The Alexandria Community Trust (ACT) launched the Giving Circle in 2004 and has supported us with $75,000 in matching grants over our first three years. 
ACT is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the National Capital Region (CFNCR).

Since 2004, more than 300 women have combined their resources and knowledge to understand and meet the needs and hopes of Alexandria’s children, youth and families through The Giving Circle of Alexandria.

We are a diverse group of women who are invested and engaged in their community, who believe that confronting the City’s high-priority issues collectively and strategically is the best means to inspire social change. While we set out to enrich the lives of others, we find our own lives enriched beyond expectation!

Your gift makes a BIG difference...The Giving Circle has invested over $332,500 in Alexandria since 2004:

• $163,000 to Healthy Families Alexandria providing comprehensive support and guidance for vulnerable families where it is most effective -- at home.
   
• $93,000 to Alexandria Playgroup Projects, providing stimulating play for toddlers, added support for parents and developmentally beneficial play for all. $78,000 funded SCAN’s Arlandria playgroup and $15,000 to the Center for Alexandria’s Children will expand a collaborative playgroup model throughout the City.
   
• $40,000 to Hopkins House empowering lower income working families through financial education and proven parent-support projects.
   
• $36,500 in Developmental Grants to a variety of non-profits, investing in promising programs, up to $5,000 each, and selected on an application basis.

Congratulations to our newly elected Board for 2009/2010! Special thanks to the Directors that served for all or part of the 2008-2009 program year who will not continue to serve on the Board: Gwendolyn Cloutier, Marybeth Emson, Aileen Lopez Pugh, and Jonelle Stachura Wallmeyer . We very much appreciate the time and energy you gave to the Giving Circle and hope that you will continue to stay active. Thanks also to Giving Circle member Medea Ranck, who assisted in review of this year’s ballots.

MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
The daughter of one of our members learned that “some people have to make tough choices at the grocery store” and that “one bottle of shampoo can cost as much as a package of chicken.” At her birthday party, this 8-year-old Alexandrian and 11 of her friends gathered and packaged up shampoo, toothpaste and soaps toiletry items for Community Lodgings. 

Would you like to do a similar activity at a gathering of your friends? We have ideas! Ask us how.

THANK YOU!
We raised $75,000 in 2008! This is the most we have ever raised in a single fundraising year. All of this money will be part of the 2009/2010 gifts to organizations benefiting Alexandria’s children, youth and families. 

THANK YOU for your generosity, especially during this difficult economic time.
If you have not yet done so, please RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOW

...where giving comes full circle.