WHAT IS COLLECTIVE GIVING? |
Collective giving is rapidly growing, grassroots, philanthropic movement that empowers people to join together, invest their financial resources, and strengthen their communities or causes.
Led by rise of women’s giving circles, collective giving has tripled in size in the United States in the past two decades.
Community-based collective giving organizations provide a structured platform for members to participate in collaborative and democratic philanthropy. Often these groups are women-centric and have similar goals and shared desires for enriching their communities. Some focus on specific giving areas; others give in a broad variety of categories. Most share the following elements:
The Philanos network is made up of affiliates built primarily on three models:
Just as a pebble dropped in water forms a series of concentric circles, spreading outwardly, collective giving organizations create ripple effects by expanding the impact of philanthropy. Their members are inspired to:
Collective giving organizations strengthen communities in numerous ways, especially by creating new, enduring, and local sources of funding for the common good. These organizations have developed reputations for vigorous vetting processes resulting in strategic, impactful grantmaking. This intentional philanthropy often provides informal seals of approval that stimulate additional funding sources for the grantees.