Text: Grinnell Black Alumni Network. Image: A white and black stylized bird on a red, black, and green flag. The Grinnell College logo sits below the text.

Grinnell Black Alumni Giving Circle

The Grinnell Black Alumni Giving Circle brings together members of the Black alumni community with the larger Grinnell College alumni network to maximize their philanthropic impact and make invaluable connections with students, faculty and staff for initiatives that seek to support students who have been historically underrepresented with a preference for African American or from the African diaspora.

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Frequently asked questions

GBAN leaders take a group photo.

How is the Grinnell Black Alumni Giving Circle funding distributed?

Annually the Circle will pools gifts from its contributors and distribute the funding as follows:

  • 50% to establish the GBAN Endowment which ensures in perpetuity efforts to sustain and uplift the legacy of the Black experience at Grinnell College. 
  • 50% to innovative grants for College programs selected each year by members of Grinnell Black Alumni Giving Circle to have an immediate impact on the student experience.

Jani Springer, Tamara Beauboeuf-Lafontant, and Valeriya Woodard ’25.

How will the grant recipients be selected?

Students, faculty or staff may submit project ideas that aim to meaningful impact on the student experience at Grinnell. After an initial review of project proposals by the officers of the Grinnell Black Alumni Network, the finalists are presented to the GBAN Giving Circle vote at their Fall(?) meeting. All projects are completed within one year of the grant.

Randy Morgan ’65, left, Todd Coulter ’86, Derrick Mitchell ’06, and Bernard Jackson ’86.

What is the minimum required to join the Collaborative?

The minimum requirement will vary each year for GBAN members, but general members of the alumni community may contribute at any level. The Circle is designed to show that giving is an experience available for everyone, increase Black philanthropy to Grinnell, and give donors a direct return on their investment almost immediately.

Brianna Harris ’28, left, and Bonsen Yusuf ’27

Is my gift tax deductible?

Charitable gifts made by individuals and organizations to Grinnell College are eligible for deduction under the direction of federal laws.