Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/231222
Sarasota News Leader December 20, 2013 Page 60 GIVING CIRCLES AT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MAKE FIRST GRANTS Two of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County's giving circles recently made their first grants to area organizations, the Foundation has announced. "A giving circle is a group of individuals who combine their resources into a pooled fund and decide together what charities or community projects to invest in, multiplying the impact of their individual support," a news release explains. "Giving circles also include social, educational and engagement aspects to increase members' understanding of philanthropy and community issues and provide a platform for making friends and contacts outside their usual circles." the release points out. The Community Foundation provides "back office" support services for the giving circles, including handling the set-up, charitable tax receipts and management and disbursements of funds. In November, members of the Athena Progressive Giving Circle presented a check for $10,000 to Jewish Family & Children's Service to support its Operation Military Assistance Program (OMAP) for female veterans and their families. This grant also triggered $1,000 in matching funds from The Patterson Foundation as part of its Unified Legacy of Valor Opportunity, the release says. "OMAP offers not only financial assistance Five giving circles with more than 60 members but also school readiness for children and are housed at the Community Foundation, household improvement needs, using a (From left) Operation Military Assistance Program staff members Lisa Christy, Michelle Hammond and Tywanda Williams gather with Athena Progressive Giving Circle members Charlotte Perret, Dorothy O'Brien and Wendy Surkis. Contributed photo