Welcome to the second episode of The Guide to Good Series. In this episode, you will hear about the transformative power of collective giving and democratizing philanthropy globally. Our guest, Sara Lomelin, co-founder and CEO of Philanthropy Together, joins Brandolon Barnett, Head of Innovation and Philanthropy at Giving Compass, to discuss the rise of collective giving and the importance of redefining how we approach philanthropy.

The Transformative Power of Collective Giving

Collective giving, the approach of individuals pooling resources and decision-making for collective action, has transformed philanthropy in recent years. Research from Philanthropy Together shows there are 4,000 collective giving groups in the U.S. responsible for giving $3.1 billion over the last seven years. 

Lomelin, who plays an integral role in the global phenomenon, discusses how she discovered the need to make people feel seen, heard, and invited into philanthropic work. That realization led her to co-found Philanthropy Together to democratize and diversify philanthropy globally. Through open-source, publicly-available storytelling, training, research, and advocacy, Philanthropy Together empowers individuals and communities to drive impactful change. Lomelin explains that collective giving is not a new concept, but a return to the roots of generosity, emphasizing that "the concept of people banding together to create change is as old as humanity itself." 

Giving Circles vs. Collaborative Funds

Lomelin explores the diverse models of collective giving, from giving circles to collaborative funds, and how they are reshaping philanthropic landscapes worldwide. While both involve communities coming together to multiply the power of their gifts, giving circles bring together everyday donors, while collaborative funds bring together high-net wealth donors or institutional funders. 

Challenges in Collective Giving

Lomelin shares the challenges faced by collective giving groups, including managing funds and engaging members, while highlighting the potential of these groups to address pressing social issues. The conversation touches on the contrast between collective giving and traditional philanthropy, with Lomelin emphasizing that collective giving is a solution to engagement problems in the philanthropic sector. She believes that collective giving groups are "mini-labs of civic engagement" that have the potential to bring people together and build community.

Democratizing Global Philanthropy

The challenges in today’s world are diverse. With collective philanthropy there is an opportunity to move from a mindset of having one group or sector providing all the solutions to a one-on-one approach — one group for every challenge. By democratizing philanthropy and empowering communities in this way, we can create a more just and equitable world. Lomelin and Philanthropy Together are shedding light on the transformative power of collective giving to democratize global philanthropy. We invite you to join us as we explore all the possibilities of collective action in philanthropy.

Listen to the full episode here.

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