Giving Circles: Recent Comments

Comment on Community Needs Discovery

GCN BLOG Manager — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 21:56:23 GMT

That's a great idea. We will look at adding videos in the new year. Much appreciated!

Comment on Join us!

GCN BLOG Manager — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 21:48:21 GMT

Thanks for your feedback. We hope it will prove helpful to those interested in learning more about giving.

Comment on Join us!

Magnetic Sponsoring — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 22:15:09 GMT

One of those informative posts I get interested reading. This is very helpful not just to bloggers but also to those readers out there. Thanks a lot for sharing this one to us.

Comment on Community Needs Discovery

annuity — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 04:54:26 GMT

Have you thought of adding more videos to your blog posts to keep the visitors entertained?

Comment on ABAG Regional Giving Circle Workshop (June 2007)

Fat Loss 4 Idiots — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:34:50 GMT

This is my first time at your blog and I've really enjoyed looking around. I will come back again in the future to check out some of the other articles.

Comment on Inspiring Giving, Leaders & Members

GCN BLOG Manager — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 02:32:25 GMT

Thank you for this comment as many Giving Circles are facing this same issue. For some innovative approaches, we recommend that you see the October 2008 Giving Circles Conference summary. Several topics touched on membership recruitment and retention. A few ideas for individuals who are unable to participate are to give whatever they can or even have someone "sponsor" their membership, volunteer their time through service projects (instead of donate money), support the Giving Circle in the grant process, come to a community issue "Discovery Day" where people can learn about community issues (participate in the learning process), or participate in a Giving Circle supported book club or other social activity -- just to keep them involved, engaged and interested in the Giving Circle mission.

Comment on Inspiring Giving, Leaders & Members

Jennifer Natale — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:06:39 GMT

In this challenging economy, I'm wondering how other circles are managing the loss of members. I'm particularly interested in innovative ways to retain members even if they are financially unable to participate in the circle at this point in time.

Comment on Go to the Giving Circles Network

jack — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:16:40 GMT

Did you know that voluntary giving has been shown to stir activity in the brain centers that process feelings of reward? The “warm glow” view of altruism holds that people give because helping others and our community makes us feel good. The giving circle experience is a win-win! Our contributions serve to help those in need and we feel good about having a positive impact on others. A circle stimulates giving and philanthropic activity of all kinds and gives members a focused, deliberate, hands-on experience.

Some facts about Giving Circles around the country:

1. There are more than 220 known circles throughout the United States, likely hundreds more.
2. Giving circles involve people of all races and ethnicities.
3. Over half are all or mostly female.
4. Age varies – youngest 5, oldest 90.
5. Amount donated varies—$1 a day to $20,000 per year
6. People participate to connect with others, give back to community
7. Most circles offer educational opportunities for their members.
8. Top issues include:
a. Youth development
b. Women and girls
c. Human services
d. Mental health/intervention
e. Other topics include: animals, environment, health, crime, food/agriculture/nutrition, medical research, recreation/sports/leisure, the arts, education, literacy, global issues, etc

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jack

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Comment on Community Needs Discovery

GCN BLOG Manager — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:35:07 GMT

Thanks, Brendan, for updating us. Hopefully our past comments on attracting interest will help. You might also want to Contact Global Sojourns in Arlington, VA about their approach to generating interest in their Sub-Saharan Africa projects. See the link at:

http://www.givingcircles.org/About_Advisory%20Panel.htm#Global_Sojourns_Giving_Circles_(GSGC)

Please keep us posted on your Giving Circle's progress in South Africa!

Comment on Community Needs Discovery

Brendan Lillis — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:00:07 GMT

I read with great interest of the work in sub Saharan Africa that the Clarence Foundation does. I will contact them directly as I believe there could be a fit with our activities in South Africa

We have just launched our giving circle at www.brendanlilliswords.com/givingcircle.html and would welcome suggestions on how best to attract interested people to participate. Thanks

Brendan Lillis