“Imagine this, just a few years ago there was no Latino Giving Circle Network, and there weren’t nearly 500 well-resourced Latinos organized under a common banner, vision, and purpose. Now, this exists. That’s influence.”
– Giving Circle Member
Generosity is a huge part of our culture. Despite the myths about our people perpetuated for political and profitable motives, we know the truth: for centuries we have shown up for each other. Through our churches, neighborhoods, and families Latinos have always built communities rooted in generosity and a collective investment in the greater good.
The wild success of the Latino Giving Circle Network is a reflection of this legacy. Through a series of interviews and small focus groups conducted in 2018, the Latino Community Foundation and Giving Circle member, Dr. Mara Perez, captured the spirit and success of this new network of Philanthropic leaders. Our new report, People Powered Philanthropy: Reflections by Giving Circle Members provides a glimpse into the pioneering Giving Circle movement.
Highlights from the report include:
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Giving Circles are a great way to engage everyday community members in understanding their potential and power as philanthropists. Most members of the LCGN previously believed that only the elite and wealthy could be philanthropists.
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Community building is an essential byproduct of giving circles. Members report that their participation cultivated pride, trust and connection with their fellow circle members and helped them feel more connected to the larger Latino community.
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Participatory grant-making catalyzes engagement. Members report that learning about Latino-led organizations, and working to make collective decisions about how to invest funds empowered them as leaders. Many members go beyond their initial investment, seeking new opportunities to support the organizations they learn about as volunteers, mentors, and board members.
At the end of the day, the Latino Giving Circle Movement is democratizing philanthropy by building a system that is by and for the people. It will take all of us working together to rewrite the future.
Learn how you can join a Giving Circle today!
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