Our Vision
As a united force of Black women, the Black Women Give Foundation envisions a transformed era of philanthropy in which collective action fuels positive, sustainable change and empowers under-resourced communities to prosper and reach their highest potential.
What Is Collective Giving?
Collective giving, also known as “giving circles,” brings together like-minded individuals to support shared causes by pooling their resources and making collective decisions about where, when, and how to distribute grants. This collaborative approach allows individuals to have a greater impact collectively than they might have alone. Collective giving offers numerous benefits, including increased engagement, social connectivity, and the ability to make significant contributions to multiple organizations. At The Black Women Give Foundation, collective giving involves three key steps:
Give – Members contribute to a shared grants pool. As membership grows, so does the Foundation’s ability to provide impactful funding to local nonprofits.
Vote – Full Voting Members participate in the grantmaking process by reviewing and voting on proposed grant recipients. Each Full Voting Member has one vote.
Grant – Collective funds are awarded to nonprofits serving the Philadelphia region and working to foster sustainable change in communities of color. Approximately 91% of member contributions support the grants pool, while about 9% helps sustain administrative and operational expenses.
Founding Board Members
Shana Salley-MacMillan,
MBA MSW
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Summer Willow Fitch, MBA
Tamika Otis
Jacqueline Ferguson
Our History
Founded in 2016, the Black Women Give Foundation (BWGive) - led by Shana Salley-MacMillan, Summer Willow Fitch, Jacqueline Ferguson, and Tamika Otis—launched a movement to engage Black women and their families in philanthropy through the power of collective giving.
Like many giving circles, BWGive is rooted in a dual purpose: to deepen members’ understanding of community needs while amplifying the impact of individual contributions through shared investment.
Through our grantmaking, we prioritize initiatives that:
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Strengthen the capacity of organizations committed to meaningful, measurable outcomes
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Support innovative strategies that drive real change
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Advance sustainability to ensure long-term community impact
At the heart of BWGive is the belief that collective giving is transformative. By pooling resources, knowledge, and networks, we foster connection, shared responsibility, and accountability to the communities we serve. This approach not only builds solidarity among Black women but also expands our collective influence in philanthropy.
Together, we are amplifying voices, resourcing grassroots solutions, and driving lasting change.
About Membership
The Black Women Give Foundation is a women’s giving circle that awards grants to nonprofits serving Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. Members pool their individual donations to create collective community grants and learn about local issues and the nonprofits addressing them most effectively.
The Black Women Give Foundation offers three membership levels - Full Voting, Jewel, and Black Tie - each providing different levels of engagement and philanthropic participation. Full Voting members participate directly in the grant selection process by voting on grant awards.
Full Voting Members support the Foundation’s mission through annual giving of $550 or more annually and participate directly in the grantmaking process by serving on grant review committees, evaluating nonprofit proposals, and voting to determine which organizations receive unrestricted operating grants.
Jewel Members support the Foundation’s mission through annual giving of up to $549 and participation in volunteer and community engagement opportunities, without voting privileges in the grantmaking process.
Black Tie Members support the Foundation’s mission and community impact through philanthropic giving. Men may participate as Black Tie Members at either the Full Voting or Jewel level by making an annual gift in honor of a significant woman in their lives. If the honoree is living, the membership and voting privileges may be granted to her. If the honoree is deceased, the Black Tie Member may vote in her memory.
Our members represent a diverse mosaic of backgrounds, religions, occupations, experiences, beliefs, and individual interests. We are professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, mothers, sisters, daughters, activists, students, and retirees hailing from various corners of the country, united by our shared commitment to philanthropy and social change.
We would love to have you join us!
Our Membership Types
Join Us
Become a Member
Join The Black Women Give Foundation and be part of a collective giving movement creating meaningful impact across the Philadelphia region. Members pool their contributions to fund grants for local nonprofits and support sustainable community change.
Membership contributions made during the membership period allow eligible members to participate in the upcoming grant cycle.
Payment Options
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Check
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Credit card via PayPal
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Installment payments (email us to request an installment payment link)
Support BWGive
Every donation helps strengthen BWGive’s collective impact and expand community grantmaking efforts.
Support the Grants Pool
Contributions to the grants pool directly fund local nonprofits serving communities throughout the Philadelphia region.
Support Operations
Operational donations help sustain the programs, events, outreach, and day-to-day activities that allow BWGive to fulfill its mission. All donations are tax-deductible.
Join the Black Tie Club
While BWGive is a women-led philanthropic organization, men are invited to support the mission through the Black Tie Club. Black Tie Members may honor a significant woman in their lives by contributing to expand opportunities for collective community impact.
Become a Corporate Sponsor
Corporate sponsorships provide vital support for BWGive’s grantmaking, educational programming, membership engagement, and community initiatives.
Please contact us to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
Our Causes
Health & Wellness
We fund initiatives that address health disparities, improve community well-being, and provide culturally responsive programs that encourage healthier lifestyles and stronger communities. Examples of programs and initiatives we may consider for funding include:
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Mental health and wellness programs
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Maternal and reproductive health initiatives
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Nutrition and food access programs
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Community fitness and wellness activities
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Trauma-informed care and healing services
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Environmental health and community safety initiatives
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Access to healthcare services and health advocacy programs
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Pet caretaker wellness and human-animal bond programs
Education
We support programs that expand equitable access to quality education, promote lifelong learning, and create opportunities for academic and personal growth across all age groups. Examples of programs and initiatives we may consider for funding include:
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Early childhood, literacy, and academic enrichment programs
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Tutoring and student support programs
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College readiness and access programs
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STEM and technology education programs
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Adult education and workforce training programs
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Financial literacy and life skills education programs
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Arts, culture, and creative learning programs
Economic Empowerment
We invest in programs that promote financial literacy, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity for communities of color. Examples of programs and initiatives we may consider for funding include:
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Financial literacy and wealth-building programs
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Workforce development and job readiness programs
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Entrepreneurship and small business support programs
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Career mentorship and professional development programs
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Homeownership and housing stability programs
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Economic mobility and asset-building initiatives
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Youth employment and career exploration programs
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Cooperative economics and community investment programs
Grants
The Black Women Give Foundation supports nonprofit organizations serving communities throughout the Philadelphia region through collective grantmaking focused on three core areas: Education, Health & Wellness, and Economic Empowerment.
Education
We support programs that expand equitable access to quality education, promote lifelong learning, and create opportunities for academic and personal growth across all age groups.
Health & Wellness
We fund initiatives that address health disparities, improve community well-being, and provide culturally responsive programs that encourage healthier lifestyles and stronger communities.
Economic Empowerment
We invest in programs that promote financial literacy, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity for communities of color.
BWGive prioritizes organizations and programs that align with our mission to create meaningful, sustainable, and measurable community impact. We are especially interested in initiatives that:
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Address critical community needs through innovative and effective solutions
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Demonstrate ethical leadership and strong organizational practices
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Promote long-term sustainability beyond the grant period
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Encourage collaboration among nonprofit organizations and community partners
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Have the potential for lasting impact and future growth
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Include measurable outcomes and evaluation strategies to assess success
Through collective giving, BWGive supports organizations working to create positive and lasting change in underserved communities.
Click below for more information.
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Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
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Contact Us
Black Women Give Foundation
501(c)(3) Public Charity
PO Box 188 Bala Cynwd Pa 19004
267-277-3090