How Does It Work?
Posted by Priscilla Macy on October 22, 2008
Global Sojourns Giving Circle members are located throughout the United States. Together, they pool their resources and talents and choose projects in Sub-Saharan Africa where their donations can make the greatest impact. Within the circle, a vetting committee researches and scouts possible organizations to support and the members ultimately decide with a vote. The members also participate in educational phone conferences with guest speakers, have an opportunity to travel and visit the chosen projects, attend Giving Circle events and receive quarterly newsletters.
It has been established by the members that the goal of the Giving Circle is to focus on giving donations to organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa based on these principals:
1. Support sustainable, grassroots projects where limited amounts of money will make a significant difference.
2. Rigorously research projects before committing funds.
3. Monitor the projects we invest in through regular communications and occasional visits.
4. Give input but more importantly, listen to what those running the projects suggest.
5. Educate ourselves about the projects, the issues, culture and about best practices in international philanthropy.
Once the organizations have been vetted and decided upon for the year (Oct.-Oct.), the Giving Circle uses its partnership with the nonprofit Clarence Foundation to disperse its sum donation as international grants. Also, the Clarence Foundation allows all donations to the Giving Circle to be tax deductible.
During 2007-08 the Giving Circle supported two education and micro-lending focused organizations in Livingstone, Zambia: Ray of Hope and Tusa Muyandi. Members of the circle were able to visit both organizations in May 2008, its loan recipients and supported school children and bring back assessments to consider when allotting funds for 2008-09.
Each year we review the projects supported by the circle and with the recommendation of a vetting/grant-making committee, we decide which projects to continue supporting and/or new ones to support. Donors are encouraged to be as involved as they want but we don’t require a time commitment.
