About Gahanna GLOW

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Short on time, but still want to give back, pay it forward, lift up, help out, and support community nonprofits? Need an occasional ladies' night out filled with feel-good vibes? GLOW is for you! The meetings are fast-paced, exciting, educational, and fun - with substantial central Ohio impact.

We Gather to Give on the 4th Wednesday of January, April, July, and October. An optional social hour begins at 6pm. The official meeting runs from 7pm to 8pm, with more social time afterward. All meetings occur at Gahanna's Edison Brewing Company. Beverages and food truck offerings are available for purchase. Guests are always welcome and encouraged to attend.

• The Membership Commitment Form is all that is required for membership.
• Members are from a variety of central Ohio communities. All are welcome.
• We value your time. Meetings start and end promptly.
• Ballots are distributed to members at meeting check-in.
• After the presentations, Q&A, and the vote, tax-deductible donations are made DIRECTLY to the winning NPO - on the spot, via personal check or online payment. NO money passes through GLOW. Members are committed to the $100 minimum donation even if their choice doesn't win, and even if they are absent.
• The winning NPO returns next time to update on the use of funds.
• Presenting NPOs are required to keep GLOW donor information confidential, and to not solicit members for future donations.
• Vote lobbying by members, NPOs, or guests is always prohibited.

Gahanna GLOW generally follows the '100 Women Who Care' premise that has inspired hundreds of local Giving Circles all over the country. GLOW is guided by a steering committee, but all members are stakeholders equally responsible for the circle's success.

All presenting nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are nominated by YOU - the Gahanna GLOW membership. In many cases, these are organizations that members are personally connected with and find inspiring. Members may nominate up to four NPOs each year, one each cycle.

• NPOs enter "The Hat" only once, even if nominated by multiple members; They remain in the hat indefinitely until drawn for presenting.
• All nominations are vetted to be sure they are eligibile per guidelines highlighted below.
• With a re-nomination and successful re-vetting: Presenting NPOs NOT selected for funding can re-enter the hat after one year, and those who DO receive funding can re-enter to the hat after two years.
• The nominating member of a presenting NPO has the option to provide a short introduction for the organization.
• Who has already been nominated? Check out The Hat!

Nonprofit Requirements - minimum NECESSARY, not all inclusive:

• Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, or have a qualified fiscal sponsor
• Must be doing work in some part of the central Ohio region - Franklin and/or any contiguous county
• Must be in good standing with the Ohio Attorney General
• Must agree to the GLOW Agreement with Presenting Nonprofits

Nonprofit Exclusions – NOT ELIGIBLE guidelines, not all inclusive:

• Public school or public hospital general funds; religious doctrine promotion/organizations; Political/partisan organizations, programs or campaigns; non-operating private foundations per IRS classification
• Academic/medical research; direct medical care/therapies; academic scholarships; grant making
• General fundraising campaigns/events; pass-through fundraising; endowment funds; payment of debt/legal settlements; school or booster/sports/clubs/theater/band programs 

All nonprofit organizations (NPOs) considered for funding are nominated by GLOW members in good standing. That is the only way to enter The Hat.

NPOs drawn to present are notified three weeks in advance of the next Gather to Give meeting. GLOW coordinates with the presenting NPOs to ensure they understand how GLOW works, what subject matter to cover, how to maximize the five-minute pitch, and to set expectations. The NPOs agree to the Presentation Rules and the Presentation Guidelines, as outlined in The GLOW Code, and they agree to the terms outlined in the GLOW Agreement for Presenting Nonprofits.

The quarterly Gather to Give meetings are fun and fast-paced. It's exciting to present to GLOW. The membership gets to know the NPOs personally and really connect with the organizations. If GLOW membership remains over 100-women strong, the winning nonrofit should recieve over $10,000 for immediate community impact. It is truly a power hour of giving.

Transparency is part of the Gahanna GLOW value system and information is power, so details about how GLOW operates are located here in the RESOURCES section. Have a question? The answer is probably in the links below. Take your time and look around.

Check out the Mid-Cycle Newsletter

2024 Spring Newsletter

2024 Summer Newsletter

2024 Autumn Newsletter

Check out the most recent all-inclusive Impact Report

2024 Autumn

Year 2025 Gather to Give Meeting Dates

January 22, April 23, July 23, October 22

Forms and Documents

All links lead to Google forms/documents. Note: These are all live documents with updates happening frequently.

Become a member: GLOW Membership Commitment Form

Nominate a nonprofit: GLOW Nonprofit Nomination Form

Possible future membership, or just want to stay connected: GLOW Interest Form

Nonprofit GLOW Agreement with Presenting Nonprofits

GLOW Guidelines for Presenters

GLOW Volunteer Teams Summary

GLOW Meeting Agenda Summary

GLOW The Hat Contents

GLOW FAQs - Questions Asked & Answers Given

GLOW Operating procedures: The GLOW Code