FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Philanthropy Together Receives $1 Million Grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to Advance Racial Equity Across the Growing Giving Circle Movement

Philanthropy Together, a global initiative dedicated to scaling and strengthening the giving circle movement by 2025, announced today a $1 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to advance racial equity across giving circles

August 9, 2021— Philanthropy Together — a global initiative to diversify and democratize philanthropy by strengthening and scaling the giving circle movement — announced today a $1 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to further racial equity and social justice initiatives across philanthropy through the power of giving circles over the next two years. Part of the foundation’s $1 million grant to Philanthropy Together includes $100,000 in micro-grants for giving circles to embed racial justice and equity in their practices.

“Giving circles are undeniably shifting the landscape of philanthropy. Over the past decade, the movement has grown tremendously, centering community, collective agency and local impact. This unique model of giving is rooted in racial equity and truly representative and inclusive of all our diverse communities,” said Philanthropy Together’s Executive Director Sara Lomelin. “We are grateful to be a recipient of the Kellogg Foundation’s $1 million grant over the next two years. This grant will advance Philanthropy Together’s work to strengthen the giving circle movement by equipping everyday givers with the resources, research and training needed to align their grantmaking with equitable and social justice values and practices.”

Philanthropy Together launched in April 2020 and is spotlighting everyday donors committed to making grassroots change. By pooling donations, giving circles amplify individual dollars and create a space for thoughtful, intentional giving. Giving circles are one of the most effective ways to turn dollars into direct community power and quickly liberate capital. By activating and bringing together donors with shared values and knowledge of community needs, giving circles are uniquely able to identify and reach community organizations that are often overlooked and underserved by big philanthropy.

“The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is delighted to fund Philanthropy Together’s mission to advance racial equity and inclusivity through the power of giving circles,” says Ciciley Moore, Program Officer for the Office of the President. “At the Kellogg Foundation, we envision a world in which communities have the resources to build an equitable future. Philanthropy Together has demonstrated a continued commitment to its mission by helping scale the giving circle movement to further racial equity and social justice initiatives within communities.”

To democratize and diversify philanthropy through collective giving, Philanthropy Together works to support and scale giving circles worldwide.

• • Launchpad: Philanthropy Together hosts Launchpad — a global giving circle incubator that trains people to start their own giving circles, and has already trained 200+ leaders.
  • Racial Equity Community of Practice: To support existing giving circles, Philanthropy Together hosts Communities of Practice — a global network where giving circle leaders connect, train, and exchange best practices. Its Racial Equity Community of Practice launched in July 2020 as a 6-month program in partnership with Community Investment Network (CIN) and CommunityBuild Ventures. The Community of Practice will continue again this fall with a suite of new trainings and resources for participants to embed racial equity within their culture, leadership, grantmaking, and connection to community.
  • Social Justice Giving Circle Project: Philanthropy Together is developing the Social Justice Giving Circle Project (SJGCP) — a community and programmatic series for existing and new giving circles rooted in social justice values to strengthen their work and be accountable to social justice movements.
  • We Give Summit: This past May, Philanthropy Together hosted its inaugural We Give Summit, the first-ever field-wide convening of ‘everyday’ philanthropists engaged in communal giving, throughout the month — where more than 1,000 giving circle members across 250 giving circles, as well as supporters and leaders gathered for the very first time.

Read more about Philanthropy Together’s accomplishments in its first year.

To request an interview with Philanthropy Together Executive Director Sara Lomelin contact kinda@emccommunications or 703-776-0966.

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Philanthropy Together is a global initiative, co-created by hundreds of giving circle and network leaders, to scale and strengthen the giving circle movement to more than 350,000 people in 3,000 giving circles by 2025. Our mission is to democratize and diversify philanthropy by starting new giving circles and helping existing giving circles thrive. Learn more at philanthropytogether.org.