Popularity of ‘Giving Circles’ Continues to Grow, Report Says

Since 1990, $44-million has been raised by groups of people around the country who pool contributions and collectively figure out how best to give them away, according to a new report.

Researchers identified 220 “giving circles” in 39 states and the District of Columbia and received responses to their questions from 77 groups representing more than 5,700 donors.

The research, conducted in June by the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, in Washington, shows that 80 percent of the giving circles have been formed since 2000.

People who participate in such collective grant making often provide additional financial and management assistance to charities on their own, the report says.

Nearly three-quarters of giving circles said their members make additional contributions to the charities the circles support or consider supporting. In addition, 51 percent of members perform volunteer work, 45 percent serve on a charity board, and 43 percent help with fund raising at charities.

The giving circles that participated in the survey range in size from a handful of member to several huner.

The report, “Giving Together: A National Scan of Giving Circles and Shared Giving,” and a summary of its findings are available online at http://www.givingforum.org/givingcircles. Free copies of the report summary may be obtained from Scott Simpson, Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, 1111 19th Street, N.W., Suite 650, Washington, D.C. 20036-3603; (202) 467-1120; ssimpson@givingforum.org.