How do I start?
Hang on, what is a Giving Circle?
A Giving Circle is a group of people, recruited by a Leader or Leadership Team, who reach out to their networks to pool contributions to change our country, starting in a key state you choose from our list of strategically chosen states (coming soon for 2019-20!).
My Giving Circle will change our country? Seriously?
Yes. Seriously. Future Now Fund identifies the competitive state chambers where you can make the biggest difference each cycle. In each state our goal is to change the direction of an entire legislative chamber, which is cheaper than winning a single Congressional seat! Together with your family, friends, colleagues and neighbors, your pooled contributions can literally change the balance of power in the state you choose from our list — and improve millions of lives.
How does Future Now Fund work with Giving Circles?
From the moment you form a Giving Circle, Future Now Fund will provide the tools, expertise and support—everything from insider knowledge on why states matter to details on the
inspiring candidates we are helping elect! At every step, we make it easy to raise funds, track progress and make sure that together we have the biggest impact. And our team is always on call to help you succeed! Each Giving Circle chooses the state its dollars will impact from our list of possibilities (coming soon) once 75 percent of the set goal is raised.
Where does the money raised by Giving Circles go?
The amount each Giving Circle raises will be allocated to Future Now Fund’s budget for the state you select from our list once you've raised 75 percent of your set goal. Collectively, Future Now Fund Giving Circles have become some of the largest contributors in each of our states. Depending on the state, contributions may support endorsed candidates (see our awesome
Class of 2018), candidate training, digital asset creation, canvassing efforts, research and analysis and more. Future Now Fund provides each Giving Circle with dollar by dollar details on the funds it raises and overall spending in its selected state. Look for our 2019-20 states soon!
I’ve never been good at asking for money. Is this the right thing for me?
Many Giving Circle members are new to soliciting contributions. Our members tell us that it works for them because they are appealing to their friends and family to support and join a cause that really matters—and they are offering those people a concrete way to help.
How big should my Giving Circle be?
There is no perfect size. Giving Circles can be as small as 5 people or as big as 500!
How much money should I raise?
You can choose any fundraising goal that feels right. Giving Circles have raised from $2,500 to $250,000. Future Now Fund can work with you to determine and the appropriate target based on your network.
When will we know which states are in play for 2019-20?
Soon! Our research team is diving into all 99 chambers to analyze the states where we can have the biggest impact. We’re evaluating everything to get a 360-degree view of the opportunities, from detailed histories of every target district to the dollar for dollar spending in the state. Feel free to get started, and when the menu of states is available, Giving Circles will be notified.
What happens after the election?
After Election Day, our partner Future Now helps state lawmakers achieve ambitious, measurable goals for the common good. Elections are only half the battle. For Legislators to achieve real results, they need support to succeed.
Learn more
But why states?
Working within a Giving Circle allows me to take effective action at a time when sitting on the sidelines is not enough — and to do so by connecting with friends and family who share a common goal.
We are a dynamic group that has built a foundation of shared curiosity and concern for our democracy. We call our work the antidote — it eases the fear, and reminds us of the potential for change if we work at it.
When Trump was elected, it didn’t take long for us to go from ‘What happened?!’ to ‘We can’t stand for this!’ Through Future Now Fund we learned that state level politics really matter and if we want to see change that’s where we ought to be.
We wanted have an impact, so we pushed ourselves. It was scary to fundraise, but we're so proud, and still a little surprised, that we surpassed our goal! We are thrilled to be one of the bigger contributors in our chosen state of Michigan.
