June 1, 2023
Episode #60: Giving Circles and Collective Philanthropy with Sara Lomelin
In today’s episode, Tobi interviews Sara Lomelin who is an expert in Giving Circles and collective philanthropy. Here at VolunteerPro, we’re also very interested in doing that when it comes to community engagement, volunteer talent, and thinking about new ways we can engage the community in our missions, which is the most important thing right now.
Sara Lomelin is a philanthropy disruptor and an expert in giving circles and collective philanthropy. She is the founding CEO of Philanthropy Together, which is growing a movement of people-powered philanthropy to resource grassroots nonprofits to shift power dynamics and promote widespread philanthropy. Prior to Philanthropy Together, Lomelin served as Senior Director of Leadership Philanthropy in Action Opportunity Fund and as VP of Philanthropy at the Latino Community Foundation, where she created the Latino Giving Circle Network trademark, the largest network of Latinx philanthropists in the US. She has traveled the world speaking about the power of collective giving at high profile conferences and events, including TED 2022, where she delivered her talk, “Your Invitation to Disrupt Philanthropy.” Sara holds a BA from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City and an administration and management certificate from Harvard University.
Giving Circles – What Is Giving Circles?
Giving circles are groups of individuals who come together to pool their money and resources to make donations to nonprofit organizations. These groups are often formed around a shared interest or cause, and members work together to research and select organizations to support. Giving circles can be formal or informal, and they can be organized around a specific geographic area, issue area, or demographic group. Members of giving circles often engage in volunteerism and other forms of support beyond financial donations, and they can serve as a bridge between individual donors and larger foundations or corporations. Giving circles are a growing trend in philanthropy, and they offer a way for individuals to have a greater impact on the causes they care about.
Giving Circles – Trends and Development
Giving Circles – Show Highlights
01:29.60 Tobi started with talking about different ways to leverage community talent to help organizations become more sustainable
02:17.10 Tobi introduced Sara Lomelin and her biography
04:28.60 What sparked your interest in giving circles
17:34.30 Do giving circles also get involved in fundraising
37:05.50 Are giving circles open to anybody
21:01.30 What are the benefits of the giving circle and how do you start one
41:44.60 How do giving circles relate to overall trends in philanthropy
45:34.10 What advice to do you give to organizations who want to partner up with giving circles
53:38.20 What are you most excited about in the year ahead
Giving Circles – Quotes from the Episode
“Volunteers want to pull up their sleeves and they want to engage and they want to work.”
“They want to give their treasure, which is their financial donation, but they also want to give their time and their talent and their ties and their testimony.”
“Sense of belonging, something that people are going to come back because they’re part of something that is bigger than themselves.”
“So they trust the process, they trust each other, and the whole idea is that that trust will get transferred to the leaders on the ground.”
“The ones that know what the community needs are those leaders on the nonprofits that are working in that community.”
“Volunteers are often the interconnective tissue between the community and the organization.”
Helpful Links
Want More? Check out Our Time + Talent Podcast!
Whether you’re looking for solutions, inspiration, or just want to hear what others are doing to successfully engage volunteers, Time + Talent is the podcast for leaders of volunteers.
Co-hosts Tobi Johnson, MA, CVA and Jennifer Bennett, CVA bring you uplifting and insightful conversations with thought leaders and volunteer management practitioners who are redefining their roles, and the roles of volunteers.
About the Show
Nonprofit leadership author, trainer, consultant, and volunteer management expert Tobi Johnson shares weekly tips to help charities build, grow, and scale exceptional volunteer teams. Discover how your nonprofit can effectively coordinate volunteers who are reliable, equipped, and ready to help you bring about BIG change for the better.
If you’re ready to ditch the stress and harness the power of people to fuel your good work, you’re in exactly the right place!
Contact Us
Have questions or suggestions for the show? Email us at wecare@volpro.net.
Rate, Review, & Follow Us on Apple Podcasts
If you love the content Tobi shares on the Volunteer Nation podcast, consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps us reach more people – and help more good causes just like yours – successfully engage enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers with less stress and more joy.
Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars. Then, select “Write a Review” and let us know what you loved most about this episode!
Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast so you don’t miss a thing. Follow now!
Subscribe to ProNews: Our Weekly Resource Roundup
If you’d like to stay up to date on all new podcasts, blogs, freebies, and deals posted on our Tobi Johnson & Associates and VolunteerPro websites, subscribe to our weekly ProNews newsletter.
Every Wednesday, we’ll send you a digest of our freshest content, plus a bonus! Once you confirm your subscription, you’ll get our [Free eBook] The New Volunteer Manager: The First 90 Days.
