One of my favorite interviews! Carolyn Steinhauser shared with me the unique and powerful work of the Women’s Giving Circle of York County Foundation. They have no bylaws. They don’t necessarily donate every year. Their purpose is to engage in strategic philanthropy and their study groups study their topic, collaborate with community leaders, and develop community changing projects.
Recently, they facilitated a project to install gates throughout communities. These gates secure the alleyways between row homes and prevent those alleyways from being used as crime sites and as escape routes for criminals. Before our conversation, it never occurred to me that a giving circle could consult with the police department to develop a plan for reducing crime, hire people to contact property owners for permission to install these gates, collaborate with local construction companies and welders to install gates, and create a how-to manual to help other communities implement this same project.
Enjoy this interview and expand what you thought giving circles were capable of.
Location: York, PA
Founded: 2009
Interview Length: 42 min
Website:
Right click to download the PDF to your computer: Women’s Giving Circle of York County Foundation