Giving Circles

There are multiple options for obtaining funding for whatever your fancy. Traditional routes of financing revolve around bank or private lending. A emerging form of philanthropy is also taking shape in the form of Giving Circles. I first came across Giving Circles thought the book: Giving Circles: Philanthropy, Voluntary Association, and Democracy by Angela M. Eikenberry. A Giving Circle is a form of grant organization that incorporates a form of enhanced participation through collective and participatory forms of decision making. 

The size of a Giving Circle can range from a few to thousands of individuals, with differing amounts of available capital. The unique aspect to a Giving Circle is the ability to pick and choose where to spend funds in a democratic manner, as opposed to a more traditional bureaucratic top down decision making model. This is of benefit for those with ideas for business ventures that are more in line with non-profit organizations, and allow for a less paperwork and performance driven funding network.

Sources in order of use:
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol12/bankloan.htm
http://guides.wsj.com/small-business/funding/how-to-get-funding-from-angel-investors/
http://www.amazon.com/Giving-Circles-Philanthropy-Association-Philanthropic/dp/0253220858
http://givingcircles.org/
http://nonprofit.about.com/od/fundraising/p/givingcircles.htm