There are over 2,000 giving circles and growing around the world that have engaged at least 150,000 people and given away as much as $1.29 billion. Never heard of a giving circle? It’s a simple way for individuals to collectively pool their funds and decide together how to donate them. However, until now, there wasn’t one place for people to search and discover these giving communities. Grapevine and Philanthropy Together recently launched the first-ever Global Giving Circle Directory.

The directory lists 2,150+ giving circles and is the first and only place to find and list a giving circle online. It’s an easy-to-use, searchable database to connect prospective members with giving circles. The directory also allows giving circles to boost their visibility and attract new members, prospective grantees, potential funders, as well as similar giving circles for future cross-collaborations. Giving circles can also shine a light on their past grantee partners and amplify their work.

Anyone can head to the directory and search for a giving circle that’s specifically focused on their location, area of interest, giving amount and more. For example, someone in San Francisco could search for Giving Circles within 25 miles of the city, focused on advocacy and social justice, and with an annual contribution amount under $500. They’d then be able to explore groups like 100+ Women Who Care San Francisco, Lacuna Giving Circle, and more to see what circle might be the best fit for them.

The giving circle movement has been growing quickly over the last few years. These giving circles are bringing everyday donors together to support smaller, local organizations that are often more diverse and more in need of every $1 to continue their important work in their communities.

Here are a few examples of giving circles across the U.S. that are addressing unique needs in specific communities.

Read the full article about the giving circle movement by Emily Rasmussen at Charity Navigator.