Women's Giving Circle

Geographic Scope: Greater Hartford, Connecticut

What is it?
A welcoming and diverse group of women—moms, professionals, activists, and everyday changemakers—who pool resources collectively to fund local organizations supporting women and girls in Greater Hartford.

Key Features:

• No minimum donation - Participate with $1 or $1,000
• 100% of funds go directly to local nonprofits
• No red tape - Just impact
• Four purposeful, inspiring sessions held virtually each spring where members:
  • Dive into a pressing issue affecting women and girls
  • Hear directly from community organizations tackling that issue
  • Learn how collective giving can make the greatest impact
  • Topics informed by Aurora's relationships and research

2026 Focus: Supporting Human Trafficking Survivors

• Community needs: Safe housing, legal aid, pathways to healing and independence
• Funding for services addressing survivor support

2025 Focus: Supporting Immigrant & Refugee Women with Safety, Stability & Strength

• Raised: $40,000 from 70 members (donations ranged $5-$5,000)
• Grant Awards:
  • CT Students for a Dream: $10,000
  • Make the Road CT: $10,000
  • Hartford Deportation Defense: $10,000
  • Angel of Edgewood: $10,000

2024 Focus: Reproductive Equity

• Raised: $30,000 from 70 members (donations ranged $30-$5,000)
• Grant Awards:
  • Mutual Aid Hartford: $10,000
  • Diaper Bank: $7,500
  • Reproductive Equity Now: $7,500
  • Planned Parenthood of Southern New England: $5,000

2023 Focus: Women in the Workplace: Moving from Covid to Economic Security

• Grant Awards:
  • YMCA - Family Childcare Incubator: $6,000
  • Girls for Technology - Building for Equity Program: $6,000
  • Dignity Grows: $4,000
  • Dress for Success Hartford: $4,000

2022 Focus: Programs addressing pandemic effects on girls, particularly girls of color; education, mentors, role models, social/emotional intelligence

• Grantees: YMCA House of Teens Program, Horizons, Ethel Walker School, Grace Academy, Girl Scouts of CT Strong Program, Hartford Girls Rock
• Total raised: $20,000+

2021 Focus: Childcare, housing, and mental health

• Child Development Center (Childcare): $12,000
• My Sister's Place (Housing): $7,000
• The Bridge Family Center (Mental Health): $4,000

Past Focuses:

• 2019: Strong Girls Camp at Hartford Public Library ($5,500) - 6-week summer program for 25 girls on gender inequality, body image, self-esteem, intersectionality
• 2018: Girls for Technology ($6,500) - Math and Science Academy for 100 low-income girls
• COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund: Interval House ($3,500), Journey Home ($3,500), Malta House of Care ($3,000), Village for Children & Families ($3,000), Horizons at Ethel Walker ($2,500), Community Renewal Team ($2,500)

Benefits of Membership:

• Social networking
• Leadership development
• Peer support
• Personal engagement
• Learning opportunities
• Collaboration with other women who share values
• Participation in warm, inclusive, action-oriented community

Contact:

• Anisah Colon: anisah@aurorafoundation.org
• Phone: (860) 969-3435
• Address: PO Box 370537, West Hartford, CT 06137

How to Join the 2026 Women's Giving Circle

Membership Details:

• Join an action-oriented community of women
• No minimum donation required
• Participate in four virtual sessions held each spring
• All funds go directly to local nonprofits

Getting Started:

1. Contact Aurora Foundation with interest in joining
2. Attend four scheduled virtual sessions throughout the spring
3. Learn about the year's focus area and community organizations
4. Participate in collective decision-making about grant awards
5. Make your donation (any amount)
6. See 100% of funds deployed to local organizations

Required Materials:

• None specified - membership is open and welcoming to all

Contact for Questions:

• Anisah Colon: anisah@aurorafoundation.org
• Phone: (860) 969-3435