HISTORY»

In 2003, Darryl Lester of HindSight Consulting, Inc. www.hindsightconsulting.org  began some intentional work with young adult African Americans in the American South to focus how they engage and give back to their communities. For many of these young adult leaders their intellectual and financial capital was undervalued and not being tapped or acknowledged. Along with the support of various sponsors, HindSight organized these individuals into collective groups known as "giving circles" to strategically invest their time, talent and treasures back into their communities in an effort to address issues of race and equity.

Several years later, this organizing work has yielded nine giving circles. They have taken the theory of collective giving and put it into practice by launching their community based organization in partnership with traditional philanthropic institutions.

In 2005, HindSight’s strategic thinking, supported by conversations with other giving circle members, has led to the launching of The Community Investment Network. Officially known as "CIN", the Community Investment Network seeks to sustain existing giving circles through strategic donor education and provide a platform for ongoing dialogue and support, continually encouraging civic engagement. Recently, the CIN has expanded its focus and interest to support individuals involved in community based philanthropy and other collective giving models.

MISSION»

The Community Investment Network anchors its work on the following:

• Demystifying institutional philanthropy for individuals, organizations and community groups
• Creating a learning space for participants to reflect on the history of giving, share ideas and strategies of success, as well as identify opportunities to give back (civic engagement)
• Broadening the "concerned citizen’s" understanding of the non-profit and community-based sector, especially around public policy and social justice issues
• Creation of a new cadre of philanthropic leadership from communities of color that recognize their philanthropy and connects them to the mainstream philanthropic network

CORE COMPONENTS »

Strategic Giving Education Program
This program supports and encourages continuing education of all members engaged in strategic collective giving. A platform has been established for giving circle members to exchange ideas, share success and failures, and network with each other to strengthen their perspective circles. Financial assistance is also available to help members attend various conferences, workshops and seminars on philanthropy.

Technical Assistance / Capacity Building
Technical Assistance is available to help provide and define universal solutions to problems that giving circles commonly experience. These strategies are designed to help enhance the effectiveness of each circle. The goal is to provide the resources necessary to help build and sustain giving circles as they pursue their defined mission.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS»

• Michelle Arrington
• Dionne Lester
• Athan Lindsay