Women Making a Difference is a giving circle, a savvy group of women who band together to increase their giving power, and grants are supported by annual membership donations. Members make annual, tax-deductible donations between $250 and $2,500; membership is open to all women.

Modeled after book and investment clubs, giving circles are comprised of like-minded individuals who leverage their resources, time and energy to make an impact that supersedes the effort of a lone donor. This type of philanthropy has emerged as one of the fastest growing trends in charitable giving according to New Ventures in Philanthropy, a Washington, D.C.-based organization.

Women Making a Difference, like many giving circles, funnels membership dues into a donor-advised fund managed by the local community foundation. Women Making a Difference pays one percent of annual contributions to the Coastal Community Foundation for its managerial and related resources; 85% of funds go directly to grants; 10% of funds go into Women Making a Difference’s endowment fund to insure future giving; four percent is reserved each year for expenses that are not covered via donations; however, this money is added to the grant pool if it is not used within the grant cycle.

“Believe me,” says Tish Lynn of the Coastal Community Foundation, “Women Making a Difference is still cutting edge. The rest of the country is just now catching up and talking about giving circles. Truly, you have made it possible for women to be philanthropic in a very special way.”