Many charities in England and beyond are desperate for funds, but something obviously is not working. We all feel torn between who to give to as there are hundreds of good causes. People also are concerned at receiving endless emails and phone calls and letters after a first donation (you could set up an anonymous charity giving account to solve this).
But keeping the same old, same old (expensive TV ads to make people feel guilty, ‘chuggers’ charity muggers in the street getting paid to accost you, and tiny charities never getting the exposure over big charities with marketing managers) is not working.
Giving Circles is a new idea whose time has come. It’s a bit like crowdfunding but run by outside sources that use special software for people to pool small amounts of donations to help a good cause. And often you can also ‘vote’ for a favourite cause by donating, and sponsors give extra top-up money to those charities that are seen to be doing most good, by the public.
Movement for Good is run by the Benefact Group, which gives away all available profits to charity. This annual program donates over £1 million to good causes each year, and accepts nominations each year.
During each year, you can nominate your favourite charity or charities for awards of £1000 (one nomination per charity). This can also be in Ireland, the Channel Islands or Isle of Man. There are six £1000 draws each year, staggered throughout.
My Giving Circle is a social enterprise that each year, gives away up to £2 million in grants and donations, funded out of earned income. It earns money by connecting charities with donors and earning a small platform fee, when people donate via the website. Sometimes companies also get on board to sponsor grants.
You can set up an account to donate a regular monthly amount, and then also ‘vote’ by another donation, when the huge grants come up, to try to get your charity (say WarPaws that helps animals in war-torn countries) to reach the top, and snap the top ‘prize grant’ from sponsors.
How Giving Circles Work
Joining a giving circle can feel like sitting down with mates and deciding how to help someone in need. The steps are straightforward and no one needs special skills or lots of money to take part. Here’s how most circles get started and decide what to support.
Forming a Group
A giving circle often begins with a group of friends, neighbours, or even co-workers who want to give back to their community together. There are no strict rules on who can join, as long as everyone is interested in making a difference.
The process usually goes like this:
- Find your group: Start with people you trust or those who care about similar issues.
- Pick a name: Choose something simple and meaningful, even if it’s just the neighbourhood or workplace plus “giving circle.”
- Agree on meetings: Decide how often you want to meet. Some meet monthly, others quarterly or a few times a year. It depends on what fits everyone’s schedule.
It’s as easy as calling up friends or sending a message in a group chat. The circle grows as word spreads or as members invite new people.
Collecting and Pooling Money
Pooling money is the heart of a giving circle. The group decides what everyone can chip in. There are a few simple ways to collect funds:
- Passing a hat: At a meeting, everyone drops cash into a jar or envelope.
- Bank transfer: Set up a joint account or use a trusted app to collect digital payments.
- Standing orders: Members arrange automatic payments each month to a group account.
Trust is key. Some circles choose a treasurer who keeps track of every penny, and some keep a simple spreadsheet to make things clear. The amount each member gives can vary. Some agree on a fixed sum, like £20 a month, while others go with what people can afford each time. The goal is to keep it fair and open so no one feels uncomfortable or left out.
Choosing Projects Together
Deciding where the money goes is when it gets exciting. The group gathers, shares ideas, and listens to what matters to each person. Often, people bring suggestions about charities they’ve seen or causes that affect their community.
Everyone gets a turn to speak, and all ideas are welcome. The group might take a vote or work towards a decision that everyone feels good about. Some giving circles focus on one charity a year; others divide the funds between several causes.
Here’s how many groups make their choices:
- Brainstorm: Members gather names of charities, local projects, or families needing help.
- Research: Someone checks to make sure suggestions are real and funds will be used well.
- Discuss: The group talks about which cause fits their values or helps most people.
- Vote: Each member has a say in the final decision.
There is no strict formula. The main point is that everyone feels heard and shares the responsibility for making good choices. It’s as simple as sitting around a table, sharing stories, and agreeing together.
This group approach means you’re not just handing over money, you’re building trust and real connections.
Benefits of Joining a Giving Circle
Stepping into a giving circle does more than multiply your pound; it can multiply your positive feelings, your skills, and even the friendships around you. Being part of a group effort takes giving from a solo act and turns it into a real team achievement. Here’s how getting together with others to give does more than just boost your impact.
Shared Impact Amplifies Results
Pooling money in a giving circle packs a bigger punch than donating on your own. Suddenly, that £20 you put in becomes part of a much larger pool, giving your group the power to support causes in ways that might seem out of reach alone. The combined donation can help fund bigger projects or allow a charity to plan ahead with confidence.
Here’s why pooled giving works so well:
- Larger grants: Charities can do more with one bigger sum than with lots of small donations.
- More influence: Your group can make a real difference, perhaps even fund a special project that wouldn’t happen otherwise.
- Shared pride: Seeing the results of your group’s gift often feels more rewarding because you know your part made it happen.
This approach means every member, no matter what they can give, has a hand in something meaningful and lasting.
Building Strong Community Ties
Meeting up with others who want to help builds more than just funds. It strengthens friendships, trust, and a shared sense of purpose. Giving circles often grow into spaces where people look forward to catching up, sharing food, and working as a team.
You can expect to:
- Form lasting friendships: Regular meetings make it easy to build bonds over shared values.
- Build trust: Making group decisions together encourages openness and reliability.
- Enjoy a sense of belonging: It feels good to be part of a team that cares about the same things.
The group becomes a bit like a family, with each person giving their time, ideas, and support alongside their money. For some, the social side can be just as important as the giving itself.
Learning About Philanthropy
Being part of a giving circle is a great way to learn new skills without sitting through a class or seminar. From each other, members pick up tips on choosing reliable charities, understanding budgets, and spotting pressing local issues. Everyone’s experience and knowledge add something different to the mix.
Members often take away:
- Confidence in giving: Learning to research charities helps you spot those that do good work.
- Money skills: Managing donations or keeping accounts for the group gives you practical finance experience.
- Awareness: Discussions open your eyes to problems in your own area and beyond.
It’s like a crash course in smart giving, with lessons that stick for life.
Tax and Financial Advantages
There’s an extra bonus: your generosity can bring some financial perks. In the UK, giving through a circle may count for Gift Aid, letting charities claim back extra money from the government. Being part of a registered giving circle or charitable group also means your donations might qualify for tax deductions, making your funds go further.
Key takeaways on financial benefits:
- Gift Aid boost: For every £1 given, charities can claim an extra 25p.
- Possible tax relief: If you’re a higher-rate taxpayer, you can claim money back on your donation.
- Smarter giving: Group pooling means you can keep records more easily, making it simpler at tax time.
These little extras mean that, as a group, you not only help others but can also get more value out of every penny you give. The financial side makes shared giving not just the kind thing to do but also the smart thing to do.
Starting Your Own Giving Circle
Launching a giving circle is easier than most people think. It can begin with just a few friends or colleagues keen to make a small difference together. As you set things up, focus on keeping the process simple and open. Here’s how you can build a strong foundation for your own giving circle, from day one.
Set Clear Goals and Values
The heartbeat of any giving circle is a shared mission. Start by gathering your group and talking about what matters to each person. Try writing a short mission statement—just a sentence or two that sums up your aim. This keeps everyone on the same page, even as the group grows.
Choose what areas or causes you want to support. You might back local food banks, youth projects, or health charities. Pin down a few main focus areas, as this guides your decisions later. Write these down and share them with all members so everyone has the same reference point.
Tips for nailing down goals:
- Keep the mission statement clear and brief.
- Agree which causes you’ll support, but stay open as needs change.
- Make sure everyone can suggest ideas, so the mission feels personal.
Choose a Simple Funding Model
A giving circle works best when collecting money is easy and stress-free. Pick a funding model that suits your group. Fixed monthly contributions are popular because they make budgeting simple. Each person might pay in £10 or £20, so the pot grows regularly. If some want to contribute different amounts, keep it flexible—what matters is everyone feels comfortable.
To track contributions, use a simple spreadsheet, keep a shared note, or choose a group banking app. Make sure everyone can see how much has been collected and where the money goes.
Consider:
- Fixed monthly payments (easy to manage, creates routine).
- Flexible giving (lets people adjust based on their own budget).
- Use software like Grapevine, Better World and DonorBox to set up a giving circle.
- Assign a treasurer to update everyone on totals.
- Contact your local media to tell others!
Pick Decision‑Making Rules
Deciding how to give is much smoother when rules are clear from the start. Most circles use a simple vote. Some groups go for majority rule (over half must agree), while others need full agreement (consensus).
Make a plan for what to do if members disagree. Maybe split the donation between two charities, or carry the vote to the next meeting if no agreement is found. Clear rules mean no one feels left out or steamrolled.
Ideas for fair decisions:
- Try an open vote at the meeting.
- If groups are split, rotate choices at each meeting or split donations.
- Write down your rules, even if it’s only a few lines, and send them round in a group chat.
The Giving Circle Movement Today
Giving circles are no longer just a local trend. What started as small groups deciding where to give has spread to all corners of the globe. These groups are now part of everyday life in many cultures, each one adapting to fit their community’s needs and values.
Technology has changed the way people connect, collect money, and share ideas. The future of giving circles looks very different to the early days of passing a hat around the kitchen table.
Global Growth and Local Stories
Giving circles now spark generosity in cities and villages from Australia to Zimbabwe. While the aim is always group giving, each place does things a bit differently.
- In the United States, groups like the Impact100 network gather hundreds of women each year to fund local charities. Many circles mix group meetings with online decision-making, making it easy for busy people to join.
- In India, giving circles often support children’s education or healthcare. People pool rupees and sometimes offer help in kind, like tutoring or delivering supplies. Traditions such as community giving blend with modern group planning.
- In Kenya, some circles (known as “chamas”) put saving and sharing into their regular routine. These groups often mix social gatherings, saving schemes, and giving, supporting each other as well as charities.
- In the UK and Ireland, groups are forming in workplaces, schools, and online forums. Some focus on climate action, offering grants to green and animal welfare projects, others help youth and mental health causes.
Each local story shows the same idea: a group listens, learns, and finds a way to give that suits both the people and the problems around them. They prove you don’t need a lot to start helping; just good company and the will to join in.
- Search Philanthropy Together, a site that lists over 4000 giving circles worldwide, for all kinds of niche areas. Great inspiration to join or start something similar.
No matter where you live or how much time you have, there’s a way to join in. Giving circles are growing, changing, and bringing more voices to the table than ever before.
Conclusion
Giving circles stand out because they make giving simple, social, and fair. Anyone can get involved and see what their money is doing up close. No single member has to carry the load, which keeps things friendly and open.
Trying a giving circle connects you with people who care and makes it easier to help. You get to see the real results and share those moments with others.
Thank you for reading. If group giving sounds right for you, reach out to friends or find a local circle and give it a go. Every little bit, put together, counts for more than you think.
