Thank you to alumnus, Lesley Harris, for this post on Giving Circles. Lesley is the Founder of ACT of Women Giving and has been involved with the community sector for many years.
I was struck by one of the opening statements at a recent philanthropic forum where the speaker declared ‘we are preaching to the converted’. It surprised me really as I realised that yes, I was converted and determined to improve a culture of community connection and philanthropy in my local area. I want people to appreciate as I do that there is ‘joy in giving’.
Luckily as a person of average means, where it is unlikely that I would ever be able to donate large amounts of money, I discovered the Giving Circle model.
How did all of this come about? I completed a Graduate Certificate in Business (Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies) at the Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies at QUT in 2010 which enabled me to formalise and expand my experience of nonprofit Management and Governance, and awakened an interest in fundraising. On reflection this was largely due to the competent delivery of the fundraising curriculum over 2 units by Wendy Scaife, who introduced the strategy and techniques involved and the notion of ‘the joy of giving’. The qualification was also instrumental to securing a role on two nonprofit boards and providing me with the confidence to undertake consultancy work in the nonprofit sector.
After my studies I was fortunate to undertake an Internship with The Myer Foundation where I had the opportunity to visit a range of community organisations who had been funded by the Foundation. Although I had worked in the nonprofit sector for 15 or so years, there was something about the depth and breadth of projects I was introduced to that deepened my appreciation of the positive impact giving can make.
When I returned to Canberra in 2013 it was apparent that there was untapped potential to further develop a culture of giving and community connection in Canberra. However with few networks at that time, I parked the thought. As an avid reader about all things philanthropic I discovered the Impact100 Giving Circle in Melbourne and The Australian Women’s Donor Network. I learned how the Giving Circle model was particularly attractive to women; quite successful in Australia and was clever in the way it enlisted aspects of networking, engaging members with community through their involvement in the grant selection process; and due to the multiplier effect provided the opportunity for members to collectively make more of a difference than they would be able to via a single donation. That was my ‘lightbulb’ moment where I realised I could implement this model utilising my skills, experience and passion for philanthropy, fundraising and community to unearth the untapped potential I had previously observed.
My vision is to provide opportunities for donors to connect with grant recipients which I anticipate will generate the inspiration I had experienced myself on site visits as an intern. In January this year, I along with two co-founders launched the ACT of Women Giving that aims to raise funds to advance opportunities for local women and girls to an audience of 55 women. Not all are donating YET! Our progress is steady and I have no doubt will build momentum over time. We are laying some strong foundations in the community and are well on the way to giving our first small grant later in 2016.
