Giving in the US comes full circle

Recent research into giving circles in the US indicates that rather than being a passing fad they are reaching across all ethnic and social classes to become an established form of philanthropy.

More Giving Together: The Growth and Impact of Giving Circles and Shared Giving, a 2007 report commissioned by the US-based Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, showed strong growth in the number and diversity of giving circles.

“This form of giving is now cutting across all ethnic groups and ages, with more men contributing too,” explained Daria Teutonico, Director, New Ventures in Philanthropy at the Forum.

The study identified 400 giving circles across the US – ranging from the small New York-based group One Percent for Moms who meet in a living room, through to large foundation-based organisations like the Washington Women’s Foundation in Seattle which engages more than 400 women and operates with a staff of four.

Consistent across all levels of giving is the motivation behind why women participate in giving circles; this is the desire to become more connected to their communities, and to make a difference.

“The largest number of giving circles is community-based, with some being internationally focused, and for a cross-section it is also about expressing an identity such as with some of the Afro-American groups,” said Teutonico.

And, these groups are having an impact: “Even though most operate at a grass-roots level it is serious money making a serious difference, upward of $100m. Giving circles are the democratisation of philanthropy,” she added, “Anyone can get involved and it reinforces the power of the collective. It resonates with women’s approaches to networking and empowers them to make a difference that they couldn’t do individually.”

And, according to Teutonico they will continue to flourish. “Giving circles are here to stay and our aim is for them to become a mainstream and acknowledged form of philanthropy.”

• The Giving Forum has published a useful resource, the Giving Circles Knowledge Center, which includes detailed information on how to set-up and run a giving circle, networking and case studies.