The World’s First Global Giving Circle – thank you!
As a finale to our pilot Giving Circle programme supported by the Pears Foundation, we held our first ever online Global Giving Circle event to encourage people to give to local causes while uniting a worldwide network of philanthropists in showing their love for Wales.
Liza Kellett, Chief Executive of the Community Foundation in Wales, said, “This was our first venture into a global giving initiative that reached out to people who love Wales from across the world. It was a fun and fascinating learning opportunity for the Foundation team to run a campaign on such a large scale and using multiple social media channels – in fact I believe this was the world’s first global giving circle! I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported the campaign, and thanks to their support we’ve grant funded five exemplar Welsh projects across the world.”
The Community Foundation in Wales selected five ‘treasure’ organisations to represent the broad range of community and charitable work which support and celebrate Welsh culture, heritage, language and communities. All donations received were matched pound for pound, and split equally between the five ‘treasures’ which are based in North America, Patagonia, London and Wales.
Our five treasures:
Cymdeithas Cymru-Ariannin / Wales-Argentina Society – Patagonia, Argentina
As in Wales, Eisteddfods are a popular way to celebrate Welsh culture in Argentina, and the Society will use a grant from the Global Giving Circle to hold traditional Welsh folk singing workshops for communities across the region. 2015 marked the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Welsh colony in Patagonia, and the society will build on the new cultural links and renewed energy and interest which arose from these celebrations.
Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain – London, UK
Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain is the only Welsh language primary school in London. With funding from the Global Giving Circle, older pupils will create a short film about the Mabinogion, a famous collection of stories from Welsh medieval literature, and post their work online to support Welsh learners all over the world.
Madog Centre for Welsh Studies – Ohio, USA
The Madog Centre plays a crucial role in building Wales’ cultural reach in the US. Based at the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College in Ohio, the centre had a library and resource centre; an engaging space to appreciate Welsh heritage and modern Welsh culture. Money raised through the Global Giving Circle will be put towards bilingual materials and further historical information for visitors.
Llay Luncheon Club – Wrexham, North Wales
Llay Luncheon club is a fun, welcoming group for older people in Wrexham. With the support of donations to the Global Giving Circle, the club’s members will compile an informative booklet called “When You Were Young”, which bring personal reflections of members’ experiences together with practical advice from volunteers about how to set up a similar successful club.
Pontypridd Canal Conservation – Pontypridd, South Wales
The Glamorganshire canal is situated within a historically significant heritage site in the south Wales valleys. A grant from the Global Giving Circle will mean they can hire the equipment they need to repair and reinvigorate more of the canal.
In conclusion, Liza confirmed, “We’re thrilled to say that each Global Giving Circle ‘treasure’ received a grant of £1,254 towards their proposed projects.
“The pilot programme spanned two years, during which ten ‘variations on the theme’ of Giving Circles were held: 8 across Wales, 1 in London and 1 in cyberspace! The £50,000 match funding incentive provided by the Pears Foundation leveraged in a further £73,676 in additional philanthropic donations, which supported 33 charities, projects, or activities, and actively engaged and introduced 674 people to the concept of a Giving Circle.
“Truly an inspiring and fun way to promote and encourage philanthropy and prove that together, we can make a difference.”
