Giving Compass' Take:

• Fred Mulder shares how he came to start The Funding Network and why their methodology has proven successful across 18 countries. 

• How can this model be replicated and improved? What advantages does this method offer? 

• Learn about giving circles in the U.S.

The Funding Network (TFN) is sometimes characterized as live crowdfunding for social change organizations, and sometimes as the UK’s first open, public giving circle.

The format: a small group of organizations to pitch to anyone who wanted to roll up, the organizations given a chance to pitch decided by an open and transparent process, and….very important…a level playing field, where each organization pitches for the same amount of money, has exactly the same amount of time to pitch, and the same amount of time to answer questions.

That, and a live, open session at the end of the event where we raise the money there and then; we developed a methodology (and actually a culture) of doing this that people enjoyed, didn’t feel embarrassed or pressured by, and that had great results.

One of the wonderful thing about an event-based, live format like TFN is that people can come see it and realize they’d like to see that in their city, their country, and could we help them please.

Read the full interview with Fred Mulder at Philanthropy In Focus.