ABOUT THE PROGRAM: The GivHer Circle Young Philanthropist Cohort is an exclusive opportunity for young women on the Mississippi Gulf Coast to develop as leaders in philanthropy while building the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to serve on nonprofit boards with confidence and impact.

As a cohort member, you will:

1. Participate in Board Build training through the Mississippi Alliance for Nonprofits and Philanthropy, earning Board Certification recognized across the state of Mississippi.

2. Develop a strong understanding of nonprofit financial management, governance, and decision-making processes to confidently fulfill board responsibilities.

3. Strengthen your leadership skills and engage in personal and professional development designed to enhance your effectiveness in both board service and your career. 

4. Build your network through connections with local and statewide nonprofit leaders, GivHer Circle members, and fellow cohort participants.

5. As members of the cohort, you will take part in the 2025-2026 Grant cycle which includes the award of a $20,000 grant. You will participate in the recruitment and recommendations of nonprofits and be part of the decision-making process to determine who receives the funding. Your $300 program fee will go towards underwriting that grant. As membership grows, our long-term goal is to award five $20,000 grants to local nonprofits annually.

We hope that upon completing the cohort, you'll choose to continue your GivHer Circle membership so that, together, we can grow our impact and support more nonprofits each year.

The application must be signed by both applicant and employer/sponsor (if applicable) and submitted by 12:00 p.m. on October 24, 2025. You may complete and submit the application online or download, complete, and email the application to info@mgccf.org.

Participation in the GivHer Circle Young Philanthropist Cohort is open to women ages 34 and under living or working in the lower six counties (George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, Stone). A maximum of 10 (ten) individuals will be appointed to participate in the program.

Attendance at all programs listed on the current program calendar is recommended. Only 1 (one) excused absence will be allowed. Attendance at opening session and cohort completion recognition is mandatory. Those who fail to attend the required number of sessions may be asked to withdraw, with no refund of tuition.

$300 Program Fee: This fee includes all sessions, daily meals, snacks, binder, and materials.

 

November 20, 2025: Program Opening Session, 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.

December 5, 2025: 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.

January 16, 2026: 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.

February 27, 2026: 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.

March 19, 2026 - 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.

April 17, 2026 - 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.

May 7, 2026 - Cohort Completion Recognition, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.

**The schedule is tentative and could change.

** Class Project will be required.

** Attendance is mandatory for the Opening Session and Cohort Completion Recognition for completion of program and only one session absence is excused. If you miss 50% or more of one or more sessions, it will count as an absence.

Tuition is $300. Due upon selection and prior to the start of the opening session. Please make checks payable to Gulf Coast Community Foundation or pay online at www.GivHerCircle.org. For questions, call 228-897-4841 or email info@mgccf.org. You will be notified of acceptance into the Program by October 31, 2025. The first session/opening session will be held at the Knight Nonprofit Center on November 20, 2025, and will be mandatory.

I understand the mission and goals of the GivHer Circle Young Philanthropist Cohort. I understand the time commitment required of me as a program participant. If selected, I commit to attend all monthly sessions, and I fully understand that should I miss more than 1 unexcused session, I may be dismissed from the program with no portion of my tuition refunded. (You are allowed 1 excused absence.) I understand that I will be required to work on and complete a group project. I am willing to devote my time and energy to the sessions, my project, and the program as a whole. I understand that successful follow-through of these commitments is dependent upon completion of the program. I further understand that this is a competitive selection process and due to space limitations, not all applicants can be selected.

I, being of legal age, hereby consent that my name, image, and likeness, as shown in photographs (print or digital), video recordings, electronic or online images, and/or audio recording made of my voice, and in other media in which I I appear, may be used by the GivHer Circle Young Philanthropist Cohort, its assigns or successors, in whatever way they desire. Furthermore, I hereby consent that such shall be the property of the GivHer Circle Young Philanthropist Cohort, and they shall have the right to sell, duplicate, reproduce and make other uses of such photographs, videos, digital recordings, electronic images, and other media as they may desire free and clear of any claim whatsoever on my part.

My signature indicates I understand the above commitments and agree to uphold them to the best of my ability.