Grapevine is a platform that provides our group with an online home that allows us to donate to a shared pool then collaborate to decide which nonprofits to give the money to. They also provide our group with free virtual event planning and hosting support, donation matching funds, and more!

At Grapevine our mission is to help grow the giving circle movement. In order to do that, we’re working to help launch giving circles in new areas and categories where they don’t exist already. That’s why we’re starting Cleveland Women in Business for Good. As we develop this group, we’ll identify leaders within the group and help them maintain and grow the group over time.

Interested in a leadership position? Apply here

1. Contribution
Members make their quarter contribution.

2. Nomination
If a member has made a contribution, they can then nominate a nonprofit for consideration by adding their nomination on the post on the Grapevine page. The nomination should align with the focus of the group.

3. Selection
After all the nominations are submitted, we’ll randomly select three members' nominations.

4. Meeting
Each quarter we’ll hold a virtual or in-person networking event for one hour. At the quarterly event, the three members’ nominations that were selected will be presented. They will have five minutes to present their nonprofit and then five minutes for Q&A from members. We’ll have time for cocktails and conversation at the beginning and end of the event.

5. Voting
After all the presentations are complete, every member who has made their contribution will be eligible to vote. The nonprofit with the most votes will be rewarded with the funds.

The time commitment is as little or as much as you’d like. In general though, most members will spend about 5 hours per year participating in the group. This includes nominating and/or just voting on selected nonprofits once per quarter, as well as attending one-hour events each quarter (four per year), some networking events, and other opportunities to connect with other group members. However, there is no requirement to participate in the events. Additionally, we’d love to work with members interested in getting more involved to help lead and grow the group, which would require a few additional hours per quarter or year, depending upon your capacity.

We don’t charge any membership fees, but our payment processor charges a nonprofit discounted credit card fee of 2.2% + 30¢ per donation (3.5% for AmEx). If you’d like, you can leave an optional tip on your donation that supports Grapevine’s work.

Anyone who identifies as a woman in business in the Cleveland area is eligible to apply. This can be for any business type, industry, position, or level. All are welcome!

We’ll reach out to you about the status of your application within one week. If your application is approved, we’ll send you the information for joining the group and adding your donation.