African American Women’s Giving Circle (AAWGC)
Hosted by the Washington Area Women’s Foundation
WHAT IS THE AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN’S GIVING CIRCLE?
Established in 2004, the African American Women’s Giving Circle (AAWGC or the Circle) is a charitable fund that
cultivates philanthropy among Washington DC Metropolitan Area African American women. AAWGC pools the
monetary contributions of its members to support member-identified local nonprofits serving the needs of African
American women and girls. The Circle is hosted by the Washington Area Women’s Foundation.
GIVING CIRCLE MISSION
To cultivate philanthropy among African American women and invest their resources in a way that will encourage
and sustain African American women-led organizations and support promising or effective projects that address
unmet needs of African American women and girls.
PRINCIPLES
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We are promoting philanthropy among women. We are maximizing our impact by pooling our resources.
Members make an annual donation of at least $1,000 + $100 to cover administrative support by September 1 via
Washington Area Women’s Foundation (WAWF) to participate in the year’s grant-making process.
All donations are welcome. Contributors who choose not to become Members will be acknowledged as Angel
Donors.
Members identify, vet, and select grantee organizations from the Washington DC Metropolitan Area nonprofit
community.
Members are encouraged to participate in sub-committees, and contribute their time and talents to our grantee
organizations.
WAWF accepts members’ and contributors’ donations and makes the grant awards on behalf of the Circle.
GRANT-MAKING GUIDELINES
The African American Women’s Giving Circle awards grants to organizations that:
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are located in the Washington DC metro-area, and serve African American women and girls who live, work or
study in Washington DC metro area;
are led by an African American woman at either the board or staff level;
demonstrate innovative and promising approaches to addressing the social and economic obstacles that are
barriers to success for African American women and girls;
use both a gender lens and an African American cultural lens to frame effective strategies and create valuable
opportunities for African American women and girls; and
have a sound mission and objectives for the organization’s impact.
African American Women’s Giving Circle
c/o The Washington Area Women’s Foundation * 1331 H Street, NW, Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20005 * Tel: 202.347.7737x203
AAWGCofDC@gmail.com * thewomensfoundation.org/donors * https://www.facebook.com/AAWGC * Twitter @AAWGC
GRANTS MADE & GRANTEES 2006-2014
To-date, the African American Women’s Giving Circle has made more than $226,000 in grants to area non-profit
organizations.
2014 Grantee
Breast Care for Washington, Inc.
Courtney’s House
Ramona’s Way
TOTAL AWARDED BY AAWGC in 2014
Award Amount
$3,000
$4,000
$1,000
$8,000
Area Served
DC
DC
DC
2013 Grantee
Arts for our Children
Breast Care for Washington, Inc.
Ramona’s Way
Southeast Ministry
TOTAL AWARDED BY AAWGC in 2013
Award Amount
$4,000
$3,000
$4,500
$3,000
$14,500
Area Served
DC
DC
DC
DC
2012 Grantee
Courtney’s House
Healthy Babies Project
Our Place DC
TOTAL AWARDED BY AAWGC in 2012
Award Amount
$4,000
$4,000
$4,000
$12,000
Area Served
DC
DC
DC
2011 Grantee
New Community for Children
Our Place DC
Petals for Primrose
TOTAL AWARDED BY AAWGC in 2011
Award Amount
$6,070
$6,070
$2,000
$14,140
Area Served
DC
DC
DC
2010 Grantee
New Community for Children
Our Place DC
Young Ladies of Tomorrow
High Tea Society
Petals for Primrose
TOTAL AWARDED BY AAWGC in 2010
Award Amount
$10,000
$10,000
$5,000
$2,000
$2,000
$29,000
Area Served
DC
DC
DC
DC
DC
2009 Grantee
Ascensions Community Services, Inc.
Cultural Academy for Excellence (CAFÉ)
Facilitating Leadership in Youth (FLY)
Parklands Community Center
Prince George’s Tennis and Education Foundation
Mautner Project
The Women’s Collective
TOTAL AWARDED BY AAWGC in 2009
Award Amount
$1,667
$5,000
$1,666
$10,000
$5,000
$5,000
$1,666
$30,000
Area Served
DC
PGC
DC
DC
PGC
DC
DC
2008 Grantee
Cultural Academy for Excellence (CAFÉ)
Prince George’s Tennis and Education Foundation
Award Amount
$10,000
$10,000
Area Served
PGC
PGC
African American Women’s Giving Circle
C/o The Washington Area Women’s Foundation * 1331 H Street, NW, Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20005 * Tel: 202.347.7737x203
AAWGCofDC@gmail.com * thewomensfoundation.org/donors * https://www.facebook.com/AAWGC * Twitter @AAWGC
TOTAL AWARDED BY AAWGC in 2008
$20,000
2007 Grantee
Ascensions Community Services, Inc.
Facilitating Leadership in Youth (FLY)
The Women’s Collective
TOTAL AWARDED IN 2007
Award Amount
$50,000
$7,000
$12,325
$69,325
Area Served
DC
DC
DC
2006 Grantee
Covenant House
Facilitating Leadership in Youth (FLY)
TOTAL AWARDED BY AAWGC in 2006
Award Amount
$5,000
$25,000
$30,000
Area Served
DC
DC
To learn more about the African American Women’s Giving Circle, please contact us at AAWGCofDC@gmail.com
African American Women’s Giving Circle
C/o The Washington Area Women’s Foundation * 1331 H Street, NW, Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20005 * Tel: 202.347.7737x203
AAWGCofDC@gmail.com * thewomensfoundation.org/donors * https://www.facebook.com/AAWGC * Twitter @AAWGC