At AQUME Foundation, we believe philanthropy belongs to all of us. You do not have to be wealthy to be a philanthropist, and you do not have to give alone to make a difference. Giving Circles create opportunities for individuals, families, friends, professionals, and community members to come together, combine their resources, and collectively invest in the future of our communities.
Through collective giving, we transform individual generosity into shared power—supporting community-driven solutions, advancing economic justice, and building a legacy of philanthropy that reflects the communities we serve.
A Giving Circle is a group of people who contribute their resources toward a shared philanthropic purpose. Members pool their donations, learn about community needs, and collectively decide how their resources can make the greatest impact.
Giving Circles make philanthropy more accessible, participatory, and community-centered. They create space for people to learn together, build relationships, exercise collective decision-making, and invest in the causes and organizations that matter most to them.
Whether you give $25, $100, or more, your contribution becomes part of something bigger when combined with the generosity of others.
Traditional philanthropy has often concentrated wealth, decision-making, and influence in the hands of a few. Giving Circles offer another way forward—one rooted in collective action, shared responsibility, and community power.
At AQUME Foundation, we center the Black experience while recognizing the broader struggles and aspirations of all communities of color. We believe those closest to the challenges facing our communities should have a meaningful role in shaping the solutions.
Giving Circles help make that vision possible by:
Creating opportunities for people at different income levels to participate in meaningful giving.
Combining individual contributions to increase the resources available for community investment.
Encouraging participatory decision-making and investment in solutions informed by lived experiences.
Directing resources toward initiatives that address systemic barriers and expand economic opportunity.
Inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds to see themselves as philanthropists and community change-makers.
Helping direct resources toward community-led initiatives, grassroots organizations, and solutions that might otherwise be overlooked.
Our Giving Circles are designed to make collective philanthropy accessible, meaningful, and impactful.
Gather friends, family members, colleagues, neighbors, or others who share your commitment to strengthening communities and advancing economic justice.
Circle members contribute an agreed-upon amount based on their individual capacity and the collective goals of the group. Every contribution matters, and participation should be accessible to members with different financial circumstances.
Explore local challenges, community priorities, and opportunities to support organizations and initiatives creating meaningful change.
Depending on the Circle’s structure and the Foundation’s applicable policies, members can participate in identifying priorities and recommending organizations, programs, or initiatives for support.
Celebrate the power of shared generosity, learn from the outcomes of your giving, and continue investing in a stronger, more equitable future.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to collective giving. Your Giving Circle can reflect your interests, relationships, values, and philanthropic goals.
Bring the people closest to you together around a shared commitment to giving back. Make generosity a family tradition and introduce younger generations to philanthropy, financial responsibility, and community leadership.
Unite colleagues, business owners, and professionals who want to use their collective resources and influence to support community-centered solutions.
Connect with people who share a neighborhood, cultural connection, lived experience, or commitment to a particular cause. Build relationships while directing resources toward priorities that matter to your community.
Inspire young adults and emerging leaders to engage in philanthropy, develop leadership skills, understand community needs, and become active participants in shaping their communities' futures.
AQUME Foundation is committed to expanding access to philanthropy and strengthening community-controlled investment. As a grassroots, Black-founded, Black-led, and Black-serving community foundation, we work to create opportunities for people to participate in giving in ways that are meaningful, accessible, and responsive to community needs.
Partnering with AQUME Foundation can help your Giving Circle connect its generosity to a broader mission of economic justice, Black philanthropy, entrepreneurship, financial education, and community empowerment.
Together, we can help ensure that philanthropic resources reach beyond traditional networks and support the people and organizations working to create lasting change.
We believe philanthropy should look like the communities it serves. And we believe everyone has something meaningful to give.
Imagine what becomes possible when our collective generosity matches the scale of our community's needs. Imagine more resources flowing to grassroots organizations, more community members participating in philanthropic decisions, and more families building a lasting culture of giving.
This is the power of Giving Circles. This is the promise of collective philanthropy.
You can start with a few friends, a shared passion, and a commitment to make a difference.
Ready to Give Collectively?
Whether you want to join an existing Giving Circle, start one of your own, or explore a partnership with AQUME Foundation, we invite you to connect with us.
Start a Giving Circle Today
Contact AQUME Foundation at giving@aqumefoundation.org
Together, we can turn collective generosity into community power—and build a legacy of philanthropy that lasts for generations.
