Giving Back, Giving Together
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There may be no clearer expression of Building Democratic Philanthropy than AAPIP’s commitment to community philanthropy and the development of the Giving Circle movement. Communities expand their pool of economic assets, build their social capital and demonstrate enhanced and increased capacity to develop tools that meet their own needs. Giving Circles are neither a substitute nor a stand-in for foundations and institutional philanthropic investment. Instead, Giving Circles represent both an opportunity and an open invitation to foundations—to invest significantly in community philanthropy as a strategic path to increasing philanthropic capital to our communities and in moving individuals to act on their own philanthropic initiative.
"We see giving circles as a model for empowerment. Giving circles are a very concrete expression of civic participation. We are trying to inspire that spirit of volunteerism... gathering and sharing resources, participating in strengthening our community. That's the kind of society we're trying to build through giving circles... where everyone builds together, and where everyone takes responsibility."
- Peggy Saika, president & executive director, AAPIP
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What is a Giving Circle?
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You may not have called it a "giving circle" but you are probably familiar with the idea. A giving circle is a group of volunteers raising, pooling and granting money together. Giving circles allow for a wide range of giving style, philosophy and values. Some giving circle members just donate money while others volunteer their time, skills and expertise in the organizations their giving circle funds. Giving circles also provide social networks, leadership development, peer support and learning among its members.
AAPIP incubated giving circles to support and engage individual Asian American and Pacific Islanders as donors. Since 2005, over 700 AAPI donors have pooled their money and time to award over $700,000 to 80 API non-profit organizations. AAPIP will continue to provide technical assistance, training, leverage philanthropic resources, convening and provide leadership to giving circles as a commitment to growing philanthropy within the community, from the grassroots.
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Join the AAPIP National Giving Circle Network
Be a model for creating a safe space for new volunteers and donors to engage. Remember to have fun!
AAPIP is committed to expanding a national Giving Circle movement that will increase resources to AAPI communities, raise the consciousness of donor volunteers, and create change. AAPIP is engaging a five-year campaign to grow 50 Giving Circles, to increase a network of volunteers, and to award $10 million in new resources to AAPI communities. AAPIP is committed to partnering with individual Giving Circles that share similar vision, commitment and values.
The following guidelines provide eligibility criteria, requirements and policies for joining the AAPIP National Giving Circle Network.
Vision:
We believe it is in the long-term interest of AAPIs nationwide to build philanthropy within our own communities. By investing in the issues that matter most to us, building leaders and lifting our voices in social and policy debates, we are powering the change and the future we want to see for our community.
Values:
Our work is rooted in a set of core values that define the social change we want to see in the world. These values include:
1) Strengthening equity and empowerment for disenfranchised communities;
2) Diversity within our democracy;
3) Innovative approaches to effect lasting social change
For details on how to join the AAPIP National Giving Circle Network, contact Noelle Ito, CP Director at: noelle (at) aapip.org
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Incubations 
