Ready to Start a Giving Circle? We Want to Help!

Are you curious about how giving circles work and how you can get one off the ground? Do you want to play a critical role in helping to develop a new global initiative that will change the face of Jewish giving? The Natan Fund has the perfect opportunity for you!

Natan is seeking individuals to participate in two cohorts of the first-ever Jewish Giving Circle Incubator. The Incubator marks the launch of a new global initiative to catalyze, connect and counsel Jewish giving circles, powered by Natan and supported by a pilot grant from the Schusterman Family Foundation.

A giving circle is a group of people who pool their charitable donations and decide together where to allocate their money. A Jewish giving circle focuses on giving to Jewish organizations and/or on giving that is explicitly inspired by Jewish values. Giving circles are a powerful way for small groups to make big change: to give together, build community with each other, experience rigorous and strategic philanthropy, and connect to the increasingly diverse and exciting universe of Jewish organizations and social entrepreneurs around the world.

Giving circles are collaborative, democratic, inspiring, thoughtful, and fun – and anyone can start one.

The Giving Circle Incubator

The Giving Circle Incubator will consist of two six-month cohorts of 10 individuals each who are seeking to start up a new Jewish giving circle. The first Incubator cohort, for North Americans only, will launch in February; the second cohort has no geographic restrictions and will launch in April. Selected participants will have access to the prototype tools, resources and supports Natan is developing as part of the broader giving circles initiative. Participants will receive close guidance from experienced giving circle coaches and the opportunity to connect with other individuals around the world who are also experimenting with collective giving throughout the Incubator and at a Jewish Giving Circles convening to be held in NYC on March 30-31.

Participants will be expected to recruit 5-15 initial members of their giving circle and hold 3 meetings of the circle. Each circle will be expected to raise its own grantmaking budget, primarily through member contributions. Incubator participants will also provide feedback to Natan throughout the Incubator process, which will help to shape the contours of the broader giving circles initiative. The full initiative will launch in Summer 2014 and will provide robust resources for starting, enhancing and sustaining Jewish giving circles.
There are no restrictions on the size, minimum donation level, or giving focus (other than the Jewish criteria outlined above) for giving circles incubated through this process. No prior experience with giving circles is necessary – just a desire to experiment with this meaningful and exciting way to give!

To apply for the Incubator, please fill out the application form. Applications are due Monday, January 27th at 12pm EST.

Please direct all inquiries about the Incubator to Aviva Stampfer, Aviva(at)natan.org or (212) 764- 8989.

About: The Natan Fund believes that educated, engaged and entrepreneurial philanthropy can transform both givers and nonprofit organizations. Since 2002, Natan has operated a giving circle of young philanthropists who support Jewish and Israeli social innovation. With the new giving circle initiative, Natan is developing the backbone infrastructure to develop, connect and strengthen Jewish giving circles around the world.