Responsive Lab Podcast EP 39: Scaling Relational Giving Through Giving Circles with Emily Rasmussen [Ask a Responsive Fundraiser]
In this episode of Ask a Responsive Fundraiser, we’re joined by Emily Rasmussen, founder of Grapevine, the platform behind the growing Giving Circle movement.
Emily brings over 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, impact finance, and community organizing. She shares how responsive fundraisers can shift from transactional giving to relational belonging.
You’ll hear:
• What it actually means to build a donor community
• Why collaborative giving is on the rise (and what’s driving it)
• How to recognize the real competition for donor attention
• Why peer connections often build more trust than staff alone
• How to scale relationship-building without scaling headcount
The average across the nonprofit industry is that only 2% of new donations are set up to recur. On Grapevine, more than 50% of new donations are set up to recur.
By inviting donors into genuine community (not just another appeal cycle) nonprofits can unlock generosity, deepen trust, and increase lifetime value.
Connect with Emily & More Resources:
• How to start a Giving Circle for your Nonprofit - it's a very fast and easy process to get started
• Harnessing Collaborative Impact: How Giving Circles Elevate Nonprofits