You Don't Have to Be a Zillionaire to be a Philanthropist
"Giving Circles" are a great way to have a positive impact on your community.
Leah Dobkin
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
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Giving circles aren't small potatoes in the philanthropic world. A national study, just released by New Ventures in Philanthropy, a program of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, showed that giving circles have exploded from 200 to 400 in only the last two years, and have raised $100 million to support diverse charitable causes.
For example, the Giving Back Gang in Shaker Heights, Ohio, is comprised of couples 50 and over who primarily focus on local environmental issues. Dining With Women is a giving circle, started in Greenville, South Carolina, that provides international support to women and children in developing countries, and now has over 100 chapters.
Giving circles tend to attract more women than men, with more than half (57%) of giving circles being women-only or mostly female; however, the number of men participating in giving circles is growing rapidly. There are all types, shapes and sizes of giving circles ranging from a handful of neighbors hosting “parties with a purpose” to some as large as 400 members who create a new nonprofit organization to facilitate the giving circle’s activities.
Washington Womenade has 75 to 80 people attend each potluck. They bring food and friends, and new people come each time. “It’s a revolving guest list and you don’t have to be a member; you just come to the party,” said Herrick. Womenade raised $3,500 at their first potluck and doubled it at their second potluck. They tend to raise $6,000 to $7,000 at each potluck. Every dollar raised goes directly to people in need, and Washington Womenade has inspired the creation of 42 other chapters throughout the United States.
“When it started it was a no-brainer. It was so concrete. It was so satisfying. It’s really easy and fun and doesn’t require any bureaucracy. Our mission is simple: to enjoy our women friends in wonderful, warm and lively parties, while bringing money from those who have, to some who have not,” said Herrick.
The money that Womenade gave to Denise Wheeler was a modest donation which created a proportionally larger impact. Once Wheeler gets back on her feet, she wants to go back to school to become an HIV counselor. I guess that’s why they call it a giving circle.
Click on the following links for more information about giving circles:
Washington Womenade
New Ventures in Philanthropy
The Giving Circle Network
Leah Dobkin is a freelance writer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who also conducts fundraising training sessions for nonprofit organizations.
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