Page 77 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2026

story by Lynn Lofton
photos courtesy of Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Gulf Coast Community Foundation is shining the spotlight
on a group of young women who are giving their time and
resources to learn about community nonprofit leadership. It’s the
GivHer Circle’s Young Philanthropist Cohort, a seven-month
leadership and philanthropy program for women 35 and under.
The members are referred to as cohorts to reflect the nature
of how the group moves through the program together. Rather
than individual participants enrolling on a staggered basis,
each class of women is selected together, begins together in
November, and completes the program together in May. They
share the same sessions, complete the same BoardBuild modules
on the same pacing schedule, and undertake a group community
project as a unit. The cohort model emphasizes collective growth
and peer accountability alongside the individual development
each member experiences.
The cohort is the pipeline and every participant becomes a
full GivHer Circle member and helps recruit nonprofits, review
applications, and vote on grant recipients. To put it in a national
frame: collective giving led by women has tripled in two decades.
In 2023, 60 percent of it came from women-only circles. This
local program is part of that wave, and goes further by training
the next generation of women board leaders.
“There’s something really special about watching women come
together with a shared purpose. Through The GivHer Circle,
they’re pooling their generosity to support nonprofits across
South Mississippi while inspiring one another along the way,”
said Dr. Christen H. Duhé, GCCF president and executive
director. “The Young Philanthropist Cohort is a beautiful
extension of that mission. Watching these young women grow
into confident leaders, find their voices, and realize they each
have something meaningful to offer has been one of the greatest
joys of this program. I hope this is only the beginning of their
lifelong journey of giving back.”
The GivHer Circle is a women’s collective-giving program that
pools tax-deductible member contributions to award $20,000
grants to underrepresented nonprofits across South Mississippi’s
six lower counties. Their philosophy is that empowered women
empower change.
Director of Donor Relations Tiffany D. Bell explains that
the idea for the GivHer Circle came about when Duhé joined
GCCF. The idea of a giving circle was introduced by a GCCF
donor, who was a member of a giving circle in Alabama.
“Christen brought the concept to the team. What started as
an inspired idea quickly became something remarkable,” Bell
added.
Most giving circles launch their first year with fewer than
20 members. GivHer Circle closed its inaugural year with 43
members, a testament to how deeply the Coast was ready for
this kind of collective, women-led philanthropy. From that
strong foundation, the Young Philanthropist Cohort was born
as the Circle’s flagship initiative, launching in November 2025
to develop the next generation of nonprofit board leaders right
here in South Mississippi.
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net “Participating in Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s the
GivHer Circle Young Philanthropist Cohort gave me the
opportunity to connect with other emerging leaders who are
passionate about making a difference in our community,” said
Alexis Higgins. “The experience expanded my perspective on
philanthropy by showing me that meaningful impact comes
in many forms, from giving financially to sharing your time,
talents, and influence. It also reinforced my commitment to
creating spaces where young adults and women feel supported,
empowered, and inspired to invest in the communities around
them.”
GivHer Circle membership is tiered. Champion Members
give $1,200, Legacy Members ages 60 and over give $600, and
Young Philanthropists ages 35 and under give $300.
Previous $20,000 grant recipients include Elijah’s Closet (2024,
beds for foster children) and Back Bay Mission (2025, provide
the underserved with child welfare and educational supplies;
wellness, health and hygiene kits; and preventative care before
crisis).
The GivHer Circle aims to award five $20,000 grants annually
to deserving organizations, totaling $100,000 going directly to
nonprofits. The organization also maintains a GivHer Circle
endowment fund at GCCF, which ensures continued support for
vital nonprofits for generations to come.
GCCF leaders say the vision for the GivHer Circle is growth
because growth translates directly into meaningful impact. The
more members who join, the more funding is available, and the
more grants can be awarded and lives changed.
“For the YPC specifically, the natural trajectory is a growing
alumnae network of board-certified women placed on nonprofit
boards across the six-county region, creating a pipeline of
informed, engaged leaders that compounds in impact year over
year,” Duhé said. “As the cohort model matures, there is also
potential to expand cohort size, deepen partnerships with local
nonprofits seeking board members, and position the program as
a regional model for next-generation philanthropic leadership
development.”
Recruitment for the 2026-2027 class opens in September and
goes through late October. To learn more about the GivHer
Circle and how you can be part of this growing community of
women philanthropists, visit GivHerCircle.org.
11975 Seaway Rd., Ste. B-150 Gulfport
228.897.4841 | mgccf.org
September 2026 | 77