Frequently Asked Questions
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What Is A Virtual Giving Circle?
How do you meet? Do I have to be in the same state?
How Much Time Does It Take?
How Much Do I Donate?
I’m Too Broke to Donate?
Can I Give More?
How Do We Choose Where to Donate?
What If I Disagree With the Circle’s Vote?
What If I Don’t Want to Be A Part Of The Circle Anymore?
What if I Need to Put My Membership on Hold?
What is the Community Coin?
Tell Me More About the Emergency Relief Fund
Tell Me About Change Gangs
Are My Donations Tax Deductible?
What Is A Virtual Giving Circle?
A virtual giving circle organizes around a specific cause. We pool our donations of $25/month so that we can make a much larger donation to a non-profit than we could alone. We form a community of giving circles collectively referred to Change Gangs.
How do you meet? Do I have to be in the same state?
Our meetings occur virtually via conference calls and web meetings, and you can participate either through your computer or through your phone. Meetings occur once per month for one hour, and you are invited to attend as many meetings as you can. We understand you’re busy, so if you can’t make a meeting, it’s ok.
How Much Time Does It Take?
You choose how much time you’d like to spend! This is a great way for super busy people to make meaningful donations, because you can trust that the giving circle leadership is doing the necessary work and research to choose good organizations and make a huge impact. If you just want to spend a minute and half to set up an automated payment from your credit card and do nothing else, we are excited to have you on board.
In addition to just donating, you can, if you’d like nominate and/or vote for non-profits. In addition, you can be an Ambassador and attend our one hour/month meetings, research organizations, and grow the circle.
At any level, we are excited to have you on board, because we know that a giving circle is a great way to make meaningful and significant donations. Donate Better. Donate With Others!
How Much Do I Donate
All members contribute $25 per month. Why $25?
We are led by our members who are people just like you. We have jobs and families and responsibilities, so we do everything we can to minimize the complexity and time requirement. Having a set amount going into the circle’s account from each member enormously simplifies the job of the Treasurer.
Find 2 great reasons why you should donate even when you’re broke and three strategies for making it happen at “How To Donate When You’re Broke”
Yes. You are welcome to donate more. Each member receives one vote regardless of how much is donated above the $25 minimum.
How Do We Choose Where to Donate?
Members nominate possible organizations, and then we then share the responsibility of researching and discussing the organizations. A vote is held and donations awarded to organizations based on a simple majority rule.
What If I Disagree With the Circle’s Vote?
Inevitably, your preference will not always match up with the majority’s preference. When this happens, you can still feel good that an organization that is working to end extreme poverty has received money to continue their very important work. Remember that we are working towards the greater good here and not working to support any individual’s pet projects.
What If I Don’t Want to be Part of the Circle Anymore?
You may choose to cancel your membership at any time. Future contributions will be cancelled immediately after you request to cancel your membership. Any contributions made prior to your request to cancel are non-refundable unless you’ve cancelled within the first 30 days of joining. In that case, you will receive a refund of your first month’s membership.
What If I Need to Put My Membership on Hold?
Memberships can be paused for as long as you need and you can resume contributing actively at any time. During this period you do not have voting rights and you cannot be elected to a leadership position; however, your continued participation is welcomed.
What is the Community Coin?
10% of your monthly contribution is directed to the Community Coin fund. This fund supports the community and provides the tools to make our giving circle a healthy, vibrant, and effective group. These tools include things such as web development and hosting, tax and legal compliance, and bank fees. In addition, many hours of labor goes into providing services to members, and it would be nice to someday compensate for labor. You may view our financial information, so you know that we are responsible stewards.
Any funds collected over and above expenses are pooled together into the Emergency Relief Fund that will be donated to an organization chosen by the entire Change Gangs community. These funds are designated for emergency relief to help people affected by disasters. Members will nominate, research, discuss, and vote on which organization will receive these funds. Voting on excess funds will occur quarterly or by emergency motions made by and voted on by the entire community.
Tell Me More About the Emergency Relief Fund
Our purpose is to facilitate the donation of as much money as possible. So, any funds collected from the Community Coin that exceed expenses are deposited into the Emergency Relief Fund and are designated for emergency relief to help people affected by disasters (man made or natural). The entire Change Gangs community participates in distributing those funds by nominating, researching, voting on which organization will receive these funds.
Voting on excess funds will occur quarterly or by emergency motions made by and voted on by the entire community.
If you’ve ever watched a disaster on TV and wished you could do more, here’s your opportunity.
Tell me about Change Gangs?
Change Gangs, LLC is the umbrella organization under which the Poverty Busters Giving Circle operates. Sharon Lipinski founded Change Gangs to allow her virtual giving circles to keep their expenses and time management low by sharing the resources and infrastructure with other virtual giving circles. Multiple virtual giving circles operate under Change Gangs, LLC and all the giving circles participate in the Emergency Relief Fund donations. She happy to share with you their financial information so that you can be confident they are good stewards.
Are My Donations Tax Deductible?
Not at this time. 501c3 is expensive to obtain and expensive to maintain, but we will be applying for 501c3 status in the near future. If you’d like to participate, but you itemize your tax returns and need to include the $300 you donate through Change Gangs on your tax return, Drop me an email. I’ll be sure to let you know when our 501c3 is confirmed.