FAQs

What is a giving circle?

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A giving circle is a group of people who pool their resources together to make a larger impact. They explore issues they care about, and collectively decide where to donate their money.

Who is The Circle​ for? How can I join?

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The Circle is for anyone who wants to increase their giving impact and have a voice in directing our collective funds.

To join The Circle, become a monthly giver​ with any amount of your choice.

How does voting work? How are voting options selected?

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Three compelling proposal options will be up for funding every quarter for The Circle​ to vote and direct our impact together. Options are sought out and selected by a team of Circle members using the following criteria:

  1. Inspires and presents a compelling need
  2. Casts vision for the reach and impact of Young Life
  3. Will not be easily be funded otherwise
  4. Projected outcomes are possible and measurable

Is there a minimum gift amount? Is voting weighted by gift amount?

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Any monthly gift amount (suggested minimum of $15 a month) gives the member one vote per voting period. The larger the monthly gifts of the participants, the larger our impact together.

Can I join the day of voting or cancel my membership at any time?

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Anyone can join or cancel​ The Circle​ at any time. Only those who are active monthly givers will be able to vote and direct our collective impact each voting period.

What is the purpose or mission of The Circle?

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The mission of The Circle​ is to create a community of members that will gain more insight into ministries across Young Life and be able to make a significant impact collectively across the mission.

How do we decide what proposals are selected each quarter?

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Ministries across Young Life are welcome to create a compelling proposal to submit. A volunteer committee for The Circle​ reviews the proposals and does its best to choose three new opportunities each quarter.

Does The Circle​ only offer opportunities or ministries that are within Young Life?

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Yes.

Are my monthly contributions tax-deductible?

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Yes. When you sign up for The Circle, you will also be signing up within the Young Life giving system and will be able to see your monthly donations within the Young Life giving portal.

How can I stay updated on our giving circle's activities and decisions?

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We will send updates over email and text for all updates. You’ll also be able to see updates on The Circle website of formerly funded proposals.

Will there be follow-up on the campaigns that are chosen to receive the money?

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Yes. We will be tracking the progress of each campaign and giving updates every few months.

Does all the money only go to the winning proposal?

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Yes.

If a proposal is not chosen, can it be included in the voting again?

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Not right away, but it can be chosen again by the committee after three voting periods.

If the proposal I wanted to win is not chosen, can I still give to it?

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All the money from the monthly memberships will be given to the proposal that the community votes on. But we will follow up and send links to give additionally to the other campaigns that did not win.

How much money will be given each quarter?

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This will depend on how many members we have and how much they give each month. All the money from each member, each month will be pooled together and given at each voting cycle.

Can I invite my friends or family to join The Circle?

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YES! And we hope you will. The more members we have, the bigger impact we will collectively get to make each quarter.