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.

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.