About The Women's Giving Circle 

What is a Giving Circle?

Giving circles are powerful ways to bring people together. They provide anyone at any giving level, in any place, giving to any kind of cause, with a way to come together to share and leverage the group money, skills and creativity. A giving circle makes giving a collaborative, social experience. Giving circles inspire, engage, educate, and build community

 

Why a Giving Circle at Federation?

In 2016 the Jewish Federation's Women's Philanthropy's Giving Circle was established. Portland was selected amongst 32 other Jewish organizations across the county to participate in Amplifier Giving's new Jewish Giving Circle program.

 

In Portland, we strive to build a network of empowered philanthropists whose experience with the Women’s Giving Circle can sustain and strengthen one’s philanthropic goals.  

 

History of Jewish Giving Circles - Nationally

After seeing the powerful impact that giving circles could have on both members and grant recipients, Natanlaunched Amplifier Giving (now part of Jewish Federations of North America – JFNA) in 2014, the product of a year of co-design work with dozens of partners, generously supported by the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies.

 

Natan is also a thought leader in the Jewish philanthropic world, serving as an authority on issues such as the need to fund Jewish innovation and social entrepreneurs, the emerging Jewish nonprofit “innovation ecosystem,” and the absolute necessity of creating new philanthropic vehicles that can reach and engage potential Jewish philanthropists.

 

Through the success of Natan and the partnership of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies and dozens of organizations across the Jewish philanthropic landscape Amplifier Giving became possible.

 

Amplifier Giving is The Jewish Giving Circle Movement.  It is a global network of giving circles motivated by Jewish values and inspired by change makers around the world. 

 

Amplifier Giving connects giving circles with supportive host organizations and nonprofits doing great work across a range of locations and issue areas.

 

Our Mission

The Women’s Giving Circle seeks to expand and improve opportunities and choices in all aspects of Jewish women and girl’s lives through strategic and effective grantmaking. The Women’s Giving Circle endeavors to empower women as leaders, funders, and decision makers.

 

Our Values

Equality (Betzelem Elohim—all of us are created equal)

We are an open and egalitarian community, where no one member has more power or influence because of her wealth, position, religious observance, age, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. We convene as a community of equals, united in our values.

 

Respect (Derech Eretz)

We listen carefully and respectfully to others.  We strive to create a safe place for provocative, confidential conversations about sensitive subjects, such as wealth, class, family dynamics, personal passions, Jewish identity, Jewish community, etc…

 

Inclusion (Eilu v’Eilu—"This and also this")

We are a pluralistic organization that values the richness of diversity and sees the opportunities for innovation and learning from conflict and divergent views. We promote shared inquiry, education, and informed action.

 

Partnership (Areyvut)

We strive to help to fund programs and projects that support our collective giving lenses. With humility, we facilitate relationships, connections, and learning to be more effective, and to think critically about the possibilities for—and implications of— our collective philanthropy.

 

The Jewish Giving Circle movement’s goal is to build a network that can sustain and strengthen one’s philanthropic goals.  

Our Participation Guidelines

  • New members are welcome to join annually in August. 
  • Meetings are 1.5 hours long except for the deliberations meeting which is 2.5-3 hours long. 
  • There is approximately one meeting per month (August – June).
  • Two minimum gifts 
    • A commitment of $1000-$2500 per person paid in full by October 2024. 
    • A minimum annual gift of $500 to the 2024 Annual Campaign for Community Needs. Pledges to the Annual Campaign to be made by June 30, 2024  and paid no later than December 31, 2024.
  • Members sign a new commitment form annually.
  • If a Member does not attend the Final Deliberations meeting, she agrees to:
    • Submit the results of her team site visit/due diligence in advance of the meeting.
    • To abide by all decisions rendered by the Women’s Giving Circle members in attendance at the Final Deliberations Meeting.

Chabad of Hillsboro received a grant and hosted this free to participants painting event for their Hillsboro's Women Circle