Become a Member
Join The Bayou Collective and participate in collective giving
Who Can Join?
Membership in The Bayou Collective is open to individuals and organizations who want to participate in collective giving and support Black-led organizations across the greater Houston region.
When Can I Join?
Membership enrollment is open annually between December 1 and June 19.
What Are the Membership Levels?
Full Member — $1,000 (voting)
Ally Members:
Supporting Member — $500
Organizational Member — $250
Young Professional Member (21–29yrs) — $100
Community Member — $50
Student Member (5–18yrs) — $20
Full Membership
$1,000 annually
Ages 30+
Voting member (one vote)
Corporate matches do count
Installments allowed
Opportunities to serve in leadership
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Pay full membership by June 19
Participate in the funding process
Volunteer at least one event
Share the Collective with networks
Conflict-of-interest agreement
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To apply to the giving circle, you must complete a form sharing more about yourself. You can access the form below.
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The payment period for each giving cycle is Payment period: December 1 – June 19.
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You can pay it all at once or in installments. The only requirement is that your full membership amount must be paid no later than June 19th.
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Corporate matching gifts count toward a member’s contribution.
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Leadership of The Bayou Collective is selected by members at the annual meeting each year.
Leadership roles are held for one-year terms, with the option to serve up to three consecutive years before taking a mandatory break.
This structure supports shared leadership and long-term sustainability.
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Full Members of the Bayou Collective may be employed by, serve on the board of, or have contractual relationships with nonprofit organizations.
However, any organization with which a Full Member has a professional, contractual, or leadership relationship is not eligible to apply for funding during that member’s participation as a voting Full Member.
Full Members may not advocate for, submit, or otherwise support a funding application on behalf of an organization with which they have an existing relationship. Recusal from voting does not change this restriction.
This policy allows individuals to participate fully in the Collective while maintaining clear boundaries between grantmaking and grant-seeking.
Ally Memberships
Ally memberships are open to individuals and organizations who want to support the work of the Collective but do not participate in grantmaking votes.
Ally members help expand the reach and sustainability of the Circle.
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Open to individuals 30+
Contribution may be made at any time
Non-voting membership
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Open to nonprofit and for-profit organizations
Contribution may be made at any time
Free admission to partner-hosted workshops
Non-voting membership
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Must be between the ages of 21 and 29
Contribution may be made at any time
Non-voting membership
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Must be between the ages of 5 and 18
Contribution may be made at any time
Free admission to partner-hosted workshops
Non-voting membership
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Corporate matching gifts count toward an ally member’s contribution.
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At this time, Ally members are not allowed to vote in the grantmaking decisions of the Circle.
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Throughout the membership year the Circle will host or share events related to donor education and the nonprofit sector. The events are curated specifically to create community and support our members giving practices.