While not a new concept, giving circles have become an increasingly popular and important form of philanthropy, allowing a group of individuals to combine resources to have a larger funding impact on an organization or issue area. We believe in the power of collective giving to make great change, and are proud to administer the following circles at the Foundation.

20/20 Sisters of Vision

Formed in 2008, the 20/20 Sisters of Vision, is a giving circle of women of color, who participate in both charitable and strategic giving. Our mission is to empower women and families, in local and global communities, by enabling them to improve their quality of life, in areas such as health, education, economic development and spirituality. Our commitment is to combine our time, our talents, and our financial resources to do this pivotal work. Since its inception, 20/20 Sisters of Vision, has made small grants, totaling in excess of $8,000 to various organizations, and occasional charitable gifts to individuals. Grants have been made to the Area Wide Health Committee of Tillery and the Lott Carey Women’s Auxilary’s Ethiopia Project and has developed strategic alliances with organizations in Durham County, North Carolina, that are actively working to improve the success of at-risk youth, while continuing to partner with groups that improve the lives of women and children internationally.

To donate to this giving circle, select 20/20 Sisters of Vision from the drop-down list under “or, choose a fund.”

The Art of Giving (TAG)

The Art of Giving Fund is a Triangle women’s collective administered by Triangle Community Foundation. The mission of the fund is to address issues that affect girls, women, and their families.

The Art of Giving is a fund designed for women who want to help others in need in our community. By becoming a member of this group and reaching out to other women in the Triangle to join TAG, members have an opportunity to fund programs that will make a substantial difference in the lives of others.

TAG members accomplish the fund’s mission by committing to a membership donation of $600 annually. With this fund, TAG will award grants to nonprofit agencies in the Triangle that support women and families. Each member receives one vote to determine the organizations and programs that receive grant funding.

The group is passionate in its 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. Learn more about TAG on Facebook.

To make a membership donation of $600 or to donate another amount to this giving circle, select The Art of Giving from the drop-down list under “or, choose a fund.”

Community Investment Network (CIN)

CIN is a national network of giving circles founded in 2003 by Darryl Lester, a former Triangle Community Foundation staff member. CIN giving circles serve as a place of inspiration and connection, where African Americans and communities of color leverage their collective resources of time, talent, and treasure to bring about the change they wish to see. Four of those giving circles, NGAAP, A LOT, Heritage Quilters, and 20/20 Sisters of Vision are hosted at the Foundation and impact the lives of communities of color right here in the Triangle.

Heritage Quilters

Some believe that the power to heal and the power to love are two of the gifts found in quilts and quilting. It is the power of quilting that gave birth to the Heritage Quilters in the late spring of 2001. The Heritage Quilters are twenty-four women and men from Halifax, Vance, and Warren counties, North Carolina. The mission of the Heritage Quilters is simply to support, encourage, and document quilting traditions and activities.

To donate to this giving circle, select Heritage Quilters from the drop-down list under “or, choose a fund.”

A Legacy Of Tradition (ALOT)

A Legacy of Tradition (ALOT) is a giving circle comprised of ordinary African American men. Its members are collectively engaged and focused on impacting and bridging the societal gaps faced by African American males in the areas of education, collective giving, and community responsibility. This group looks at a myriad of issues facing economically disadvantaged students. When the men of ALOT learned that African American boys comprise 65 percent of the suspensions in the Wake County school district, they conducted their own research and as a result were asked to be members of the Economically Disadvantaged Student Performance Task Force for Wake County Schools. The members of ALOT have shown that the impact of giving circles on a community can go far beyond dollars by diversifying the voices and perspectives addressing community needs. In 2012 ALOT won the Best Giving Circle Award from BlackCelebrityGiving.com.

To donate to this giving circle, select ALOT from the drop-down list under “or, choose a fund.”

Next Generation of African American Philanthropists (NGAAP)

NGAAP is a philanthropic vehicle that promotes collective giving of time, talent and treasure. As a collective group, members of NGAAP pool their contributions and strategically invest to improve the quality of life for African Americans in the Triangle Region. In 2011, NGAAP supported Movement of Youth (MOY), a comprehensive educational and mentoring nonprofit based in the Triangle, to take 45 local high school students to New Jersey and New York to tour Princeton University and Columbia University. MOY members participated in a variety of activities including admissions presentations and a panel discussion with Columbia’s Black Student Consortium.

To donate to this giving circle, select NGAAP from the drop-down list under “or, choose a fund.”