No, the more the merrier! If our mission resonates with you, JOIN US!

No, LGC does not require a minimum contribution from members. Everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of their giving capacity. We only ask that members contribute a gift that is meaningful to them, whether it be a monetary donation or contribution of time. 

LGC's grantmaking is driven directly by the members. We kick-off our grant cycle by hosting an education summit for members to share issues and priorities they know of in the community. Then members work together in small groups to narrow down potential focuses to a few that are voted on by all summit participants. After the focus for the grant cycle is determined, the grants committee (a group of LGC members/volunteers) develop the "Request for Proposals (RFP)" and facilitate the process of grant proposal collection. The grants committee utilizes an established criteria to narrow the proposals down to a group of finalists. The finalists are then shared with the full LGC membership for their input through both a second summit and an online vote. The proposals that receive the top votes are selected for funding. 

All LGC members who have made a donation since the end of the last grant cycle are eligible to participate in the coming grant cycle.

What is the time commitment?

With monthly meetings and event planning, the time commitment is approximately 4+ hours.

What kind of topics are discussed during the meetings?

Future events/planning for grantees and membership, collaborations with other givingcircles/community organizations, and opportunities for member engagement.

Are there specific skills I need to have? What is the LGC looking for?

Any skills would be helpful! We hope volunteers are committed as they can be and believe in the mission of LGC.

What does being part of the LGC mean and how will being part of this movement build my network? What are the benefits?

Joining the LGC means connecting with other successful people who want to support positive change in our local community. Our members are accomplished leaders drawn together by a passion to empower others through collective philanthropy. They also enjoy making both professional and personal connections with other giving circle members from various industries and diverse backgrounds.

As a member, you will also become more involved in the giving process of determining what groups to give to and how much. Pooling contributions with others and focusing on a critical issue can have a far greater impact than individual gifts.

How does this movement build our community? 

The LGC makes key contributions that include, but go beyond, the social capital generated among its members:

• Demonstrating how grantmaking can engage BIPOC communities

• Providing support to social change organizations that do not tend to receive support from foundations, much less the government

• Mobilizing and engaging donors beyond making a monetary contribution, to becoming volunteers and cultivating their power as community leaders

Aside from supporting important issues, the LGC promotes the following:

• Philanthropic synergy

• The feeling of making a huge impact

• Networking opportunities

• Informed decision-making

• Social connections with like-minded individuals

• Getting in touch, on a much deeper level, with what's going on in your community

Being a part of a group with diverse backgrounds demonstrates that you do not have to be of a certain demographic, income, or culture to be a philanthropist. 

Can I add this work to my resume?

Of course, you can!

Who can I contact if I have questions?