Image - the speaker and her book cover
San Francisco

Hali Lee: The Big We

In-person TicketsOnline-only Tickets

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“Hali Lee is redefining philanthropy for the 21st century. Her activism and generosity are exemplary, and this book celebrates the beauty of community giving, and the power of collective action.” 
―Ayesha Curry, Sweet July Books

Drawing from the experiences of real-life giving circles, philanthropy leader Hali Lee challenges our traditional understanding of giving, showing how everyday people can take back philanthropy from the billionaires and make the world a better place.

When you think of philanthropy, what do you envision? Uber wealthy donors? Extravagant galas? In recent decades, philanthropy has come to be seen as something exclusive to those with an abundance of resources. But giving doesn’t have to mean donating millions of dollars. It can be as simple as a group of people who come together to do something good in their community. In The Big We, Hali Lee argues that the future of philanthropy belongs to community action, specifically giving circles―groups of people who come together to pool their resources to make positive change. Born of traditions of generosity rooted in many of our ancestral cultures, giving circles provide a way for us to overcome the feeling many people have of being overwhelmed by the many problems we face by learning, acting, and giving together.

Through stories of real giving circles around the country, including her own experience starting the Asian Women Giving Circle, Lee shows us a more expansive vision for the future of philanthropy—one led by people who are refocusing on community, who care about rebuilding the civic space, and who are yearning for connection, purpose and shared vision. These giving circles show not only the immense impact we can have in our own backyards, but also the tremendous scope of change people can achieve through the power of collective action.

Notes

This program has 2 types of tickets available: in-person and online-only. Please pre-register to receive a link to the live-stream event.

If you have symptoms of illness (coughing, fever, etc.), we ask that you either stay home or wear a mask. Our front desk has complimentary masks for members and guests who would like one.

Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California is a nonprofit public forum; we welcome donations made during registration to support the production of our programming.

Lee photo by Kate Russell; Curry photo by Seth Smoot.

Commonwealth Club World Affairs is a public forum. Any views expressed in our programs are those of the speakers and not of Commonwealth Club World Affairs.

All ticket sales are final and nonrefundable.

Mon, May 12 / 6:00 PM PDT

Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California
110 The Embarcadero
Taube Family Auditorium
San Francisco, CA 94105
United States

Speakers
Image - Hali Lee

Hali Lee

Co-founder, the Donors of Color Network; Co-creator, Philanthropy Together; Founder, the Asian Women Giving Circle; Author, The Big We: How Giving Circles Unlock Generosity, Strengthen Community, and Make Change

Image - Mina Kim

In Conversation with Mina Kim

Host, KQED "Forum"

Image - Ayesha Curry

Introduction by Ayesha Curry

Publisher, Sweet July Books

Format

5:30 p.m. doors open & check-in
6–7 p.m. program  
7 p.m. book signing
(all times Pacific Time)

COST

(members receive 30–50 percent discounts—not a member? Join)

In-person:
$25
$53 with a book
Free for Leadership Circle members and students (without a book)
Online :
$10
$38 with a book
Free for Leadership Circle members and students (without a book)