THE BENEDICT FOUNDATION
SHARED GIVING

GIVING CIRCLES - an old idea is new again

Shared efforts such as sewing circles, quilting bees, barn raisings, all began in Colonial times and in this country the concept of neighbor helping neighbor is as old as America itself. Impicit in the idea of shared effeort was the concept of pooling resources in order to increase impact while at the same time providing a welcome opportunity to socialize for hard-working early Americans.

In more recent times groups, often with the general name of Service Clubs, gave a more organized structure to some of the older endeavors and frequently broadened their scope. At roughly the same time organizations such as Community Chests and later, the United Way, provided a convenient means of donating to worthwhile causes while at the same time upholding the concept of pooling resources in order to increase impact.

And now the idea of small groups sharing efforts and pooling resources has come full circle with the emergence of Giving Circles, or as they are sometimes known, Shared Giving groups. Like their much earlier predecessors, Giving Circles frequently retain the concept of helping primarily community or regional efforts while combining an element of socialization in the process.

THE BENEDICT FOUNDATION, as part of its commitment to encouraging innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to problem solving and meeting societal needs, is willing to act as the host nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization for one or more GIVING CIRCLES.

A Giving Circle, sometimes known as a Shared Giving group, is a relatively small group of people whose purpose generally is to pool resources in order to obtain greater leverage and impact in bringing about beneficial results and desirable social change. Initially, as few as two or three people can start a Giving Circle.

It should be understood from the outset that Giving Circles have many options as to organizational structure and methods of donating. However, the primary advantages of affiliating a Giving Circle with a host nonprofit 501(c)(c) organization are twofold:

1. By virtue of its experience in operating in the nonprofit world, a host organization is in a position to directly provide information, recommendations, and administrative support to a Giving Circle.

2. As a result of the host organization’s ability to provide a Giving Circle with a simple method of pooling resources in order to increase impact, Giving Circle members are more easily able to take advantage of tax incentives a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affords.

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