A growing number of non-profit organizations are looking for ways to reach out to the diaspora who support causes in their own ethnic group in their adopted country or in their country of origin as part of expanding their donor base.
Any discussion of national identity and origin often sparks heated debates. In the case of ‘diaspora’, there is an ongoing debate about the definition and use of the word to describe people who live outside their country of origin. In this article, ‘diaspora’ means immigrants, expatriates, first and second generation members, other non-resident groups, and those with strong ties to a certain ethnic community.
Despite a plethora of research on his philanthropy, including trends and patterns, a concerted study of the right techniques that are useful for successful fundraising from communities is quite limited. In this article, we have discussed a technique, giving circles, which has increased its philanthropic impact among donor archives and diaspora communities.
Organizations working internationally seeking to increase diaspora giving often resort to communicating program activities and their impact in the donor’s home country or community as part of networking. There are tremendous needs within immigrant communities that are largely undeserved and overlooked by traditional fundraising channels. However, first and second generation immigrants are increasingly reaching out as part of their response to support organizations that work for undeserved members of their own communities.
The Circle is made up of groups of people who work to pool financial resources and together decide how and where the money should be donated. Usually it goes to the city of origin of the circle.
The difference between Circles and Hometown Associations is that projects in the donor community are supported by Circles while it is the donor community and/or home community or country of origin where projects are supported by hometown associations.
The last 10 years have seen a growing popularity of Circle activities throughout the United States. According to sources, there are approximately 800 circles in the United States that are also becoming popular among Asian communities. Despite the differences in the composition of the circles, these circles have some characteristics in common:
Education of members on issues affecting their local ethnic communities and programs that address the needs.
· Provide opportunities to network and socialize with others.
· Pool members’ money, time and/or contributions and decide how and where the money will be allocated. While some groups give away funds raised throughout the year, others accumulate endowments.
Circle members can opt as a donor-advised fund with community trust or managed by a foundation.
Asian-American circles are a mix of different ages and backgrounds, but the members are mostly well-educated, urban, professional, and young. They are usually first or second generation immigrants.
Group sizes can range from a few members to more than 100.
There are many non-profit organizations reaching out to the circles for support. Others are working with existing members in their service area and organizing their own circles.