The Circle NGO

What The Circle NGO does

The Circle (legal name: The Circle of Women) is a UK-registered charity founded in 2008 by singer-songwriter Annie Lennox and operating independently since 2015. Headquartered in London, it functions as a global feminist network supporting women and girls facing gender-based violence and economic injustice, with operational reach across at least 11 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and MENA. Its core activities are organized into three programmes: a Fund, Support & Centre programme providing unrestricted, flexible grants to 12 women-led grassroots partners in the Global South; an Advocate & Amplify programme producing reports and awareness campaigns (notably the multi-year Living Wage for Garment Workers campaign); and a Connect & Convene programme running events such as the Global Feminism Series, the new Partners Circle, and the 2025 SISTERS concert at the Royal Albert Hall. The Changemaker Network membership programme, the Lawyers Circle specialist sub-network, the Marie Colvin Journalists' Network, and a Shopify-powered merchandise shop round out the offering.

The organization has no proprietary software product, API, or AI/ML capability. Its technology footprint is limited to standard digital infrastructure: an SSL-encrypted donation website with PayPal and card processing, Google Analytics, and a Shopify e-commerce store. The business model is donation-driven and diversified across five streams: individual donations (one-time and monthly recurring tiers from £10 to £1,000), corporate partnerships (fashion, luxury, and entertainment brands), grants from trusts and foundations (including Open Society Foundations, Sigrid Rausing Trust, and Reed Foundation), legacy/bequest giving, and event-based fundraising. The Circle operates with a lean team of 22 employees and is governed by an all-women Board of Trustees chaired by Pamela Gillies, with CEO Raakhi Shah leading executive operations. In FY2024/25 it reported supporting 26,000+ women and girls through £800,000+ in funds raised (86% unrestricted) and a 75% YoY growth in its changemaker network.

Name

The Circle NGO

Legal name

The Circle of Women

Website

https://thecircle.ngo

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Circle (The Circle of Women) is a UK-registered charity founded in 2008 by Annie Lennox that funds 12 women-led grassroots organizations across the Global South and runs advocacy campaigns and events, including the SISTERS concert at Royal Albert Hall.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Rights Advocacy and Charitable Grant-Making

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Social Advocacy Organizations (81331), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Gender Equality & Women’s Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD)

Keywords

• Women's rights advocacy
• Global gender equality
• Feminist grant-making
• Charitable fundraising programs
• Grassroots women's organisations

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters, with suggested amounts ranging from £10 to £1000. Monthly giving program available.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with businesses for fundraising campaigns, percentage of profits donations, and workplace giving programs including payroll giving.
3. Trusts and Foundations: Grant funding from philanthropic trusts and foundations supporting women-led grassroots organizations globally.
4. Legacy Giving: Bequests and gifts in wills left to The Circle by supporters.
5. Events and Auctions: Fundraising events, concerts, and celebrity auctions generating significant donations and awareness.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Circle is a global feminist charity that raises funds from individual donors, corporate partners, and foundations, and channels them as unrestricted grants and capacity-building support to grassroots women's rights organisations in the Global South. It also runs advocacy campaigns (e.g., Make Pay Fair, Living Wage for Garment Workers, Equal Pay Day) and convening/networking programmes (Changemaker Network, Lawyers' Circle, in-conversation events) to amplify women's voices.

Product overview

The Circle NGO operates as a global feminist charitable organization without a traditional software product. Its offering is a coordinated set of programmes and campaigns: a Fund, Support & Centre grant-giving programme that provides unrestricted funding to women-led grassroots partners in the Global South; an Advocate & Amplify programme producing reports and awareness campaigns; and a Connect & Convene programme running the Global Feminism Series events and the Partners Circle forum. The Changemaker Network provides membership with newsletters and exclusive event access. Fundraising and awareness campaigns include the Living Wage for Garment Workers campaign (producing annual reports), the #MakeAStandFor1in3 campaign, and the 16 Days Fundraising Challenge. The Lawyers Circle is a specialist legal sub-network. An online Shop powered by Shopify sells branded merchandise. There is no traditional software platform, SaaS product, or API.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Monthly Giving Programme
• The Circle Shop
• Corporate and Philanthropic Partnerships
• Legacy Giving Programme
• Changemaker Network
• Fund, Support & Centre Programme
• Advocate & Amplify Programme
• Connect & Convene Programme

Quantifiable outcome

• 26,000+ women and girls supported annually with 86% unrestricted funding
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Island RecordsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMusic label partner supporting The Circle through artist collaborations and events.
• Universal Music GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMusic company partner for SISTERS concert and other events.
• XIX EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntertainment company led by Simon Fuller managing Annie Lennox's career, instrumental in founding The Circle and major events.
• DawbellminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPR and communications agency partner.
• International Media SupportminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization supporting media development in conflict zones, aligned with Marie Colvin Journalists' Network.
• DelvauxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury brand partner supporting The Circle's work.
• VestiaireminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFashion resale platform partnership.
• 58 GinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGin brand partnership for fundraising.
• Apple MusicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatform partner for 2019 Global Feminism campaign collaboration with leading artists.
• Women for Afghan WomencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner organization for Afghan Women & Girls Solidarity Fund, helping women flee the country and providing safe houses.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCw6ZLr8FNER1qyEZWvOHH5Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/thecirclengo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-circle-of-women
• Instagraminstagram.com/thecirclengo
• TikToktiktok.com/@thecirclengo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Circle NGO