According to Philanthropy Together, an initiative that follows the activity of giving circles, individuals come together to create the change they want to see in the world by joining a giving circle. This way of giving enables people to increase their impact and knowledge, have fun, and connect with their local community. Collective giving has exploded in popularity, growing to more than 2,000 circles with 150,000+ people joining over the last two decades, based on Philanthropy Together’s data.
With so many Giving Circles out there, it can be challenging to connect with the one that matches your giving needs. Giving Compass’ Giving Circle Directory can help you search through a database of these to find those that are most aligned with your giving interests.
Some giving circles are supported by community foundations, which offer a variety of services to donors who wish to set up charitable funds without incurring the administrative and legal costs of starting independent foundations. The Council on Foundations' Community Foundation Locator can help you look for a community foundation in your area.
Philanthropy Together is a nonprofit co-created by hundreds of giving circles and collective giving network leaders, to help start new giving circles and help existing giving circles thrive.
Ten Basic Steps to Starting a Giving Circle
United Philanthropy Forum
There are many ways to start a giving circle. These 10 steps can give you a starting point and a basic roadmap.
Giving Circle Directory
Giving Compass
This database of giving circles helps you find those that are most aligned with your giving interests.
Philanthropy Together is a nonprofit co-created by hundreds of giving circles and collective giving network leaders, to help start new giving circles and help existing giving circles thrive.
Grapevine facilitates giving circles and provides a blog.
A Handbook for Giving Circle Hosts
United Philanthropy Forum
This handbook provides tools and resources for giving circle host organizations, including tools for deciding whether to host a giving circle, key questions to ask and a checklist of giving circle and host duties.
The Impact of Giving Together
United Philanthropy Forum, Univ. of Nebraska at Omaha & Center on Philanthropy at Indiana Univ.
This study examines if and how participation in a giving circle has changed members' behavior related to giving, volunteering, and civic engagement.
Donors in 'Giving Circles' Donate More Than Other People, Study Finds
The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Donors who participate in giving circles — in which individuals pool their money and decide collectively how to distribute it — give more than other donors, give more strategically, and give to a greater number of organizations, according to results of a study released.
Giving Back Through Giving Circles
Kiplinger.com
This article discusses the benefits of giving circles and their development.
Giving Circles
Tactical Philanthropy
Discusses giving circles, "Social circles with a square deal for charity", as a new trend in philanthropy.
Giving Circles: Philanthropy, Voluntary Association, and Democracy
Giving Circles: Philanthropy, Voluntary Association, and Democracy, by Angela Eikenberry is published by Indiana University Press. A preview is available here through Google Books.
Be a Better Donor With a Giving Circle
LiveAbout
Defines a giving circle and provides tips and steps for how to create one.