Smartwoman Magazine
July 2004
By Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz OK, so you may have noticed that my last few columns have focused on giving circles… what they are and how to start one. This month's column is the last of a three part series on giving circles that highlights local giving circles that you may be interested in joining. All of them are making an impact in our region.
You might be asking yourself why I have focused so much time and attention on what giving circles are, how to start one and now, those that are in our region. It is because I believe giving circles have the enormous potential to continue to bring many new faces to philanthropy and to engage donors in a more enriching and rewarding philanthropic experience.
Greater Baltimore and the surrounding region is experiencing enormous growth in giving circles that are having an impact in our community – both through the specific programs they are funding and as catalysts for the growth of philanthropy overall.
As I have mentioned, a giving circle is a pooled fund, generally hosted or sponsored by a charitable organization such as a community foundation, through which members make grants together. They are typically organized around a particular issue or area of interest, such as women's issues, quality of life, or the environment, and are considered a high engagement form of philanthropy because donors usually participate in collective decision making and educational activities. The circle's grantmaking functions, proposal review, and site visits, engage members in a participatory process that, when combined with the increased impact of pooled charitable dollars, has strong appeal to many donors.
"I have chosen to join a giving circle so I could donate money with like-minded women as well as educate myself about programs that benefit women and girls in Howard County and I think giving collaboratively is a new way for my generation to consider making a difference while learning about the community and philanthropy” said Megan Bruno of the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County at the Columbia Foundation. Megan is co-chairing a new effort called BRIDGE as part of the Women's Giving Circle to engage younger women in the circle and in philanthropy overall. “I am more involved with the process then simply writing a check and walking away and I am able to be as involved as I want to be and, and therefore, be an active part of informing other women in the community of the issues facing women and girls” said Bruno.
It is an exciting time for the field as we see this type of giving vehicle become increasingly popular. In our region, the facts speak for themselves:
Giving Circles Created in the Region since 2000:
Women's Giving Circle of Howard County at the Columbia Foundation (2000) Baltimore Women's Giving Circle at the Baltimore Community Foundation (2001) The Quality of Life Giving Circle at the Baltimore Community Foundation (2001) Women's Giving Circle at the York, PA Community Foundation (2001) The Change Fund at Associated Black Charities of Maryland (2001) The B'MORE Fund at The Baltimore Community Foundation (2002) The Howard Heritage Fund at The Columbia Foundation (2002) The Business Impact Fund at the Baltimore Community Foundation (2002) Jewish Women's Giving Initiative of Baltimore at THE ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore (2002) Women and Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore at the Mid-Shore Community Foundation (2002) Women's Giving Circle at Associated Black Charities of Maryland (2003) The Rainmakers Giving Circle at the Washington Area Women's Foundation (2003) The Washington 100 Giving Circle at the Washington Area Women's Foundation (2003) The Women's Fund of Washington County at the Washington County Community Foundation (2003) You can find contact information on these local giving circles at: www.abagmd.org under “About Philanthropy”.
The Growth of Giving Circle Donors and Philanthropic Dollars in the Greater Baltimore Region through Giving Since 2000:
Approximately $500,000 in new philanthropic dollars Approximately 800 new or further engaged philanthropists Rebecca Murphy Jones, co-chair of The B'MORE Fund at the Baltimore Community Foundation, has enjoyed being involved with this giving circle because she has had the chance to fully engage herself in philanthropy and have a better understanding of community needs. “I have chosen to join a giving circle because I have been able to leverage a relatively small financial donation into a much greater and more rewarding impact than I could have had on my own” said Murphy Jones.
A Look to the Future:
Giving circles in our region are proving to be successful “philanthropy incubators” for individuals who wish to leverage their dollars for greater impact, while learning more about the community, grantmaking, and issues of importance to them. With several new giving circles under development in our region, the growth trend is expected to continue, with many new faces joining the philanthropic table.
Might you be one of them?
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Available resources on giving circles:
“The Giving Circle Toolkit” is available to download at: www.abagmd.org and print copies are available by contacting 410/727-1205 or bgp@abagmd.org “Growing Philanthropy through Giving Circles: Lessons Learned from Start-up to Grantmaking” is available as a downloadable PDF file at: www.abagmd.org. Print copies are available upon request by contacting ABAG at 410/727-1205 or bgp@abagmd.org.
