Giving Circles (raising funds for good causes)
Giving Circles is like crowdfunding, using software for people to pool small donations to help a cause. The favourite gets the most money, and sponsors give top-up money to charities that are doing the most good.
Movement for Good gives away £1 million to good causes each year, nominated by the public. Each charity can get £1000 (ther are six draws each year, including for Ireland, the Channel Islands or Isle of Man).
My Giving Circle gives up to £2 million in grants and donations, funded out of earned income. You can donate a regular monthly amount, then ‘vote’ to help charities get the ‘top prize grant’ (say WarPaws that helps animals in war-torn countries).
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.
More ways to raise funds for your cause
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.
Work For Good is a fundraising platform that helps businesses raise funds for charities through legal channels. Each year, charities have to turn away millions of pounds of donations from business, simply due to a legal agreement: Commercial Participation, which is expensive and time-consuming, so no good for tiny charities.
Yorkshire Building Society is just one of many companies, that accepts nominations from local charities via its own foundations. It considers projects that help job prospects in or near Bradford. Charities can apply from £100K to £500K for a funding period of up to three years. All must be registered with The Charity Commission, and submit annual returns on time.
