April 28 (Day 59) Giving Circles

“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.”   - Flora Edwards

I read that a "Giving Circle" is a cross between a book club and an investment group.  That is a pretty good definition...Giving Circles are quickly gaining in popularity as a way for individuals to manage and pool their resources to increase their philanthropic impact.  Giving circles can be small and informal, like a group of friends getting together for dinner to pool their resources to support causes of their choosing,  or they can be larger and highly organized groups requiring a larger donation and greater participation:

“Marsha Wallace, a labor and delivery nurse in Greenville, SC, often volunteered at a health care clinic and donated to local charities, but she felt that she wasn’t doing enough. So three years ago she invited some friends to a potluck dinner. They were asked to bring an appetizer, a main course or a dessert—and their checkbooks.

More than 25 women attended, and they contributed $760 to Women for Women International, a nonprofit organization based in Washington that helps female war survivors. The dinner group gave itself a name, Dining for Women, and agreed to meet monthly, with each member donating the $30 she would have spent at a restaurant. (Eventually, Ms. Wallace scrapped the minimum donation because she worried that some women could not afford to attend.)
Now, every month, the donations, usually amounting to $400 to $500, are given to a variety of international nonprofit groups that help women and children. The club has grown to 115 members, with perhaps 15 or 20 showing up at each meeting. It has contributed a total of $19,000 to various charities, including the American Leprosy Missions and Habitat for Humanity. Donations have paid for two years of nursing school for an East African woman and started a $1,400 medical fund in Ethiopia.” 

-Kristina Shevory, “Giving: When Charity Begins In a Circle of Friends,” New York Time, October 9, 2005

Giving circles are a fairly new concept in philanthropy where small groups make a big difference. The idea is that if you already have a group that gets together on a regular basis, why not do something to give back in the process? If you don't already have a group getting together... You Can Start One!!   A small donation of $10, $20 or $50 at a meeting of a small group of people can add up quickly and turn a small individual donation into a large result.

Click on the resources below to learn more about Giving Circles and how you can start or participate in one:

Giving Circles FAQ's
Giving Circles Knowledge Center


So, how about it?  Does a Giving Circle sound interesting to you?  Get together with your family and friends and make a difference in the causes that you care about! 

Sources:  About.com
         

April 4 (Day 35) Inspire Greatness All Around You

"The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning." -Mitch Albom

This quote comes courtesy of a truly inspiring blog... YEAR OF GIVING - written by Reed, a blogger residing in Washington, D.C., to chronicle a year long experiment of giving away $10. everyday.  I promise you will be inspired by each day's story.  I really have to say, I Love this site.  In an earlier post on this blog, I wrote on how I gave $10 gas cards to 2 unemployed people. Being unemployed myself, that was something that was meaningful to me.  That was a great experience, bringing  joy and satisfaction.  Giving doesn't have to be over the top grand..Just from the heart!!   You might not be able to give away $10. everyday, but think about it, there is something you can do.  Discover it and do it! 

For Reed, it's all about inspiring others to action...This is how Reed explains his efforts:

"My goal is not to change the lives of those with whom I come in contact. Let’s face it, $10 dollars is not going to change someone’s life in and of itself. I do believe, however, that the act of giving will hopefully inspire others to pursue the ideals that the French philosopher Auguste Comte envisioned when he coined the term “altruism.” Whether that comes in the form of someone who reads this blog and wants to embark on their own Year of Giving or someone who uses the $10 to help someone else out, the specific results are less important than the overall good that we can achieve together. I hope that you find yourself inspired today to do something special for someone. You would be surprised at how even something as simple as a smile or a thank you can make the difference in someone’s day. And remember, happiness is only real when shared.”

Reed has also included a page he calls Lend a Hand where he has listed the needs of some of the individuals he has assisted.  If you are so inclined to help out, he can provide you with the contact information for those in need of assistance.   Check out this blog, you will be glad you did! 

Source: Year of Giving