GivHer Circle is a fund of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Its mission is to amplify the voices of nonprofits across its six-county service area — George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone counties — with a special focus on nonprofits working in child welfare, education and health.
Tiffany D. Bell, director of donor relations, tells us more.
SHARE A BIT ABOUT THE GIVHER CIRCLE’S HISTORY
GivHer Circle came about when our executive director, Christen Duhé, joined the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The idea of a giving circle was introduced to her by a board member’s wife, who was involved with a giving circle in Alabama. Christen brought the idea to our team, and we were immediately on board. Over the past two years, our staff members have participated in the Circle because we truly believe in its mission.
We saw an opportunity to create a unique way of giving here on the Coast that empowers individual voices while supporting community needs. The beauty of collective giving is that it closes the generational gap and allows people to give at different levels while still having a voice in the process. Through GivHer Circle, members become part of something bigger than themselves, creating real impact not just in dollars, but in the strength of people united to make a difference in our community.
WHO ARE THE GIVHER CIRCLE’S MEMBERS?
We’re actively seeking passionate, community-minded women in South Mississippi to join us. Our membership is open to women at various life stages and giving capacities through tiered membership levels: Champion Members ($1,200), Legacy Members ages 60-plus ($600) and Young Philanthropists ages 35 and under ($300).
We also welcome Friends of GivHer Circle at any contribution level. Our members are women who want to stay informed, make meaningful connections and collectively drive positive change. The membership drive runs from July 1 to June 30.
WHAT’S NEW AND EXCITING WITH GIVHER CIRCLE?
Our annual Donor Appreciation Breakfast is our signature event, held each October, where we award grants and celebrate the incredible work of our grantees. This is where we present the GivHer Circle grant of $20,000. This past year, we were thrilled to award $20,000 to Back Bay Mission for their vital work.
Looking ahead, February is an exciting time for us. GCCF hosts a Month of Philanthropy called 228 Day, and Circle members will tour Back Bay Mission to see firsthand the impact of their collective giving. Throughout the month, the Foundation partners with various nonprofits to meet community needs and promote philanthropy across the Coast, and members are invited to participate in collection drives and community projects.
HOW IS GIVHER CIRCLE HAVING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY?
We aim to award five $20,000 grants annually to deserving organizations; that’s $100,000 going directly to nonprofits, including those that are underrepresented and otherwise might not have access to this level of funding.
Beyond the money, we’re providing validation. Being selected as a GivHer Circle grantee signals to other funders and the community that this organization is doing important, effective work. We’re creating a model for collective giving that demonstrates the power of women coming together to create lasting change.
HOW DOES GIVHER CIRCLE EMPOWER OR SERVE WOMEN?
One of our most significant initiatives is our Young Philanthropist Cohort, a leadership development program designed to cultivate the next generation of nonprofit and community leaders. This year, we have 15 participants undergoing comprehensive training that covers everything from board governance to fundraising to strategic planning. At the end of the program, these individuals will be certified to serve on any nonprofit board throughout the state. We’re not just encouraging young women to give; we’re equipping them with the tools and knowledge to lead.
Beyond the cohort, GivHer Circle is fundamentally about women’s leadership in philanthropy. We’re creating a space where women’s voices matter, where we collectively make decisions about community needs and where we see the direct impact of our giving. Women, working together, are a powerful force for good in our communities.
WHAT HAVE YOU HAVE LEARNED OR GAINED BY BEING INVOLVED WITH GIVHER CIRCLE?
Working with GivHer Circle has been a beautiful reminder that the nonprofit sector is filled with passionate, dedicated people doing extraordinary work with limited resources. What’s been particularly powerful is seeing women at different stages of their philanthropic journeys unite. Watching a young philanthropist connect with a legacy member and seeing the pride in our grantees’ faces when they receive their awards, reinforces the value of the work that community foundations do. Through the Circle, I’m able to create spaces for women to learn, lead and make a tangible difference in their communities.
WHAT ARE THE GOALS FOR GIVHER CIRCLE GOING FORWARD?
Our primary goal is to see more women join. More members means more funding, and more funding means greater impact. In 2024, I attended an event for Impact 100 Baldwin County, Alabama, the very giving circle that inspired ours. They awarded five grants of $103,000 each. Imagine the difference that level of funding could make in a nonprofit’s capacity to serve.
That’s our vision. We want to continue growing the Circle and the Foundation because growth translates directly into meaningful impact. The more we grow, the more grants we can award and lives we can change. We hope to see our grantee organizations continue to thrive and expand their impact in our communities.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE KNOW ABOUT GIVHER CIRCLE?
If you’d like to become a member, your donations are tax-deductible, and we offer flexible payment options including monthly installments. Members also have a voice in identifying and recommending organizations for funding that directly impact our community.
We also have a GivHer Circle endowment fund at the Foundation. When you give to this endowment, you may qualify for an additional 25% tax credit through Endow Mississippi on top of your standard federal tax deduction. This endowment ensures we can continue supporting vital nonprofits working in child welfare, education and health across our region for generations to come.