InterAct For Change :: Inspire, Act, Change

Giving Circles

Giving Circles are comprised of individuals from all walks of life. They are peer-driven groups designed to provide financial support to established or emerging not-for-profit organizations. Members of Giving Circles desire to work collaboratively using philanthropy to address issues facing a community. Or, the group may select a specific area of interest to its members.

For example, Giving Circles at InterAct for Change could be organized as follows: (Note that these Giving Circles do not exist; they are listed here to indicate the wide diversity of topics that Giving Circles may encompass.)

Next Generation African-American Philanthropists
Circle of HOPE for Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities
“Green” Women’s Giving Circle
The Hispanic Business Collective
Soccer Dad's Circle for Fun and Sport
Stop Violence Now Giving Circle

Members of a Giving Circle determine how much each member will contribute to their pooled investment fund. They also determine how the pooled funds will be distributed to address the community issues identified by the group. The Giving Circle's grantmaking functions - which may include issuing a request for proposals, proposal review, and site visits - offer an enriching philanthropic experience for participants.

Usually a Giving Circle begins with one or two individuals who gather a small, informal group of people with a common desire to:

Learn more about philanthropy as a vehicle for social change
Leverage the impact of their charitable contributions (generally $500-$5,000 per person annually for a specified number of years). Funds are pooled together and invested through InterAct for Change
Connect in a substantive and meaningful way with the communities and causes they care about
Participate in a social network of people who share similar interests and values

Benefits of Giving Circles

The nature of Giving Circles is mutually beneficial. Individuals who participate in Giving Circles realize greater benefits, knowing they are maximizing the impact of their charitable resources by leveraging the collective power of their friends, families, and peers. They often develop a better sense of the return on their investment through education about local, national or world issues. Members also receive the benefit of networking and socializing with individuals who share their values and concerns.

Charitable organizations reap benefits when individuals form or join Giving Circles:

Pooled dollars invested towards a key issue can have a far greater impact than smaller, individual gifts.
The collective knowledge and experience of the members adds value and impact to volunteerism and philanthropic investment, i.e., developing budgets, evaluation, providing technical support and contacts, etc.
Over time, partners often give more, which helps grow the philanthropic assets available to the community.

InterAct for Change provides helpful, cost-effective services to Giving Circles. For more information on forming a Giving Circle, contact us.