Giving Circles: The Collaborative Power of Shared Generosity with Lacie Stevens

Generosity is often something we practice on our own. We identify a need, support a ministry, or give to a cause we care about. But what happens when we invite others to join us?

Giving circles offer a way to make generosity more collaborative, relational, and joyful. When believers come together with a shared purpose, their collective giving can make a meaningful difference—not only in the lives of those receiving support but also in the hearts of those giving.

Lacie Stevens, Senior Partner at Generous Giving, has seen this firsthand. After spending more than two decades as a financial advisor, her perspective on stewardship changed dramatically when she attended her first Generous Giving conference in 2007. Today, she helps others discover the joy of generosity through shared experiences and meaningful connections.

Her message is simple: Generosity doesn't have to be something we practice alone.

What Is a Giving Circle?

A giving circle is a group of people who intentionally come together to pool their resources, pray about needs, and decide how they can support individuals, organizations, or ministries.

The concept is straightforward, but its impact can extend far beyond the financial gifts themselves.

Lacie explains that giving becomes more personal and life-giving when it's experienced in community. Rather than making giving decisions in isolation, participants have an opportunity to learn from one another, discover needs they might otherwise overlook, and encourage each other to respond.

In a culture where many people feel disconnected, giving circles create opportunities for authentic relationships centered on a shared desire to serve others.

They also remind us that generosity is about more than transferring resources. It's an opportunity for spiritual growth.

When we talk openly about needs, pray together, and encourage one another to act, we begin to see generosity as something we're invited to participate in rather than simply another financial obligation. And sometimes, the encouragement of others helps us act on an opportunity we might otherwise hesitate to pursue.

A Biblical Picture of Shared Generosity

Although giving circles may be growing in popularity, the heart behind them is hardly new.

In Acts 2 and 4, we see a remarkable picture of generosity within the early church. Believers shared their possessions, cared for one another's needs, and demonstrated a unity that reflected their common faith in Christ. Acts 4:32 describes the community this way:

"Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common."

Their generosity was an expression of their shared life in Christ. They recognized that what they possessed could be used to care for one another.

Modern giving circles may operate differently, but they reflect a similar desire to use God's resources for the good of others. And the beauty of this approach is that it isn't reserved for people with extraordinary wealth.

You Don't Need Great Wealth to Make a Difference

One of the biggest misconceptions about collaborative giving is that it requires substantial financial resources. In reality, a giving circle might consist of a few families, a Bible study group, or several friends who contribute modest amounts toward a shared purpose.

The individual gifts may be small, but their combined impact can be meaningful. Of course, some giving circles have grown into much larger efforts.

Lacie recalls a group of four women in Fort Lauderdale who were inspired to start a giving circle after attending a Journey of Generosity retreat about 15 years ago.