6 Insights from a Women’s Giving Circle Conference
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What does it take to build a giving circle that delivers impact and a positive member experience? At this year’s Philanos conference, Power UP! Austin, giving circle leaders from across the country gathered to explore the future of this philanthropic model, including emerging donor trends, and how to cultivate belonging in charitable giving.
Philanos Co-Chair
Past 100 Women Strong Chair
From practical operational advice to conversations about uplifting underrepresented voices and engaging the next generation of philanthropists, one theme was clear: philanthropy is strongest when it is relational, responsive, and rooted in community.
Fun fact! This year’s conference had a special connection to Central Florida Foundation’s 100 Women Strong giving circle: Renuka Sastri, a past 100 Women Strong Chair, serves as a Philanos Co-Chair and was deeply involved with planning this year’s event. Reunka, still a 100 Women Strong member, has an incredible personal philanthropy story, which you can read more about in Thrive Magazine.
Community Investment Manager
Central Florida Foundation
At this year’s Philanos conference, Central Florida Foundation’s Community Investment Manager, Alissa Mahadeo, was selected as an Opportunity Advocate and attended the event on behalf of the Foundation and 100 Women Strong.
Here are Alissa’s six key insights from the conference and how they resonate with 100 Women Strong at Central Florida Foundation.
6 Insights from a Women’s Giving Circle
1. Keep It Simple: Programming & Operations
Many philanthropic organizations operate with small staff or volunteer leaders. That’s true of 100 Women Strong, where all giving circle leaders are volunteers supported by Central Florida Foundation liaisons.
The advice from conference peers was straightforward: focus on practical steps instead of lengthy strategy documents.
Several operational insights surfaced repeatedly:
- Adapt proven models instead of reinventing the wheel
- Utilize co-chair structures to distribute leadership
- Set expectations early about roles and responsibilities
- Offer meaningful ownership and decision-making opportunities
- Streamline infrastructure so the giving process is friction-free
Simplifying operations frees up time for what matters most: building relationships and creating impact.
Many of these practices already guide 100 Women Strong, which has a clear grantmaking process, three signature events members can count on each year, and a simple but effective CRM system that supports logistics.
One hallmark of 100 Women Strong is member-driven decision-making. Members have opportunities throughout the year to learn about a focus area and then are given the opportunity to vote on the final grant recommendation to the Foundation’s board of directors. Some members dive deeply into the process, while others review summaries and cast informed votes.
100 Women Strong also benefits from being part of Central Florida Foundation, the region’s community foundation, for more than thirty years. The Foundation provides credibility, philanthropic expertise, and collaborative support that help guide the circle’s venture philanthropy approach. Plus, it provides a supportive backbone for operations and procedures.
2. Remain Committed: Uplifting Underrepresented Voices
Conference leaders urged attendees to stay grounded in lived experience and center voices that have historically been marginalized.
Participants were encouraged to ask a powerful question: What else could be true? This prompt invites deeper reflection and challenges assumptions. It also encourages organizations to resist retreating during moments of tension or uncertainty.
The message was clear. Uplifting underrepresented voices must remain central, especially during challenging times.
Giving circles are well-positioned to do this work because they invite diverse perspectives into the philanthropic decision-making process. Within 100 Women Strong, members bring their lived experiences, professional backgrounds, and community knowledge into discussions about local needs.
By learning together and voting collectively, members help ensure that philanthropic decisions reflect a variety of viewpoints.
3. Why People Stay: The Power of Belonging
A major theme throughout the conference was belonging. Research shows happiness declines when collective belonging weakens. In philanthropy, where volunteerism and generosity are essential, that insight matters deeply.
Belonging must be cultivated intentionally. Engagement needs to offer both meaning and connection.
One creative example shared at the conference was “Fail of the Week.” This practice encourages leaders to share something that didn’t go well and what they learned from it. The goal is to normalize learning, build trust, and strengthen group culture.
Giving circles create natural opportunities for belonging. Members learn together, make decisions together, and celebrate impact together. When philanthropy becomes a shared experience, engagement deepens.
Within 100 Women Strong, members have the opportunity to meet up regularly at monthly breakfasts (that are open to guests, as well) and other events. This time spent together builds a bond through authentic gatherings that encourage everyone to share and connect.
4. Advocacy Matters
During the conference, Diane Yentel of the National Council of Nonprofits emphasized the importance of advocacy for the nonprofit sector.
One of the most effective advocacy tools is storytelling. Local leaders sharing stories about local organizations can help communities better understand the impact nonprofits have on daily life.
The National Council on Nonprofits’ campaign called #NonprofitsGetItDone reinforces this idea, highlighting how nonprofit organizations deliver real solutions in communities across the country.
100 Women Strong has developed a unique way to advocate for women and children: the annual Elevate Summit. This signature event focuses on education around a specific topic, inviting engaging and expert speakers from across the region to share knowledge with over 250+ community members each year. In addition, the event showcases local nonprofits that help women and children, and offers key moments to connect with each other to build stronger community bonds.
5. Latina Philanthropy is Rising
Latinos now make up 20% of the U.S. population, account for 78% of net new workers this decade, and contribute $1.3 trillion to GDP. Yet philanthropy often overlooks Latino giving because it tends to focus on large institutional gifts.
Leaders from the Latino Community Foundation and Philanthropy Together emphasized that Latino philanthropy is often relational rather than transactional. It is rooted in mutual aid, church giving, grassroots donations, and lived experience.
Too often, Latinas, especially, are viewed as recipients rather than givers. That misconception must change.
100 Women Strong member
100 Women Strong member Yeliza Centeio shared her perspective:
“My giving is personal. Growing up, my family and I were recipients of government and nonprofit support, and I promised myself that ‘making it’ would mean the day I could stop receiving and start giving back. I’m not wealthy, but I’m in a position to contribute, and true to my Latina values, I’m drawn to giving that is community-centered and relational. That’s why I love giving through 100 Women Strong. We’re part of the decision-making, we understand who the funding reaches, and we can see the impact more directly.
“In the Latino community, generosity often shows up through family and community care, mutual aid, church giving, and small, consistent gifts that respond to real needs in real time. Even when donations aren’t large or institutional, they’re rooted in responsibility and belonging. I love seeing philanthropy recognize Latinas not only as recipients, but as leaders and investors in our communities.”
6. Women, Wealth & Emerging Tools for Giving
Assets under management in donor advised funds continue to grow, creating new opportunities for donors to structure their giving.
Conference panels described several donor approaches:
- “Tub” donors: short-term giving (1–2 years)
- “Tank” donors: medium-term giving (5–10 years)
- “Tower” donors: multigenerational giving
Donor-advised funds can offer tax efficiency, streamlined giving, and time to develop a thoughtful strategy. Some 100 Women Strong members choose to contribute their annual membership through their donor-advised funds, reflecting the flexibility of this philanthropic tool.
The Takeaway
The Philanos conference reinforced a simple truth: strong philanthropy is built on relationships. When organizations simplify operations, elevate diverse voices, cultivate belonging, and adapt to new trends in giving, they create communities where generosity can thrive. For 100 Women Strong, these insights affirm the power of collective giving and the impact that engaged, community-centered philanthropy can have across Central Florida.
Learn more about 100 Women Strong.
VP of Community Strategies and Initiatives
Central Florida Foundation
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