The Art of Giving
The Art of Giving seeks grant applicants through July 23, 2012.
The mission of the fund is to address issues that affect women. In its 2012 grant cycle, The Art of Giving will be funding nonprofits and/or programs that impact the lives of women, that offer job-readiness training and that educate and empower women with the skills to sustain a stable life.
Details here!
Our February 2012 newsletter is now available here!
Check out photos from our February 2012 grants event here!
We all know that women have traditionally made tremendous contributions to the strength and vitality of their families and communities, often making a difference in quiet, unheralded ways. Today, women across the country are recognizing the power of concerted action and creating giving groups to leverage their collective finances to work on mutual concerns and shared goals.
Mission and focus
The Art of Giving, a collaborative program of the North Carolina Community Foundation and the Triangle Community Foundation, is committed to leveraging the power of collective philanthropy as we work to connect women in meaningful and purposeful ways. Initiatives that benefit women and families are our current priority. In addition to providing needed resources to strengthen our community, we also seek to increase women’s involvement in philanthropy through educational events.
Philanthropy Journal article: Triangle women form new giving circle
Grants program
A major purpose of The Art of Giving is to strengthen the Triangle community (Chatham, Durham, Orange and Wake counties) through the power of the membership’s collective giving. Through a collaborative decision-making process involving all fund members, we provide grants to organizations and programs based on specific criteria established by members. The Art of Giving provides financial support to local programs and services that have a strong impact on critical and/or emerging needs in our community. We have determined our funding priority to be the needs of women and families, and we will award grants for large impact.
In 2010, The Art of Giving funded two programs: 1) Communities in Schools of Durham, $20,000, for the Incredible Years Parent Training Series. This program teaches parents how to prevent aggressive and oppositional behavior in their children, fostering a positive family dynamic that promotes the children's social competence and academic success. And 2) Urban Ministries of Wake County, $3,000, for the Open Door Clinic. This grant will be used to purchase non-narcotic prescription medications for patients in the Open Door Clinic.
In 2009, our first year, 16 members of The Art of Giving made a $9,000 grant to Genesis Home to support ending homelessness by providing temporary housing for families and young people while equipping them with the necessary tools for successful living.
Membership
The Art of Giving is a fund designed for women who want to help others who are in need in our community. By becoming a member of this group and reaching out to other women in the Triangle to join us, we have an opportunity to fund programs that will make a substantial difference in the lives of others.
We accomplish our mission by committing to a membership fee of $600 annually for three consecutive years. With this fund we will award grants to non-profit agencies in the Triangle that support women and families. We will also provide educational programs and mentor women of all ages. All members receive one vote to determine the organizations and programs to receive grant funding.
In less than a year we have grown to nearly 50 members. We are passionate in our belief that informed, empowered women can and do build stronger families, communities and economies. The Art of Giving invites all women to join together to realize the power that collective philanthropy can and does have on our community.
Contact
For more information about The Art of Giving, please email Jennifer Tolle Whiteside.
