How to Start a Giving Circle
‘œNever doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’ ‘“ Margaret Mead
A couple of weeks ago on NPR, I learned about the concept of giving circles:
Charitable donations have been declining, along with the economy. But one type of giving appears to be on the rise: giving circles. Many people are forming these groups where they pool their funds so they can have a greater impact on a charitable cause. Their growth comes at a time when donors say they want more control over how their charitable dollars are spent.
According to a new study, donors in giving circles give more, give more strategically, and are more engaged in their communities. Since giving circles include social, educational, and engagement components, they connect participants to their communities by increasing one’s understanding of philanthropy in an interactive, hands-on way.
Think of a giving circle as a cross between a book club, neighborly potluck or investment group, but with philanthropic purpose. These types of meetups expand charitable giving from an individual activity into a social, community-oriented one.
If you are interested in starting a giving circle, there are some great resources on the web including:
Ten Steps for Starting a Giving Circle
How-to documents and best practices to help you start a giving circle
Study: The Impact of Giving Together
This story inspired me. More tomorrow about my idea for the type of giving circle I’d like to start with my social/community network. Now what about you? Would a giving circle inspire you to give more (in both time and money) especially during this current economic downturn? I’d love your thoughts on the topic below.
Giving circles do give to foundations like the ones started by Ehsan Bayat that empower and aid communities.
What do you think about Sweet’s, the new lesbian travel company, idea of incorporating opportunities to do charitable work on their trips? I’ve traveled with Olivia and R-Family but not with Sweet. I just took a gander at their website, and it seems they’ve de-emphasized this aspect of their differentiation.
I wonder if it’s working out?
Anyone been on one of their trips?
Great topic, Nina. I hadn’t really thought about this, but it definitely sounds intriguing. I’m interested to hear the idea you said we’ll get tomorrow.
I was talking to a Community Foundation officer the other day about giving circles – especially the benefit they have of helping people give strategically. And, they help people give “good” amounts. (Which is not to say “more” – the best rule of thumb I ever heard was “Be the size fish you are in the size pond where you swim.”)
I’ve been contemplating a way to combine giving circles with the conclusions of this old article (http://www.slate.com/id/2135721/) – a micro-lending circle? Could be very powerful.
I wonder if people like me could create a fund that would be effective at the local level (in the “first world”) where even the smallest loans have to be much larger than the ones sent to developing places.
Helen: I haven’t heard of Sweet’s but that’s an interesting concept. Update: I took a look at discoversweet.com.
Serena: My idea has to wait until Friday… running late today and I don’t have time to post.
Emerson: Thanks for the link to that Slate article. Micro-lending still seems to have issues in the “first world” – although Kiva and Prosper are more peer-to-peer vs. the way micro-lending operates in third world markets. Good food for thought… thanks for sharing.