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Community Corner

Founder of Kirkland-Based 'Giving Chicks' Has Plenty to Chirp About

Rose Klein says it's easy to start your own giving circle, and the rewards are priceless. Since 2007, Giving Chicks has donated $51,000 to 35 groups helping women and children.

FIVE YEARS ago, Rose Klein glanced at the local paper and an idea hatched that changed her life. “It was on the front page of the business section,” she recalls. “I never read the business section.” The story was about giving circles, a form of philanthropy in which a group pools small contributions to make a big difference, locally or globally. 

Inspired by the article, Rose decided to start her own giving circle. She sent invitations to women she knew, and in February of 2007, twelve “chicks” met in her kitchen. And that’s how the Kirkland-based Giving Chicks were born. There are now 60 members, including two “roosters.”

At their first meeting, the group hammered out the ground rules. Each member commits to donating a minimum of $20 a month. One member volunteers to research two potential recipients and present them at the monthly meeting. The group votes, and each person writes a check to the majority winner. 

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Rose was a longtime Kirkland resident when she started the group, but recently moved to Seattle. Most members live in Kirkland or Redmond, but others are from surrounding cities, such as Bothell and Bellevue, and some from as far as Black Diamond or Bellingham. The flock includes a photographer, realtors, a sailboat captain, full-time philanthropists, homemakers, retirees, and business owners.

Although not all members attend each month, they all write checks. Rose sends an email after each meeting, announcing the selected non-profit, then collects the checks and sends them to the lucky organization. One member moved away for a year, but still sent a check every month. 

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The modest individual contributions add up. The group has now donated over $51,000 to 35 different organizations, including local non-profits Sibling House, Farms For Life, and Tree House, and international groups Water 1st, Friends of the Orphans, and KIVA. In fact, they believe so strongly in micro-loans that they donate to KIVA once a year. 

Rose had tried volunteer work but, like many people, found it difficult to make a regular commitment. She says a giving circle makes it easy for people to make a difference with a minimal investment of time and money.

“A lot of women have kids, work, run their own charities. I wanted to make it easy for them.”

Rose believes that “people should be given tools to help themselves.” The group agreed to choose organizations that benefit women and children and offer not only short-term assistance, but training, education and counseling as well. They look for non-profits with low administrative overhead.

ROSE ADMITS that it’s sometimes hard to choose between the two organizations, but “that can lead to some really interesting discussions.” At a recent meeting, the group was concerned about supporting a charity with a relatively high overhead. Founding member Lynn Sanborn suggested that the group instead consider “How many people are they serving for the money they have?” The group voted to support the non-profit.

New members receive a packet of information explaining how the group works. After they’ve attended for a few months, they can volunteer to choose and present two charities.

The giving circle fills different needs for each member. For some, it’s a way to choose charities without having to do all the research themselves.

Member Jari Gilman says the group is “a perfect forum for finding out about new organizations you maybe didn’t know about.”

For others, it’s a more effective way to help their favorite charities. Bob Gassen, owner of Humanature Photography in Kirkland, has had two of his recommendations chosen by the group. “I’ve leveraged my $20 into $1,000 and everyone is now aware of these organizations.”

Other members say the group has provided volunteer opportunities. Patricia Hansen, founder of The Emerald City Lights Bike Ride, which helps feed struggling families, says that almost all of the Giving Chicks have at one time or another volunteered to help her non-profit. 

The circle also provides a chance for social and professional connections. Several members say it’s a lot like a book group, but more meaningful. About a year ago, the group added a half hour social time before meetings, to give members a chance to get to know each other better.

Even in tough economic times, most members have chosen to keep giving. Rose says that going to a meeting and hearing about the needs of others “sure puts things in perspective.” 

She has since helped other people form their own giving circles. “I would like everyone to know how easy it is to do this. It doesn’t take a lot of time, and it’s so rewarding.”

For more information about the Giving Chicks, you can email Rose at rosebudklein@yahoo.com, or visit their Facebook page.

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