April 1, 2007

By Karen Goldberg Goff

The Washington Times 

Giving circles are a growing trend, says Daria Teutonico, director of New Ventures in Philanthropy, an initiative of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, a nonprofit umbrella group for philanthropic organizations. 

Her group counts 220 giving circles in 40 states, up about 50 percent from a few years ago. That number is really just "the tip of the iceberg," Ms. Teutonico says, as there likely are many groups that fit the model of a giving circle but are doing it in a very low-key fashion. 

"The basic premise of a giving circle is people pooling their money and deciding where the money goes," she says. "Also, they get together in a social way or have speakers come in. Groups are mostly women, but we are seeing more men involved. 

"In a giving circle, you can see how the money is spent," Ms. Teutonico says. "People feel they have more control if they can see where the money is going. They are also connected to the community and helping solve its challenges." 

Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, a member of the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County,  says her giving circle has set specific goals of raising money to help women and girls in the county.

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