Masala Giving Circle Grants Funds to Support the Lives of Young Girls

On May 15, the Masala Giving Circle, a philanthropic organization of African-American women, held a Grant Awardee Ceremony at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. This year the grant award was for $2,500.00 and was awarded to Five Pearls of Excellence, a mentoring organization lead by professional women working with young girls. Quality mentoring programs are especially impactful on the lives of young girls, and Five Pearls of Excellence is outstanding in its program development, execution and longevity.

Taking its name, from the five women who founded the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority in 1920 at Howard University, the goal of Five Pearls of Excellence’s program is to conduct community outreach to girls from African-American, Hispanic, and multi-ethnic backgrounds. 50% of the girls are from homes whose incomes are at or below the poverty line. Girls from ages 4 years to 18 are exposed to a wide range of both indoor and outdoor activities to expose them to cultural, educational, team and self-esteem building activities and experiences. There are currently 20 girls in the program locally.

The Masala Giving Circle was formed four years ago through the Community Foundation of Sarasota County by a diverse group of professional African-American women with a common passion for giving back, helping others, and creating positive change in the African-American community of Sarasota and Manatee counties. The group awards grants each year to one or more local non-profit organizations for initiatives to improve the quality of life for African-Americans in Sarasota and/or Manatee counties. Since their founding, the Masala Giving Circle has awarded more than $16,000 back into the community.

About Masala Giving Circle

Masala Giving Circle is a non-profit affinity group operating under the 501 (c)(3) umbrella of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Through engaged and collective philanthropy, Masala Giving Circle’s mission is to promote economic and personal empowerment through financial support for programs and initiatives that benefit African-American communities in Sarasota and Manatee counties. We believe this mission will lead to culturally-vibrant, thriving African-American communities that inspire and prosper. For more information about Masala Giving Circle, email MasalaGiving.com or visit our website at www.MasalaGiving.com.