To be a catalyst in Baptist life, drawing together women and men in partnership with God, to illuminate, advocate, and nurture the gifts and graces of women.
Join a Giving Circle
Giving Circles
A Giving Circle is a group of individuals who pool their donations and decide, collectively, where and how to use the donated the money. Through the combined donations, grant applications can be funded supporting women in leadership for scores of ministries. That is the heart of the women’s Giving Circle concept. Ordinary women . . . extraordinary impact.
Throughout our world, there are Baptist women who feel the call to serve God. Yet to answer that call, many have to overcome personal uncertainty, educational or social challenges, and financial barriers. Giving Circles were created to give Baptist women prayerful encouragement, practical advice and financial support in discovering and pursuing their areas of ministry. In this way, these Circles help promote the greater mission of Baptist Women in Ministry: to be a catalyst in Baptist life, drawing together women and men in partnership with God, to illuminate, advocate, and nurture the gifts and graces of women. Whether you are a woman seeking assistance or a church or group seeking to start your own Giving Circle, we are ready to help. For more information, contact Pam Durso, executive director of Baptist Women in Ministry, at pamdurso@bwim.info
Giving Circle Guidelines.
Want to start your own Giving Circle? Baptist Women in Ministry has a proven structure in place to help you create, organize and plan ongoing activities to help deserving women.
Forming the Circles.
To support and encourage ministries of Baptist women under BWIM auspices, your Giving Circle should:
• Be formed regionally.
• Have a chair and a team of three to four members.
• Select a “name” for your circle.
• Make your team responsible for keeping a log of application requests, setting priorities in granting requests, establishing percentages about priorities for giving.
• Have your team determine percentage of contributions to be provided to Baptist Women in Ministry for operational expenses related to the Circle (suggested 10%-15%).
• Have your team review applications and make recommendations about grant applications to the entire Circle.
• Have all members of the Circle give final approval of grants.
Collecting and Distributing Funds.
To allow the Circle to concentrate on consideration of grants and candidates, BWIM will:
• Receive funds solicited by the Circle and deposit them in an account designated exclusively to that Circle.
• Oversee the fund management and provide reports to the Circle chair on a quarterly basis.
• Assist the chair in determining the amount of monies available for annual distribution.
• Distribute the funds as directed by the Circle chair.
Giving Circle Priorities.
Three major areas Giving Circles can provide substantial help to women looking to serve God.
Educational Encouragement.
Baptist women preparing for vocational ministry often don’t have access to the resources needed to fund their education. Giving Circles can help by providing scholarships for seminarians and graduate students, including those studying in M.Div., D.Min., and Ph.D. programs.
Calling Discernment.
“Am I truly called to serve?” Baptist women, young and old, seek guidance in answering this question. Giving Circles can help them discern the personal assurance they need by providing grants for:
• College, Seminary and Lay Retreats – grant money for weekend or day-long retreats in which women have a safe and healthy place to explore and clarify calling.
• Calling Resources – grant money for the development and production of resources that address calling for Baptist women.
Ministry Opportunities.
Baptist women often struggle to find ministry opportunities in their area of calling. Giving Circles can help with grants for:
• Pastoral Positions – matching grant money to help small and/or rural churches pay salary and benefits for a Baptist woman to serve in a pastoral position.
• Interim Pastors – matching grant money to help a church pay the salary of a Baptist woman to serve in an interim position.
• Church Planters – grant money to allow a Baptist woman to explore church planting possibilities.
• Missions – grant money to underwrite mission efforts of Baptist women.
• Interns – grant money to help churches fund salaries for summer or semester interns.
To Join a Circle
Contact Pam Durso at pamdurso@bwim.info or 678-547-6425
To Apply for a Grant