50 years, 50 stories: Story #13 Giving Circles

Helping a New Generation Make a Meaningful Difference

Philanthropy means "love of humanity" and reflects a desire to promote the welfare of others. Anyone can be a philanthropist. With that in mind, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation is working with a new generation who shares a genuine commitment to helping our local community.

In 2008, AAACF launched two giving circles: the Ann Arbor Social Capital Fund, a group of friends all with young children, and the Next Generation Philanthropists (NGP), a group of young professionals in their twenties and thirties. Each year, members commit a minimum of $500 per person (or $1,000 per couple) to pool their resources. They then work with AAACF to research local nonprofits, assess grant opportunities, and make grant decisions. 

Since 2008, AAACF’s two giving circles have awarded more than $128,000 in grants and volunteered their time to support a range of local nonprofits including: Best Buddies, Girls on the Run, Alpha House, the Center for Independent Living, Growing Hope, Peace Neighborhood Center, and FLY Children’s Art Center. As NGP member Ryan Noel notes: "The educational component is what sets the experience apart. Every year, we have the unique opportunity to learn about amazing organizations that are doing good work in our community."

One of the many ways the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation supports all that is good in our community.


Read more “good” stories at: aaacf.org/stories