BACKBLACK X GRAPEVINE

Giving Circle Challenge

Launch your own Giving Circle.

1.

Grow your donor community.

2.

Win up to $5,000.

3.

This August, Zeffy is teaming up with BackBlack to celebrate Black Philanthropy Month with a powerful pledge:

We’re giving away $5,000 in direct grants to Black-led nonprofits building bold, brilliant futures.

Whether you’re launching a new campaign or growing an existing one, this is your chance to raise funds and unlock even more support.

How it Works

Create your Giving Circle. Rally your community. Raise more donations and grow your impact. We’re awarding a total of $5,000 — with two organizations each receiving $2,500:

Most Donating Members

The org that signs up the most individual recurring donors (regardless of amount)

Most Funds Raised

The org that raises the most total dollars during the campaign period

Whether your community gives $5 or $50, every new recurring donor counts. This campaign is about consistency, creativity, and connection — not just capacity.

Deadline to Launch & Apply:

August 31, 2025

Follow the steps below to get started

STEP 1

Create your Circle

Create and launch your free Giving Circle on Grapevine.

STEP 2

Activate your Circle

Rally your supporters to become recurring donors throughout August!

STEP 3

Submit your Circle

Submit your Giving Circle campaign page to the BackBlack Impact Grant.

Why Giving Circles?

Giving Circles are one of the fastest-growing forms of philanthropy — and for good reason.

They’re powerful tools for building relationships, amplifying shared values, and creating lasting impact through community-driven support.

You don’t need a huge budget or a massive following to get started — just a mission, a message, and a few passionate supporters.

A nonprofit-led Giving Circle is more than just another fundraising tactic — it’s a powerful way to build an engaged, committed donor community. By taking the lead, your nonprofit can harness the power of collective giving to drive sustainable impact and long-term financial support.

And the results speak for themselves: while only 2% of new nonprofit donors typically start with recurring gifts, over 50% of new donors to Grapevine Giving Circles choose to give monthly.

Need support?

Join Grapevine’s Founder & CEO Emily Rasmussen for live office hours every Friday in August at 9am PT / 12pm ET.

You’ll get insider tips, answers to your questions, and real-time guidance on how to make your Giving Circle a success.

Frequently asked questions

  • Two prizes of $2,500 will be awarded:

    • Most Donating Members – for the Circle that recruits the most individual recurring donors (no minimum amount required)

    • Most Funds Raised – for the Circle that raises the highest total amount during August

    Only donations made through Grapevine between August 1–31 will be counted.


  • No. This is not a sweepstakes or lottery. This is a merit-based challenge designed to reward Black-led nonprofits that build strong communities of recurring donors on Grapevine.

  • Watch the “How to Launch” Video here.

  • To be eligible, your organization must:

    • Be Black-led and based in the U.S.

    • Be a verified member of the BackBlack Directory

    Create and launch a Giving Circle using the Grapevine platform by August 31,2025

  • No. Donors can give at any recurring amount — $5/month, $10/month, $25/month — whatever works for them. Every individual who signs up as a recurring supporter counts toward your total.

  • All donations go directly to your nonprofit through Grapevine. The platform allows you to set up recurring giving with ease and transparency. Learn more about how and when a nonprofit selected by your Giving Circles receives donations.

  • Email us anytime at contact@backblackmovement.org. 

    For Grapevine platform support contact community@grapevine.org— we’re happy to help!