Giving Circles: Key Takeaways

Senior Consultant, Melissa Brogdon moderated our Giving Circles webinar and shared her highlights with us. Watch the full recording at the bottom of this post.

What was Old is New:

Giving Circles have a long history of driving community giving within formal (hosted i.e. 501c3s or a Community Foundation) and informal (friends and family) settings.

• Culture Matters: Best practices for operating a Giving Circle are influenced by the culture of the community within which it is hosted.

• Everyone Can Give: Whether you are an individual or small business owner, Giving Circles provide a great opportunity to pool resources and maximize your gift!

• What Fundraisers Need to Know: Building relationships with community-based Giving Circles can be a great way to generate support for special initiatives that align with the circle’s priorities.

• So what’s the difference between a Giving Society and a Giving Circle?
  The primary difference is that a Giving Circle is a group whose members determine the use and distribution of the funds they have contributed. A Giving Society is most often a tool used by organizations for donor recognition, and decisions about how funds will be used are determined at the organizational level.

–Melissa Brogdon, Senior Consultant
Purpose Possible

Melissa is a Senior Consultant with Purpose Possible. Most recently, Melissa served as the Director of Development and Communications at Emmaus House where she thrived as a grant writer. Melissa applies her extensive experience working in nonprofit and school settings to both her professional and volunteer work, with a keen focus on causes that resource vulnerable women and children.