How Women Giving Together is Growing Impact in the Community

Discover how Women Giving Together grew from eight women to a million-dollar giving circle supporting Delaware County (OH) nonprofits. Are you curious how local communities are transforming philanthropy and addressing urgent nonprofit needs, even with limited resources? This episode brings you face-to-face with Sue Mahler, co-founder of Women Giving Together, to reveal the step-by-step strategies that turned a small group of passionate women into a million-dollar force for good. Sue shares her journey from school advocacy to nonprofit leadership, how Women Giving Together launched and scaled, and why focusing flexible resources on community needs can catalyze change far beyond what’s possible alone. What you’ll learn in this episode: The origins and explosive growth of Women Giving Together, from 8 to 65+ women and $1 million in grants How giving circles operate, evaluate grant applications, and maintain transparency and focus as they grow The importance of strategic partnerships like the Delaware County Foundation for financial management and community connections Tips for starting your own giving circle or joining an existing one, including alternative models and easy entry points Real-world impact stories, like how one site visit led to a $100,000+ capital campaign for a local free store Looking to amplify your marketing with powerful community stories, or searching for sustainable fundraising ideas? Listen now and get inspired to lead change in your own backyard. Ready to learn, give, or launch your own impact circle? Connect with Women Giving Together by emailing [email protected] or find them on Facebook. 5 Frequently Asked Questions about Women Giving Together What is Women Giving Together? Women Giving Together is a collective giving circle in Delaware County, Ohio, comprised of 65+ women who pool annual donations to fund grants for local nonprofits. How do the group’s grantmaking and review process work? Members meet annually to decide focus areas, review nonprofit applications, conduct site visits, and use an objective evaluation system to award funds. How is Women Giving Together structured financially? The circle operates as a donor-advised fund with the Delaware County Foundation, ensuring financial protection, investment, and efficient grant disbursement without needing their own nonprofit status. Can anyone join Women Giving Together or attend events? Anyone with a kind, giving heart can apply for membership by emailing the group. There’s no pressure—members can participate as much or as little as they wish, and prospective members are invited to attend meetings and events. What advice does Women Giving Together offer to others wanting to start a giving circle? Find and learn from existing giving circles before starting your own—there are multiple models, and connecting with experienced groups saves time and strengthens success. If you like this episode, please let us know. We appreciate the feed back, and your support of offset costs of producing the podcast! https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ The views and opinions expressed by the experts interviewed on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast hosts or any affiliated organizations. The information provided in these interviews is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for specific advice or information related to their individual circumstances. The podcast host and producers do not endorse or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided by the experts interviewed. Listener discretion is advised. Copyright 2026 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson Mentioned in this episode: Listener Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed by the experts interviewed on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast hosts or any affiliated organizations. The information provided in these interviews is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for specific advice or information related to their individual circumstances. The podcast host and producers do not endorse or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided by the experts interviewed. Listener discretion is advised. This episode was recorded at Brick House Blue Brick House Blue at TruePointe in Hilliard Book at tour today! https://www.brickhouseblue.com/contact-us/?goTo=book-a-tour Brick House Blue Hilliard