(MONEY Magazine) – Ask Tanya Jones what motivated her to help found a giving circle, and you'll likely find yourself listening to a story about her mother. "She's who I admire most," says the 31-year-old director of special projects at Empower Baltimore Management Corp. "She never uses the word philanthropy, and yet she lives and breathes it daily." It's that kind of compassion, explains Jones, "I hope to emulate."

Launched in May 2002 by Jones (below center) and five friends, the Change Fund has 28 members, all young African-American professionals in Baltimore. As with all giving circles, members pool their cash (a minimum of $250 a year, in this case) to make more sizable donations to charity--and they meet regularly to share ideas, learn about philanthropy and debate which charities to support. The group operates in partnership with Associated Black Charities, which lets members make tax-deductible donations without the expense and hassle of setting up a nonprofit. Their quarterly meetings are also an opportunity to network--recently, members met with the Walters Art Museum's African-American steering committee.

Last year, Change Fund members voted to award $1,000 each to three grassroot charities in the Baltimore area, including My Sister's Circle, a mentoring program for inner-city girls, and Aunt Hattie's Place, a transitional home for boys in foster care. "As young African-American professionals," says Jones, "we feel it's important to focus our dollars on organizations that address access, education or leadership among our community's youth." In other words, adds co-founder Erik Johnson, they support "the sort of organizations without which many of us wouldn't be where we are today."

The Change Fund's goal is to have 100 members by 2004. "With that kind of money," says Johnson, "we can begin to build a legacy." Adds Erik's wife Dawn, another co-founder: "Individually, our disposable income may be limited, but collectively we can have an impact." --AMY WILSON