At a time of extreme polarization in politics and declining civic engagement, even
though studies show how vital it is to our mental health and healthy aging to
become more engaged socially, and not to become isolated, more and more
Californians are banding together in what are called “giving circles.”

It’s a way for people of modest means to pool their resources and have a significant collective impact. Think of it as democratizing philanthropy.

Now, meaningful philanthropy is not just the province of billionaires, but instead can be a way for people with common values to work for positive change and connect with their community.

For more on this trend, KCBS Political Reporter Doug Sovern spoke with Ilyasah N Shabazz, Senior Operations and Communications Director with Philanthropy Together, the global nonprofit based in San Francisco that is leading this movement.