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NEID Global’s Giving Circle Program is among its most popular initiatives.
Since 2017, we have hosted 19 Giving Circles, each focusing on a different important global theme that private philanthropy can play a vital and impactful role in. ​
These collaborative efforts have directed more than $800,000 in funding to social changemakers in over 34 countries across the world.
Each Giving Circle offers NEID Global members a seven-month journey that deep dives into a particular issue that our community has expressed an interest learning more about. The original purpose of these circles, was to provide a safe environment for donors new to global philanthropy to learn how to practice international giving with their peers. Our Giving Circles have since evolved and we have found that donors have multiple reasons for joining. Some are looking for a safe environment to learn how to do international philanthropy, but most others are seeking to better understand the issue the Circle is focused on, and are looking for new grantees and partners to co-fund with on that issue.
NEID’s Giving Circles are also unique in that ownership of the circle decisions fully rests with the members of the Circle. Each summer NEID members vote on the themes they would like to explore in the next year’s circles. A member or two with expertise on the issue are then selected to lead the circle, those members that participate in the Circle work together over the seven-month period to narrow the focus of the theme of the circle and circle participants also formulate the criteria for giving and shape the giving process itself. At the end of the Circle 2-5 grants are made by Circle members to grassroots organizations around the world.
Most of NEID’s members give to grassroots organizations and thus the Giving Circle grants use trust-based philanthropy approaches and tend to support smaller organizations just getting off the ground. Grants vary in size from $5,000 - $30,000, are always toward general support and the Giving Circles usually extend two to seven grants at the end of the cycle. Sometimes members also choose to give to grantees they learn about through the Circle community outside of the Circle parameters.
GIVING CIRCLES 2026
Global Movements for Corporate Accountability​
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Across the world, community-led movements are fighting corporate harms and driving lasting change, from climate justice to Indigenous rights. This Giving Circle will bring together donors seeking to understand and effectively fund these movements. Over six months, you’ll explore what corporate accountability really means, learn from movement leaders on the front lines, and collaborate with peers to select and fund organizations advancing justice and shifting systems of power to prioritize people over profit. Led by NEID Global member True Costs Initiative, this giving circle will illuminate how corporate accountability efforts intersect with stengthening community-driven development and climate justice.​
NEID Global Giving Circle Grantees
Community-Based Conservation in the Global South - Led by Maliasili and the New England Biolabs Foundation
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Ujamaa Community Resource Team (UCRT)
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Haiti Ocean Project
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ICCA Consortium
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Mongol Ecology Center
Using Catalytic Capital to Support Livelihoods - Led by Sorenson Impact Advisory and Mary Hawkins
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Centre Haitien du Leadership et de l'Excellence (CLE)
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Angels of Impact
Building Trust in American Institututions - in partnership with Lever for Change
"We never would have found the amazing, international grantees who lead innovative, locally-led, community efforts in ocean conservation without our NEID giving circle experience. We continue to support some of those grantees today."
Sue and Mark Panella, Individual Member