Our giving circle is a collective of Muslim women in Austin, Texas who pool their $500 donation annually towards a larger grant benefiting the local community. Each year, the circle picks a different focus area to impact (healthcare, women and children, poverty alleviation, injustice, etc). Our mission and vision are centered around amplified giving, local impact, and dawah. We also commit to one service event with our grant recipients annually.
Pooling financial resources, time, and knowledge to create a larger, more impactful collective grant than any single person could manage alone.
We follow the sunnah of caring for the neighbor closest to you. Our giving stays in Central Texas, with organizations we can visit, serve alongside, and answer to.
We hope our generosity and commitment demonstrate the values at the heart of our faith: compassion, service, community, and a responsibility to care for others.
A transitional housing program for immigrant mothers and their children escaping domestic or cultural violence, across four homes in East Austin.
$12,500 granted
Free comprehensive primary care for uninsured children in Central Texas, including vaccines, medication, labs, and counseling, at no cost to families.
$16,000 granted
Equipping parents of children with disabilities to become their child's greatest advocates, through hands-on courses, support, and community building.
$25,202.61 granted
This year we are funding a nonprofit that upholds the human rights of people in Central Texas.
Applications open October 4 and close December 4. Awarded February 6.
Sana has a background in communications, education, instructional design, and entrepreneurship. She brings creativity, strong organizational skills, and a passion for thoughtful community engagement to the Circle's mission and work.
Shameem is a longstanding leader in her community in Austin while raising her three kids. She is passionate about building community, philanthropy, and creating meaningful local impact.
Yasmin had the idea in the first place. She has a background in advocacy, public policy, community engagement, and research. With more than 20 years of experience working on issues affecting women, children, and families, she brings a deep commitment to service, equity, and building stronger communities.
Nonprofit finalists pitch their organization's plan for the grant to the room, and our members vote on who to award the grant to. Previously guests of members have been so inspired by the pitches, they have joined the Circle and contributed to earn a right to vote on the spot.
Serving with our hands and being out in the community with the organizations that receive our money, so we build relationships and connect at a deeper level.
Every organization below reached the final round of The Big Give and pitched to our members.
Muslim Community Support Services is our fiscal sponsor. Our giving circle is not itself a nonprofit, so MCSS receives and holds every contribution on our behalf, which is what keeps your gift tax deductible. Your money sits in a fund reserved for the Circle and goes out as the grant our members vote on.
MCSS has supported families in Austin since 2001, one of the longest-serving Muslim-led nonprofits in the city, and we are grateful for their partnership. You will be taken to the MCSS site to complete your gift.
@mcssatx
Write Giving Circle in the note.
info@mcssatx.com
Write Giving Circle in the memo.
Use the PayPal button on the MCSS donate page and add Giving Circle in the comments.
Give $525 on the MCSS donate page, and select or note Giving Circle.
Card processing takes about 5% of every gift, which is $25 on a $500 membership. Giving $525 means your full $500 reaches the grant. Your receipt will show the entire $525 as a charitable contribution.
These payments arrive without a name attached to our fund, so two quick steps make sure your gift is credited to the Giving Circle and that you get your tax receipt:
MCSS needs your contact information to issue a receipt for Zelle and Venmo gifts. Their federal tax ID is 74-2977031.
This link opens an external site.
Questions about membership, the grant, or the Big Give? Send us a note and we will get back to you.
Membership is $500 a year. One donation annually, one vote, one grant.
See how to give for Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, and card.
@ctxmuslimwomensgivingcircle