EPIP Philadelphia Giving Circle Now Accepting Requests for Proposals

The Philadelphia chapter of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP), a national network of professionals in the philanthropic, nonprofit and social entrepreneurship sectors, is seeking grassroots initiatives to fund through its recently launched giving circle. The call for request for proposals was sent out last week.

EPIP Philadelphia’s giving circle was designed to crowdsource its members for small grants to financially support nonprofit organizations working in Philadelphia communities. The selected projects will receive a minimum of $1,000.

The grant application, due January 19, states that EPIP welcomes projects that are not usually funded by philanthropic institutions, such as community pizza parties or staff training workshops.

According to the application: “This design helps to create a pipeline for a new form of philanthropy where community is first and funder criteria is second. It is our hope that this process will benefit communities in moving conversations about real issues forward and developing better practices for the sector.”

Another unique aspect of the giving circle is that organizations do not apply for grants themselves but instead are nominated by a “Community Connector.”

Community Connectors are visible and engaged member of the community that are deeply informed about local needs.  They will serve as spokesperson for EPIP and work with the giving circle through the grantmaking process, ultimately selecting the nonprofits that get funded.

The application is available here. All applicants will be notified of their status by February 15, 2015.

Disclaimer: Sharon Rice, Generocity.org’s Director of Community Relations, is on EPIP National’s Board.