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Press  Giving Circles - In the News: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005

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2012 Articles, Blogs and Other Social Media

• The Pilot.com (August 31, 2012): "Concept of Giving Circles Beginning to Take Root" by Tom Embrey, about the North Carolina Community Foundation introducing communities to the idea of giving circles during an ice cream social hosted by St. Joseph of the Pines.
• Philanthrofiles.com (August 23 2012): "Growing Philanthropic Leaders Through Giving Circles" by Sharon Stewart, Anne Arundel Women Giving Together.
• Front Range Source (July 26, 2012): "Giving Circles Part II" by Leslie Allen (exploring best practices for creating giving circles to both engage donors and upgrade their support).
• Front Range Source (July 20, 2012): "Giving Circles: 5 Top Tips for Reinventing a Golden Oldie " by Leslie Allen (Ask your donors, name and brand carefully, make the benefits genuine, rigorously upgrade and learn and adjust).
• Greenlights for Nonprofit Success (June 2012): "Giving Circles Make Sense… and Give Dollars".
• The Denver Foundation (May 15, 2012):  "First African American Men’s Giving Circle in the Nation’s West".
• The Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers (April 16, 2012): "Giving Circles Connecting", by Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, about on "March 14 over 80 giving circle leaders representing 20 giving circles of various ages and sizes gathered in Annapolis for The Association of Baltimore Area Grantmaker's Annual GivingCircleConnector event, to discuss how different circles define and measure their success."
• Giving Circles Help (March 23, 2012):  "Too Busy to Run a Giving Circle".
• The Philadelphia Foundation (February 2012): "Giving Circles: The Power of Collaboration".
• The Inquirer "philly.com" (February 1, 2012): "Giving circles: Bang for the buck" (the nationwide, and local, phenomenon pools the contributions of more modest donors into big philanthropic power), by Carolyn Davis.
• Charlotte Observer (January 2012): "Try being a 'philanthropist' this year" by columnist Fannie Flono (includes a discussion of giving back in Charlotte, including that done by Rashad Davis, founding member of the New Generation of African American Philanthropists giving circle).
• ConceptLink (January 16, 2012): "7 Questions to Guide Your Giving Circle".
• Change Gangs - Virtual Giving Circles (January 12, 2012):  "Poverty Busters Giving Circle Donates to Kickstart International" by Sharon.

2011 Articles & Special Announcements

• Muskegon Chronicle (December 27, 2011):  "Accomplishing good: Giving circles make a difference in our community" by Paula Holmes-Greeley.
• The Washington Post (December 21, 2011):  "Giving circles: Maximize your giving potential" by Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen.
• Stanford Social Innovation Review (November 2011): "Giving 2.0: Getting Together to Give" (Giving circles are powerful ways to transform the world while also transforming participants’ giving) by Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen.
• Tulsa World (November 11, 2011): "Circle of women pool money for charitable donations" by Ginnie Graham (about the Women Impacting Tulsa giving circle).
• Sh'ma (October 2011): "Helping Funders Make Good Decisions", by Amy Rabbino (Donor-directed giving operates like a private philanthropy working under the ... plus the advent of new methods of giving, including giving circles).
• Prairie Business (October 2, 2011):  Ackerman-Estvold Employees Help with Flood Relief by Paying It Forward".
• The Republic (October 1, 2011): "Women pool funds to support charities" by Brenda Showalter, bshowalter@therepublic.com. "The idea behind the Women’s Giving Circle of Bartholomew County is to allow women of all ages, means and backgrounds to make a positive difference in the lives of women and girls."
• Louisville Courier Journal (September 18, 2011): "Giving Hearts: So-called giving circles growing" by Barbara Cotter.
• Baltimore Sun (September 13, 2011):  "Women's Giving Circle Awards $23,000 in Grants" by Sara Toth.
• Laguna Beach Independent (September 7, 2011): "Womenade, Book Clubs Unite to Help Mother With Cancer", by LB Indy Staff.
• The Huffington Post (August 19, 2011):  "The 1% Solution: Empowering a New Generation of Philanthropists" by Paul Lamb who notes that "..more convenient giving does not necessarily translate to better or more sustained giving...That's where giving circles come in."
• The Washington Post (August 7, 2011):  "Helping Out: Giving back is ingrained in Generation Y" by Rajiv Shenoy (about the Future Fund).
• The Baltimore Sun (July 19, 2011): "Harford Women's Giving Circle offers grants to local nonprofits" by Aegis Staff Report.
• Philanthropy Journal (July 12, 2011): Giving back focus of giving circle book, by Todd Cohen.
• Fox43.com (July 5, 2011): Hope For York Gates To Prevent Crime A Non-profit Funds Alleyway Gates To Protect Homes And Families by Nava Ghalili.  The non-profit, Women's Giving Circle of York County has raised enough money to install 300 of these gates along the West end of the City of York.
• The Economic Times (July 5, 2011):  Like minded donors taking ownership of social projects, by Ahona Ghosh, ET Bureau.
• Omaha World-Herald (May 31, 2011): Circles of giving fulfill dreams by Steve Jordon.  UNO associate professor Angela Eikenberry has written a book called “Giving Circles: Philanthropy, Voluntary Association, and Democracy”.
• The Albany Times (March 31, 2011): Local students help African school project by Scott Waldman, Staff writer.
• moneylife (February 24, 2011):  A catalyst for social change by Dolly Mirchandani.  Dasra works with philanthropists and social businesses to bring knowledge, funding and people to institutionalise social change in India. Dolly Mirchandani reports
• The Denver Post (January 11, 2011):  Giving circles include learning, socializing by Bruce DeBoskey.

2010 Articles & Special Announcements

• The Wall Street Journal (December 20, 2010):  How to Change the World… …Whatever the size of your wallet. These ideas, with budgets from $20 to $20,000, can help better the lives of others—and your own.. by Kelley Greene.
• The Morning Sun Posted (Nov 19, 2010): "Foundation hands out grants".   Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) hosts two giving circles, which are composed of persons who pool their money for a common goal.  One is the Rita J. Bicknell Women’s Health Fund, which was started about four years ago, when Rita was declared a breast cancer survivor, and wanted to help women who did not have as great services as she had. This year the circle gave gifts of $12,252.50 to the Pre-Med Club Clinic at Wesley House, Labette Health Foundation, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas and the Women’s Resource Center.  The second is the Future Fund, which was started in 2005 to engage a younger group of donors, aged 30 to 50. However, Clark said that the fund now has contributors of all ages.
• The Washington Post (November 18, 20101):  "6 nonprofit groups are awarded grants".  About six Prince William area nonprofit groups that recently received more than $7,500 in grants from the Giving Circle of Heritage Hunt in Gainesville. The 20 members of the Giving Circle, who each contribute a dollar a day.
• News Jacksonville (February 11, 2010):  "Jacksonville women's group is a rising influence in giving" (Local group is a national model for a growing trend) by Deirdre Conner.
• Black Voices (February 9, 2010): "Black History Month: Black Gives Back Blog Talks Black Philanthropy" (about The Black Benefactors Giving Circle) by Alexis Stodghill.
• The Capital - Hometown Annapolis (February 7, 2010): "Giving for Good: Local philanthropic response to the crisis in Haiti" (about emergency giving, including by Giving Circles) by Bess Langbein.
• Seacoast Online (February 3, 2010: "It's easy for schools to put stop to car idling" (editorial - about the Seacoast Women's Giving Circle teaming with 25 schools to help the environment by supporting the schools' efforts to get parents to stop idling their cars).
• Humanitarian News (January 28, 2010):  "'Giving circle’ movement puts new face on philanthropy" (sourced from the Dayton Daily News).
• Boise Weekly (January 27, 2010):  "Women for Women Via the Dinner Table (about the Dining for Women giving Circle model) by Rachael Daigle.
• The Collegian Online Edition (January 27, 2010):  "'Nothing to fear but fear itself - Perceived barriers may be what holds some women back from campus leadership positions" (about the Young Women's Leadership Project, jointly funded by the SDSU Women's Studies Program, Women's Giving Circle and the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota) by Amy Poppinga.
• The Chicago Community Trust (January 26, 2010):  "Building Stronger Latino Communities" (about the CCT Latino Giving Circle).
• idealist.org (January 25, 2010):  "What is a Giving Circle?" (FAQ).
• Asian American Giving - The Asian American Philanthropy Journal (January 19, 2010): "More than directories to engage Asian American donors and volunteers" (about the The Cherry Blossom Giving Circle of Greater Washington will use Connect! as their official giving guide) by Dien S Yuen.
• ncgives (January 11, 2010):  "Last-minute recruit gets Women’s Giving Circle a bonus".
• NBC29.c0m (January 14, 2010: "Young Professionals Find New Way To Give" (about the Charlottesville Future Fund in Central VA) by Tracey Clemons.

2009 Articles & Special Announcements

• The Gazette (December 18, 2009):  "NONPROFITS AROUND TOWN: Front Porch Giving Circle, Salvation Army Auxiliary Home Tour" by Linda Navaroo.
• The Austin America Statesman (November 27, 2009): "Hispanic-focused FuturoFund awards $50,000" (about one of few philanthropies in country helping nonprofits that serve Latinos) by Juan Castillo.
• My San Antonio Business (October 30, 2009): "Impact San Antonio supporting music ed".
• The Huffington Post (October 20, 2009):  "Serve The Community With Create The Good".
• PRWeb (September 25, 2009):  "Vancouver, British Columbia's First ever Giving Circle".
• IT News Online (September 10, 2009):  "AARP Launches CreateTheGood.org to Provide Traditional and Non-Traditional Volunteer Opportunities" (go to www.CreateTheGood.org).
• The Leader (August 31, 2009): "Mavis Leno to speak at Women United in Philanthropy fall gathering".  (About Women United in Philanthropy, New Jersey’s first women’s giving circle).
• The Jewish Week (August 25, 2009:  "The Power Of The Circle: the Next Phase in Jewish Philanthropy" by Tamar Snyder.
• U.S. News & World Report (July 27, 2009): "The New Generation of Philanthropists" by Kimberly Palmer (recommends forming giving circles).
• The Non Profit Times (June 1, 2009): "General Ramblings Yeah, But Who's Counting?" by (about communities and enclaves taking root, which is important for giving circles and other forms of personalized development).
• The Wall Street Journal (May 24, 2009):  "Charities: Tough Times Call for Smarter Giving" by Jonnelle Marte (it notes that if you don't have a lot of money to give, one option is to pool your funds with others' in a giving circles).
• The Non Profit Times (April 15, 2009): "Fundraising - A Handshake And A Smile: Building Circles of Support the Old-fashioned Way", by Heather Burton.
• San Francisco Chronicle (2009): Latino foundation honors a granddaddy of philanthropy: "Young Professional Giving Circle." (Issuing $250,000 in grants this year).
• Laguna Beach Independent (April 2, 1009): "Pooling Resources to Drive Change" by Andrea Adelson.
• Reston Connection (April 1, 2009): "Aintree Women Pack Food for Others - Neighbors turn donations for Empty Bowls event into social gathering", about The Giving Circle of HOPE "Empty Bowls" benefit supper for hunger relief.
• About.com (March 26, 2009): "8 Alternatives to Starting a Nonprofit: You Can Do Good Without Starting a Nonprofit", by Joanne Fritz.
• Minot Daily News (March 25, 2009): "New Affiliate Group (Power of the Purse) Receives $50,000", by Andrea Johnson. The Power of the Purse, a new affiliate group of the Minot Area Community Foundation, has received a $50,000 grant from the Bremer Foundation. Power of the Purse is a giving circle that "demonstrates that any amount even that loose change settled at the bottom of a purse can positively impact the Minot community, especially our women and children."
• Lethbridge Herald - Lethbridge, AB, Canada (March 24, 2009): "Power in numbers: Small Donors Hope to Make Big Difference".
• PRWeb (March 11, 2009): "New Study Reveals Sources of Resilience and Strength for Black Girls in New York City Black Girls Face Hardships and Challenges". A new and unique report, Black Girls in New York City: Untold Strength and Resilience, was released by the Black Women for Black Girls Giving Circle (BWBG), a funding initiative of The Twenty-First Century Foundation, and the Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR). A key finding in the report is that the impact of poverty is especially acute in the lives of Black girls. Approximately three-quarters of the girls in the study live in low-income communities and households. Importantly, the report also explores the positive influences in Black girls' lives. It finds that girls who highly valued spirituality also tended to have an excellent relationship with their primary caretaker. Likewise, those who possessed a strong sense of racial identity were more likely than other girls to be happy on typical day, to receive better grades, to want a college education and believe in their ability to reach their goals."
• PR Newswire: (February 11, 2009): "American Airlines and Its Employees Celebrate Black History Month". The company's AA.com/women site will feature content about the African-American Giving Circle. Reston Connection - VA, USA (February 4, 2009): "Giving Circle's Annual Giveaway" , by . "Reston is such a giving community that we thought we should do something permanent," says co-founder, Linda Strup."
• The News & Observer (February 3, 2009): "Giving circles' pool help" by Barry Saunders. "Giving circles", said Todd Cohen of the Philanthropy Journal, "comprise the fastest growing subsector of philanthropy. It's a way of democratizing giving."
• About.com (January 2009): There are four articles related to Giving Circles, written by Joanne Fritz:
  • How to Be an Inspired Philanthropist (From Socially Concerned to Inspired Philanthropist);
  • Giving Circles Are Looking for Good Nonprofit Brands;
  • How to Maximize Your Donation Through A Giving Circle; and
  • What You Should Know About Baby Boomer Women and Cause Marketing.
• Harbor Light -- Harbor Springs, MI (January 28, 2009): "Weaving the Threads of a Community" by Kate Bassett. Non-profit Cross Village Rug Works seeks to preserve economic, cultural vitality of area, recipient of funding from The Hestia Women's Giving Circle.
• Democrat and Chronicle.com (January 2, 2009): "NextGen Rochester is about peer-led philanthropy", by Cynthia Pacia. The Glass Hammer (January 2, 2008): "The Growth of Giving Circles" by Heather Chapman. The Glass Hammer is an online community designed for women executives in financial services, law and business.

• The News & Observer (February 3, 2009):  "Giving

   

   circles' pool help" by Barry Saunders.

• About.com (January 2009): There are four articles related to Giving Circles, written by Joanne Fritz:

  "How to Be an Inspired Philanthropist From Socially Concerned to Inspired Philanthropist";

  "Giving Circles Are Looking for Good Nonprofit Brands";

  "How to Maximize Your Donation Through A Giving Circle"; and

  "What You Should Know About Baby Boomer Women and Cause Marketing".

• The Glass Hammer (January 2, 2009): "The Growth of Giving Circles" by Heather Chapman. The Glass Hammer is an online community designed for women executives in financial services, law and business.
• Democrat and Chronicle.com (January 2, 2009): "NextGen Rochester is about peer-led philanthropy", by Cynthia Pacia.

2008 Articles & Special Announcements

• Washingtonian Magazine (December 2008):  "So You Want to Be a Philanthopist" (It's easier than ever to set up a family foundation, donor-advised fund, or giving circle), as part of the article "64 Ways to Do Good", by Drew Lindsay.
• Austin-American Statesman (December 28, 2008): "With eye to future, Austin Latinos supporting philanthropy - New FuturoFund Austin seeks to tap growing pool of young Hispanic professionals", by Juan Castillo.
• Trading Markets.com (December 26, 2008): “Ninety Things to Watch in 2009”, including Giving Circles.
• Chicago Philanthropy Examiner, www.examiner.com (December 1, 2008): "Big Heart, Small Funds? Try a Giving Circle!" by Karyn Brianne Watkins.
• City Wire - UK Publication (December 1, 2009): "Think tank report urges advisers to set up philanthropic 'giving circles'", about a think tank Policy Exchange that has issued a report entitled "Building Bridges" addressing Giving Circles as part of its analysis on philanthropic options, by Maryrose Fison.
• MSN Money (November 26, 2008): "How to Give Away $500,000", by Ann Monroe.
• CharityVillage.com (November 25, 2008): "Hosting a ‘giving circle’: Finding new donors and new dollars," by Louise Chatterton Luchuk.
• Smart Money (December 24, 2008): “The New Way to Give: Be Your Own Charity”, by Reshma Kapadia.
• CNN.com/Technology (November 20, 2008): "Social networking adds new friend: Philanthropy", about the Ammado Giving Circle, by Steve Mollman.
• The New York Times (November 10, 2008):  "As Women’s Incomes Rise, So Do Their Donations", by Elizabeth Olson.
• TIME Magazine (November 5, 2008): "Right on Your Money - Giving Circles", by Dan Kadlec.
• Arizona Daily Star (October 27, 2008): "Charity more important in hard economic times", by Stephanie Sklar and Mark Fisher.
• USA Today (October 7, 2008):  "The New Face of Giving", about Giving Circles being a pivotal trend, by Andrea Stone.
• OnWallStreet (October 1, 2008): "The New Face of Philanthropy", by Helen Kearney.
• Financial Times FT.com (September 30, 20008): "Social circles with a square deal for charity" By Sean Stannard-Stockton.  About the NYC Venture Philanthropy Fund Giving Circle.
• U.S. News and World Report (September 23, 2008): "Women and Philanthropy: 4 Ways to Get Started" - Women's growing financial power changes the world of philanthropy, by Kimberly Palmer.

• New Raleigh (September 23, 2008): "Local Group Fights Poverty with Philanthropy", about The Beehive Collective, a Raleigh Giving circle, that supports local projects addressing economic security issues: getting out of poverty, managing dept, and/or building wealth.

• The Birmingham News (September 11, 2008): “Women's Fund Raises More Than $100,000 to Fight Domestic Violence”, by Susan Strickland, about The Women’s Fund “Voices Against Violence” Giving Circle.
• University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) News (September 10, 2008):  UIS receives grant from Women for Women Giving Circle" about the Girl to Girl DreamSpeakers Program, in which UIS female athletes will serve as mentors to approximately 120 female students in grades 8 through 10 in Springfield public schools.  
• Philanthropy Journal - North Carolina (August 21, 2008): "Giving circle repairs homes, race relations" about the "Way Out Giving Circle".
• The Chronicle of Philanthropy - Philanthropy Today  (August 1, 2008):  "A Giving Circle" Becomes a Major Philanthropic Force".
• The Washington Post (July 31, 2008):  "A Circle with a Deep Center - Black Women Pool Resources in Grass-Roots Effort to Alleviate D.C.'s Social Ills" (about the African American Women's Giving Circle, which is hosted by the Washington Area Women's Foundation), by Philip Rucker.
• Contribute (July 18, 2008):  "A new trend in philanthropy leverages the grass roots and small change into big influence" by Stacie Berg.
• BaltimoreSun.com (July 6, 2008): "Charity for all" (Giving circles' let ordinary people act as philanthropists, as bundling gifts together makes for greater impact for the gift and greater involvement for the givers), by Tanika White, Sun Reporter.
• The Daily Record (June 26, 2008): "Giving Circles: Women See Power of Pooling Funds for Philanthropy" About the power of giving with a purpose.
• Town & Country Magazine (June 2008 Issue) - The Joy of Giving:  Special Philanthropy Issue. The Clarence Foundation is highlighted as one of five organizations doing cutting edge global philanthropic work in the latest Town & Country magazine. The article features Margae Diamond who shares her experience on last year's Traveling Giving Circle to Kenya. Here's an excerpt from the article, which is now on newsstands!  In late 2006 The Clarence Foundation, an Oakland nonprofit that coordinates giving circles, asked Diamond if she'd be interested in a giving circle with a new twist: one that featured visits to Kenya, to the communities assisted... Diamond signed on, and three months and three conference calls later, she was in Nairobi... discussing with her colleagues how to distribute their pooled funds. "We know about Amnesty International and groups that have already proved themselves, but [the ones we gave to] are not visible to the giving community," says Diamond. "All of us felt really proud of the fact that we could give to organizations that don't show up on the radar for most people." Are you interested in experiencing the Traveling Giving Circle for yourself? There's still time to join this summer's Traveling Giving Circle to Nicaragua from July 19-26. The Clarence Foundation is excited to announce that a donor has come forward to underwrite the program fees for a limited number of participants. If you are interested, contact the Clarence Foundation.
• TwinCities Business (April 2008):  Giving (About Giving Circles in the Twin Cities, including the Hmong Women’s Giving Circle in Minneapolis, University of Minnesota’s College of Education and Human Development alumni giving circle, and the Women’s Endowment Fund—a giving circle within the Jewish Community Foundation of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation) by Suzy Frisch.
• Sojourners Magazine - Culture Watch (April 2008): Kitchen-Table Giving:  Who needs a charity ball when you can have a potluck? by Julie Polter.
• Philanthropy|UK: inspiring giving (March 2008 Issue 32 - Special Report - Women and philanthropy/Giving circles and networks) -  Giving in the US comes full circle by Roxanne Clark.
• Philanthropy|UK: inspiring giving (March 2008 Issue 32 - Giving circles and networks) -  New trend connects more women to giving by Roxanne Clark.
• Contributions Magazine:  The "How To" Source for Nonprofit Professionals, Vol. 22; No. 1 - 2008 (March):  "A Giving Circle May be Looking for You" by Larry Checco.
• Philanthropy Journal (February 7, 2008):  A new giving circle will support Latina teens, by Rosie Molinary.
• USA Today (February 26, 2008):  "Giving Circles Mix Fun/Fundraising" by Ron Barnett, USA Today.
• Kiplinger.com (February 14, 2008):  "Giving Back Through Giving Circles" - (about simple, personalized charity groups with the power to make big changes), by Jane Bennett Clark, Senior Associate Editor (from Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, January 2008).
• About.com - Nonprofit Charitable Orgs (January 30, 2008):  How to Make Your Nonprofit a Winner Among Giving Circles and Giving Circles Are Looking for Good Nonprofit Brands From Joanne Fritz by Larry Checco.
• Contribute (January 11, 2008): “Giving Circles: A new trend in philanthropy leverages the grass roots and small change into big influence” by Stacie Z. Berg.
• Msnbc.com/U.S. News/Giving (January 10, 2008) “Pixelanthropy: Charities tap into Second Life – Nonprofits move into virtual world and champion causes in new ways” by Janet Rae-Dupree of Contribute. Along with this article is a link to the above-referenced 1/11/08 Giving Circles article from Contribute.

2007 Articles & Special Announcements

• Guidestar.org Newsletter (December 2007) “Branding as a Fundraising Tool” About the importance of non profits communicating their “brand” as well as being accountable and transparent to maximize funding from donors, including Giving Circles. Reprinted from Branding Bytes of Checco Communications.

• Family Circle Magazine/Parents.com (December 2007): “Share the Wealth: Giving Circles” (about the San Fernando Valley Giving Circle, making a difference by contributing $10/month per person and how to involve kids) by Marisa Cohen.
• The Urbanite Magazine – The Philanthropist Toolkit (December 2007 #42): “By Her Own Admission” (about the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle and its donations of more than $1 million to 77 charities in the Baltimore area) by Lionel Foster.
• Smart Women (September/October 2007):  Giving Back:  Helping the Elderly Poor, by Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz.
• American Way In Flight Magazine (September 15, 2007):  "The Power of Many" by Magarett Littman.
• Smart Women (September 14, 2007):  Pay It Forward - Smart Move by the Ivanhoe Broadcast News.   
• The Financial Times (September 7, 2007): Squaring Local Issues With Giving Circles by Lauren Foster 9/7/2007
• The Business Monthly (September 2007):  Giving Circles, a National Trend, Prove Popular Here in Maryland by Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz.
• ELDR Magazine (July 11, 2007):  You Don't Have to Be a Zillionaire to be a Philanthropist, by Leah Dobkin.
• Marin Independent Journal (June 10, 2007): 12 women, one circle, $300,000 given away" by Beth Ashley.
• ABAG's Adventures in Philanthropy Column - The Daily Record (June 8, 2007): Charitable Giving: Giving Circles, a National Trend, Prove Popular Here in Maryland by Betsy Nelson.
• PND:  Philanthropy News Digest - A Service to the Foundation Center (May 23, 2007):  Giving Circles a Growing Philanthropic Force, Study Finds.
• examiner.com (May 20, 2007):  Giving Circles Thrive on Flexibility, by G.M. Corrigan, The Examiner.
• The Chronicle of Philanthropy UPDATE (May 18, 2007):  Donor 'Giving Circles' Awarded $13-Million in Grants Last Year by Elizabeth Schwinn.
• Indiana's News Center (April 11, 2007):  Pay It Forward (Giving Circles)
• Philanthropy Journal (April 9, 2007):  The Give and Take of Giving Circles by Mary Teresa Bitti.
• The Washington Times (April 1, 2007):  Granting Hope (about the Giving Circle of Hope and the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County) by Karen Goldberg Goff.
• The Washington Times (April 1, 2007):  How to Join the Circle by Karen Goldberg Goff.
• USINFO.STATE.GOV (March 26, 2007): Women’s Giving Circles Combine Socializing with Philanthropy Groups of women pool their money, even small change, to help neediest by Carolee Walker, USINFO Staff Writer.
• AFPNET.ORG (March 5, 2007):  Giving Circles Provide Opportunities, Challenges for Fundraisers, Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) addresses a "...new study [entitled "Giving Circles and Fundraising in the New Philanthropy Environment" by Angela Eikenberry which] has found that while giving circles have much to offer charities, in some cases the funding relationships can be uneven and have yet to reach their full potential.
• Washington Post (January 7, 2007, Section B08):  The Joy of Philanthropy - My Giving Circle Friends and I Find That You Don't Have to Be Oprah to Make a Difference by Claudia Thorne.  The writer is executive director of Community Family Life Services, a Washington social services agency, and is a member of the African American Women's Giving Circle. Her e-mail address is Thorne_Claudia@yahoo.com.
• Delta "Sky"Magazine (January 2007):  Just Causes - The Giving Back Gang by Laura Daily.

2006 Articles & Special Announcements

• ABC News - Money (December 15, 2006): Charity Giving with a Group - Giving Circles Bring People Together in the Name of Charity by Eileen Alt Powell, AP.
• The CBS Evening News (November 20, 2006): Giving Back Series:  Giving Circle Proves Power in Numbers - An Austin Group Pays Forward (Special on Giving Circles and Impact Austin) by Kelly Cobiella (First part in a series).
• The Washington Post - Business Section (November 19, 2006): Donating With Care - Now More Cautious, Some Are Keeping Philanthropy Closer to Home by Kathleen Day (about Americans becoming more cautious with their philanthropy, investing in local Giving Circles such as "Many Hands" (Bethesda, MD) instead of large, traditional nonprofit organizations.)
• The New York Times (November 13, 2006):  Putting Their Heads Together, Then Their Cash about the Wine Ladies Fund in Oshkosh, WI.
• The Seattle Times (November 12, 2006): Giving Circles Help People Give, Do More for Charities about Giving Empowers my Sisters (GEMS), a giving circle in Oshkosh, WI and the Cleveland Colectivo in Cleveland, OH.
• The CARE MORE Giving Circle Challenge! CARE, a "leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty", is inviting individuals in Giving Circles (existing or new) to help raise more than $1 million for CARE to benefit women worldwide. The Giving Circle that raises the most money by December 31, 2006, will join More Editor-in-Chief Peggy Northrop for a volunteer experience in Peru! (See rules for more details) The Challenge co-sponsor is Meredith Corporation, publisher of More magazine.
• The San Diego Union Tribune (August 3, 2006):  Giving a Boost to Philanthropy
• Satisfaction Magazine (June 28, 2006): Giving Circles Give Donors a Bigger Bang for the Buck
• Women’s Business – Boston (June 2006): Leverage Donations with a Giving Circle from the Commonwealth Institute – Membership News (after link, scroll and click on the June 2006 article in the list).
• Washington Post (July 3, 2006): African American Giving Lessons
• Social Justice/Social Action (April 2006):  Giving Circles featured two new faith-based GCs called “Shared Giving” and “InfUUsion” in the Unitarian community.
• More Magazine (February, 2006):  High Impact Giving – featured various Giving Circles and the growing impact that they are having nationwide.

2005 Articles

• Woman’s Day Magazine (Dec. 2005) and ABC News (12/21/05):  Spotlighted a new circle “Dining for Women” that funds charity “one dinner at a time” with donations as little as $30/mo.
• “New Heroes” House Parties – The Skoll Foundation (founded by eBay’s first president, Jeff Skoll) launched a new giving campaign that merges TV with internet and charitable giving. Together with Global Giving they offer “New Heroes”
  giving, which consists of House Party hosting to generate funding to pre-screened charities or “heroes”. See www.thenewheroes.org/. They have an upcoming PBS documentary on June 28th, 2006 featuring these heroes. For party hosts, you can get their Free DVD.
• CBS Early Show (March 20, 2005) - Giving Circles Take Root– Covered the new trend of giving circles, featuring the Giving Circle of Hope in Reston, VA.
• The Magazine of Howard County (August 2005) featured the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County, which grew in 3 years from 13 members giving $5K each to 379 donors giving more than $400,000. Grantees include a homeless shelter, families with short-term needs, and immigrant mothers.

(Video) Webcasts (& YouTube Clips)

• YouTube (November 12, 2008):  "Giving Circles in A Global Perspective" Part I and Part II, by the Giving Circles Network.
• Voice of America/VOA News (September 2, 2008):  "African-American Women's Giving Circle Benefits Non-profit Organizations"; about a Washington, DC based giving circles called the "African American Women's Giving Circle" (sponsored by the Washington Area Women's Foundation), which supports a local psychologist/therapy practice in Anacostia (an under-served area of Washington, DC) to support survivors of abuse, by Zulima Palacio.
• Eyes on Reston/Reston Impact (April 28, 2008): Giving Circle and Fairfax Taketh Away John Lovaas, the host and producer of Reston Impact, interviews the Guiding Circle members of the Giving Circle of Hope about the history and approach of the Giving Circle.
• You Tube:  Asian Giving Circle - The Art of Asian Giving. This video explains the need for and purpose of an Asian Giving Circle in creating a living legacy, including to get involved, speak out, learn and give of your expertise and resources to support the Asian American/Pacific Islanders community. Sponsored by the Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy.
• You Tube: Dining for Women - National Giving Overseas.  Describes the chapter network (50 worldwide chapters), which educates members on becoming more effective agents of change and supporting women in developing nations.
• (c) The Foundation Center 2007 (February 8, 2007):  Giving Circles Webcast,  Please see the link for copyright information and use permissions.    

Podcasts (& Radio)

• WAMU Radio News, 88.5 (July 21, 2008):  "Grassroots Philanthropy" (featuring the Giving Circle of Hope) reported by Jessica Forres.

• American Public Media - Marketplace (May 20, 2008): Giving away more than just money: Some investors gather to eat and talk about growing their investments. A giving circle gathers to discuss who should get money being given away. Heidi Pickman reports from one circle in Palo Alto, California.

• Global Talk Radio Series (January 23, 2008):  Giving Circles as part of its “Demystifying Non Profits” Series, hosted by Celeste Terry.  This show focused on Giving Circles, with interviews of representatives from the Giving Circles Network and two Giving Circles:  Impact Austin and Three Generations Giving Circles.

• Big Vision Podcast (September 4, 2007):  The Power of Giving Circles: An Interview with Marsha Wallace of Dining for Women by Britt Bravo for Big Vision Podcast.
• wxel podcasts.org (June 24, 2007):  Fundraising Success - Special Presentation: "The Giving Circles Explosion" hosted by Dr. Stephen L. Goldstein.
• onPhilanthropy (June 11, 2007):  Tactical Philanthropy podcast with Social Venture Partners entitled "Giving Circles on Steroids" hosted by Sean Stannard-Stockton.     

Blogs

• SLPL Grants & Foundation Center NEWS (February 12, 2010): "More Info on Women's Philanthropy" (about Giving Circle resources) by kap.
• givingfullcircle.com (January 31, 2010):  "$65,000 raised to date, that’s 93% of our goal!" (about the Giving Circles of Alexandria, VA) by Cathleen.
• The Blue Streak (January 27, 2010):  "Another Good Reason to Shop" (about the Purses with Purpose Giving Circle raising fund via shopping) by Cynthia Moxley.
• AFP Blog: Recent News of Note (January 5, 2010):  "Giving Circle opens the potential pool of philanthropy" from the Daily Tell (about The Impact of Giving Together, University of Nebraska researcher Angela Eikenberry) by Katherine Griwert.
• The Global Warming Statistics (December 22, 2010):  "World changing Interview: Shana Dressler on Global Giving Circles" (about Giving Circles such as the Global Giving Circle, helping to make the world a better place) by John Lebkowsky.
• "IF NOT NOW" ~ life as a professional volunteer! (October 30, 2009): "All Together Now: Giving Circles Increase Impact" by PretenseGroup (Shelby Zitelman).
• WSJ (Wall Street Journal) Blogs - The Wallet (May 15, 2009): "Women Are Storming Charities" by WSJ Staff (about the rise of giving circles).
• Progressive Urban Real Estate (April 8, 2009): "Get On the Bus with the Cleveland Colectivo".
• The Chronicle of Philanthropy - Give & Take (April 22, 2009): 'Venture Philanthropy' Fund Seeks to Strengthen Charities. As charities see donations dip and needs spike during the recession, a giving circle in New York made up of professionals from the business and nonprofit worlds has created a fund to combine cash with other forms of support.
• Asian American Giving (April 15, 2009): "Diversity focused funds: what makes them successful?"
• BC Cultural Sector Development Council: Investing in Our Creative People (April 3, 2009): "Alternatives to Creating Yet Another Arts NonProfit".
• NewBlackMan: Guest Post: Esther Armah on Rihanna & Chris Brown, by MAN, About a new report "Black Girls in New York City; Untold Strength and Resilience," by the Black Women for Black Girls Giving Circle (BWBG), a funding initiative of The Twenty-First Century Foundation and the Institute for Women's Policy.
• How To Throw A Giving Circle Dinner (March 19, 2009) by Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan, Dining for Women is a "dinner giving circle." Each local chapter gathers monthly at a member's home the host cooks everything as in the case of our reader above, or is the anchor to a potluck and pools the money.
• South Asian Philanthropy Project: On Foundations and Diversity - Are We Ready? (March 3, 2009) by asridhar, Start a Giving Circle - This is a great way to start a network of people all supporting a similar cause. It's also a great way to bring attention to a community cause.
• Tips for Practical Giving, (March-April 2009) by Utne Reader, "One way to boost the impact of a recession-sized donation is to join or establish a giving circle, a group of people who pool contributions to support a common cause."
• Washington Area Women's Foundation: Why women's funds are too (blank) to fail (February 10th, 2009) by Lisa Kays in Blog, Our Foundation, Philanthropy, Women, Giving Circles.
• Giving Ladies of Watertown (GLOW) (February 5, 2009), by Glow Members; "A giving circle is a way for individual groups to give back to their community by pooling their money, energy, ideas and resources. These circles are the new rage in philanthropy that allow individuals passionate about their community."
• SunSpotting: Competitive? I think NOT. (February 2, 2009), by Rebecca, "We work to be part of the solution in Cleveland as members of a giving circle called The Cleveland Colectivo, giving microgrants to grassroots neighborhood projects throughout Cleveland and the inner-ring suburbs".
• New Ideas Welcome: Dining for Women (February 1, 2009) by Loveanewidea; Dining for Women (DFW) is a dinner giving circle. We "dine in" together, each bringing a dish to share, and our "dining out" dollars are sent to international programs empowering women (we give what we might have spent to eat dinner out .
• Global Giving Circle (January 2009) The Global Giving Circle is a network of individuals who come together to support creative and innovative solutions to alleviate poverty.
• The Hestia Fund » The Glass Hammer, (February 13, 2009) by No Byline, "After a career in the non-profit world and a master's degree from The Kennedy School of Government, Susan Priem heard about the Washington Women's Fund in Seattle and was inspired to start her own women's giving circle in Boston."
• The Huffington Post (January 20, 2009):  "Yes, You Can!", by Jay Winsten, "The concept of a "giving circle" has emerged in recent years as a vehicle that enables a small group of people to join together and become philanthropists."

• The Case Foundation Blog (January 27, 2009): "How to make the most of your tighter donations budget with giving circles" by Sokunthea Sa Chhabra.

• AFP Blog (November 25, 2008):  "Charity Village®NewsWeek: Cover Story: Hosting a ‘giving circle’: Finding new donors and new dollars", by Louise Chatterton Luchuk.

• Digital Philanthropy (November 11, 2008): "Create an ammado Giving Circle".

• Digital Philanthropy For Individuals Passionate about Giving (October 8, 2008):  "Giving Circles" posted by Kiwimeg.

• Ammado Giving Circle BLOG (October 1, 2008): "Ammado Giving Circle Brings Online Fundraising to Nonprofits Across the Globe", by Annejet Pette.  According to its BLOG site, "ammado is headquartered in Dublin...[and its]...mission is to empower ordinary people to do extraordinary things."

• Net Impact New York Professional Chapter Weblog (September 26, 2008): "Let's Share Our Orgs: #1 NYC Venture Philanthropy Fund", by Lateisha.

• Active Rain – Real Estate Blog (September 8, 2008): “Web Women Giving Circle Looking for Recruits to Raise Awareness and Dollars for CARE”, posted by Contact Joeann Fossland.

• For Goodness Sake - Inspiring Global Good Deeds in South Africa and Abroad (June 19, 2008):  "Circle This" by Johnette Barham.

• Washington Area's Women's Foundation Blog (June 18, 2008):  "Feeling financially strapped? Try giving your money away." Posted on June 18th, 2008, by Lisa Kays in Blog, Philanthropy, Women, Giving Circles.

• Marketer Makes a Difference (Wednesday, May 28, 2008):  Get a (Second) Life: During the Grand Opening of Nonprofit Commons (NPC) 2 (Aloft), which is part of two-island international community (managed by TechSoup of almost 80 nonprofits and 400 individual members inside Second Life, a visitor (among the 500 visitors during the Grand Opening) blogs about her virtual life experience with Nonprofit Commons. In her blog, she reviews her NPC mixed reality (global) event about nonprofit causes as well as finds well known nonprofits (like kiva.org) and learns about new philanthropic trends and nonprofits (like Giving Circles and the Giving Circles Network. Note that Nonprofit Commons has had more than 1800 visitors from 59 different countries to date and is the largest and most prominent nonprofit community inside Second Life. If you would like more information about nonprofits or Giving Circles inside SL (or how you can become engaged as a GC there), please contact us. Note: Offices are free on NPC for qualifying 501c3 organizations that participate in weekly meetings and are committed to having a presence inside SL of at least two hours per week

• Technocrati.com:  Giving Circles:The Idea behind Community Giving- Part Two (May 13, 2008): by Gretchen Horn, Horn Research Services. Please note that this author references 800 Giving Circles, which is an estimated number quoted from Just Causes - The Giving Back Gang" by Linda Daily, Delta Sky Magazine (January 2007), but the official documented number of Giving Circles is 400 according to More Giving Together: The Growth and Impact of Giving Circles and Shared Giving by Jessica E. Bearman, Washington, DC: New Ventures in Philanthropy initiative of the Forum of the Regional Associations of Grantmakers (2007), both of which are cited on the GCN website

• Technocrati.com:  Our Daughters' Voices: Reactions to story from Circle de Luz (May 30, 2008): about the new Circle de Luz Giving Circle. "22 women have taken on the commitment to radically empower young Latinas to finish high school and pursue further education."

• Hijas Americanas:  Calling the Circle (February 7, 2008):  The author of Hijas Americanas (Rosie Molinary), a book about "Beauty, Body Image and Growing Up Latina" (based on interviews and surveys of more than 500 Latina women), starts a nationwide Giving Circle to support Latina teens via scholarships.

• Donor Power Blog or www.donorpowerblog.com (February 2008):  How to motivate giving circles to support you.  

• UTNE Reader (UTNE Blogs/Politics): "Giving That Makes A Difference, Without Bill Gates' Bank Account" by Brendan Mackie (December 7, 2007)

• Non Profit Literature Blog:  “Giving Circles – Selected Readings” (Covers major research on giving circles from 2000 - 2007). November 20, 2007 by Jimmy Tom.

• Philanthropy 2173 (October 12, 2007) “More on the blur - or follow the money part II”  (about the rise of charitable vehicles, including giving circles, and the need for donors to “…see their whole financial commitment – mapped against values and goals – in one place.”  The author recommends setting up a giving portfolio, investing portfolio, and then a “political” portfolio to see the complete picture in strategic terms) by Lucy Bernholz.

• Have Fun • Do Good (September 25, 2007) A blog for people who want to make the world a better place AND have fun! The Power of Giving Circles: An Interview with Marsha Wallace of Dining for Women by Margaret Mead.

• Inside Philanthropy (June 4, 2007) A blog on nonprofit and philanthropy news and issues. A publication of Philanthropy Journal. Giving Circles' Growth a Challenge, by Todd Cohen. 

• Giving Circles Network Blog

Reports - Giving Circle Networking Events

• Washington, DC Metro Area -- Giving Circles Network:  October 2008 Second Annual Giving Circle Networking Event.
• Baltimore Area -- Association for Baltimore Area Grantmakers (ABAG):   June 26, 2007 Baltimore Regional Giving Circle Workshop.
• Washington, DC Metro Area -- Giving Circles Network:  February 2007 First Annual Giving Circle Networking Event.

Research

Women and Philanthropy: Boldly Shaping a Better World by Sondra Shaw-Hardy (Jossey-Bass Publishers, 2010):  www.womenandphilanthropy.org "Women and Philanthropy provides unique and meaningful stories of scores of women philanthropists and how these women are making a difference through giving, partnering, leveraging, role modeling and asking, and will help all women on their philanthropic journey, as well as nonprofits who are working with women as donors.”—Jennifer Buffett, philanthropist and president, Novo Foundation, New York, New York

The Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers (New Ventures in Philanthropy (2007): Hosting a Giving Circle: The Benefits and Challenges of Giving Together.  This is a report on the relationship between giving circles and their host organizations, researched and written by Jessica Bearman.

More Giving Together:  The Growth and Impact of Giving Circles and Shared Giving by Jessica E. Bearman, Washington, DC:  New Ventures in Philanthropy initiative of the Forum of the Regional Associations of Grantmakers (2007). To read the report, go to www.givingforum.org and click on "Giving Circles", then click on the "Giving Circles Trend Report".   See more research.

Press Releases

Below are prior press releases:

• Giving Circles Network Establishes Internet Presence (7/24/05)

  See the press release for more details.

Web Changes

• Visit our Knowledge Center (recently updated with feedback from the Giving Circles Advisory Panel).
• Stay tuned for "My Giving Circle".

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