Giving clubs

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A giving club is a large group of people who support nonprofit organizations in their community. When the club gathers, each member makes an agreed-upon financial contribution (e.g. $100), then the group selects one local organization to receive all club member donations.

Giving clubs are launched by and supported through Windfall Fundraising.

A giving club typically meets four times a year. Each gathering begins with members enjoying a social hour with food and beverage. Group members then are seated for the main event: selection of a local nonprofit to receive a donation from each club member.

The names of three local nonprofit organizations – nominated by club members – are randomly selected.  Club members have the opportunity to speak on behalf of their nominated organizations, describing how each benefits the community. Following these short presentations and other member endorsements, a ballot vote is taken and one charitable group is gifted a $100 donation from each member, “winner takes all” style.

The amount of money raised by a giving club results directly from the number of club members. With 100 members, a total $10,000 is raised every time the club meets. A  model club in a small Western Colorado city now awards more than $25,000 each time it gathers! 

The giving club model multiplies the donations of individuals to create significant philanthropy. Club members love this…and the selected nonprofit feels like it has just won the lottery.

Giving clubs are initiated by local leaders with “a fire in the belly” for their communities. They are people who see the value in gathering with others in the spirit of camaraderie and generosity. And, they are people who want to spend their time and energy making meaningful things happen. 

YES, we think you should!  Starting a giving club is a rewarding way to make big impact in your community. Perhaps you are the perfect person for the task…

The first step for a giving club founder is to gather a small leadership team – action-oriented people who can help cover all the bases:

• Organizing

• Promoting and recruiting

• Providing for meeting logistics and hospitality

• Ensuring proper bookkeeping and timely delivery of awarded donations 

• Membership tracking

• Providing knowledge of the local nonprofit community

• Bringing immediate legitimacy and integrity to the club

The best clubs keep it simple and are not difficult to initiate or maintain. A giving club can be informally organized, or more formally incorporated (i.e. 501c3 status with the IRS may be helpful but is not required).  

Once the club is formed, individuals are invited to participate, quarterly gatherings are hosted, and large checks (literally AND figuratively) are delivered to very happy nonprofit organizations.

A giving club brings together friends, professional associates and other individuals committed to their community and to giving back.

A giving club provides its members socialization and an enhanced professional network. New and enhanced friendships – coupled with meaningful financial donations – result in members’ sensing they benefit more than they contribute.

The only requirement to be a giving club member is willingness to make a charitable donation of $100 each time the club meets.

Yes!

A giving club can be a stand-alone organization, or serve as the fundraising arm for an existing entity or event (for example, a local service club or annual conference).

Giving clubs are easily customized to accommodate…

• Special interest groups - e.g. friends of animals, promoters of entrepreneurship, Christian women

• Bigger dollar fundraising

• Variations in the selection and/or awarding of donations

• Club member perks and incentives

Giving clubs... 

•  Are highly social alternative to traditional charitable giving

• Require a modest investment of individuals’ time and money, yet result in meaningful collective impact

• Provide an easy “entry point” for a new or non-traditional donor to give back to the community

• Benefit from pre-committed donations, such that a guaranteed minimum will be raised at each gathering

• Can be successfully launched and maintained by an all-volunteer corps

• Energize existing organizations’ fundraising efforts

• Provide quality social media content

If you are ready to start a giving club – or need help maintaining or revitalizing your current club – Windfall Fundraising can help:

• GIVING CLUBS MANUAL: A complete, step-by-step document that outlines start-up, growth and maintenance of a giving club. This manual covers everything from what is  required to set up a club and how to recruit members, to the important decisions you’ll face in operating a quality, sustainable club with satisfied members.

• CONSULTING: One-on-one, remote and onsite consulting are customized to your situation, and can aid in setting up, growing, maintaining and improving your giving club…provided by individuals who personally have done all of the above! 

• ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Access and connection to additional resources – e.g. existing giving clubs, professionals who can help with start-up documentation or provide accounting support, helpful software. 

Please contact us directly for an immediate response.