Giving circles are a simple and powerful concept. Individuals combine their dollars in a shared fund, with a mission of supporting worthy community projects each year.
Giving Circles Benefit Our Community
We are a dynamic, passionate group of women who care deeply about our community and are committed to making it a wonderful place to live. By pooling our money, we fund efforts that improve life for residents of Anacortes, address local concerns, and enhance community resources.
2023-2024 Grant Making Theme: Basic Human Needs & Community Health
How We Do It
Giving circles are simple yet powerful: individuals combine their dollars in a shared Fund (managed by Skagit Community Foundation). Together, we decide where to give money, and in doing so, learn about the needs of our community and the impact of philanthropy. Members of the Anacortes Women's Giving Circle meet twice a year.
Each fall we meet to vote on an annual theme and kickoff that year's giving campaign. Any person who makes a donation in any amount is automatically a member for that year, but our hope is each member will make a donation that is a significant amount for her. The suggested donation amount is $365 ($1/day), but you can give $50 or $100, or if you are truly inspired, we welcome gifts of $1,000 or more. We encourage young women to join and ask for a membership donation of $25 for those members under 25 years of age. To enable the Anacortes Women's Giving Circle operations, $5.00 of each contribution will not be tax-deductible. These member fees will be used to support the cost of meeting venues and other operational expenses for the group.
Each spring, the AWGC members decide which project(s) AWGC will support (each member gets to cast two votes for her favorite projects). The project(s) with the most votes will be funded that year.
Grant applications open November 1, 2023 - January 30, 2024: Grant applications are open to nonprofits serving the Anacortes community. Our grant committee reviews applications and selects finalists. The finalists present at our Spring General Meeting and members vote in person or via email in order to determine which organizations will receive funding. Based on voting, recipient amounts will be announced in May 2024.
All donations (less $5.00) are tax-deductible to the extend allowed by law. Your donation will be processed and kept anonymous by the Skagit Community Foundation, EIN 91-1572414. You will receive a hard-copy thank-you letter and receipt in the mail.
2020-2021 Grants
Our membership provided $25,663 to 6 nonprofits in Covid Relief Grants.
Anacortes Family Center: $15,000 Skagit Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: $5,000 Youth Dynamics: $1,800
Anacortes Friends of the Forest: $1,681.50 Brigid Collins Family Support Center: $1,681.50 Salish Sea School: $500