The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Giving circles  are ‘community building in action’

The new form of philanthropy offers a way for people in this economy to still leverage their funds and make an impact.

'Giving circle' movement puts new face on philanthropy

Cracker Barrel manager accused of embezzling $2K
3:38 p.m.
Is your “unlimited” data being throttled?
2:32 p.m.
Kasich wants 100 gigabits per second state network, smarter smartphones
2:07 p.m.
Benefit dinner held for girl who died in car accident
2:00 p.m.
Wright-Patterson relatively unscathed in Obama defense budget
1:46 p.m.
> More headlines

By Meredith Moss, Staff Writer Updated 12:33 AM Wednesday, December 30, 2009

DAYTON— Imagine raising $20,000 in one hour for a worthy cause — minus the live and silent auctions, the raffles and chicken dinners, and without the least bit of arm-twisting.

The new form of philanthropy, known as the giving circle, has become a win-win situation for both donors and recipients. Members typically meet periodically in a public place or in one another’s home. They pick a charity, then each writes a check for an agreed on amount. There’s no paperwork, no billing or bookkeeping, just a very special delivery to the always-delighted recipient.

The expedited process is especially appealing to busy women who enjoy getting together, educating themselves about their community, making a difference. Kathy Banwart, who introduced the creative concept to the Miami Valley nearly three years ago, said the results have been amazing.

“I am just blown away, I can’t believe it, ” said Banwart, who started “100 Women Who Care” after hearing about a similar group in Michigan. When the local membership soared past 100, the group name had to be changed to 100+ Women Who Care. Now, with close to 200 members, more than $175,000 has been given away.

Banwart’s group has supported organizations ranging from the Dayton Boys and Girls Club and Good Samaritan Homeless Clinic’s Dental Clinic to the PALS for Life endowment fund of The Dayton Foundation, a local breast cancer support group. It has also produced a number of spin-offs, including an African American Women’s Giving Circle started by two friends — Helen Jones-Kelley and Sabrina Harrison Dean.

Though research shows most giving circle members are women, when Bob Hewitt of Miamisburg heard about the women’s group in 2008, he was determined to start one for men. The rules are the same: four meetings a year, all monies donated locally. Any member can submit an idea for a charity, three names are drawn and the case for each cause is presented by a member in five minutes. A vote is taken and the nominator has the honor of delivering the checks to the winning charity. Hewitt’s group, which has already spawned a Cincinnati chapter, has given away more than $27,000 to organizations such as Good Neighbor House, Good Shepherd Ministries, T.J.’s Place of Hope, and the House of Bread.

“If the women can do it, we ought to be able to do it, too,” says Hewitt. “And this way we double our efforts in the Dayton area.” The Dayton’s women’s group has inspired new groups in St. Louis; Lavonia, Ga.; Charlottesville, Va; Columbus, Ohio; St. Joseph, Mo.; DeKalb, Ill.; and Santa Cruz, Calif.

According to Angela Eikenberry, assistant professor at the University of Nebraska, and co-author of a report entitled “The Impact of Giving Together,” there are more than 600 giving circles in the nation. Many do site visits to nonprofit agencies.

“The idea of pooling resources to benefit the community is an old one,” she said.

Where a $100 gift can’t always buy much, a $20,000 gift can pack a significant wallop. In the Miami Valley, that one critical hour has meant computer labs for at-risk boys and girls, financial help for needy families and their hospital bills. It has sent World War II vets to see memorials in Washington, D.C., and enabled elderly and mentally challenged adults to remain in their own homes. At Stivers School for the Arts, a nearly $20,000 gift from “100 Women Who Care” meant that adjunct professors could be re-hired.

“The single women and families staying at our hotel will now be able to do their own laundry,” said Lisa Glandon, director of development and marketing for St. Vincent de Paul who said part of the $19,700 gift from the 100+ Women will purchase washers and dryers, irons and ironing boards, tables and chairs.

One of the big advantages, Banwart believes, is that the organizations, often unexpectedly, have a check dropped in their lap.

“They don’t have to expend any of their own money for fundraising, they don’t have to take time to write a grant,” she said.

Researcher Eikenberry said the growing trend, which began in the 1990s, became a real grass roots phenomenon in the past five or 10 years. She said the giving circles offer a way for people in this economy to still leverage their funds and make an impact.

Said Eikenberry: “It’s community building in action.”

Contact this reporter at

(937) 225-2440 or

oss

@DaytonDailyNews.com.

How to go

The next meeting of 100+ Men Who Care will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 16 at the Bravo restaurant, at the Dayton Mall. For info: www.100plusmenwhocare.org. The next meeting of 100+ Women Who Care will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at McGohan Brabender, 3931 South Dixie in Kettering. For info: www.daytonwomenwhocare.org. Both meetings are open to all.

Share this article