The Circle Of Women

Charity Number: 1160293

Annual Expenditure: £0.7M
Geographic Focus: Isle Of Man, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Antarctica ... [235 more]

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Income: £516,682 (2023-24)
  • Annual Charitable Expenditure: £701,537 (2023-24)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (multi-year funding provided)
  • Geographic Focus: Global South and UK, with particular focus on South Sudan, DRC, Afghanistan, and Pakistan
  • Partners Supported: 12 frontline organizations (2023-24)

Contact Details

Website: www.thecircle.ngo

Phone: 7976842094

Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter) @thecirclengo

Overview

Founded by Annie Lennox in 2008 and established as an independent charity in 2015 (Charity Number: 1160293), The Circle is a global feminist organization supporting the most vulnerable women and girls facing violence and injustice worldwide. Over 15 years, The Circle has supported over 1.4 million people across 31 countries. The organization's Empowerment Fund provides multi-year unrestricted funding to grassroots women-led organizations. With 10 trustees and 6 employees, The Circle operates as “a small organisation supported by a mighty network of extraordinary women and allies.” In 2023-24, they supported 88,000+ women and girls through their 12 partner organizations, focusing on two interlinked priorities: ending violence against women and girls, and igniting female economic empowerment. The organization has recently rebranded with global feminism as its guiding principle.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Circle provides multi-year partnership funding to grassroots organizations through their Empowerment Fund. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through an online portal, though specific funding rounds may have deadlines (most recent deadline extended to February 10th, 23:59 GMT).

Funding Characteristics:

  • Multi-year funding commitments for sustainable support
  • Flexible funding for core costs available
  • Support for project development, growth, and seed funding
  • Accompanied by advocacy, connection, and amplification support

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

  • Ending gender-based violence against women and girls
  • Economic empowerment of women and girls

Specific Activities Funded:

  • Safe spaces and refuges for women fleeing violence
  • Counseling and psychosocial support services
  • Education and awareness campaigns
  • Domestic abuse support services
  • Skills development and training programs
  • Advocacy initiatives
  • Services for women affected by HIV/AIDS
  • Support for trafficking survivors
  • Maternal health rights
  • Menstrual hygiene education

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Organizations must work to end gender-based violence and/or empower women economically
  • Annual income between £10,000 – £250,000
  • Proof of charitable status required
  • Must provide governing document and proof of bank account
  • Women-led grassroots organizations preferred

Geographic Priorities:

  • Preferably Global South or UK
  • Particularly seeking partners in: South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, and Pakistan
  • Also supports organizations in Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the Middle East

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, but their focus is clearly on grassroots women-led organizations working on gender-based violence and economic empowerment. Organizations outside this mission focus or those not meeting the income threshold (£10,000-£250,000) would not be eligible.

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Governance and Leadership

Founder: Annie Lennox OBE – Singer-songwriter and activist who established The Circle in 2008

Co-Founder & Ambassador: Livia Firth

Chief Executive: Raakhi Shah – Appointed to lead the organization's strategic focus on ending violence against women and girls and economic empowerment

Head of Advocacy and Campaigns: Tracy Doig

Trustees: Tara Paterson (Trustee and founding member, also Annie Lennox's Management representative at XIX Entertainment for over 22 years), plus 9 other trustees (10 total). None receive remuneration.

Key Quotes from Leadership:

Raakhi Shah, CEO: “Our unique and collective work is ever more important, and our ambitions for the future are embodied in our new brand with global feminism at its heart.”

Raakhi Shah on funding needs: "Funding has never been so needed. Things are getting worse for many women around the world... Strengthening the power of women's rights organisations through long-term financial support is essential to push forward gender equality and to build a safer, fairer future for all."

Partner testimony: "To be in The Circle's global network means a lot... Sometimes we think that we are alone, feeling really lonely in this journey."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Submit proof of charitable status, governing document, and bank account details

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines and notification methods are not publicly disclosed. Applicants should contact The Circle directly for information about review timelines.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. In 2023-24, The Circle funded 12 organizations (7 established partnerships continuing, 5 new partnerships beginning that year).

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly disclosed. Interested applicants should consult the FAQ on The Circle's website or contact them directly.

Application Success Factors

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Partnership Approach: The Circle emphasizes working alongside partners, not just providing funding. They seek organizations that will benefit from being part of a global feminist network.

Focus Alignment: Clear demonstration of work toward ending gender-based violence and/or economic empowerment of women and girls.

Grassroots Impact: Evidence of direct work with the most vulnerable women and girls in communities.

Income Level: Organizations with annual income between £10,000-£250,000 fit their partnership model.

Geographic Priority: While not exclusive, organizations in South Sudan, DRC, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are particularly sought after.

Flexibility Needs: The Circle offers flexible core funding, so articulating how unrestricted funding would strengthen organizational capacity is valuable.

Examples of Recent Partners

  • MKAAJI (DRC) – Supporting women affected by conflict
  • Women's Centre Sri Lanka – Mobilizing women worker activists and advocating with fashion brands
  • Rahela Trust (Afghanistan) – Supporting Afghan women's rights
  • Our Sisters' Opportunity (Rwanda) – Led by Delphine Uwamahoro
  • Women in Leadership (Uganda) – Education and empowerment, supporting women facing violence
  • Nonceba (South Africa) – Centre for women fleeing abuse
  • Awer Women Empowerment – Women's empowerment initiatives

Strategic Considerations

The Circle's rebrand emphasizes “global feminism” as their north star. Applications that demonstrate understanding of intersectional feminist approaches and commitment to systemic change for women's rights will resonate with their mission.

The organization values being part of creating a global movement, having hosted feminist leaders like Julia Gillard and Mary Robinson, and running campaigns like #MakeAStandFor1in3 which reached 20 million+ people.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Multi-year commitment: The Circle offers sustained partnership funding, not one-off grants. Emphasize your long-term vision and sustainability.
  • Income sweet spot: Organizations with £10,000-£250,000 annual income are the target – demonstrate you fit this profile.
  • Core costs welcome: Unlike many funders, The Circle explicitly welcomes flexible funding requests for core costs.
  • Network value: Highlight how being part of a global feminist network would amplify your impact – it's not just about money.
  • Two pillars: Ensure your work clearly addresses either (or both) ending gender-based violence OR economic empowerment for women/girls.
  • Geographic priorities: If you're in South Sudan, DRC, Afghanistan, or Pakistan, emphasize this, but don't be discouraged if elsewhere in the Global South or UK.
  • Grassroots focus: Demonstrate you're a women-led, community-based organization working directly with the most vulnerable women and girls.

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