Pangea Giving
Pangea Giving is a giving circle that provides our members direct, thoughtful, and effective ways to engage in trust-based partnerships with grassroots organizations in the Global South to improve the quality of life in their communities.
History
The earliest concept for Pangea Giving came about soon after the attacks of September 11, 2001 to determine how individuals could promote international understanding and peace across cultures and countries. A small group of people in the Seattle area decided to form a giving circle focused on rural community development in the Global South – from its inception, Pangea has been a community of like-minded individuals whose members learn together and pool their resources to support people in the Global South.
Pangea Giving started with five founding members and grew to a membership of over 50 individuals and families. Since 2003, it has partnered with 45 grassroots organizations in 13 developing countries and awarded grants of over 1.5 million.
Learn about the Pangea Advisory Council »
Program
When you become a member of Pangea, you join a globally-minded community of people who are passionate about building trusting relationships and responding to needs expressed by communities in East Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. As a giving circle, our contributions form a grant pool that directly funds grassroots organizations in the Global South. Collectively, we educate ourselves on global issues, engage in the process of grantmaking, and establish long-lasting relationships with our grant partners.
The Pangea model gives its members a unique opportunity to be involved directly in every aspect of the grantmaking process: from targeting regions and establishing criteria, to the direct monitoring of needs and progress through personal site visits.
Learn more about the Pangea Experience »
Visit our blogs posts about Pangea Giving members and grant partners »
We believe that our own continuous learning and reflection, as well as establishing trusting, transparent, and supportive relationships with our community partners, is essential to meeting our goals.
- We support the self-defined needs of local communities
- We build the capacity of community organizations and leader to meet those needs
- We make grants in places where there are high levels of poverty and vulnerability to human rights abuses
- We believe that lasting change is built from the ground up
Grantmaking Principles
- We support our partner’s projects based on the needs and goals they define.
- We seek out small community based organizations that have not had access to large amounts of international donor funding.
- We foster long term relationships with our partners based on trust, openness, and a desire to learn.
- We believe that strong local leadership, community support and participation are keys to success.
- We encourage gender balanced leadership and participation.
Our proposal process is based on dialogue to increase understanding and clarity. - We support efforts to achieve long-term sustainability for our partners, for beneficiaries, and for specific projects, as they are realistic and appropriate.
- We monitor our partner’s projects to ensure that funds are used for their intended purposes through mid-year and annual reports, liaison relationships, and direct visits when possible.
- We are a learning organization. In the context of partnership, this means we are willing to learn from missteps as well as successes and keep moving forward.
Grantmaking Pillars
Grantmaking Pillars represent areas of our current grant making focus thanks to years of working alongside grassroots organizations that are champions of this work. These pillars don’t represent the sole focus of our work, but rather the issues that have been central to our work over the years and today.
- Climate and Environmental Justice
- Empowering Women and Youth
- Gender Equity
- Indigenous Rights
Pangea members identify potential grant partners, thus grant proposals are by invitation only.
Peruse our past and current Grant Partners:
Why Join Pangea
When you become a member of Pangea, you join a globally-minded community of people who are passionate about building trusting relationships and responding to needs expressed by communities in East Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America. As a giving circle, our contributions form a grant pool that directly funds grassroots organizations in the Global South. Collectively, we educate ourselves on global issues, engage in the process of grant making, and establish long-lasting relationships with our grant partners.
- We practice trust-based philanthropy
- We give intentionally, thoughtfully, and directly to local, community-based organizations
- Our work is ultimately about justice—not just about giving money away but educating ourselves and walking beside those organizations to whom we award grants
We encourage you to join us at a pod meeting or event so you can get to know us. We can also arrange for you to meet with a member either in person or by phone to answer any questions you may have about Pangea Giving. Contact us.
Pathways to Membership
Please join us by selecting the option that is right for you.
Traditional Annual Membership Fee
As a giving circle, member contributions fund our grant pool and operations. Contribute annually at least $1,500 (individual) or $2,500 (family).
In-Kind Professional Services
Contribute your technical or professional services such as Spanish translation and/or interpretation, communications or editorial services in lieu of a financial contribution.
Internships
Gain valuable, hands-on experience by volunteering on a variety of projects which will allow you to fully participate as an active member in our grant making and educational events.
Flexible Contributions
Still want to join but don’t see an option that’s right for you? Join us by contributing a lesser amount that fits your ability to contribute. A minimum of $500 (individual) or $1,000 (family) annually is requested.
Eligibility
Pangea membership is open to any individual or family who has an interest in helping communities in the Global South. As a giving circle, member contributions fund our grant pool and operations.
Membership requires a minimum annual fee of $1,500 (individual) or $2,500 (family). Other pathways to Pangea membership can be found in the information above.