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Moral Circles

Community-Based Giving Led by Trusted Voices

Moral Circles are ongoing giving communities organized around trusted leaders. Instead of one-time campaigns, Moral Circles create sustained collective impact.

What Is a Moral Circle?​

The Concept​

A Moral Circle is:

  • A community gathered around a shared commitment to giving
  • Led by an organizer (often an influencer or community leader)
  • Focused on regular, collective charitable giving
  • Transparent in decision-making and impact

How It Works​

  1. Leader creates circle: Sets mission, values, focus areas
  2. Members join: Subscribe to participate
  3. Regular giving: Monthly or periodic contributions
  4. Collective decisions: Community input on allocations
  5. Shared impact: Celebrate results together

Key Features​

Ongoing, not one-time: Regular giving creates sustained support

Community-driven: Members influence where money goes

Transparent: All allocations visible, all impact tracked

Relationship-based: Trust in the leader and each other

Why Moral Circles Work​

For Leaders​

Turn your influence into impact:

  • Mobilize your community for good
  • Create ongoing engagement
  • Build something meaningful
  • Lead beyond content creation

For Members​

Give smarter, together:

  • Benefit from collective research
  • Small contributions, big impact
  • Community connection
  • Regular, painless giving

For Organizations​

Sustainable support:

  • Predictable, recurring funding
  • Engaged donor community
  • Amplified visibility
  • Long-term relationships

Creating a Moral Circle​

Requirements​

To start a Moral Circle:

  • Complete enhanced identity verification
  • Demonstrate community or audience
  • Commit to ongoing engagement
  • Agree to transparency requirements

Setup Process​

Step 1: Application

  • Describe your community
  • Define your circle's focus
  • Explain your giving philosophy
  • Submit for review

Step 2: Approval

  • Amply reviews application
  • Background verification
  • Platform onboarding
  • Launch planning

Step 3: Configuration

  • Set giving amount/frequency
  • Define focus areas (SDGs, organizations)
  • Configure decision-making process
  • Create welcome materials

Step 4: Launch

  • Announce to your community
  • Open for memberships
  • First allocation cycle
  • Begin the journey

Circle Structure​

Giving Frequency:

  • Monthly (most common)
  • Quarterly
  • Annual
  • Event-based

Allocation Method:

  • Leader-decided
  • Member voting
  • Rotating selection
  • Hybrid approaches

Focus Scope:

  • Single SDG/cause
  • Multiple causes
  • Geographic focus
  • Open to any verified organization

Running a Moral Circle​

Regular Activities​

Monthly/Periodic:

  • Announce giving period
  • Present allocation options
  • Collect member input (if applicable)
  • Make allocation
  • Share with community

Ongoing:

  • Update members on impact
  • Share organization news
  • Engage with community
  • Welcome new members

Allocation Process​

How money gets directed:

Option 1: Leader Curated

  • Leader selects organizations
  • Presents choices to community
  • Community informed, not deciding
  • Good for trusted experts

Option 2: Member Voting

  • Leader presents options
  • Members vote on allocation
  • Proportional or winner-take-all
  • High engagement

Option 3: Rotating Focus

  • Different SDG or cause each period
  • Members suggest organizations
  • Leader makes final call
  • Variety and discovery

Option 4: Hybrid

  • Some funds leader-directed
  • Some funds member-voted
  • Balance of expertise and democracy

Member Experience​

What members see:

Joining:

  • Circle landing page
  • Leader's vision and values
  • Giving amount/frequency
  • Simple signup

Ongoing:

  • Regular updates from leader
  • Allocation announcements
  • Impact reports
  • Community engagement

Dashboard:

  • Personal giving history
  • Circle totals
  • Impact metrics
  • Upcoming allocations

Impact and Reporting​

Collective Impact​

Circles aggregate impact:

  • Total given by circle
  • Organizations supported
  • SDGs addressed
  • Outcomes achieved

Member Attribution​

Individual members see:

  • Their portion of collective giving
  • Organizations they've helped support
  • Personal impact over time
  • Tax documentation

Transparency​

Everything visible:

  • All allocations public
  • Decision rationale shared
  • Organization updates forwarded
  • Cumulative impact tracked

Best Practices​

For Leaders​

Authenticity:

  • Lead with your values
  • Share your why
  • Be consistent
  • Stay engaged

Communication:

  • Regular updates
  • Honest about challenges
  • Celebrate wins
  • Acknowledge community

Accountability:

  • Transparent decisions
  • Explain allocations
  • Share impact honestly
  • Admit when wrong

For Members​

Engagement:

  • Participate in decisions
  • Share with your network
  • Provide feedback
  • Stay informed

Commitment:

  • Give regularly
  • Understand it's ongoing
  • Adjust rather than quit
  • Communicate changes

Circle Examples​

Influencer Circles​

Content creator mobilizes followers:

  • Monthly giving challenge
  • SDG-focused allocation
  • Community voting on recipients
  • Impact content creation

Professional Circles​

Industry group gives together:

  • Quarterly contributions
  • Focus on sector-relevant causes
  • Matching by employers
  • Networking + giving

Geographic Circles​

Local community giving:

  • Support local organizations
  • Monthly allocations
  • In-person events
  • Visible local impact

Issue Circles​

Passionate about a cause:

  • Climate action circle
  • Education equity circle
  • Health access circle
  • Deep expertise in allocation

Getting Started​

Interested in Moral Circles?

As a Leader:

  1. Review requirements
  2. Submit application
  3. Complete onboarding
  4. Launch your circle

As a Member:

  1. Browse existing circles
  2. Find one aligned with your values
  3. Join and start giving
  4. Engage with community

Contact Amply for more information on starting a Moral Circle.

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