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.

Celebrating Women’s History Month With a Look at Women’s Philanthropy

March is the celebration of Women’s History Month and the theme this year is "Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations".  Doing this through philanthropy is one way to meet this goal.  Women have long played a pivotal role in philanthropy, and collective giving groups exemplify this influence. 

According to the Johnson Center Report entitled “In Abundance: An Analysis of the Thriving Landscape of Collective Giving in the U.S.”, 84% of collective giving groups report that more than half of their membership consists of women, with 60% composed entirely of women. 

As we are aware, for many women in collective giving circles, their participation goes beyond charitable giving—it is about sisterhood and shared values. According to the report, nearly half (43%) of collective giving group leaders identify their organization’s core identity as rooted in womanhood. Women in these groups contribute financially, serve on boards, volunteer, and advocate for the nonprofits they support. These spaces offer a platform for leadership development, enabling women to expand their roles in philanthropy while transforming the broader landscape of giving.

Collective giving was first recognized as a women’s philanthropy movement in the early 2000s, and its influence has only grown since then. Women’s foundations and funds have been described as “change agents” due to their community-oriented focus and emphasis on outcomes. Their giving extends beyond financial contributions; it fosters education, confidence, and deeper involvement in philanthropy. 

As collective giving continues gaining momentum, its influence shapes the broader philanthropic landscape. Women-led groups are increasingly adopting trust-based philanthropy, emphasizing long-term relationships with nonprofit organizations and reducing barriers to funding. These groups provide critical financial support to communities and create networks of empowerment and solidarity among women. By fostering leadership skills and promoting shared philanthropic goals, collective giving groups are reshaping how philanthropy operates, ensuring that women’s voices remain at the forefront of impactful change.

Through collective giving, women are not just donors—they are leaders, advocates, and architects of a philanthropic movement that prioritizes community, inclusivity, and long-lasting impact.

We Are Stronger Together

The mission of Philanos is to support and strengthen women’s collective giving by offering our Philanos Affiliates unique educational and collaborative resources. Each of you as a Philanos Affiliate is committed to using these resources to make impactful grants to serve the most vulnerable within their local communities.

In spite of recent events, the Philanos Mission has not changed - nor will we waver from our mission. And we know that each of you remain deeply committed to the communities you serve.

What has changed in the past four weeks is the confusion, chaos and concern within the nonprofit sector, resulting from executive orders issued by the current administration. Philanos is horrified by the display of both cruelty and ignorance and the possibility of the long term negative impact for those we support.

We know how directly the past four weeks have affected all of you. 

You are closest to those doing the work on the ground and understand both the significant impact of recent events, as well as the likelihood of additional policy changes that will create unprecedented upheaval for those you serve. 

More than ever, we encourage you to support the needs you see in your communities and to support each other. 

Philanos is following the current situation closely and will provide ongoing updates and resource suggestions as they evolve. None of us has the answers we want today - or the answers we would like to hear. However, by sharing and collaborating amongst ourselves, we can stand in solidarity to address the resulting inequities.

On Tuesday, Philanos joined other members of the Philanthropy Together Braintrust in issuing a collective statement and offering some suggestions for positive action. Details can be found here. 

Things you can do as a Philanos Affiliate:

• Use the member portal on the Philanos website. We will be updating and adding resources as they become available. 

• Reach out to other Philanos Affiliates for ideas. 

• Post a statement for your own organization. 

• Check in with your grant recipients. 

• Review your grantmaking process and consider unrestricted amounts and perhaps a range of grant sizes for broader community support.

Collective giving and our philanthropic impact are some of the most powerful tools we have. We are absolutely stronger together.

Philanos Co-Chairs
On behalf of the Philanos Board of Directors

A Movement, Not a Moment: The Power of Giving Circles in Times of Need

Across the nation and around the world, giving circles unite people to pool their resources and invest in grassroots, community-based organizations. We are more than donors—we are neighbors, advocates, and changemakers. And as a people-powered philanthropic ecosystem, we are always listening.

Right now, we hear our nonprofit partners sounding the alarm. They are navigating devastating wildfires, funding cuts, and policies that threaten the very communities they serve. They are showing up every day for people in crisis. The question is: Will we show up for them?

The answer is clear:  We must.

Many of us may feel uncertain about what to do in moments like these. But collective giving was built for times of crisis. Giving circles remove barriers, move resources quickly, and stand in solidarity with those on the frontlines. Now is the time to take action.

What We Can Do—Together

1. Give Your Time & Talent → Show Up and Ask

• Pick up the phone. Call a nonprofit leader. Ask, What do you need today?

• Offer your skills. Are you a lawyer? Help navigate policy changes. A marketer? Spread their message. An organizer? Mobilize volunteers. Your time and expertise are just as valuable as dollars.

2. Give Your Treasure → Move Money, No Strings Attached

• Send funds now, no red tape. Giving circles have the power to mobilize unrestricted dollars immediately.

• Give bigger, stretch further. If you’ve ever considered increasing your giving, this is the moment to do it.

3. Give Your Testimony → Amplify Their Voices

• Share their stories. Who is doing critical work in your community? Post about them. Introduce them to funders. Bring them into conversations they’re too often left out of.

• Call your representatives. Advocate for policies that protect funding for grassroots organizations. Your voice carries weight. Use it.

4. Give Your Ties → Activate Your Network

• Rally your circle. Bring your friends, family, and colleagues into this movement.

• Leverage your influence. Whether you have ten followers or ten thousand, someone is listening to you. Make sure they hear this: Now is the time to give.

This is What We Do.

Giving circles exist for moments like this. We don’t wait, we don’t hesitate, and we don’t let grassroots leaders stand alone. Whether in times of quiet progress or urgent crisis, we show up.

And we will continue to do so. Stand with us. Share this message with your giving circle and confirm your commitment. Not part of a giving circle? Join us. 

In action and solidarity,

Philanthropy Together’s Network Braintrust

• 100 Who Care Alliance
• American Muslim Community Foundation
• Amplifier
• Black Funding Network
• Community Investment Network
• Grapevine
• Latino Community Foundation
• NEID Global
• Next Gen Giving Circle
• Philanos
• Radfund
• Social Venture Partners International
• Together Women Rise
• The Awesome Foundation
• The Funding Network
• The Funding Network Australia  
• The States Project

National Research Report from the Johnson Center, Colmena-Consulting, and Philanthropy Together

In Abundance: An Analysis of the Thriving Landscape of Collective Giving in the U.S. explores the transformative impact of collective giving on philanthropy. Practiced in cultures all around the world, collective giving brings people together to pool their resources, including time, talent, treasure, testimony, and ties — often referred to as the 5Ts. Groups like giving circles, SVP chapters, giving projects, and nonprofit-led circles have long served as democratic and philanthropic learning hubs — bringing historically marginalized voices into philanthropic decision-making spaces, challenging preconceived notions of who is considered a philanthropist, and elevating members as integral actors in our sector’s efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in giving.

A partnership between the Johnson Center, Colmena-Consulting, and Philanthropy Together, this report underscores collective giving groups’ role in reshaping philanthropic practices, fostering social connections, and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities.

Read the report

We are looking forward to our upcoming 2026 Philanos National Conference - PowerUP! Texas in Austin

With more than 300 women attending, representing circles throughout the country - we'll be sharing best practices for advocacy, sponsorships, membership recruitment, member engagement, grant making and so much more. 

We'll "See You in Austin"!

- Sandy Cook, Clare O'Brien, and Ann Marie McGee, PowerUP! Texas National Conference Co-Chairs

Conference Overview

“PowerUP! Texas: The Spark Igniting Collaboration” is Philanos’ 3-day national Conference for visionary leaders in women's collective giving who believe in the power of women’s collective giving to create impact in local communities.

• As the largest network of women’s collective giving groups, Philanos represents over 105 giving circles whose 21,500+ members have cumulatively granted $253 million in their local communities. 
• Attendees will be a national audience of more than 300 giving circle leaders and members, philanthropic advisors, and practitioners of trust-based and intentional philanthropy.
• Regional giving circles and networks of philanthropic organizations will join forces to host this event with the theme of “collaboration”.

Conference Sponsors

• 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. Interested in sponsoring the conference? Contact us!

Conference Agenda

• Breakout sessions will address best practices for innovative, inspiring, and inclusive collective giving as well as trends that affect philanthropic initiatives.
• Our speakers will address the power of collaborative grantmaking, best practices for innovative, inspiring, and inclusive collective giving, and trends that affect philanthropic initiatives.