Our Values

Many Hands believes in the power of collective giving. Giving as a group, we achieve greater impact than we do as individuals. We value our ability to provide large collective grants to nonprofit partners addressing persistent community needs. We further value the role that collective giving plays in democratizing philanthropy. Originally a women’s organization, we continue to prioritize the empowerment of donors that philanthropy has historically overlooked. We welcome all members who share this goal.

Many Hands believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our work. To partner effectively with nonprofits working with women, children, and families in socioeconomic need, we must both understand how race and other drivers of inequity shape the distribution of resources and opportunities within our society and, further, recognize and address our individual and collective biases. Valuing and empowering a wide range of voices throughout our organization advances these goals.

Many Hands believes in trust-based philanthropy. Achieving our mission depends on partnerships with nonprofit organizations providing direct service to clients. Trust-based philanthropy confers greater respect on nonprofit providers by acknowledging and reducing the substantial barriers to authenticity in the grantor/grantee relationship. We trust grantees to know the best way to do their work, and we aim to reduce the burdens on nonprofit growth, innovation, and progress.

Many Hands believes in voluntarism. As an organization led and run by volunteers, we can direct greater resources to grantees and offer donors engaging and meaningful opportunities to learn and serve. To ensure the success of this model, we are committed to collaboration, transparency, and mutual respect.

Our Network

Many Hands is proud to be part of a broader collective giving community that share information, resources, and best practices and promote high-impact giving.

Philanos empowers women by supporting the creation, development, and expansion of collective giving through informed grantmaking. Philanos has more than 100 giving circle affiliates worldwide, representing over 20,000 women. Collectively, affiliates have granted more than $200 million to nonprofit organizations in the US.

The DMV Collective Giving Network represents over 20 giving circles in the DC region whose members have pooled their resources to donate millions of dollars to local nonprofits. Its purpose is to unite and build the field of collective giving and provide opportunities for giving circles to network, learn, share best practices, and collaborate so they can continue to support and promote positive change in their communities.