FAQs
What’s a Giving Circle?
Giving Circles are groups of individuals that come together to pool their funds, explore issues they care about and collectively decide where to donate their money.
Typically, circles engage in a learning process and dialogue to identify shared interests, to debate issues, to learn about nonprofit organizations and to choose a recipient for the group’s collective donation. Giving Circles come in all shapes and sizes, some are run as collectives, others are more hierarchical. Some give monthly, some give just once a year. Some are formal and require staff to manage operations, others operate in a more informal way. Some circles attract members based on affinity or interest, others are composed of neighbors, friends or co-workers. While no two GCs are exactly the same, there are some best practices for GC that we encourage our members to follow - we think they’ll contribute to more engaged, effective and joyful giving.
Our smart and creative friends at Philanthropy Together put together this awesome resource to help folks understand what giving circles are all about. Click here to check it out.
Can I join an existing giving circle?
Yes and no. Some GCs in our network are open to new members, others are not. If you’d like to join a specific GC, please reach out directly to that GC leader. We also love match-making and would be happy to help you find the right GC for you.
Click here to view our Directory of Giving Circles.
How do I start a Giving Circle?
If you are thinking about starting a GC, we want to hear from you! The first step is to complete this short questionnaire. Or email us at hello@givingprojectvt.org.
Who can participate?
We aim to build a diverse and inclusive Network of Giving Circle Leaders and welcome and encourage people with diverse life experiences to join us. We want to create a anti-racist community where all voices are welcomed and valued. No one will be excluded or discriminated against because of their race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability.
While no previous direct experience is required to become a GC leader, we think the job will be easier if you bring to it strong communications and organizational skills, curiosity to learn about issues impacting your community, and the drive to ensure members have a positive experience.
Thanks to generous donors, matching funds to support the collective giving of youth and BIPOC led giving circles maybe available. Teens and people of color are encouraged to join LaunchpadVermont and start new giving circles.
What do Giving Circle Leaders do?
Giving Circle Leaders are at the core of The Giving Project. With support from The Giving Project Coaches, Leaders are responsible for:
Identifying, recruiting and communicating with members.
Determining or working with members to determine giving levels, meeting schedules and funding priorities and giving focus.
Convening and facilitating meetings.
Vetting, outreach and communicating to nonprofits.
Overseeing all donations.
Collaborating and reporting outcomes to The Giving Project Coaches.
Do I need to have a lot of money to start or join a Giving Circle?
Nope, not at all. At The Giving Project we value the $20 contribution as much as we value the $20,000 contribution. We love that GCs motivate seasoned givers to give more and give an entry point to philanthropy for people who don’t have a ton of money to give and who have not previously considered themselves philanthropists.
Each GC in our network sets their own giving level -- they range from $20 to $2,500. Some GCs have sliding scale levels and members give what they can, others allow members to fundraise or members fundraise together. The beauty of collective giving is that a single $25 gift can become a $250 and a $1,000 gift can become a $10,000 when we give together!
What are the benefits of being part of the Giving Circle Network? Does it cost anything?
Membership is free. Benefits for and of expectations of membership include:
Start-up and on-going support from The Giving Project Coaches.
Support identifying and vetting non-profit organizations.
Access to a peer network of Vermont GC leaders .
Access to online training guide, resources, tools and templates for GC leaders.
Assistance promoting your giving circle and recruiting new members.
Opportunities to come together (in person and online) for training and sharing of best practices for leaders and GC members.
Listing in The Giving Project Directory of Vermont Giving Circles.
Connection to resources provided by Philanthropy Together and membership to the LauchpadVermont Forum.
Members are asked to submit Collective Impact Giving Reports after their group makes a gift or at least annually.
If I am part of an established Giving Circle, can we join The Giving Project Network?
Yes. We’d love to have your Vermont-based GC join our network and be included in our Directory. Established giving circles receive all the benefits listed above. Click here to connect. We can’t wait to learn about your GC.
Can I start a Giving Circle within a group that already exists?
Heck yeah! That’s a great idea! Collective giving can be a great activity for your book club, parents group, kick-ball team or even for a group of friends. If you are part of a group that already gets together and you think giving together might be a fun and rewarding activity for your group, let us know. We are here to help you get started and can be available to talk with your existing group .
How is The Giving Project Funded?
The Giving Project is a mission driven initiative supported by individuals and foundations that share our interest in growing the base of givers in Vermont and building a community of democratic and grass-roots giving circles. The Giving Project is incorporated as a Vermont nonprofit and Mercy Connections serves as our fiscal sponsor.
If you’d like to make a tax deductible donation to The Giving Project, checks can be made out to The Giving Project and sent to Mercy Connections, 255 South Champlain Street Suite #8, Burlington, VT 05401.
If you have questions about making a tax-deductible contribution to The Giving Project, please click here.
What issues and types of organizations can Giving Circles in the network fund?
While groups decide the issues they want to support, GCs affiliated with The Giving Project may not support organizations, projects and programs that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or any other legally protected characteristics. Circles affiliated with The Giving Project network may not knowingly fund organizations that discriminate in their hiring, those they accept as volunteers or the clients they serve.
What is Philanthropy Together?
Philanthropy Together is an initiative working to strengthen, diversify and scale the collective giving movement in the United States. They are a key and valued partner and we work collaboratively on many initiatives.
What is Launchpad?
Launchpad is a 5-week virtual, interactive leadership training program where you'll join an inspiring cohort of change-makers who see collective giving as a means for social change. At the end of the 5 sessions, you'll have the knowledge and tools you need to launch and lead a giving circle. To learn more click here.
Do you accept requests from nonprofits?
Nope. The Giving Project does not accept requests for funding and most of the GCs in our network don’t either. Most GCs rely on their members to nominate organizations for consideration.
However, we are always interested in learning about nonprofits doing great work in Vermont. We are especially interested in learning about organizations led by POC and those doing systems-change work to address inequity and injustice in our state.