One gift. One membership. Big collective impact.
Join the Northeast Michigan Women's Giving Circle
Imagine you could support any cause close to your heart. Now imagine what happens when hundreds of women pool their gifts to do it together. That is the power of the Women's Giving Circle (WGC), and it has been changing lives across Northeast Michigan since 2006.
What makes the WGC unique? Members decide where the grant dollars go, directing them to issues important to the women of Northeast Michigan. Anyone can join, with a gift of any size.
Gifts of all sizes. Lasting Impact.
The WGC began in 2006 with 30 donors and a simple idea: collective giving can do more than any one of us can do alone. In 2007, its first grants totaled $700. Today, the Fund has grown to more than $1.4 million in assets (as of 9/30/2026), supporting nonprofits in Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Presque Isle Counties, year after year.
A Gift That Keeps Giving
Every donation is invested together as the Fund's permanent principal, which is never spent. Each year, 5% of the Fund's assets are made available for grants. As the Fund grows, so do the grants, protecting your generosity in perpetuity.
Become a Member Today
It takes just one gift of $10 or more to become a permanent member. Give in the way that works best for you:
- As an individual. Your gift joins others to go further than it could alone.
- With friends or coworkers. A card club, walking group, or office team can form a giving circle and give together in a single donation.
- Through your will or estate plan. Let us know about your plans and you become a member right away, along with the Legacy Circle and the CFNEM Legacy Society.
Giving Levels
As your cumulative giving grows, so does your recognition:
- Sterling Member: $10 – $4,999
- Platinum Member: $5,000 – $9,999
- Diamond Member: $10,000 or more
Curious who is already part of the Circle? View our current members. You will likely recognize a few neighbors, friends, and familiar faces. Every member is permanently recognized there, and Founding Members and Diamond Members are also honored with a permanent display at the Community Foundation headquarters. Already a member? Contact Christine Hitch at chitch@cfnem.org for an update on your cumulative giving.
Help Decide Where Grants Go
Each year, ten WGC members serve on the Grant Screening Committee, reviewing applications in late July and meeting in early to mid-August to recommend grants. Five new members are chosen at random each year from those interested, and terms last two years. It is a hands-on way to see your community's needs and your generosity at work.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Make your gift to the Women's Giving Circle Endowment Fund today and join Northeast Michigan women (and men!) who are building a lasting legacy for our communities. Questions? Contact Christine Hitch at chitch@cfnem.org or call 989-354-6881.