Starting in the Fall, Philanos will add the Young Philanthropist affinity group to its roster of affinity groups. Many affiliates are looking to increase the number of younger members in their organizations but are not quite sure how to start. 

Philanos offered the Young Philanthropist Cohort in September 2024.

Through the Cohort, affiliates interested in starting or restarting a younger philanthropist cohort heard from those affiliates with established younger philanthropist programs and learned how best to recruit and retain younger members.

In response to the overwhelming interest in the YP Cohort, Philanos will begin a  Young Philanthropist Affinity group. As in other Philanos affinity groups, the Young Philanthropist affinity group will be interactive. Attendees will be able to connect, learn and share tips, stories and even data on growing a young philanthropist program.

For the fourth year, Philanos will be offering this valuable program to support board leaders!

Interest is high, space is limited, so don't miss out. Submit your application now!

8 monthly meetings: Second Thursday of the month, beginning September 11, 2025 3:00-4:30 PM ET (skipping December) through May 14, 2026.

Leading a board is often challenging and even sometimes lonely work, but now it doesn’t have to be. Two former Philanos board chairs, Laura Midgley and Virginia Mills, have designed and will again co-lead “A Table For Chairs” or "ATFC", a trusted circle of peer-to-peer mentors. Through the facilitation of Laura and Virginia, this program develops a cohort of board chairs who can rely on one another tackling the issues participants want to address.

Open to Board chairs only – or “presidents”, if that’s the title used in your organization – “A Table For Chairs” will be limited to 15 Board chairs who apply (If you are a co-chair leader, please select only one person from your affiliate to apply). All Philanos Affiliates are eligible, including organizations which have had a prior chair participate

Unlike other Philanos Webinars and Affinity Groups, which are drop-in, “A Table For Chairs” uses a pre-selected cohort and depends on regular monthly attendance by each participant. This cohort model is the key for establishing a trusted circle of peer-to-peer mentors to help fellow leaders reimagine, re-energize and replenish. The curriculum dives into leader challenges by looking at membership, communications, leadership development and more with a critical lens and especially an eye on identifying the elephant in the room. Your presence and participation is what makes it work. This is your chance to focus on you and what you need to be the best leader for these times!

Potential participants are asked to submit 1-2 paragraphs about why this concept appeals to you and what you hope to get out of it. Submissions are due by June 15th and should be uploaded here. Please do evaluate your ability to participate monthly before submitting. Sickness and other issues we cannot foresee happen to us all, but we ask that this be a priority for you.

Together, Virginia and Laura have more than 50 years of collective giving experience. They co-founded this network alongside Colleen Willoughby. Each chaired Philanos in its early years, as well as numerous roles leading their local collective giving organizations and other nonprofit boards.

As co-leaders, they will offer support for confidential leadership issues. Much of Philanos’ learning is centered on ideas and problem solving; however, “A Table for Chairs” will help identify areas for personal growth and provide resources for troubleshooting leadership and organizational problem solving in addition to enhancing your skills and critical thinking as a leader. You will experience all this as well as a “table” with joy and positive energy!

Here’s what some of this year’s participants liked most about ATFC:

• "The ideas and input from all of the brilliant, thoughtful, committed leaders. I'm amazed by everyone in the group"
• "Learning what other organizations have done and what has made those initiatives successful or not. It's been most helpful to learn the why, how and results, rather than simply about an effort or change. It's difficult to assess whether it's something to consider for our organization without additional background." 
• "Having a group of women who understand my challenges as a giving circle leader and can offer help for specific challenges."
• "It broadens my set of tools, resources, and ever, at least sometimes, my thinking."

We welcome current or incoming Philanos Affiliate Chairs (or Presidents) to apply now to join us!

As always, feel free to contact either Laura or Virginia with questions and ideas.

Philanos hosts a variety of virtual events throughout the year for you - our affiliates. Our monthly Webinars, Affinity Group gatherings, and CircleUps provide opportunities to bring together women from Philanos Affiliates across the country to network, learn, share, and connect about topics that support your important work. Your Philanos membership includes these ongoing opportunities for you AND all members of your giving circle and we encourage you to forward this information regularly to your members so you can take full advantage of your Philanos membership. Thank you for being a part of our growing women's collective giving network - we truly are stronger together. Register today for an upcoming meeting and we'll see you soon!

May 15 - (Affinity Group) Staff Chat - Bequests and Endowments May 20 - (Affinity Group) Membership Roundtable - Metrics Continued May 27 - (Affinity Group) Comms Club - Organizing and Maintaining Photos and Files June 17 - (Affinity Group) Grantmakers - Grant Decisions and Award Events

Recently Recorded Events Grantmakers - Local Funding Challenges Tech Talk - Tackling the Necessary but Small Stuff Comms Club - Developing Video Content Membership Roundtable - Membership Retention Metrics

Webinar Recordings:  4/8/25 - Grantmaking for Environmental Resilience 3/11/25 - Investing in Women and Girls: Innovative Grantmaking Approaches 2/11/2025 - Courageous Conversations with Rosetta Lee 11/12/2024 - New Directions in Community-Centric Grantmaking 10/8/2024 - Creating and Communicating a Strategic Plan 9/10/2024 - Evolving Membership Models

All Past Webinar Recordings

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to be linked to your circle's membership and gain access to all Philanos Affiliate benefits.

Philanos 2025 Survey Results

You Spoke! We Listened!

Philanos recently conducted our first affiliate survey since 2018, and we’d like to share with you some of what we’ve learned.

Our goal for the survey was to learn more about the groups who make up our network and how we can best serve you: Where are you succeeding? What challenges do you face? What types of resources do you find valuable in your work? How well is Philanos meeting your needs? And, what would you like to see from Philanos in the future?

We received responses from more than two-thirds of affiliates, ranging in size from 30-40 members to over 1,000. Seventy-seven percent of respondents identified as current or past giving circle leaders–presidents or chairs, board members, or committee leaders; 14% identified as committee members; 4% as members; and 5% as staff.

Successes and Challenges

Philanos affiliates devote enormous thought and energy to grantmaking, and it shows. More than 90% of respondents identified impactful grantmaking and support for local initiatives as a major strength, and slightly more than 70% cited positive reputation and community recognition. In addition, 60% expressed confidence in their organization’s strong financial management and transparency.

The top challenges facing affiliates lie on the membership side. Two-thirds of the sample identified attracting, engaging, and retaining committee members and organizational leaders as a major challenge. Attracting, retaining, and engaging members followed closely behind, and nearly half of respondents noted that advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organization remains a challenge.

Collective Giving Resources

When it comes to finding support and inspiration for their work, respondents were most likely to rate as “very valuable”:

• webinars, podcasts, or workshops on philanthropy or community issues (52%); 
• conferences and other in-person gatherings (45%); and 
• materials created by other giving circles (39%).

Eighty-five percent reported that they use resources provided by Philanos. Other popular sources of support were:

•  community foundation or other host organizations (60%),

•  other giving circles (57%), and 

• research or advocacy organizations, such as BoardSource, the Women's Philanthropy Institute at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, or the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project (41%).

Philanos Resources

We’re delighted that 96% of respondents reported that they find Philanos resources very or somewhat valuable. Of the handful who did not, “I don’t know what resources are available,” was by far the most common reason. Among Philanos resources, webinars, conferences, and affinity groups were most likely to be rated “very valuable,” with A Table for Chairs, in particular, winning rave reviews. However, for almost every resource, a significant number of respondents reported that they were unfamiliar with it, suggesting that we have work to do. 

Adding Value

Finally, we asked: “As we look to the future, how do you think Philanos can best add value to your giving circle?” From the menu of options, respondents could pick up to five.

The overwhelming response was that affiliates want access to learning opportunities that directly support their work. The top choices were: 

• sharing best practices from across the network that can strengthen or enhance our programs and operations (88%); 
• providing expert content on collective giving and philanthropy (65%); and 
• facilitating informal peer learning and networking (52%). 

Significantly fewer numbers opted for broader roles, such as advocating for women’s collective giving and philanthropy in general.

Next Steps

We are still studying the survey data, as well as the many pages of thoughtful open-ended responses we received, but a few early directions have emerged.

First, we remain committed to providing top-notch content that helps leaders and emerging leaders with the heavy lift of running a giving circle. While we continue to welcome all members to participate in Philanos programs, we see our role primarily in terms of leadership development and support.

Second, we will continue to invest in building awareness and enhancing the impact of our programs. Over the coming months, we will be considering possible changes to our website and how we present and package content to make it more user-friendly and action-oriented.

Third, we will explore interest in content that meets varied needs. As the Philanos network has grown, we have welcomed groups with a wide range of missions, membership models, grantmaking strategies, and more. We believe the diversity of our affiliates is one of our greatest strengths, and we welcome the opportunity to deepen learning across the Philanos network.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who took the time to complete the affiliate survey and help us strengthen our work. If you have questions or feedback on this project, please reach out to us or to any member of the Philanos board.

Philanos: Empowering Women’s Collective Giving to Strengthen Communities

Philanos champions the idea that when women pool their resources, knowledge and networks, they create a profound and lasting impact. Each giving circle operates independently, but together they form a powerful alliance that enables women to amplify their voices and investments in the causes that matter most to them.

To support the affiliates, Philanos offers a robust slate of programs designed to educate, connect and inspire. These include a seasonal webinar series hosted every second Tuesday at noon ET, as well as various affinity groups tailored to specific roles and interests, such as communications, grantmaking, membership, technology, leadership, and young professionals. These forums foster dynamic conversations, spark collaboration and promote shared learning.

The organization’s national conferences are a highlight, drawing hundreds of giving circle members and philanthropic thought leaders from across the country for three days of rich dialogue, networking and strategic learning. The next one, PowerUP! Texas is scheduled for February 8-12, 2026 in Austin, promising new opportunities to build membership, community and grantmaking.

Philanos also facilitates one-on-one connections between members, encouraging meaningful exchange of challenges, solutions and lessons learned. Through its Affiliate Portal, members can easily access these resources and stay informed about the latest tools and updates.

Each giving circle should have a designated Philanos liaison, or bundle administrator, who serves as the bridge between their circle and the national network. These liaisons ensure timely communication regarding affiliation renewals, board voting and profile updates, while also guiding members through the array of available Philanos offerings.

With its steadfast commitment to equity, education, and community engagement, Philanos is redefining philanthropy by centering women’s leadership and collaboration. As more women come together to give, they are not only addressing local needs—they are shaping a more inclusive and empowered future for all.

To learn more or get involved, visit philanos.org.

Our Board has selected Austin, Texas for the next national convening of Philanos affiliates, friends and partners - PowerUP! Texas.  Our reasons were many, but they fit into two broad categories – one that is anchored in our values (heart), and another based on logic (head).

These are our heartfelt reasons: 

• We are a national network that advances and empowers women’s collective giving to strengthen communities, especially underserved ones. 
• Our Philanos values are: Inclusion, Learning, Trust and Collaboration. The order in which they are listed is important because our work does not happen in isolation.  We need to create the right culture and bonds.
• It starts with building individual relationships based in empathy and trust, which blossom into organizational partnerships – which can lead to collaboration and change.

We are inviting our Philanos members and conference attendees to: 

• Lean into Allyship – each of us has freedoms and privileges, and we are going to stand with our Texas colleagues as they support vulnerable groups – women and children who have a right to essential health care, and a diverse population statewide which is 60% people of color and has the 10^th highest poverty rate in the country.

• Engage in Courageous Conversations – to learn from each other and find areas of consensus where we can collaborate for progress.

• Support and Lift up Each Other – we need everyone to pull together to achieve our collective goals.

We have been preparing for this – re-examining our mission and values, developing new competencies and building coalitions. Now is the time to exercise our courage and live our values.

There are also logical and financial reasons:

• We move our conference to different regions of the country every other year –the last two have been in Seattle (West coast), Baltimore (East coast), and it is time to hold one in a central location, like Austin.
• We look for a region with multiple engaged, willing and sizable circles for our collaborative hosting model, which will increase attendance and sponsorships, and where the national conference will have an enduring impact.
• We select a host city which is accessible, welcoming and offers many cultural attractions.
• Texas is one of the 16 under-resourced states in the South Central and Mountain West regions for which we received a generous, multi-year Fidelity Charitable Catalyst Fund grant to bring more philanthropic attention and funds. 

We can think of no greater attention we can bestow than to bring our national conference right here.

We hope you will join us for our PowerUP! Texas National Conference in Austin from Feb 8-10, 2026!

The Philanos Board of Directors

Recommended Reading:

The Big We by Hali Lee. How Giving Circles Unlock Generosity, Strengthen Community and Make Change. In 2021, Hali Lee was named to Forbes’ 50 Over 50: 

Impact, in recognition of her work as a cofounder of the Donors of Color Network, the first-ever national network of wealthy folks of color, a co-creator of Philanthropy Together, a national collective giving support organization, and as founder of the Asian Women Giving Circle.

Recently published, this book draws on Hali’s deep knowledge of giving circles and collective giving and challenges traditional charitable giving. This book succinctly makes the case that philanthropy is accessible for everyone.

Crickett Woloson: 2025 Colleen Willoughby Award Recipient

A Visionary in Trust-Based Philanthropy

Crickett Woloson, an avid runner, recently participated in a marathon where a participant’s tee shirt read “hard but difficult,” which resonated with her.  Still, as she added, things can be challenging, rewarding, and not executed perfectly, all at the same time.  These words describe how she navigated and ultimately became an impactful force in the philanthropic landscape of Baltimore through pioneering initiatives that integrate social justice, racial equity, and trust-based philanthropy (TBP) into the city’s funding ecosystem. As a leading visionary in the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle (BWGC), she has co-chaired a team that has played a pivotal role in reshaping its values, streamlining grantmaking processes, and elevating its reputation within the greater Baltimore community.

Challenging the Status Quo in Philanthropy

Beyond her work with BWGC, Crickett and her husband founded the Elbow Fund, a donor-advised fund dedicated to supporting Baltimore’s Black-led nonprofits through trust-based principles. The Elbow Fund focuses on leadership development, mentoring, and strategic planning for social change organizations. The fund fosters grassroots leadership and increases investment in historically underfunded initiatives by prioritizing direct community engagement.

Her early advocacy for TBP placed her ahead of many in the philanthropic sector, positioning the BWGC and the Elbow Fund as trailblazers in equity-driven grantmaking. Her contributions were nationally recognized when she presented on TBP at the 2023 Philanos annual conference in Baltimore.

Extending Impact Beyond the Giving Circle

Since joining BWGC in 2009, Crickett has served in multiple leadership roles, including founding co-chair of the Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) Committee, established in response to the 2020 racial justice movement. She also co-chaired the Nominating and Leadership Committee and served on the Steering Committee, guiding the organization through challenging yet necessary conversations about equity in philanthropy.

Through her dedication, Crickett helped implement key initiatives such as revising the BWGC’s mission and values, developing equity-centered programming, and launching a Grants Learning Laboratory. These efforts reshaped BWGC’s approach to funding, increasing engagement with community-led organizations and adopting more equitable grantmaking practices.

Addressing Critical Needs in Baltimore

Baltimore’s Black-led nonprofits receive disproportionately low funding from traditional philanthropic sources. Recognizing this gap, Crickett has made it her mission to bridge the divide by fostering partnerships between funders and community leaders. As Director of the Elbow Fund, she identifies and uplifts emerging Black leaders, mentors them, and removes systemic barriers to funding and resources.

Her dedication extends beyond financial support. Crickett has facilitated educational programs and collaborative opportunities between grassroots organizations and institutional funders by leveraging relationships built over years of deep community engagement. This has strengthened the infrastructure of Black-led nonprofits and empowered them to drive sustainable change in their communities.

Philanthropic Collaboration and Leadership

Crickett’s commitment to collective giving is exemplified through her support of CLLCTIVLY, a Black-led organization that fosters collaboration and resource mobilization for social impact groups in Baltimore. Through the Elbow Fund, she has co-developed groundbreaking funding initiatives, including:

• Hand-in-Hand & Round of Applause Awards (2024) – Recognizing and funding ten organizations modeling deep collaboration and liberatory practices, with an additional $100,000 in community-directed grants distributed across 30 organizations.

• Solidarity Awards (2023) – Partnering with CLLCTIVLY for the annual CLLCTIVGIVE event, providing unrestricted funding to 15 organizations committed to racial justice and community empowerment.

Personal Journey in Philanthropy

Crickett’s philanthropic philosophy evolved through personal reflection and education. Her exposure to Baltimore’s systemic inequities led her to embrace community-driven solutions. Her participation in B’more Invested further reinforced her commitment to participatory grantmaking, where community representatives, rather than institutional donors, determine funding allocations. This model has redefined how philanthropy operates in Baltimore, ensuring that those closest to the challenges have the power to implement solutions.

Legacy of Impact: Crickett Woloson’s Transformative Philanthropy

Crickett Woloson’s work is a testament to the power of intentional, trust-based philanthropy. Baltimore’s nonprofit sector has leaned toward equity, collaboration, and community-driven decision-making through her leadership, creating a more inclusive and effective philanthropic ecosystem.

At the heart of her approach is Collective Giving, a model that fosters diverse perspectives, encourages shared decision-making, and sparks creativity. For Crickett, collective giving isn’t just about funding—it’s about bringing people together, inspiring social connection, and deepening their understanding of their communities. Centering the perspectives of both grantees and members ensures that philanthropy is a continuous learning process that builds trust and creates lasting impact.

Crickett has been incredibly passionate about the potential for giving circles, to offer more than just financial contributions—they create educational opportunities, collaboration, and empowerment opportunities. Women in giving circles gain insight into their communities' realities, form meaningful connections, and work collectively toward sustainable change.

Receiving this award reflects the collective effort behind the Giving Circle. “The work we’ve done took time, trust, and a commitment to listening,” Crickett shares. “It wasn’t a straight line, but we built something meaningful together.” She emphasizes that philanthropy thrives when decision-making is shared, voices are heard, and adaptability is embraced. Her leadership continues to inspire funders and changemakers, proving that philanthropy led by trust becomes a catalyst for lasting social impact.

5 Reasons to Attend Philanos Affinity Groups - Join Us!

Philanos offers affiliates opportunities to connect with each other through its four Affinity Groups. A 

Table for Chairs is a closed group and provides a forum for affiliate giving circle co-chairs to exchange ideas and expertise concerning leadership challenges.

All other Affinity Groups are open to affiliate members. Affinity Groups meet via Zoom for one hour from 12:00 Noon (ET) until 1:00 PM (ET). Registration is required and is available via email sent to affiliates and on the Philanos website. Click on the links below to learn more about these Affinity Groups.

Philanos encourages all affiliates to share information and registration details for upcoming Philanos Affinity Group meetings with their members.

5 Reasons to Attend Philanos Affinity Groups

1. Grow Your Leadership Pipeline - Encourage all your members to attend. Affinity Groups are not for current leaders only. New members, long-standing members, members of committees and members interested in the women’s collective giving movement - all benefit from learning about the challenges and successes of other circles.
2. Your Circle is not Alone - Learn how other circles face the challenges you are confronting. Ask your questions in an informal setting. Curious how other circles recruit and retain members? Interested in the software other circles use for grants? Maybe you have a question about the best ways to communicate with your members. Affinity Groups are the perfect forum for these topics and more.
3. Stop Reinventing The Wheel - Save your energy and borrow from what other circles have already done successfully. Maybe it’s a strategic plan. Or, maybe it’s an anniversary celebration. Ask your questions! Affinity Groups allow you to learn how other circles have done it and even give you a roadmap to get there.
4. Expand Your Reach - Hear what other circles are doing to engage their members, connect with their local communities and celebrate their successes. Learn about website design. Hear how circles find support from local businesses. Find out how circles are going beyond the check.
5. Make Priceless Connections - Meet other philanthropic women making impacts in their local communities. Then, keep the connection alive by staying in touch after the session. And, meet in person at the next Philanos Conference!

Affinity Groups for Philanos Affiliates

• Philanos Affiliate Comms Club - Comms Club meets the 4th Tuesday of every other month. Join the conversation when we discuss issues and ideas for strengthening communications in your giving circle.
• Philanos Affiliate Tech Talk - Tech Talk meets the 3rd Thursday of every other month. Come share your questions and ideas about software and tech platforms for your giving circle.
• Philanos Affiliate Membership Roundtable - Membership Roundtable meets the 3rd Tuesday of every other month. Participate in this forum to discuss issues concerning membership in your giving circle.
• Philanos Affiliate A Table for Chairs - a confidential forum for affiliate giving circle chairs to share ideas and expertise with leadership challenges
• Philanos Affiliate Young Philanthropist Cohort - of 12-15 Philanos Affiliates will participate in 3 sessions.
• Philanos Affiliate Staff Chat - a confidential forum for affiliate giving circle paid staff only to share ideas, challenges and expertise.
• Philanos Affiliate Grantmakers - Grantmakers will meet bi-monthly to discuss grantmaking in your giving circle.

Philanos is pleased to announce Crickett Woloson, Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle, as the 2025 recipient of The Willoughby Award. This is awarded on International Women’s Day in honor of Colleen Willoughby to recognize a member of a Philanos Affiliate who has used her collective giving experience to take philanthropy and leadership in new directions in her local community.

Colleen Willoughby challenged the status quo of traditional philanthropy 25 years ago when she found it deeply troubling that women did not have an organized vehicle for using their own money to invest in their communities. Through collective giving, she inspired women to find and amplify their voices today, tomorrow and for the future.

Crickett Woloson has been a leading visionary in the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle for incorporating social justice and DEI Initiatives in the Circle’s values. She also led the Circle’s efforts to introduce Trust-Based Philanthropy into their grantmaking before many of its members had heard of the term. “Our Circle has benefited from her vision - working hard to streamline our grants process, educating members to the needs of smaller nonprofits, and overall enhancing our reputation in the greater Baltimore community,” shared her award nominators.

Crickett led her Circle through a series of workshops designed to rethink their mission, vision and values. She worked tirelessly to help other members understand the need to incorporate concepts of equity in the Circle’s approach to grantmaking. As an ardent believer in honest dialogue, Crickett frequently quotes the adage, “If you want to travel fast, travel alone; if you want to travel far, travel together.”

Thanks to Crickett, the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle has traveled far - modifying their grants process, engaging with more community-led organizations and altering the voting process - and even more importantly they have traveled together. The Membership has overwhelmingly accepted initiatives leading to more equitable outcomes.

In addition to being an active leader for her own circle, Crickett and her husband created the Elbow Fund, using the principles of Trust-Based Philanthropy to support Black-led nonprofits in Baltimore and support an underfunded philanthropic group. Through this fund, she strives to create positive social change in Baltimore by partnering with proven and passionate community leaders of Black-led organizations. This work includes identifying leaders through primary research and diligence, listening to and mentoring their partners and creating strategies to remove barriers. The Elbow Fund has enhanced the efforts of the community groups doing this work and through partnerships, raised the awareness of and need for investments in this work.

Crickett also uses her time and financial resources to actively support CLLCTIVLY, a Black-led organization founded in 2019 with a mission to foster collaboration, increase social impact and amplify the voices of Black-led organizations in greater Baltimore.

Just as Colleen Willoughby challenged the status quo of traditional philanthropy, Crickett has challenged herself to apply collective giving principles to address the needs within her community. “I am now much more intentional and strategic about which organizations the Elbow Fund supports, and how those organizations are chosen,” she said. “I became a student of participatory grantmaking and was determined that future grantmaking would be collaborative and collectively driven by members of the communities impacted by the barriers imposed by the systems all around us.”

Congratulations Crickett on a well-deserved award!

The Willoughby Award is sponsored by Colleen S. Willoughby, and Past Philanos Board Member Dale Clifford, in honor of her mother Laura Egerton Lothrop.

View past recipients, here.