Fostering communal bonding by means of charitable circles
In the heart of New York City, two distinct giving circles are making a significant impact on their respective communities. The Asian Women Giving Circle, founded by Hali Lee during her graduate studies at NYU, and the Downtown Nasty Women Social Group, one of several State's Project Giving Circles in the city.
The Asian Women Giving Circle, a nonprofit organisation, focuses on funding art projects that address social issues for Asian-American women and gender-expansive artists and art communities. Some of the art projects funded by the Circle include the documentary film "The Muslims Are Coming," the theatrical production "Claiming Our Voice," and the public art project "Here to Stay." With about 200 women contributing money annually, the Circle has funded over 100 art projects in the last two decades, selecting six to twelve projects each year.
Hali Lee, the Circle's founder, was born in South Korea and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She is a member of the Downtown Nasty Women Social Group, but the Circle's primary focus is on funding art projects, unlike the Downtown Nasty Women Social Group, which is primarily focused on women participating in political giving circles.
The Downtown Nasty Women Social Group, which is not a part of the book "The Big We" mentioned earlier, has a core group of about 20 women, but can attract up to 150 people at parties. The Group raises money to flip state legislatures from red to blue, and it has sent money to states like Texas and Michigan.
In her newly released book "The Big We," Hali Lee discusses the importance of community during tough times and argues that society should no longer rely on billionaires to change it. She believes that it is important for communities to help one another rather than wait for outside help.
Despite Hali Lee's notable experience with philanthropic giving circles and collective donor networks, there is no publicly available detailed information from these sources about her additional philanthropic involvement with the specific entities "State's Project Giving Circles" or "Downtown Nasty Women Social Group."
The steering committee of the Asian Women Giving Circle consists of about 25 members, and the Circle has become more than just a platform for funding art projects. For Hali Lee, it has become a sisterhood that she relies on.
These State's Project Giving Circles are located around the country, not just in New York City, and they continue to empower their communities through collective philanthropy efforts.
The Asian Women Giving Circle, in addition to funding art projects, also prioritizes fostering a lifestyle centered around camaraderie and support, creating a home-and-garden environment within the organization, specifically for Asian-American women and gender-expansive artists. Hali Lee, while being involved in political giving circles like the Downtown Nasty Women Social Group, finds solace and unity within the home-and-garden atmosphere of the Asian Women Giving Circle.
