Community Impact Circles
We believe that collective action, done well, can change the world.
We’re pleased to announce Brighton Jones Richer Life Foundation’s Community Impact Circles — bringing together individuals with similar impact goals to learn, grow, and maximize their philanthropic impact. Explore the various topics and themes below to learn about our areas of focus and community action.
If you are interested in participating or learning more, please connect with us at philanthropy@brightonjones.com.
Global Poverty
Our first Community Impact Circle, launching on April 3rd, aims to unpack the factors that contribute to poverty, nationally and around the globe. We’ll explore the strategies being used by community leaders, nonprofits, philanthropists, and elected officials to combat poverty – ranging from direct service offerings to those in need, to policy change that can help level the playing field, and various strategies in between.
A detailed curriculum and link to register can be found here.
Racial Justice
We often hear our clients asking what they can be doing to build a more just society. The Racial Justice Community Impact Circle is a place for donors to unpack their own privileges and biases, reflect on their abilities to effect change, and move beyond transactional philanthropy to transformational work.
Children’s Health & Education in Kenya
Our first Community Impact Circle created deep relationships with three Kenyan-led organizations working to advance the welfare of children through education, healthcare, nutrition, and advocacy. We continue to work to raise funds and awareness for these organizations and to partner with them to reach their goals for sustainability, growth, and impact.
framework & timeline
Every year, we travel with a group of interested donors to visit GRACE Nanana Girl’s Rescue Centre, Ruben Centre, and Kajiado Child Care Centre to introduce these important organizations and their inspirational leaders. We discuss international development theories, current events, challenges and opportunities. We deepen our understanding of the region and culture and learn about how we can be strategic partners through philanthropy.
PNW Environment
Environmental issues can feel urgent, but also overwhelming. With so many different crises, from wildlife endangerment to global warming, and thousands of organizations to partner with, it can be hard to know where to start with your personal engagement. This circle was specifically designed to help the curious and compassionate become committed changemakers.
By forming a circle with other donors, members turn their passion into action. Led by Brighton Jones’ philanthropic specialists, members learn how to drive impact (vetting nonprofits, strategic grantmaking, assessing giving methods), while exploring the local environmental conservation landscape (from fieldwork to policy reform). Each member’s experience, perspective, and engagement is invaluable to drive more attention and funding toward Pacific Northwest environmental causes.
A detailed summary of our 2022 PNW Environment Community Impact Circle can be found here.
Health Equity
The global COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated health disparities across the United States. According to the CDC, “health equity is achieved when every person has the opportunity to attain his or her full health potential and no one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or other socially determined circumstances. Health inequities are reflected in differences in length of life; quality of life; rates of disease, disability, and death; severity of disease; and access to treatment.”
The Health Equity Community Impact Circle will enable donors to learn more about the systemic biases that perpetuate marginalization, and reflect on their abilities to effect change.
More details can be found here.
Women’s Equity
The Women’s Equity Community Impact Circle brings together budding and seasoned philanthropists who shared an interest in promoting equity and justice for women and girls. Members are provided the space to learn from community-based movement leaders across a wide spectrum of domestic and international gender equity issues, challenge your personal perspectives and biases, and gain a greater understanding of strategic approaches to gender-lens philanthropy.
An overview of our 2022 Women’s Equity Community Impact Circle can be found here.
Member Testimonials
"I am beyond impressed with the Community Impact Circles — just that it is one of your offerings will likely make me a client for life."
"I am so grateful for the resources and education in our Community Impact Circle. I’ve wanted to “do the work” and make a real impact through all aspects of giving but didn’t know where to begin.”
“I looked forward to my Community Impact Circle sessions every month — each guest speaker was excellent, the pre-work and values exploration were fantastic components of the program, and the sessions were well-organized and delivered in a thoughtful way.”