Episode
Ep. 81 The Power of Giving Together: How Giving Circles Are Transforming Philanthropy with Emily Rasmussen
- Podcast
- Money to Give
- Published
- Jun 4, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2854
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Summary
What if the future of philanthropy isn't about giving more, but giving together? In this episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck sits down with Emily Rasmussen, Founder and CEO of Grapevine, for an inspiring conversation about the growing movement of giving circles and how collaborative philanthropy is reshaping charitable giving. Emily shares how giving circles empower everyday people to pool their resources, learn alongside one another, and collectively support causes they care about most. Through shared purpose, conversation, and community, philanthropy becomes more accessible, relational, and impactful—regardless of a donor's income level. Throughout the episode, Emily and Rick explore how giving circles are democratizing philanthropy by creating opportunities for more people to participate meaningfully in charitable giving. Rather than limiting philanthropy to major donors or large private foundations, giving circles demonstrate that small contributions, when combined, can create significant impact. Emily emphasizes that "We're all philanthropists," reminding listeners that generosity is defined less by the size of a gift and more by the willingness to come together around a shared mission. The conversation highlights how giving circles foster education, strengthen donor engagement, and encourage thoughtful decision-making while helping communities address local and global needs. The discussion also examines the growing importance of connection in philanthropy. At a time when many people feel increasingly isolated, giving circles create spaces where individuals from different backgrounds can build trust, learn from one another, and work toward common goals. Emily shares research showing that 91% of giving circle participants report a stronger sense of belonging to the…