Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
WOMEN'S GIVING CIRCLE
WOMEN’S GIVING CIRCLE. The Women’s Giving Circle was organized in early 2008 under the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. The goal of the organization was to share the joy of giving, pass on the tradition of living generously, and help members reach the most important needs of their community.
Members of the Circle were encouraged to contribute $1,000 as a founding gift along with annual contributions. However, a woman could join for just a contribution of one hundred dollars. In May 2008 the Circle was ready to distribute its first community grants to one or more nonprofit organizations providing a bridge to self-sufficiency or a service that addressed barriers to opportunity.
Such women-directed charitable investment clubs as the Circle were modern versions of such gathering traditions as quilting circles. Increasingly popular, the clubs ranged in size from those raising thousands of dollars annually to organizations in large communities with endowments of millions of dollars.
