The Circle: Moscow Women Giving Togethe--August 10, 2008--Jessica Bearman
Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today about giving circles, shared giving, and philanthropy in general. During our time together today, I want to do two main things:
* I want to share with you some knowledge about giving circles--what they are, how they work, and why they are important.
* And, I'd like to tell you a little bit about the Moscow giving circle, called The Circle: Moscow Women Giving Together, how we began our journey, what we have accomplished so far, and where we hope to go.
But, first, a little exercise in visualization. Close your eyes and picture a "Philanthropist" What's coming to mind? How many of you pictured someone male? Someone white? Someone quite wealthy? Someone quite old? Maybe someone dead?
Philanthropy is a big word and for most of us, it doesn't quite fit. My hope is to convince you that we can all claim that title, if we want it.
In fact, most givers don't fit this profile at all. Most givers are people like you and me . . . And giving circles are one of the ways that people like us can give back and make a difference in our communities.
So, what is a giving circle anyway? Giving circles have been described as a cross between a book club and an investment club. They are formed when individuals--often people of moderate means--pool their money and decide together where that money is given.
* Donors pool and give away personal resources (wide range of sizes and $$ amounts)
* Donors decide together where their money is granted (usually local)
* Giving circles educate their members about philanthropy and about the community
* They have a social dimension that is often as important as their philanthropic dimension
* They maintain their independence from any one organization.
Giving circles aren't new--the idea of pooling money and using it for mutual aid is as old as the hills. But, we think that giving circles in their current iteration are part of a larger shift.
* People want to give back--the secret of philanthropy is that the greatest gift is almost always to the giver.
* People want to make a difference NOW--we don’t want to wait until we are rich or dead . . . and we want to make good, thoughtful decisions.
* We are seeking community--and like to do things that bring us together with others who share our values.
* We like to do it our own way--and giving circles can be designed to work for any community and any group of donors.
What is important about giving circles?
* Donors--There are more than 400 giving circles across the country, and they engage donors--12,000 according to our most recent data
* Dollars--They give back to the community--giving circles have given away nearly $100 million over the course of their lives and gave away $13 million in 2006 alone!
* Do MORE--They build civic engagement--giving circle donors learn about their community's needs and nonprofit resources. They become involved in meaningful ways--volunteering, serving on boards, and getting engaged in community improvement efforts. They are an exercise in democracy.
From our interviews with giving circle members and founders, we have learned that giving circles have a huge impact on their donors.
"This endeavor has transformed many of our members in very profound ways. They take more responsibility for others and their community. Participation has opened their eyes to other issues in society. I would say that the giving circle has been a spiritual journey for all of us."
Ericka Carter, The San Fernando Valley Giving Circle
* Demystify philanthropy
* Leverage resources to make a difference
* Learn about issues, needs, and organizations in the community
* Build community--both within GC and outside of it
* Members giving and volunteering beyond the giving circle
* Giving is more informed and thoughtful and more focused and strategic
So, here's the story of our giving circle. It's a story about how a small group of motivated individuals were able to get something started.
* Running group . . . talk talk talk . . . pulled in Amy Grey and Gerri Sayler. Decided: women's giving circle and $365 (dollar a day)
* Each of us invited some people we knew to a party. We thought that maybe we'd have 15 or 20 people, but fifty people came. We had a goal of attracting thirty women and raising $10,000. But, in the end, we had 47 members and raised more than $19,000!
* Our membership is a wonderful slice of Moscow.
* Our members range in age from mid 20s to late 60s. We include women who have lived in Moscow for one year and for 48 years.
* We volunteer an average of 10-20 hours per month
* Politically, group members described themselves as everything from very liberal to conservative, to apolitical.
* What we share is a commitment to this community and a desire to be part of an interesting group of women working to make Latah County even better.
* In our first year, we gave $18,500 in seven grants ranging from $1500 to $5000. Our first round of grants went to the following organizations:
* St. Vincent de Paul: $5,000 for emergency energy assistance
* University of Idaho Child & Youth Study Center: $4,000 for intensive reading intervention and tutoring
* Palouse Youth Hockey Association: $2,000 for scholarships and equipment
* Troy Elementary School: $2,000 to help create an outdoor science education program
* University of Idaho Sustainable Campus Move-Out Program: $2,000 to encourage recycling of unwanted furniture, clothing, and equipment at the end of the school year.
* West Park Elementary: $2,000 to help repair dilapidated playground equipment
* Moscow Rendezvous for Kids: $1,500 to support access to arts education for all interested children
For me, personally, this has been a way to take my giving and give it more purpose, focus, and direction. I have always given, but I have generally given reactively. Fifty dollars here . . . twenty dollars there . . . someone is running a marathon for AIDS . . . someone else is biking to cure juvenile diabetes. This is a good way to give, but I began to feel that if it was the only way that I gave, then I was missing the chance to be intentional with my giving.
Being part of a giving circle allows me to make a larger gift and make it much more thoughtfully. There is also the power of pooling my money--my $365 may not seem like a lot. But being able to give away $18,500--that was powerful! And doing it while spending quality time with other interesting, passionate, and engaged women . . . what could be better?
What is next?
* The Circle is currently recruiting new (and existing) members to sign up for 2008-2009 giving cycle.
* We will rethink our priorities for this year
* Emphasis on learning about our area's needs and resources
* Working on getting more women--and men--engaged and feeling confident as philanthropists.
* I want to share with you some knowledge about giving circles--what they are, how they work, and why they are important.
* And, I'd like to tell you a little bit about the Moscow giving circle, called The Circle: Moscow Women Giving Together, how we began our journey, what we have accomplished so far, and where we hope to go.
But, first, a little exercise in visualization. Close your eyes and picture a "Philanthropist" What's coming to mind? How many of you pictured someone male? Someone white? Someone quite wealthy? Someone quite old? Maybe someone dead?
Philanthropy is a big word and for most of us, it doesn't quite fit. My hope is to convince you that we can all claim that title, if we want it.
In fact, most givers don't fit this profile at all. Most givers are people like you and me . . . And giving circles are one of the ways that people like us can give back and make a difference in our communities.
So, what is a giving circle anyway? Giving circles have been described as a cross between a book club and an investment club. They are formed when individuals--often people of moderate means--pool their money and decide together where that money is given.
* Donors pool and give away personal resources (wide range of sizes and $$ amounts)
* Donors decide together where their money is granted (usually local)
* Giving circles educate their members about philanthropy and about the community
* They have a social dimension that is often as important as their philanthropic dimension
* They maintain their independence from any one organization.
Giving circles aren't new--the idea of pooling money and using it for mutual aid is as old as the hills. But, we think that giving circles in their current iteration are part of a larger shift.
* People want to give back--the secret of philanthropy is that the greatest gift is almost always to the giver.
* People want to make a difference NOW--we don’t want to wait until we are rich or dead . . . and we want to make good, thoughtful decisions.
* We are seeking community--and like to do things that bring us together with others who share our values.
* We like to do it our own way--and giving circles can be designed to work for any community and any group of donors.
What is important about giving circles?
* Donors--There are more than 400 giving circles across the country, and they engage donors--12,000 according to our most recent data
* Dollars--They give back to the community--giving circles have given away nearly $100 million over the course of their lives and gave away $13 million in 2006 alone!
* Do MORE--They build civic engagement--giving circle donors learn about their community's needs and nonprofit resources. They become involved in meaningful ways--volunteering, serving on boards, and getting engaged in community improvement efforts. They are an exercise in democracy.
From our interviews with giving circle members and founders, we have learned that giving circles have a huge impact on their donors.
"This endeavor has transformed many of our members in very profound ways. They take more responsibility for others and their community. Participation has opened their eyes to other issues in society. I would say that the giving circle has been a spiritual journey for all of us."
Ericka Carter, The San Fernando Valley Giving Circle
* Demystify philanthropy
* Leverage resources to make a difference
* Learn about issues, needs, and organizations in the community
* Build community--both within GC and outside of it
* Members giving and volunteering beyond the giving circle
* Giving is more informed and thoughtful and more focused and strategic
So, here's the story of our giving circle. It's a story about how a small group of motivated individuals were able to get something started.
* Running group . . . talk talk talk . . . pulled in Amy Grey and Gerri Sayler. Decided: women's giving circle and $365 (dollar a day)
* Each of us invited some people we knew to a party. We thought that maybe we'd have 15 or 20 people, but fifty people came. We had a goal of attracting thirty women and raising $10,000. But, in the end, we had 47 members and raised more than $19,000!
* Our membership is a wonderful slice of Moscow.
* Our members range in age from mid 20s to late 60s. We include women who have lived in Moscow for one year and for 48 years.
* We volunteer an average of 10-20 hours per month
* Politically, group members described themselves as everything from very liberal to conservative, to apolitical.
* What we share is a commitment to this community and a desire to be part of an interesting group of women working to make Latah County even better.
* In our first year, we gave $18,500 in seven grants ranging from $1500 to $5000. Our first round of grants went to the following organizations:
* St. Vincent de Paul: $5,000 for emergency energy assistance
* University of Idaho Child & Youth Study Center: $4,000 for intensive reading intervention and tutoring
* Palouse Youth Hockey Association: $2,000 for scholarships and equipment
* Troy Elementary School: $2,000 to help create an outdoor science education program
* University of Idaho Sustainable Campus Move-Out Program: $2,000 to encourage recycling of unwanted furniture, clothing, and equipment at the end of the school year.
* West Park Elementary: $2,000 to help repair dilapidated playground equipment
* Moscow Rendezvous for Kids: $1,500 to support access to arts education for all interested children
For me, personally, this has been a way to take my giving and give it more purpose, focus, and direction. I have always given, but I have generally given reactively. Fifty dollars here . . . twenty dollars there . . . someone is running a marathon for AIDS . . . someone else is biking to cure juvenile diabetes. This is a good way to give, but I began to feel that if it was the only way that I gave, then I was missing the chance to be intentional with my giving.
Being part of a giving circle allows me to make a larger gift and make it much more thoughtfully. There is also the power of pooling my money--my $365 may not seem like a lot. But being able to give away $18,500--that was powerful! And doing it while spending quality time with other interesting, passionate, and engaged women . . . what could be better?
What is next?
* The Circle is currently recruiting new (and existing) members to sign up for 2008-2009 giving cycle.
* We will rethink our priorities for this year
* Emphasis on learning about our area's needs and resources
* Working on getting more women--and men--engaged and feeling confident as philanthropists.
Labels: community, donating, donations, giving circle, Moscow, philanthropy
posted by UUCP Sermons at 2:22 PM
