From Crowdfunding to Community: Giving Circles and Sustainable Giving

How could giving circles reshape the future of philanthropy — and what might they unlock for your nonprofit?In this episode of the Sustainable Giving podcast, Dave sits down with Emily Rasmussen, Founder & CEO of Grapevine and one of the leading voices in the modern collective giving movement. From her early life as a professional ballet dancer to her work in microfinance in rural India to now building the largest platform dedicated to giving circles, Emily brings a truly unique perspective to what generosity can look like when people do it together.This conversation moves fast (in the best way!) as Dave and Emily dive into the resurgence of community-driven philanthropy, the psychology behind recurring generosity, and why giving circles just might be one of the biggest under-the-radar bright spots in the entire fundraising landscape.If you care about connection, recurring giving, and the future of generosity… this one’s for you.Key Topics They Cover:1. Emily’s Unexpected Journey to PhilanthropyFrom professional ballet to global arts leadership to microfinance in rural IndiaHow her early work in hyper-local, community-led financing became a blueprint for her later work in philanthropyThe common thread: using creativity and community to unlock impact2. The Deep Roots of Collective GivingGiving circles: newer term, ancient conceptCultural traditions like tontines, susus, and self-help groups as early modelsWhy doing good together is resurging now — and how it answers today’s loneliness + disconnection crisis3. What Giving Circles Actually Are (and Why They Matter)A clear, simple definition (100 people × $100 → $10,000 grant)How members nominate, vote, learn, and build lasting relationships“The Four C’s”: Community, Collective Resources, Collaboration, and ContinuationWhy giving circles create real belonging, not transactional giving4. The Powerful Connection Between Giving Circles & Sustainable Recurring GivingStunning data:Only ~2% of new nonprofit donations are set to recur (GivingTuesday Data Commons)50–80%+ of new giving-circle donations on Grapevine recurWhy recurring giving is “baked in” to the giving circle modelHow collective models build trust, accountability, and long-term donor loyalty naturally5. How Nonprofit Leaders Can Tap Into the Giving Circle MovementHow to find circles already giving in your region or cause areaWhy nonprofits should ask their donors whether they’re in oneThe rise of nonprofit-created giving circles + group-based donor communitiesHow giving circles can supercharge board engagement, next-gen donors, and mid-level givingThey Also Talk About:The role of trust, transparency, and “the five T’s” of generosityHow Grapevine supports giving circles with infrastructure, community tools, and the global directoryThe surprising overlap between giving circles and workplace givingHow companies are experimenting with employee-led giving circlesWhy generosity evolves with culture — and why that’s actually encouragingSo… what might happen if your community had a giving circle of its own? Or if you joined one yourself?Watch or Listen:Watch this episode now by clicking the video above, or by visiting Apple Podcasts or Spotify.Key Resources:⁠GivingTuesday Data & Research“Growing Giving” ResearchExplore GrapevineConnect with Emily on LinkedInGrab Dave’s book, The Rise of Sustainable GivingDiscover more episodes of the Sustainable Giving podcastRegister for the Sustainable Giving WorkshopConnect with Dave on LinkedInSpecial thanks to our team at Sustainable Giving: Abigail, Tom, Kirsten, and Victoria.