Giving Circles are influencing Philanthropy in Round Rock
March 2007 - The Greater Round Rock Community Foundation is gaining momentum by creating grassroots vehicles for philanthropy called giving circles. Giving circles, one of the fastest-growing forms of charitable giving in the United States, are groups of people who collectively pool their resources to make high-impact grants to the causes or charities of the group's choice.
The foundation recently launched two giving circles in Round Rock: the Leading Ladies, a group of about 25 women who are already established philanthropists in Round Rock but want to do more; and the Round Rock Future Fund, a circle of more than 60 people - mostly couples with school-age children who want to ensure that Round Rock continues to be a good, safe community to call home.
"One of the most meaningful ways we as a community foundation can impact Round Rock is to encourage and inspire local, sustained philanthropy," said Nancy Rabb, chair of the Greater Round Rock Community Foundation. "In relatively little time, we've reached out to nearly 100 individuals through these giving circles, many of whom are new to charitable giving, and helped them plug into and influence the future of Round Rock."
The members of the giving circles contribute a set fee to join -- $1100 for Leading Ladies and $550 per couple to the Future Fund. The donations are pooled in a fund to be allocated to the charities of the group's choice following a series of meetings in which the members learn about the issues and collectively determine a giving strategy. Each circle is different and reflects the unique vision and priorities of its membership.
So far, the giving circle members have contributed more than $40,000 to their respective funds. The Leading Ladies have chosen basic needs as their issue of choice and the Future Fund will focus on children and education. Both groups will award grants later this year.
"Before my wife and I joined the group, we would randomly pick charities at the end of each year and it was difficult to see the results of our giving," said Future Fund member Brian Sellers. "The giving circle has given us a mechanism for learning the right way to place our donations. By giving with the group, we feel the results will be clear. It is a fun environment with good people who share the same goal."
The fundamental philosophy behind giving circles is simple: by combining resources, people can do more in partnership with others than they can typically do alone. The benefits are long term. Giving circles are a great way to educate donors on the issues and emerging issues that will influence the future of the community. It's also an effective introduction to the power and personal reward of philanthropy.
For more information about Round Rock giving circles or the Greater Round Rock Community Foundation, please call Kami Barron at (512) 255-5805 or log onto www.rrcommunityfoundation.org.
About the Greater Round Rock Community Foundation
The Greater Round Rock Community Foundation, formed in 2004, is a tax-exempt public charity that enables individuals, corporations, families or other organizations to establish charitable funds which are invested with other funds and managed professionally. The fund's assets grow over time and donors are encouraged to continue giving to the fund to help it grow even more. Grants are then awarded from the fund to support local projects in accordance with the donor's interests. Founding board members are: Charles N. Avery, II, John S. Avery, Sr., Bruce Bessner, Ashley Blake, Jim Boles, Holly Coe, Charlie Dromgoole, Mark Fritz, Chaz Glace, Travis Lucas, Nyle Maxwell, Nancy Rabb, Jon E. Sloan, Mike Swayze, and Shevawn Walzel.