Episode
A Conversation with Emily Rasmussen: Giving Circles, Community, and the Future of Collective Philanthropy
- Podcast
- Money to Give
- Published
- Jun 4, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2854
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Summary
In this inspiring episode of Money to Give, Rick Peck sits down with Emily Rasmussen , founder and CEO of Grapevine , to explore the growing movement of giving circles and how collaborative philanthropy is reshaping the future of charitable giving. Emily shares how giving circles empower everyday people to pool their donations, learn together, and collectively support causes they care about most. Through community, conversation, and shared decision-making, she explains how philanthropy becomes more accessible, relational, and impactful for donors at every financial level. Throughout the conversation, Emily highlights how giving circles democratize philanthropy by creating space for more people to participate meaningfully in charitable giving. Rather than limiting philanthropy to large foundations or high-net-worth donors, giving circles encourage people to come together with modest contributions that collectively create significant impact. “We’re all philanthropists,” Emily explains, emphasizing that anyone can give in a meaningful way regardless of income level. The model not only amplifies donations, but also creates opportunities for education, collaboration, and deeper connection around community needs and social issues. One of the most compelling themes in the discussion is the role giving circles play in strengthening belonging and trust at a time when many communities feel increasingly disconnected. Emily shares research showing that 91% of giving circle participants reported an increased sense of belonging to their community. She describes giving circles as spaces where people can come together across different backgrounds and perspectives, united not necessarily by identical viewpoints, but by shared care for their communities. “People want more connection acr…