Circles of charity make the giving go ‘round

An emerging form of grass-roots philanthropy -- the “giving circle” -- has blossomed from an embryonic trend a few years ago to a movement with hundreds of groups nationwide, as donors look for new ways to help local charities by using a more collective approach, according to a new study of the groups.

In the circles, which range in size from half a dozen members who meet over potluck suppers to 500 who get together in mass gatherings, members pool their charitable dollars. Then, often after copious research, they decide which organizations will receive the money.

“To me, this is a more meaningful version of a book club,” said Julie Stein, 43, a Loudoun County, Va., conservation biologist who just started a giving circle that will focus on environmental causes.

The study found 220 giving circles in 39 states -- most of them less than 4 years old. “They seem to be everywhere,” said researcher Jessica Bearman of New Ventures in Philanthropy, which worked with the Assn. of Baltimore Area Grantmakers.

The leaders of the giving circle movement are mostly women, researchers found. More than half of the circles surveyed were women-only. Just one was strictly for men. Giving circle members say that’s because the groups’ cooperative approach tends to appeal more to women.

“I think the dynamics shift when we include men,” said Cathy Lange, 53, president of the Angels Network.

Most groups have established themselves as actual charities, or 501(c)3 organizations, for tax purposes, and some are branching out past local charity, the survey found.