Mission StatementThe New Mountain Climbers Giving Circle of Montgomery County, Virginia, is dedicated to the enrichment of the African American community through political action, education, economic empowerment, and community investment.
Who are we?
The New Mountain Climbers Giving Circle was established in 2005. It was an outgrowth of The Community Group, an association formed to enhance and advance African American participation in Montgomery County civic development. The Community Group, the founding organization, stresses the importance of economic investment in African American organizations and individuals as a crucial step toward assuring full civic participation. Being inspired and guided by Athan Lindsey and Darryl Lester of HindSight Consulting and founders of NGAAP Giving Circle, to value and commit their time, talents and treasures, The NMC Giving Circle was formed.
The NMC Giving Circle is now a member of the Community Investment Network which is made up of nine giving circles. These giving circles, in addition to NMC located in Montgomery County Virginia are located in various areas across the region: New Orleans, LA, Charlotte, NC, Washington, DC, Birmingham, AL, Raleigh, NC (2), Charlotte, NC, Warrenton, NC and Pittsburgh, PA.
Impact NMC Goals Giving CircleA giving circle is a collaborative network of individuals who demonstrate their commitment and interests in their community through their willingness to share their time, talent and treasures. The essence of giving circles rests with the value of the collective, highlighting the potential for greater impact as a result of pooling resources.
The goals of New Mountain Climbers Giving Circle• expand philanthropy and organized collective giving in the
African American community through education, giving and
leadership;
• make investments in predominantly in African-American led
non profit and/or community organizations involved in
social change goals and activities, including but not limited
to youth-focused efforts;
• raise awareness of economic, social and cultural disparities
within local communities and to generate goals, policies
and programs to eliminate them;
• sponsor educational forums to increase African American
philanthropic efforts and enhance leadership in community-
wide civic, social and economic affairs; and
• create a permanent endowment fund to further the mission
and goals of NMC.
What people are saying about the New Mountain Climbers
"The New Mountain Climbers giving circle is a true inspiration to the Community Foundation. This African American community group has demonstrated that true development is really transformational. The New Mountain Climbers have gone from being foundation grantees to becoming grant makers with a seat at the table of community philanthropy. Incredible! No other grantee of ours can tell this story." -
The Community Foundation of the New River Valley "The New Mountain Climbers seeks to inspire within the African American community the will to look within itself to solve problems and create opportunities as opposed to solely relying on outside sources. Contributed significantly to our administrative operations and enhanced our aspirations by receiving these funds from the descendants of the historic Christiansburg Institute African American Community.”
- Christiansburg Institute, Inc.
“Supported the Christiansburg Community Center tutorial program offering one–on-one homework assistance to children from kindergarten to twelfth grade.”
-The Christiansburg Community Center
Membership Opportunities
Voting Members: Persons who contribute $100 annually and regularly attend NMC committee meetings and sponsored events at a minimum of 70%.
Non-Voting Members: Persons who contribute $1 or more annually
Sponsors: Members or nonvoting individuals that donate $500.00 or more.
To Join, Complete the Membership Application Form and return. Thank you!
For more information, contact John Nowlin, 540-382-0606; e-mail john.nowlin@verizon.net
or Penny J. Franklin, 540-382-2310
Athan Lindsay of Hindsight Consulting provided the New Mountain Climbers a day-long workshop on grant making. The interactive workshop enabled the members of the giving circle to develop a philosophy and approach to making grants to meet needs in the Montgomery County community.
