The Giving Circle of HOPE, a Reston-based organization that supports nonprofits serving the population of Northern Virginia, honored the 2008 grant recipients on Friday, Jan. 18 at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne. More than $50,000 was awarded to 12 organizations this year. Since the Giving Circle’s inception, more than $200,000 have been granted to organizations serving Northern Virginia.

"That is our stimulus package," said Joan Kasprowicz, a founding member of the Giving Circle of HOPE. Kasprowicz and other founding members of Giving Circle spoke at the reception. She said the money awarded through Giving Circle’s grant program is going back into the local economy and helping change the social structure of the community.

Another founding member, Linda Strup, said Giving Circle’s proudest achievement is "that we build community."

The chair of the grants program, Diana Katz, said the organization would like to continue its support for other local nonprofits. "The needs are increasing and we’d like to keep up with the needs," said Katz.