A new philanthropic phenomenon has arisen, answering the need of many to give to a charitable cause knowing where their money is being spent and which branch of the needy are being aided. They are called Giving Circles.
The current estimate of the number of Giving Circles in the United States is 550, up from 200 in the year 2004 when the first national count of Giving Circles was done.
Typically, a small group of donors pools their funds, ranging from a few hundred dollars each to sometimes a few thousand dollars each year, and decide collectively how they want to allocate their money. Giving Circles target a wide range of issues, including education, women and children, medical issues, the arts, and charitable institutions.
Giving Circles appear to be the special domain of women although there are some groups which have male members. I am familiar with the “Many Faces of Mercy Giving Circle” which comes together under the auspices of the Sisters of Mercy in Buffalo, New York. Twenty-three women pledge a certain amount of money each year which is directed towards projects that promote economic self-sufficiency and well-being of women, children under their care, and young girls. Groups which have received aid from the Giving Circle include Boys & Girls Clubs, a family support program for abused and displaced women and children, an after-school mentoring program for girls, and a Video project designed to educate low-income women about their legal rights and responsibilities. Applications are denied if they do not conform to the requirements and philosophy of the Giving Circle.
On the national level, a diverse group of needs receive help from Giving Circles – summer camp programs for girls, irrigation pumps for rural African farms, intensive math tutoring for poor children, Alzheimer’s disease, Breast Cancer, environmental issues and more. Learn more about this philanthropic method by visiting http://givingcircles.org
Sources:
http://www.buffalonews.com/life/article728371.ece
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1857011,00.html