Earlier this month, the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Colmena-Consulting, in partnership with Philanthropy Together, released In Abundance: An Analysis of the Thriving Landscape of Collective Giving in the U.S., a new research report that examines groups like giving circles, SVP chapters, nonprofit-led circles, and giving projects. Lead researchers Dr. Adriana Loson-Ceballos, Dr. Michael D. Layton, Sara Lomelin, Isis Krause, and Ilyasah N. Shabazz of Philanthropy Together discussed the report's key findings in a webinar on April 2nd.

This study comprises more than 2,000 voices, representing a diverse group that shines a light on the deeply invested individuals of the movement. Here are the high-level insights:

  • Collective giving is democratizing and diversifying philanthropy. Collective giving is a rapidly expanding movement, mostly led by women, helping to actively shift the narrative of who is a philanthropist. 
  • Collective giving greatly expands what gets funded. Collective giving groups are centering equity when making funding decisions, giving to and by community-based organizations, and are investing in place-based philanthropy. 
  • Collective giving pushes the bounds of how philanthropy is practiced. This movement is changing what counts as “giving,” becoming a place for donor education and organizing, and collective giving groups practice trust-based philanthropy.
  • Collective giving deeply impacts members themselves. These groups can improve members’ wellness and agency, foster belonging and purpose, and enhance members’ professional pursuits. 
  • Collective giving is a catalyst for social cohesion and change. Groups are considered “schools of democracy,” foster bonds between members, and spark deeper levels of civic engagement. 

Typology and Archetypes Research

This research also explores the variety of typologies and archetypes in collective giving that illuminate the shape and structure of groups. The typology research examines membership characteristics, the processes and structures of the funding mechanisms, and insights into the giving focus of groups to illuminate the organizing framework that emerges from collective giving. This research highlights three main categories of typology:

  • Who and Why: Membership Characteristics and Purpose of the Group 
  • What and Where: Giving Focus, Levels, Decision-Making, and Recipients 
  • How and When: Processes, Structures, and Supports 

Archetypal models also play a role in collective giving groups and are “meant to describe common features; individual, collective giving groups likely differ on any one of the typology characteristics as this grassroots model makes each group unique.”

There were seven archetypes found after surveying participants:

  1. Women Giving Big 
  2. Crowd Granting Networks 
  3. Belonging Through Identity Groups 
  4. Organizing for Social Change Groups 
  5. Community Project Micro-Granting 
  6. Live Crowdfunding Experiences 
  7. Host-Supporting Groups

Read the full report In Abundance: An Analysis of the Thriving Landscape of Collective Giving in the U.S.