About the Circle

The DTS Giving Circle was established to encourage the generosity of women and their connection to the Lord, the mission of DTS, and one another in a meaningful way.

A giving circle is a model of generosity that allows individuals to pool their resources to collectively fund and support charitable causes. At DTS, each woman in the Giving Circle will donate to the pool of resources and help to determine how resources will be allocated. Our hope is that this approach will cultivate a greater sense of community among DTS women donors and increase the impact of their individual contributions.

Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Our Mission

To encourage the generosity of women and their connection to the Lord, the mission of DTS, and one another in a meaningful way.

Our Vision

We believe God is doing something special in the hearts and minds of women. Our hope is this circle approach will cultivate a greater sense of community among DTS women donors, increase the impact of their individual contributions, and be a whole bunch of fun. We want this to be a meaningful experience for you and the others who participate.

How It Works

A Committee of donors from the Giving Circle will review all Letters of Inquiry from DTS faculty and staff to identify projects for funding. Semi-finalists will be invited to submit a more detailed grant proposal, and finalists will submit a three- to five-minute video about their project. Circle members will meet to review the grant submissions and videos, and then members will vote on how to allocate the pool of resources.

Grant Term: July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2028

Letters of Inquiry
(LOI) Submissions

DTS faculty and staff are invited to fill out a Letter of Inquiry form online describing your envisioned project. Departments may submit more than one LOI, with the understanding that eligibility for grant awards may be limited.

Submission Deadline: Friday, October 29, 2026
@ 11:59 p.m. (CST)

LOI Review Process

The DTS Giving Circle Committee will meet in November to review all Letters of Inquiry. The Committee will choose semi-finalists who will be invited to submit a detailed grant proposal with a project timeline and budget.

Nominees will be informed of the Committee’s decision by: Thursday, November 19, 2026

Grant Proposal Submissions

Semi-finalists will submit a detailed grant proposal with a project timeline and budget. Submission forms will be sent to semi-finalists upon notification to help clarify details.

Submission Deadline: Thursday, January 21, 2027
@ 11:59 p.m. (CST)

Grant Proposal Review

The DTS Giving Circle Committee will meet in March to review all semi-finalist proposals. The Committee will choose a select group of finalists who will be invited to submit a 3–5-minute video that highlights their project and its impact.

All semi-finalists will be informed of the Committee’s decision by: Wednesday,
February 24, 2027

Video Submissions

Finalists will submit a 3–5-minute video that highlights their project and its impact. Videos need not be elaborate, so a video taken from your phone is sufficient.

Submission Deadline: Friday, April 2, 2027

Final Proposal & Video Review

The DTS Giving Circle members will meet April 8-11, 2027, to review the final proposals and video submissions. The Circle Members will vote on how funds will be awarded, with grant recipients receiving $50,000, $25,000, or $10,000 to complete their proposed project.

Finalists may receive additional questions:
April 9-10 , 2027

Grant Awards

Awards will be announced via Zoom during the Giving Circle Retreat in the evening.

Awarded Announced: Saturday, April 10, 2027