Philanos’ mission is to support and strengthen women's collective giving organizations through education and collaboration designed to promote women's philanthropy and informed, impactful grantmaking in communities.

We’ve had a successful year catalyzing the women’s collective giving movement by connecting women's giving circles and providing support, resources, events, peer-to-peer sharing, and educational programming.

Here are 10 highlights of our collective efforts this year:

1. Philanos Affiliate Membership Growth – We’ve grown to 100+ affiliate members around the country and internationally collectively learning and sharing to strengthen our network.

2. Philanos Affiliate Collective Giving Growth – Our 100+ affiliates have collectively given over $232M in their local communities since their inception.

3. Philanos Leadership Growth – We have 3 new Board members and 11 new committee members helping to lead and grow our organization for the future.

4. Philanos Collective Learning – We hosted 8 webinars that focused on membership, communication, governance, and grantmaking and that had an overall attendance of 700+. 

5. Philanos Collective Sharing – We have 5 Affinity groups that held over 12 gatherings throughout the year that encouraged interaction among over 500 affiliate peers.

6. Philanos Collective Celebrating – We continue to celebrate the groundbreaking work of Colleen S. Willoughby through our Willoughby Award. Nominations close by Feb. 1 - nominate a woman who is a changemaker in your community!

7. Philanos Partnership with the Fidelity Charitable Catalyst Fund - We continue to expand our work through our Fidelity Catalyst Fund partnership, which has enhanced our efforts to engage new affiliates, enhance our organizational partnerships, and grow collective giving among BIPOC groups in under-funded areas across the country, which includes much of the work outlined below. 

8. Philanos Communities of Practice – We had 16 Philanos Affiliates who participated in our Young Philanthropist Cohort that met 3 times to learn and share together, and will meet again in 2025.

9. Philanos CircleUps - We partnered with Philanthropy Together, Grapevine, the Community Investment Network, and many local organizations to host seven CircleUps around the country that brought over 380 funders, nonprofit leaders and donors together to encourage the growth of giving circles.

10. Philanos Network Collaboration Growth– We continue to partner with local, regional, and national networks and their members to support and grow collaborative giving, including new network partners: Latino Giving Circle Network®, Rose Community Foundation, and the Arizona Community Foundation.

We look forward to continued learning, sharing, collaborating, celebrating, partnership and growth as we focus on building and supporting the women’s collective giving movement in 2025.

Have something to add? Let us know! Email us with any other thoughts about Philanos in 2024.

Sandy Cook, Clare O’Brien, Ann Marie McGee 
Philanos Co-Chairs