What is a Giving Circle?

The concept is as simple as it is powerful. A giving circle is formed when individuals come together, combine their dollars in a shared fund, decide collectively where to give the money, and learn about their community and philanthropy. 

  • Donors pool their money 
  • Donors decide, together, where that money is given 
  • Donors learn about their community’s needs, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropy.
Giving circles are good for the community and empowering for members. Most people don’t consider their relatively small donations to be philanthropy.  It’s exciting to leverage your money and be part of a group that is giving away $10,000 or $20,000 or $400,000 a year. 

  • It’s fun to come together with like-minded friends and acquaintances.  Giving circles have a social and networking function beyond their immediate task of giving away money.
  • Learn about your community:  Most people don’t really know what the most pressing issues are in their communities, nor do they know which organizations are out there doing good work.  This is a chance to find out. 
  • Demystify Philanthropy – learn about giving and grantmaking:  giving circles go through careful processes to make decisions about their grants.  It’s enlightening to be part of those conversations and deliberations. 
Want to learn more about Giving Circles?  Visit The Giving Circle Knowledge Center.

Meet the 2025 Giving Circle Relaunch Crew

Kim Castelin

I have been a Moscow resident for 20 years. I grew up knowing how to pronounce it properly, as a daughter of two Vandal alum. I attended the UI and loved it so much that Moscow has become home. I am currently working as an Economist with the IRS where I apply advanced data analytics to inform improvements to tax administration. This is the latest chapter in a career of monitoring and evaluation that has given me a deep appreciation of the way that nonprofits operate, the importance of community building, and being honest about being effective. I love trail running and hiking with my three step children and husband. ​

Ivy Dickinson

I have always called the Pacific Northwest home but have spent most of my adult life (and raised my children) in Moscow. With 14 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector and/or serving on nonprofit boards, I firmly believe that nonprofits make the world go round. Earlier this year, when two organizations close to my heart were impacted by federal funding freezes, I felt there was no better time to show nonprofits some love and invest in the community by working with a great team of friends to restart the Giving Circle.
I'm a self-proclaimed foodie and bona fide plant geek, and delight in exploring the woods of Idaho, foraging for wild foods, and experimenting with what I can grow in my garden. Whenever possible, I can be found connecting with friends over good food, making things with my hands (knitting and spinning are favorites), or escaping into a great book.

Niki Lee

I grew up just outside of Genesee and am a proud graduate of Moscow High School and the University of Idaho. After spending 10 years hopping from place to place for school and work (Illinois, Germany, Namibia), I moved back to Moscow with my son in 2023. Moscow is a truly special place, and I am so delighted to be able to raise my family here. I want to do my part to keep the community vibrant and welcoming - what better way to do that than through supporting local non-profits? After working in the international development sector for 7 years, I'm excited to shift my focus locally through the Giving Circle. In my spare time, you'll find me chasing after my very busy 4-year-old, puttering around in the garden, or exploring the outdoors with friends.

Glenn Skiles

I'm a recent Midwest transplant now happy to call Moscow home. I work as a Range & Timber Management Specialist for a local family farm and am passionate about conservation, sustainability, and responsible land stewardship. As a veteran, Americorps alum, and former federal employee, I deeply value service and recognize the important role that non-profits play in building healthy communities. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, knitting on the couch with my dogs, and gardening.​