The Federation’s pop-up giving circles offer the opportunity to learn and give together for people of all ages and giving capacities. This single-meeting format is perfect for those who cannot commit to a multi-session giving circle but are interested in joining with like-minded donors to create connections and impact.
FAQ
Our team welcomes outreach from Bay Area Jewish community members or professionals interested in planning a pop-up giving circle for their social network or cohort. We begin with a meeting to discuss how you’d like to be involved, the area of interest, and other relevant details. Ideal topics have broad appeal, can be explored through a Jewish lens, and can be supported through U.S.-registered or fiscally sponsored nonprofits working locally, nationally, or globally.
Suggested donations vary by circle and are set by the planning team. Suggested donations can range between $180 and $1,800, or a personally meaningful gift amount — it depends on the audience being invited. Donations should never be a barrier to participation. Participants can give in advance or immediately after the event.
Sometimes. The giving circle team may allocate a modest amount (typically $1,000–$1,800) to supplement the grant pool. In other cases, hosts or lead donors offer matching gifts to set a reasonable goal and encourage participation.
There is no minimum raise amount for pop-up giving circles. In the past, pop-ups have raised anywhere between $3,000 and $20,000. The sky is the limit on how much we can raise using the model, it just depends on the network and other factors.
There is, however, a minimum of 10 participants for a pop-up giving circle. We often host between 20 and 40 people using the model. It is possible to host more than 40 participants, as we will adjust the structure to accommodate a larger event.
Each pop-up has a registration page for tracking attendance, communication, and donations. Invitations are usually sent by the host(s) to their network, though Federation staff can also send invitations on their behalf. We review both options during the planning process.
Typically, six vetted organizations are presented in a 90-minute session. Before discussing them, participants reflect on Jewish values and strategic giving. Consensus-building exercises are included, but final decisions are made by one vote per member. The planning team can decide how many grants will be allocated. Typically, two organizations receive a grant.
Pop-ups are scheduled within the Federation’s fiscal year (July 1–June 30). At least two months of planning is recommended. Our team can support 5–6 pop-ups annually, in addition to three ongoing giving circles already in place (The Young Jewish Fund, the Jewish Pride Fund, and the Jewish Teen Foundation).
Locations vary based on group size and tone. Events may be held in a donor’s home, at the Federation in San Francisco, or in a synagogue or community venue selected by the host.