Anyone may support the Women’s Giving Circle through a donation. Membership privileges, including nominations and voting, are limited to women residing in the United States who join through the designated giving platform.

• Contributes $5 or more during a giving cycle. Larger contributions are welcome.
• Recommended minimum is $5+/month.
• May nominate one nonprofit organization during the nomination period.
• Members may self-nominate an organization that they are affiliated with.

• Contributes or pledges $420 or more during a giving cycle, either as a one-time gift or recurring gifts of $35/month.
• May vote on funding recipients.
• Voting members that nominate an organization they are affiliated with may not vote for that organization.

The Women’s Giving Circle operates on a January–December cycle. During each cycle, funds are collected, organizations are nominated, members vote, and grants are awarded.

You may join at any time during the year. Your contribution supports the current giving cycle. To nominate a nonprofit, you must be a current member during the nomination period. To vote, you must be a current voting member during the voting period.

• Current members nominate nonprofit organizations.
• Nominated organizations are invited to complete a brief application.
• Nominated organizations claim and update their Candid profile and obtain a Gold or Platinum Seal of Transparency.
• Organizations that complete all requirements by the deadline become eligible nominees.
• Eligible nominees are included on the AMCF website, featured in AMCF social media, and advance to the first round of voting.
• Voting members participate in a first round of voting to select finalists.
• The top five organizations advance to Decision Day.
• Finalists participate in Decision Day presentations and Q&A.
• Voting members participate in a second round of voting to determine funding recipients.
• The three funding recipients are publicly recognized during AMCF’s annual Virtual National Philanthropy Day Awards Ceremony.

For the 2026 cycle: nominations open August 3 and close September 7. The invitation-only application period for nominated organizations begins September 21.

• Includes all eligible nominees.
• Conducted asynchronously over approximately 5–7 days.
• Determines the five finalists.

• Takes place after Decision Day.
• Conducted asynchronously over approximately 5–7 days.
• Determines the three funding recipients.

Only current voting members at the time of voting may participate.

Decision Day is a virtual event where voting members learn directly from the finalist organizations. Each finalist must have a representative present and will deliver a 5-minute presentation and participate in approximately 5 minutes of Q&A. Following Decision Day, voting members participate in the final voting round. Organizations that do not have a representative present may not advance in the funding process.

AMCF periodically offers educational resources to help finalist organizations prepare for Decision Day presentations, including:

• How to develop an effective nonprofit pitch
• Communicating your mission and impact in a limited timeframe
• Tips for virtual presentations
• Preparing for audience questions and answers
• Sharing stories, outcomes, and community impact
• Best practices for engaging prospective supporters

Finalist organizations may also be invited to a Decision Day preparation session prior to the event. Recordings, resources, and guidance materials may be made available through the AMCF website and shared directly with finalists.

The three funding recipients are recognized during AMCF’s annual Virtual National Philanthropy Day Awards Ceremony, traditionally held each November. Representatives from recipient organizations are invited to briefly address attendees and share about their work.

Organizations must:

• Be a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charity in good standing.
• Conduct the majority of their programming within the United States.
• Be eligible to receive charitable funding under applicable laws and regulations.
• Complete the Women’s Giving Circle application process.
• Obtain a Gold or Platinum Seal of Transparency through Candid by the application deadline.

Preference may be given to organizations that:

• Are led by Muslim women.
• Primarily serve Muslim women and families.
• Address underserved or underrepresented needs.
• Demonstrate meaningful community impact.
• Provide services not widely available through other organizations.

AMCF and its affiliated entities are not eligible. Organizations operating through a fiscal sponsor are eligible, but may need to submit additional financial documentation. Previous funding recipients may be nominated again after two full giving cycles have passed.

Yes. Organizations may be nominated without a Candid Seal of Transparency. However, to advance in the review process and become an eligible nominee, organizations must claim their Candid profile and obtain either a Gold Seal or Platinum Seal of Transparency by the application deadline. Only eligible nominees advance to the first round of voting and are featured as nominees on AMCF’s website and promotional materials. Organizations that do not complete these requirements will not advance in the review process but may be nominated again in future cycles.

Candid is the leading source of nonprofit information used by donors, foundations, and grantmakers. By requiring a Gold or Platinum Seal of Transparency, we help organizations increase visibility with donors and funders, strengthen transparency and fundraising readiness, and build a public profile that continues benefiting them beyond the giving circle process. Rather than completing a lengthy grant application used only by AMCF, nominees create a profile that can support future fundraising and visibility. Nominees are not required to have a Gold or Platinum Seal at the time of nomination; however, the Seal must be obtained before the application deadline to remain eligible.

AMCF periodically hosts educational webinars to help organizations claim and update their Candid profiles and obtain a Gold or Platinum Seal of Transparency, covering how to claim and complete your profile, requirements for earning a Seal, and how Candid can support your organization’s visibility and fundraising efforts. Recordings, resources, and step-by-step guidance are available on the AMCF website for organizations unable to attend live.

Eligible nominees receive:

• A dedicated listing on the AMCF website, including organization name, logo, website link, and Candid profile.
• A stand-alone AMCF social media post highlighting their work.
• Recognition in the AMCF national weekly newsletter.
• The option to join a WhatsApp group for nominees to stay connected and share opportunities.
• Opportunities to connect and build relationships with other nominees across the country.
• Opportunities to connect with AMCF leadership for guidance, feedback, and support.

Eligible nominees are featured on the AMCF website with organization name, logo, website link, and Candid profile link — helping donors, volunteers, funders, and community members learn about organizations serving our communities. Eligible nominees may also choose to provide additional information that may be featured through blog posts, newsletters, social media, and other communications as part of AMCF’s commitment to the Five T’s of Philanthropy: Time, Talent, Treasure, Testimony, and Ties.

At the conclusion of each cycle, funding is distributed to the top three organizations selected by voting members. A small percentage of funds received is retained by AMCF to cover the costs of overseeing the Women’s Giving Circle.

Current distribution:

• 1st Place: 50%
• 2nd Place: 30%
• 3rd Place: 20%

Organizations may choose to receive funding as an unrestricted grant or establish an AMCF-managed endowment to support long-term sustainability.

No. The Women’s Giving Circle is intentionally designed to be a low-burden, trust-based process. Organizations are always welcome to share updates, stories, and impact information with AMCF and our community.

Yes. AMCF is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming experience for members, voting members, nominees, and nonprofit representatives. Whenever possible, we will make reasonable accommodations to support meaningful participation throughout the nomination, application, voting, and Decision Day processes. Participants are encouraged to share accessibility or accommodation needs with us as early as possible.

Current members, prospective members, nominees, and nonprofit leaders are encouraged to reach out to givingcircles@amuslimcf.org and schedule a virtual conversation. AMCF also maintains optional WhatsApp communities for active Women’s Giving Circle members and for current and past nominees, to help participants stay connected, share resources, and build relationships.

The Women’s Giving Circle is supported by AMCF staff and volunteers who help facilitate member engagement, nonprofit outreach, education, nominations, and voting. Members interested in becoming more involved are encouraged to contact givingcircles@amuslimcf.org.

Please contact givingcircles@amuslimcf.org. We welcome your questions, feedback, and ideas as we continue growing the AMCF Women’s Giving Circle together.