Video Transcript

What is a Giving Circle?

A Giving Circle brings a group of people with shared values together to make social change. Individuals pool their time and money and decide together as a circle where the fund should go. Their efforts, discussion, and collective gift transform into community power, proactive change, and civic action.

Giving Circles come in all shapes and sizes they can be as small as a couple of people or as large as several hundreds. Giving Circles can be local and community- based or national and international. Participants can be from similar backgrounds or from many different backgrounds.

Giving Circles make donations of any size from a few dollars to hundreds of thousands. Giving Circles support with their dollars but also build awareness, volunteer, become board members, and more.

Five Elements of a Giving Circle

There are five elements to every Giving Circle.

First you gather a group of friends, family, co-workers, and community members.

Second you discuss the vision and values that motivate you to give and see where there are commonalities within your group.

Third you pool your funds and decide which organization or project will receive your donation based on your values.

Fourth you give your pooled donation and see your individual gift multiplied by the power of the group.

Lastly you engage beyond your gift with your membership and with the organization individual or project you supported for amplified impact

Giving Circles are a growing global movement with active circles around the world giving intentionally, strategically, and thoughtfully.

Learn more about what a Giving Circle at What is a Giving Circle? from Philanthropy Together