Scholarship GIVING CIRCLE
“Together We Can” Kathy Haven, Director of Grants, Programs & Community Impact
What is a Giving Circle? A giving circle is a collective philanthropic program that brings a group of people with shared values together to collectively discuss and decide where to make a pooled gift. Giving circles support with their dollars, but also build awareness, volunteer, become board members and more. Usually, a giving
circle involves a “membership” which comes with an incentive, like a vote.
We may not be wealthy as individuals, but together we hold great wealth!
Why do a Giving Circle? Giving circles bring people together to focus on community needs. Giving Circles also give a group of people a common cause and a louder voice. A giving circle is an easy way for a person to give A LITTLE, which allows the
organization to give out A LOT. A giving circle is easier than fundraising, planning events, having bake sales, or finding sponsors.
EDCF Scholarship Giving Circle Basics • $40 or more = an annual membership (join by Dec. 31) • EDC High Schools included: EDHS, GSHS, ORHS, PHS, STHS, UMHS
• Scholarship application will be open to Seniors from Nov. 1- Feb. 1 • We will give a minimum of one $1,000 scholarship to each of the high schools
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Collect Giving Circle “memberships” ($40 or more constitutes a membership) from May – December 31.
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Nov. 1: Open Application up to Students (DUE Feb. 1)...application will be on scholarships.edcoe.org along with 200+ other local applications.
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January: tally up total to donate back to each scholarship; allow membership to vote on type and number of scholarships. SAMPLE BALLOT
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Feb-March: Have scholarship committees read apps & meet and choose scholarship recipient(s).
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April/May: Present scholarships at scholarship nights.
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May – Dec. 31: collect “memberships” for the next graduating class.
GIVING CIRCLE
Timeline for an Annual Scholarship Cycle
50 members join …donations range from $40 to $1000
Total Collected: $10,000 (minimum donation $40; average donation is $80 in this example) 50 members vote to give five $2,000 scholarships… 5 members choose to be on scholarship committee to evaluate applications & choose recipient (any member can choose to do this OR not) Giving Circle members who choose to present scholarships to recipients at STHS Scholarship night
Cycle is repeated for next graduating STHS Seniors
MOCK Scholarship Giving Circle EXAMPLE
South Tahoe High GIVING CIRCLE Scholarship
Q&A Kathy Haven: Kathy@eldoradocf.org https://eldoradocf.org/edcf-scholarship-giving-circle/