A new trend has emerged in the philanthropy landscape: giving circles. These organized groups of individuals meet regularly and pool their resources to support nonprofits that interest them. This method enables individuals — who are often young and female — to make a bigger difference collectively than they could on their own. And they are making an impact. Research shows that giving circles distribute tens of millions of dollars to causes that participants research and believe are worthwhile. One giving circle in Washington, D.C. donated $60,000 to an organization that mentors girls who live in public housing so they can establish good relationships with adults.

According to a study by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, members of small giving circles donate anywhere from $50 to $5,000 each. Before distributing the money, they meet to discuss which charities to support. They may also ask prospective charities to complete an application process, which can also include a site visit. Typically, it is the giving circle that seeks out the charity, not the other way around.

If your organization is approached by a giving circle, be prepared to make a presentation about your organization and invite the members in for a tour. This way they can learn more about you and the good work that you do.

Partnering with a giving circle may provide some idiosyncratic challenges, which were highlighted in the AFP study. For instance, rather than working with just one liaison, as one would with the community relations person at a corporate sponsor, you may have to deal with several members of the group. In addition, giving circles do not necessarily fund the same organization every year, due to changing membership and interests. However, they are another possibility to consider and are another example of how visibility in your community can help you raise funds.