Collective Giving
Collective giving is redefining what it means to be a philanthropist. Starting or joining a collective giving group is a great way for people to strengthen communities they care about.
What is collective giving?
Collective giving brings people together. By pooling resources and learning from one another, groups decide where to invest their resources.
Every group is unique. Some focus on a shared interest or geographic area. Some strengthen bonds and build power within a specific community, while others are designed to build bridges between people with very different backgrounds.
The Minneapolis Foundation advises a range of collective giving groups, from giving circles to advisory committees and corporate giving groups.
You're invited!
Why should I join a collective giving group?
Amplify your impact
Pool resources and ideas to do more together.
Explore your values
Live out your aspirations to take action on issues you care about.
Get closer to community
Learn about issues and connect with nonprofits.
Network and grow
Build relationships and expand your social network.
Democratize philanthropy
Use one-voice, one-vote in shared decision-making.
Join, Start, or Support a Collective Giving Group
We provide a range of services to help giving groups define and achieve their goals. Our support varies based on the needs of each group and can include: Guidance and support with group visioning and program creation; meeting facilitation; learning opportunities; and grant administration and due diligence.
We host a growing number of giving circles, including…
This group is made up of Asian American families from Minnesota and Wisconsin who come together to celebrate, learn, and pool their financial resources to support innovative projects that advance justice and equity.
This group is a hands-on experience in philanthropy for young to mid-career leaders. Every year, the group votes on the community need it will address, with past issues ranging from food justice to mental health to affordable housing.
This group is a unique opportunity for individuals aged 73+ to turn their IRA Required Minimum Distributions into a force for good.
These one-time events bring people together to learn about an important community issue, hear from local leaders and nonprofits, connect through small-group discussions, and collectively decide where to direct a pooled grant.
Support an Advisory Committee
We administer numerous charitable funds that make grants recommended by advisory committees. Committees are composed of community members who come together around shared experiences or identity to guide where funds are invested.
The Latest
story
Celebrate Fourth Generation at Graze 4 Good
Curious about how collective giving can shape a stronger community? Graze 4 Good offers a welcoming space to see the impact of Fourth Generation.
Read Storystory
Building Forward Fund Awards $1 Million in Grants
Ten local organizations will receive a total of $1 million through the Minneapolis Foundation’s Building Forward Fund, a collective effort to support nonprofit leaders making bold, strategic pivots in the face of rapid change.
Read Storystory
New Giving Circle Channels IRAs Into Local Change
When members of our newest giving circle first came together, most had never met. But they had a few things in common: A love of learning, a curiosity about collaborative grantmaking, and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) they wanted to use for good.
Read Story
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Minneapolis Foundation is committed to cultivating generosity, increasing equity, and investing in community-led solutions. Collective giving is a powerful way to advance all of these goals, creating pathways for people at all giving levels and from all communities to join forces and make a difference on issues they care about.
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Each giving circle decides together how it will raise money for the causes it supports.
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Yes. Donations to a collective giving funds hosted at the Minneapolis Foundation are tax-deductible.
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Learn more
Our work draws inspiration from the thought leadership of Philanthropy Together, a global initiative to scale and strengthen the collective giving movement.
Ready to get started?
Whether you’re curious about joining an existing group, starting something new, or supporting a group, we’d love to talk with you. Please reach out to Sara or Julia to learn more.
Sara partners with community members to organize and host giving circles and collective giving strategies. Before joining the Foundation in 2021, she spent 14 years working for nonprofits in North Minneapolis, most recently as the Community Engagement Coordinator at NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center. Throughout this work, she learned about tenacity and resilience from individuals overcoming barriers to gain personal success and support their families. She has also seen the inequities, gaps, and scarcity of resources to support people on this journey. Working in a community-led organization, Sara learned how to listen to and amplify community voices.
Sara also volunteered with Fourth Generation, a giving circle at the Minneapolis Foundation that is composed of rising leaders who explore equity issues, philanthropy, and community needs to increase their collective impact. She participated in Fourth Generation for five years, including three years on its advisory board, before joining the Foundation’s staff.
Julia manages membership and grantmaking for the WCA Foundation, a Signature Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation. She also supports the Director of Collective Giving with launching and managing giving circles. Julia joined the Foundation in 2022, bringing over 20 years of experience in fundraising, communications, program development, and customer service, primarily in support of public libraries and public parks. Most recently, she served as Institutional Relations Manager at The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library. Originally from Minnesota, Julia moved back to the Twin Cities in 2016 after living in Jackson, Wyoming, for over a decade. Julia received a bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. She and her husband have two pandemic babies: A daughter, Matilda, and a golden retriever, Ruby. Outside working hours, you’re likely to find Julia nestled into a good book, making a delicious mess in the kitchen, or enjoying the outdoors with her family.