Why is ABAG Interested in Giving Circles?
Part of the mission of the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers (ABAG) is to understand and promote philanthropic giving.
Ten years ago, ABAG was fortunate to receiving funding from the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers New Ventures in Philanthropy Project and over 20 local funders to start a region-wide effort called the Baltimore Giving Project (BGP) with the goal of promoting organized philanthropy, particularly among people who have not considered themselves “philanthropists” in the traditional sense.
One of the strategies of the BGP was to bring the concept of giving circles to our region.
And we are really proud to have played a role in the development and growth of a number of circles in our region by providing information, giving some seed funding, organizing and attending meetings, speaking publicly, working with the media, facilitating learning sessions, and developing and distributing resources for giving circles in our region over the last 8 years.
ABAG has also been fortunate to have played a role in the development of the Forum's national Giving Circle Knowledge Center and the two national reports on Giving Circles "Giving Together" and "More Giving Together"
We are pleased to continue playing a role in the development, growth and sustainability of giving circles in our region and across the country.