 |
 |
Giving Collaboratives
Giving Circles and Giving Collaboratives are formed so that members can pool financial resources for charitable purposes and work together to make a strategic difference.
Giving Circles and Giving Collaboratives typically are organized around a particular issue or subject, but they sometimes begin simply because people and organizations have a desire to work together to leverage the impact of their charitable contributions. InterAct for Change offers flexible strategic, administrative, and financial services to support and encourage the start-up and maintenance of Giving Circles and Giving Collaboratives.
Giving Circles often start as small, informal groups. At InterAct for Change, we distinguish between Giving Circles and Giving Collaboratives according to the amount invested by group members, the level of formal structure, and whether its purpose is to give to a variety of community organizations (Giving Circles) or to invest larger amounts of money in specific projects or subjects (Giving Collaboratives).
Members of Giving Circles and Giving Collaboratives share an interest in:
- Engaging in venture philanthropy and social investing
- Participating in collective decision-making to leverage their charitable giving impact
- Learning about philanthropy as a vehicle for social change
- Connecting in a deeper way with communities and causes they care about
- Developing a social network of people and organizations with similar interests, goals, and values.
How Do Giving Circles and Giving Collaboratives Work?
- Giving Circles and Giving Collaboratives begin when a person or a group decides to organize around a topic, a cause, or a particular affinity with others. The common threads are a desire to learn about philanthropy, to explore giving opportunities, and to make a difference using a group process.
- The founding member or members recruit others, and create basic ground rules and a style or approach for the group decision-making.
- Members determine an amount of money required for membership.
- Members generally give the same amount of money annually, which is pooled together and invested through InterAct for Change.
- Members determine how the money will be distributed via grants to charitable organizations.
- Giving Circles and Giving Collaboratives may engage in ongoing educational activities, such as site visits, experiential learning trips, study groups, lectures, and seminars.
- As the Circle or Collaborative becomes more organized, giving activities may become more formalized. For example, the group may decide to issue requests for proposals, research and have discussions with experts in the field, create written proposal reviews, and determine criteria for grant evaluations. These activities offer an enriching philanthropic experience for participants.
The participatory decision-making and educational process, combined with the increased impact of pooled charitable dollars, has strong appeal for many people. Giving Circles and Giving Collaboratives allow for a wide range in charitable styles, philosophies, structure, size, and focus. Membership is often broad, diverse, and inclusive. Giving Circles and Giving Collaboratives may stay together for years, or they may exist temporarily until a project or program is completed.
InterAct for Change guides individuals and organizations that have a vision for social change and who seek to establish and grow a Giving Circle or Giving Collaborative.
Subject-Based Collaboratives with Multiple Funders
InterAct for Change provides professional support for Giving Collaboratives organized around a specific subject matter or to fund a specific project. We work with partners who wish to focus on a larger opportunity than an individual, foundation, or corporate giving program can accomplish on its own. Subject-Based Collaboratives may include key business, civic, and government officials. The collaborative may act as a charitable resource to seed new ideas or help the community address specific needs.
What Services Does InterAct for Change Provide?
- A conference facility where Giving Circles and Giving Collaboratives can meet at no charge
- Group facilitation services, which are especially helpful in the start-up phase
- Research and program evaluation resources
- Financial sponsorship and tax deductibility of the charitable dollars given by members
- Financial management and reporting services for the pooled fund
- Administrative services, such as correspondence and check-writing
- A host agreement which spells out the responsibilities of the Giving Circle or Giving Collaborative and InterAct for Change
InterAct for Change has the resources to host numerous Giving Circles and Giving Collaboratives. Contact us about your idea for starting a Giving Circle or Giving Collaborative.