The Marietta Community Foundation welcomed a new companion group, The Women’s Giving Circle. Formed late in 2016, the group focuses on increasing awareness and providing needed support for local women and children.

Members have been hard at work establishing the infrastructure needed to help area non-profits. With the Foundation’s guidance, The Women’s Giving Circle has designated sub-committees to develop internal and external communication plans as well as marketing and promotional initiatives to spread the word to non-profits in need and recruit new members.

The group has also been working on the grant application process that will be used to award needed funds to non-profits within their initiative next year. Through membership fees collected annually, The Women’s Giving Circle hopes to have $11,000 to award through their first grant cycle next year.

 “Our donors come in many different forms – from those who are in a position to make generous monetary donations to those who devote hours and elbow grease and everyone in between,” said MCF President and CEO Heather Allender. “Companion groups like the Women’s Giving Circle offer the greatest chance to establish focused initiatives that receive the support needed to ensure success. We help these groups for as little or as long as needed before they become independent.”

As with other companion groups, the Marietta Community Foundation has worked closely with the Women’s Giving Circle while they establish their initial operations. Once ready, the Foundation will take a step back and allow the group to function independently while still benefitting from the Foundations services. The Foundation will continue to house their grant funds and provide invaluable connections to potential donors and worthy initiatives.

The Women’s Giving Circle will begin meeting monthly this September through May 2018 (excluding December) as they complete the necessary setup for their first major project. New members are always welcome to join the ranks of this exciting new initiative.