  Privacy Policy

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