When a group of philanthropically minded women came together in 2014 with a simple idea — pool their donations to make a greater impact — they could not have imagined how much that idea would grow.
Today, Giving2Grow (G2G), an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has awarded nearly $700,000 in grants to organizations working to combat childhood hunger across Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The organization’s mission is straightforward: “To alleviate hunger for the children of Southwestern Pennsylvania by providing grants to organizations addressing this need.” Each qualifying nonprofit may receive a grant of up to $10,000.
In its first year, Giving2Grow distributed $25,000 in grants. By 2025, annual grant funding had grown to more than $127,000.
Mount Lebanon resident Margaret Hooten has been part of the organization since its beginning.
“In 2014, a friend sent me an email explaining the giving-circle concept and the need to support children facing hunger in our region,” Hooten said. “The idea was simple: Each member would contribute $500, the funds would be pooled, and together we could award $10,000 grants to organizations already making a difference.”
Inspired by the concept, Hooten became one of Giving2Grow’s 61 founding members.
During her early years with the organization, she primarily contributed through her annual donation and attendance at the annual meeting. As her schedule became more flexible, she took on a more active role by participating in site visits to nonprofits seeking grants.
Those visits are an important part of the grant evaluation process. Volunteers meet with nonprofit leaders, learn about their missions and assess how grant funding would be used before reporting their findings to Giving2Grow members, who ultimately vote on funding decisions.
Many grant recipients serve communities throughout Allegheny County, including several with strong Mount Lebanon connections.
One is Kidcelerate, based at Christ United Methodist Church, which mobilizes more than 100 volunteers each summer to provide lunches for children when school is out of session. Giving2Grow helps bridge funding gaps for the program. In 2023, Kidcelerate received the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s Childhood Hunger Hero Award.
Giving2Grow has also provided seed funding to launch or expand programs at organizations including SHIM’s community fruit and vegetable gardens, the Black Breastfeeding Association of Pittsburgh, Beverly’s PGH Greater Pittsburgh Infant Formula Bank and 412 Food Rescue.
Andrea Fitting, a Giving2Grow member, said the organization’s grant review process is both thorough and collaborative.
“Organizations are invited to apply in June, with applications due by July 31,” Fitting said. “During August, September and October, our grant and site visit committees review applications, conduct site visits and evaluate whether applicants align with our mission and will use our funds effectively. Those recommendations are then shared with our members before they vote on the grants.”
Giving2Grow continues to grow as well.
In 2025, membership increased by 62%, bringing the organization to 187 donors. While many members live in Mount Lebanon, Giving2Grow welcomes supporters from throughout the region.
Expanding membership remains a priority. Membership Chair Sue Gove is available to speak with civic organizations, houses of worship and community groups interested in learning more about the organization and its mission.
Residents can meet Giving2Grow volunteers at the Mount Lebanon Farmers Market on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings or visit the organization’s information center at the Mount Lebanon Public Library.
More information, including membership opportunities and a list of past grant recipients, is available at Giving2Grow.org.
