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 a member of the cohort, you will take part in the annual grant cycle, which includes the award of a $20,000 grant. You will participate in the recruitment and recommendation of nonprofits and be part of the decision-making process to determine who receives the funding.

Your $300 program fee will go toward 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 will choose to continue your GivHer Circle membership so that together we can grow our impact and support more nonprofits each year.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Participation in GivHer Circle Young Philanthropist Cohort is open to women ages 35 and under living or working in the lower six counties (George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, Stone).

SESSION SCHEDULE
The Young Philanthropist Cohort is a seven-month leadership and philanthropy program. It begins with an orientation and program opening session and concludes with a cohort completion recognition.

The cohort meets a minimum of once a month, with occasional optional bonus dates offered along the way. Each session combines board governance and leadership learning with hands-on experiences such as nonprofit spotlights and community site visits. Across the program, members build a foundation in board service and nonprofit governance, earn their BoardBuild certification, and grow in leadership, communication, nonprofit finance, and personal philanthropy. Cohort members also take part in the GivHer Circle grant cycle, including the recruitment, review, and selection of grant recipients.

Attendance at all program dates is highly recommended. A class project is required for completion of the program and is presented at the cohort completion recognition. A full program calendar with session details is provided to members upon acceptance into the cohort.

This fee includes all sessions, daily meals, snacks, binder, and materials.

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. Applicants will be notified of acceptance into the program, and attendance at the opening session is mandatory.

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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 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.