User:Missvain/WCGN

The Women's Collective Giving Grantmakers Network (known colloquially as the WCGN) is a nonprofit organization based in Charlotte, North Carolina in the United States. WCGN's work focuses around women's collective giving, specifically grantmaking organizations. They provide support to collective giving nonprofits and provide the support and tools necessary to create and develop more collective giving grantmaking groups in the US and internationally. They also provide professional development support and serve as an authority on the subject of women's philanthropic collective giving grantmaking.

History
The Women's Collective Giving Grantmaking Network was founded by Colleen Willoughby. Willoughby, the founder of the collective giving movement and the Washington Women's Foundation, held a gathering of collective giving group leadership in 2009, and out of that meeting, WCGN was created. The organization received its nonprofit status in October 2013.

Members include the Washington Women’s Foundation, Impact100 Sonoma, Women's Impact Fund, Idaho Women’s Charitable Foundation, San Diego Women’s Foundation, and the New York Women's Foundation.

Administration
WCGN is registered as a 501(c)(3) organization. As of 2017, the organization was led by a board chair, vice chair, treasurer, secretary and nine additional board members. WCGN represents 49 member organizations in 24 states and two countries and over 10,000 women who are members of those member organizations. Members comprise of organizations that use democratic grantmaking processes to award funds to nonprofits serving their respective regions.

Initiatives
WCGN is a national oversight organization for women's collective giving grantmaking groups, such as giving circles. They guide their member organizations on best practices regarding membership management and acquisition, nonprofit governance, and grantmaking, and provide leadership development opportunities. WCGN seeks to provide the support member organizations need so members can make "sound philanthropic decision-making" regarding the needs of both their communities and personal interests. Support activities include online forums, networking groups, mentoring opportunities, and webinars.

They host regular meetings where member organizations come together to share case studies and to participate in workshops. Past speakers have included Nancy G. Brinker and Darla Moore. WCGN also awards Spotlight Awards to "highlight members who have made grants that are truly transformational for the organization or community."