June 2025

By Ann Marie McGee, Philanos Co-Chair

Collective giving is powered by a collective leadership model that our Philanos Affiliates embody every day. Rooted in collaboration, shared decision-making, and the belief that every member has a voice, collective leadership shapes not only our outcomes but our values. It remains a cornerstone for the kind of leadership our local communities need most—resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking.

What does collective leadership look like in “real life” for Philanos Affiliates?

Collective Power for Meaningful Change

Beginning with alignment around a common vision, affiliates harness the collective power of their “why” to drive and support meaningful and lasting changes in their communities.  It’s this unified sense of purpose that shapes how affiliates lead—together, intentionally, and with deep accountability to the communities they invest in.

It’s all about what unites us,” said Deb Brackney, Board Chair of Impact100 Metro Denver. “In the face of economic and social uncertainty, our Mission, Vision, and Values keep us grounded. They remind us that our strength lies in our shared purpose—and that together, our collective power can drive meaningful change.”

Collective Accountability and Adaptability

Results matter. Giving circles are guided by shared responsibilities, with each member playing an active role in advancing the collective mission. Holding members accountable for both progress and integrity ensures that actions align with values. By valuing multiple voices—including diverse perspectives, deep expertise, and lived experiences— both decision-making and impact are deepened. Continuous learning and both a readiness and willingness to adapt to changing needs are essential to sustaining meaningful and responsive leadership.

Collective Action: Moving Forward Together

In a world facing increasingly complex challenges, collective action is not just an ideal—it’s a necessity. It means bringing people together with different experiences, talents, and ideas, and working toward a common purpose. At Philanos, we see this in action every day through our affiliates: members coming together to make decisions, support one another, and drive impact in their communities. Collective action is rooted in trust, shared leadership, and the belief that when we move together, we move further. This is how we not only respond to the moment—but shape the future.

“In times of uncertainty and shifting policies, collective action matters more than ever. At Impact 100 Redwood Circle, we stand with our nonprofit grantees—not just in funding, but in partnership. We support their missions, amplify their voices, and volunteer our time to help drive lasting impact.” — Linda Drew, President, Impact 100 Redwood Circle

We are Stronger Together

Together, Philanos Affiliates prove that collective leadership creates real, lasting change. Rooted in shared purpose and united in action, we are building stronger communities—one voice, one decision, one impact at a time.

It takes a special individual, business, or organization to understand the value of investing in the national women's collective giving movement by sponsoring the Philanos PowerUP! Texas 2026 National Conference. 

Taking place February 8-10, 2026 at The Austin Hilton, “PowerUP! Texas: The Spark Igniting Collaboration” is Philanos’ national Conference for visionaries who believe in the power of women’s collective giving to create impact in local communities. 

We are honored that businesses, individuals, and in particular, our own Affiliate giving circles have made a commitment to not only attend PowerUP! Texas, but to be proud, visible sponsors. Philanos Affiliates gain the most from our network, so it makes sense that they are choosing to invest in this important conference.

The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County, Maryland is one of them.

“I am thrilled that the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is sponsoring our Philanos PowerUP! Conference again!” said Barb Van Winkle, Immediate Past Chair of the WGC, and Treasurer of Philanos. “We were a sponsor of PowerUP! Baltimore as well because Philanos is very important to us and the learning, sharing, networking, and connecting is extremely valuable.”

Philanos hosts the national Conference to advance collective giving and the impact of women’s philanthropy. In Austin, 30 education sessions and keynote speakers will:

• Explore new ways of approaching collective giving to increase effective responses to community needs and  fostering systemic change

• Share best practices in operations, marketing, governance and leadership 

• Discuss trends that affect philanthropy, and 

• Provide information about establishing, running, and scaling a giving circle

Sessions and content will be shared on social media and Philanos’ website with the 20,000+ women in Philanos’ networkand400+ leaders in women’s collective giving groups and other women philanthropists, philanthropic organizations, foundations, and local nonprofits will meet in-person.

“We are honored to have our giving circle sponsor this important gathering of leaders in collective giving!” said Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, WGC Executive Director and co-Chair of the Philanos Communications Committee. “WGC leadership has chosen to visibly support and invest in PowerUP! Texas in addition to having our leaders attend because it is such an important time in the growth of our circle, and the movement.”

Interested in having your giving circle sponsor the conference? Learn more here and contact Philanos Development Committee Chair Heather Jauregui: hjauregui@philanos.org. 

Join us in being the spark that ignites collaboration and supports women’s collective giving!  

Meet the Philanos 2025-2026 Board of Directors and Governance Committee

View Board Bios Here 

Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz - Women's Giving Circle of Howard County, MD
Susan Benford - The Philanthropy Connection, MA; Impact100 Philadelphia
Demetria George Caston - Community Investment Network, TX
Nina Cohen - Impact100 South Jersey
Sandy Cook - Impact100 Metro Denver; Women's Giving Alliance of Northeast FL
Stephanie Cook - San Diego Women's Foundation
Michelle Cottrell - Women's Impact Fund, NC
Alisa Evans Debnam - Women's Giving Circle of Cumberland County, NC
Maggie Glasgow - Greenville Women Giving, SC
Renee Gordon  - Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle 
Michelle Hynes - ninety-nine girlfriends, OR
Heather Jauregui - Idaho Women's Charitable Foundation
Mary Kwak - Many Hands, DC
Ann Marie McGee - Impact 100 Redwood Circle, CA
Clare O'Brien - Impact 100 Cincinnati & Asian Women Giving Circle
Maureen Romito - Impact Las Vegas
Kalí  Rourke - Impact Austin
Renuka Sastri - 100 Women Strong at Central Florida Fdn
Kirsten Stanley - Impact 100 Palm Beach County, FL
Barb Van Winkle - Women's Giving Circle of Howard County, MD
Tyeshia "Ty" Wilson - HERitage Giving Fund, TX
Sarah Wimberley - Board Member-At-Large, PA

Philanos Executive Committee
Co-Chairs:

Clare O'Brien - Impact 100 Cincinnati & Asian Women Giving Circle
Ann Marie McGee - Impact 100 Redwood Circle, CA
Renuka Sastri - 100 Women Strong at Central Florida Fdn

Secretary:

Renee Gordon - Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle  

Treasurer:

Barb Van Winkle - Women's Giving Circle of Howard County, MD

Immediate Past Co-Chair:

Sandy Cook - Impact100 Metro Denver; Women's Giving Alliance of Northeast FL

Philanos Governance Committee:

Maureen Romito - Impact Las Vegas, NV
Celeste Campos - Impact100 Garden State, NJ 
Nikki Emanuel-Jarrell – Women’s Impact Fund, NC
Debra Brackney – Impact100 Metro Denver, CO
Becky MacDonald – Nevada Women’s Philanthropy, NV
Suzanne Thoeni – Impact 100 Garden State, NJ
Leanne Wagner – Impact100 Philadelphia, PA 

At the Annual Meeting on May 13 of Greenville Women Giving they awarded $508,250 to seven local non-profits in Greenville County.

Congratulations to these outstanding organizations: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate, Conestee Nature Preserve, Greenville Theatre, New Morning, Project Host, Rebuild Upstate, and Triune Mercy Center.

Over the last 19 years, GWG has grown to over 500 members and has awarded over $9 million in 159 grants to 92 organizations.

GWG invites all women to join us in continuing to make an impact on our community: Giving Collectively | Granting Strategically | Growing a Greater Greenville. greenvillewomengiving.org

Giving circles are changing communities around the world. Imagine the power and impact of teaming up with others in this growing movement — in regional areas — with shared values and a commitment to making the world a better place.

That's why Philanos is proud to be partnering with Philanthropy Together, Grapevine and Community Investment Network to host CircleUp gatherings around the country as part of our Fidelity Charitable Catalyst Fund grant.

In close collaboration with foundations, giving circles, and networks, CircleUps bring together giving circles and those interested in participating in collective giving in the area for networking, learning and fun!

That vision is why Albuquerque Community Foundation is partnering with Philanos, Philanthropy Together, and United Way of North Central New Mexico to bring the first CircleUp event to New Mexico on July 24 in Albuquerque.

During CircleUp New Mexico: Partnering for Community Resiliency, participants will learn about the fastest growing form of philanthropy and hear what other collective giving groups in the area are up to. They will also learn how their work is fueling a growing local movement firsthand through a pop-up giving circle.

"We are proud to collaborate with our philanthropy partners and local nonprofits to elevate awareness of collective giving, and to drive more funding to New Mexico’s dedicated and resilient community-based organizations." said Clare O'Brien, Philanos Co-Chair. "We are excited for the learning, relationship-building and live grant making that will happen at our CircleUp in Albuquerque and we hope many people will join us!"

The New Mexico CircleUp event is free and open to all giving circle members, community leaders, nonprofit professionals, funders, and anyone looking to learn more about or join the movement. The event will take place Thursday, July 24 from 6-8 p.m. at FBT Architects, 500 Marquette Avenue NW, 15th Floor, Albuquerque. Participants should register at philanthropytogether.org/circleup-newmexico/

WGA Reaches More Than $10M in Grants!

In a historic moment that was announced at May’s Member Forum, WGA has reached (and exceeded) $10 million in grantmaking. With the addition of the $612,500 awarded to 10 regional nonprofits this year, the cumulative grant amount from the last 24 years is $10.2 million, awarded to nearly 80 area nonprofits. This exemplary number demonstrates the enormous impact of WGA’s strategic philanthropy and the amazing contributions of its members. Currently, WGA has 408 members and an endowment of more than $6.1 million. Thank you to every single member for selflessly giving of time, talent, and treasure. Read more

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!

June 17 - (Affinity Group) Grantmakers - Grant Decisions and Award Events July 15 - (Affinity Group) Membership Roundtable - Young Philanthropists July 22 - (Affinity Group) Comms Club - Thinking About Communications Committee July 29 - (Affinity Group) Philanos 101 - Who is Philanos & What Resources are available

Recently Recorded Events Comms Club - Organizing Circle Communications Membership Roundtable - Metrics Continued Grantmakers - Local Funding Challenges Tech Talk - Tackling the Necessary but Small Stuff

Webinar Recordings:  5/13/25 - Philanos and Collective Giving 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

As the Philanos year comes to a close at the end of this month, we want to recognize and say thank you to our Board of Directors and our committees. It has been a year to remember - one of collaboration, growth and resilience. It truly takes a village to serve and support the Philanos Network of more than 105 giving circle affiliates.

With the year end, we also specifically want to acknowledge those leaders who will be leaving the Philanos Board and Governance Committee, in addition to some changing leadership roles. 

Amy Conard will be stepping off the Philanos Board, after 3 years of leading our Technology Committee and our popular “Tech Talk” Affinity Group. We will miss her quiet leadership and her willingness to so generously share her time and talent.

Maggie Glasgow will be leaving her role as Immediate Past Board Co-Chair where we have all benefited from her careful listening and vast knowledge of women’s giving circles. Maggie will remain on the Philanos board for 2025-2026 and we are even more grateful that she is serving as Program Co-Chair for our national conference, PowerUP! Texas to be held in Austin, February 8-10, 2026.

Sandy Cook will be stepping into Maggie’s role as Immediate Past Board Co-Chair and will also be serving with her as Program Co-Chair for PowerUP! Texas. Sandy’s decades of collective giving experience and her collaborative nature ensure that the year ahead will be one of exceptional promise.

Our elected Governance Committee will be saying goodbye to Margo Greenfield and Kimberley Kirn. In addition, Renuka Sastri will be stepping down as Governance Vice Chair and moving to a new role as Philanos Board Co-Chair. The Governance Committee ensures effective governance of the Philanos Network, by serving as an advisor to the Philanos Board and making recommendations throughout the year as necessary, for various due diligence functions. 

These women inspire us all through their personal passion for collective giving, their unselfish leadership and their compassion for those served by the impact of the Philanos Network of giving circles.

Thank you, Amy, Maggie, Sandy, Margo, Kim and Renuka.

We Are Stronger Together!

Sandy Cook, scook@philanos.org 
Clare O'Brien, cobrien@philanos.org 
Ann Marie McGee, amcgee@philanos.org

PHILANOS EVENTS

• June 17 - (Affinity Group) Grantmakers - Grant Decisions and Award Events

• July 15 - (Affinity Group)  Membership Roundtable - Young Philanthropists

• July 22 - (Affinity Group) Comms Club - Thinking About Communications Committee

• July 29 - (Affinity Group)  Philanos 101 - Learn About All Things Philanos

PHILANOS NEWS & RESOURCES

• Spotlight Awards - Nominate Now! What does transformational change look like in action? Discover how the Philanos Spotlight Awards shine a light on the power of collective giving—and meet the changemakers setting new standards for what meaningful impact can be. Learn more here

• Philanos Adds Young Philanthropist Affinity Group - This Fall! 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. Learn more here

• A Table For Chairs - Apply Now! For the fourth year, Philanos will be offering this valuable program to support board chairs! Interest is high, space is limited, so don't miss out. Submit your application here

• CircleUps - Latest News! Philanos is proud to continue to partner with Philanthropy Together, Grapevine and Community Investment Network to host CircleUp gatherings around the country as part of our Fidelity Charitable Catalyst Fund grant. Learn more here

• Philanos U - Summer is a great time to catch up on recent Philanos programs covering a variety of topics such as collective giving, women in philanthropy, communications, and grants. Check out Philanos U and consider it your summering viewing and reading list!

• Philanos PowerUP! 2026 Conference - Plan to Join Us! PowerUP! Texas National Conference in Austin will be held February 8-10, 2026. Early Bird Registration opens September 1! Learn more about the conference and why we are excited to go to Austin! Are you and/or is your circle interested in being a sponsor? Learn more 

PHILANOS AFFILIATES IN THE NEWS

• Philanos Affiliates in the News - Learn how Philanos Affiliates are driving change through local grants, impactful partnerships and women's empowerment - collective giving that's having an impact on local communities throughout the country. Read more 

• • Take a Look: Renee Gordon/BWGC Speaker on AFP Maryland EmpowerHER Panel, May 28, 2025

• Philanos Can Highlight Your Efforts - 5 Ways! Have you made a new round of grants? Did you host an event recently? Are you partnering with others on a project? Are you celebrating an anniversary? Were you highlighted in the media? Let us know at media@philanos.org and we'll help to spread the word! Learn more  

• • Find Out More: Barb Van Winkle/WGC Keynotes at BWGC Donor Forum, May 5, 2025

Celebrating Transformational Change: Philanos Spotlight Awards
The deadline for submissions is November 3, 2025. The application and additional information can be found here.

Across the country and beyond, Philanos affiliates are demonstrating the powerful impact of high-stakes, transformational grantmaking. These changemakers are not only supporting vital community nonprofits; they are also reshaping the way communities thrive through strategic investment. To honor this outstanding work, Philanos proudly presents the Spotlight Awards.

The Spotlight Awards will be presented at Philanos’ PowerUP! Texas National Conference, being held in Austin, TX, February 8 - 10, 2026. The awards recognize grants that go beyond financial support to drive deep, lasting transformation and significantly alter the trajectory of a grantee organization, significantly enhance the impact of a grantmaking affiliate, or create measurable positive change in a community.

Each Philanos affiliate is invited to nominate one standout grant that exemplifies this spirit. The goal is to showcase the ripple effect of powerful, intentional philanthropy. Whether it be a program that expands access to critical services, empowers underserved populations, or reimagines systems to be more inclusive and effective.

Awardees receive more than a moment of recognition; they are featured in Philanos media channels, providing a national platform to share their stories, amplify their missions, and inspire others in the collective giving space. 

The deadline for submissions is November 3, 2025. The application and additional information can be found here.

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.