Giving circles are revolutionizing how Muslim women approach charitable giving in America. If you’ve ever wanted to make a meaningful impact in your community but weren’t sure where to start, giving circles offer an accessible, democratic, and powerful way to practice strategic philanthropy—starting with as little as $5 per month.
On November 12, the American Muslim Community Foundation (AMCF) partnered with Philanthropy Together to host a dynamic panel discussion exploring how giving circles empower communities, amplify women’s voices, and create lasting charitable impact. The webinar featured leaders from AMCF’s Women’s Giving Circle and 200 Muslim Women Who Care, two thriving examples of how collective giving transforms both donors and recipients.
Watch the Full Webinar
The Power of Giving Circles panel discussion featured Ilyasah Shabazz (Philanthropy Together) and featured panelists Dyma AbuOleim (200 Muslim Women Who Care) and Madiha Patel (AMCF Women’s Giving Circle Leadership Circle).
What Are Giving Circles?
At their core, giving circles are groups of individuals who pool their charitable donations and collectively decide which organizations to support. Unlike traditional donor advised funds where individuals make independent decisions, giving circles democratize philanthropy by bringing people together to learn, discuss, and vote on funding priorities.
Think of giving circles as “investment clubs for charity.” Members contribute financially, but they also contribute their time, perspectives, and expertise. This collaborative approach transforms charitable giving from a solitary act into a community-building experience that educates, empowers, and multiplies impact.
The AMCF Women’s Giving Circle Model
AMCF’s Women’s Giving Circle demonstrates how giving circles can work within a community foundation structure. Since its inception, the circle has:
- Raised and distributed over $55,000 to nonprofits
- Funded 9 organizations across 4 years
- Engaged dozens of Muslim women in strategic philanthropy
- Created leadership development opportunities for members
The model is beautifully simple yet powerful:
Membership Levels:
- Regular members contribute $5+ per month
- Voting members contribute $35 per month or $420 annually
- All members can nominate eligible organizations
Democratic Process: Each cycle, members nominate organizations (with preference for those led by or serving American Muslim women). Voting members then review nominees and vote to determine the top three recipients. This democratic approach ensures that giving circles reflect the community’s values and priorities, not just one individual’s preferences.
Recent grant recipients include the Muslim Legal Fund of America ($7,500), Alia Community Services ($4,500), and Pillars of Peace ($3,000). But the impact extends beyond the dollars—nominated organizations gain visibility, credibility through the Candid Seal of Transparency, and connections to a network of engaged philanthropists.
Scaling Impact: 200 Muslim Women Who Care
While AMCF’s giving circle operates nationally through a virtual model, 200 Muslim Women Who Care demonstrates how giving circles can create deep local impact. Founded in Southern California, this organization brings together Muslim women quarterly to:
- Hear presentations from three nominated organizations
- Ask questions and engage directly with nonprofit leaders
- Vote immediately on which organization to support
- Write checks on the spot—creating instant impact
The “200” in their name represents their goal: 200 women each contributing $100 per quarter, generating $20,000 in immediate funding four times per year. The beauty of giving circles like this is their transparency and efficiency—100% of member contributions go directly to recipient organizations, with minimal administrative overhead.
As Mediha shared in the webinar, they’re now expanding beyond Southern California, with giving circles launching in other regions and an endowment established with AMCF to support national growth. This demonstrates how giving circles can start locally but scale to create systemic change.
Why Giving Circles Matter for Muslim Philanthropy
Giving circles address several unique challenges in Muslim charitable giving:
Visibility and Storytelling: Many Muslim nonprofits operate under the radar, unknown even to fellow Muslims. Giving circles create platforms for organizations to share their stories and demonstrate impact, building awareness across communities.
Capacity Building: Through resources like AMCF’s webinars, one-on-one consultations, and technical assistance, giving circles help strengthen the nonprofit ecosystem. Organizations learn best practices, earn Candid Seals of Transparency, and develop sustainable funding strategies.
Women’s Leadership: Giving circles create spaces where Muslim women can step into philanthropic leadership roles. Members develop skills in due diligence, financial analysis, community organizing, and strategic decision-making—all while practicing their faith’s emphasis on charitable giving.
Collective Power: Individual donations matter, but giving circles demonstrate that collective action multiplies impact. A $5 monthly contribution might seem small, but when combined with dozens or hundreds of others, it funds transformative programs and services.
Community Connection: Perhaps most importantly, giving circles build relationships. Members form networks, share resources, mentor each other, and create lasting bonds around shared values and commitment to social good.
How to Get Started with Giving Circles
Whether you want to join an existing giving circle or start your own, here’s how to begin:
Joining Existing Circles:
- AMCF’s Women’s Giving Circle welcomes members nationwide (membership starts at $5/month)
- Check Philanthropy Together’s directory for giving circles in your area
- Ask at your local mosque or Islamic center about giving circle initiatives
- Connect with community foundations that may facilitate giving circles
Starting Your Own:
- Begin with friends, family, or community members who share your values
- Set a contribution level that’s accessible (even $25-50 per quarter can work)
- Decide on a meeting frequency (quarterly is common for local circles)
- Determine your democratic process for selecting recipients
- Consider partnering with a community foundation like AMCF for administrative support
Philanthropy Together offers a “Launchpad” training program specifically designed to help groups start new giving circles. They provide templates, best practices, and ongoing support to ensure success.
The Ripple Effect of Giving Circles
The true power of giving circles extends far beyond the dollars distributed. As highlighted in the webinar, when nonprofits receive support from giving circles:
- They gain credibility that helps secure additional funding
- They build relationships with engaged donors who become ambassadors
- They receive feedback and insights that strengthen their programs
- They become part of a network of high-performing organizations
For members, giving circles provide education about community needs, hands-on experience with strategic philanthropy, leadership development opportunities, and a sense of belonging to something larger than themselves.
And for the broader community, giving circles demonstrate that Muslims are actively engaged in solving social problems, supporting their neighbors, and building a more just society—countering negative stereotypes and building bridges across communities.
Join the Movement
The November 22nd AMCF Annual Symposium & Muslim Philanthropy Awards will announce the 2025 Women’s Giving Circle grant recipients and honor philanthropic leaders from across the country. Whether you attend in person or virtually, it’s an opportunity to see giving circles in action and connect with others passionate about strategic Muslim philanthropy.
Giving circles represent the future of charitable giving—democratic, transparent, community-centered, and highly effective. They transform how we think about charity, moving from transactional giving to relational philanthropy that builds community while creating impact.
As Ilyasa Shabazz-Davis from Philanthropy Together reminded us in the webinar, giving circles often start informally—friends gathering for dinner who decide to pool resources for a cause they care about. You don’t need a sophisticated structure or large amounts of money. You just need commitment, collaboration, and care for your community.
Whether you join AMCF’s Women’s Giving Circle, connect with 200 Muslim Women Who Care, or start your own giving circle in your city, you’re participating in a powerful movement that’s transforming Muslim philanthropy in America.
The power of giving circles isn’t just in the money raised—it’s in the community built, the leaders developed, and the systemic change created when we give together.