Considering a Host Organization

The decision to have a host or go it alone is a very important one for a giving circle. To decide, consider:

  • The future goals and size of your circle
  • If you need paid support to operate your circle or if volunteers can handle these tasks
  • The availability of potential hosts in your community.
  • How formal your circle will be
  • How much money you expect to bring in and give away
  • Whether you plan to build an endowment.

In general, smaller giving circles cover administrative overhead by using members as volunteers. As small circles grow (in both size and dollars), they may find that the administration of the circle is overwhelming for volunteers.

If you are unsure about the future size and scope of your circle, you may want to start out more informally (without a host). It’s easier to add a host than to extricate yourself from one. Alternatively, beginning with a host can be very helpful in providing structure, advice, credibility, and practical support and services

Hosts are more common for:

  • Those circles requiring a high financial commitment
  • Circles that wish to build assets over time (such as an endowment)

When considering a host organization, it may be important that circle members choose an organization with:

  • Knowledge or expertise in the area your circle wishes to fund
  • A strong expressed desire to learn with you
  • Credibility in the community that your giving circle will work with

Benefits of a Host:

  • Gives credibility to a new giving circle
  • Inspires confidence that the circle will use wise money management practices
  • May provide support during the start-up phase
  • Can help founders that already have their hands full with recruiting, developing a focus, and crafting a structure for the circle