The Starling Collective
Leaders and organizers within communities know best what those communities need. The Starling Collective is an experimental global learning lab that builds on GivingTuesday's distributed leadership model, connecting local changemakers to make a world of difference.
From more than 2,000 applicants representing 93 countries, the inaugural Starling Collective cohort is a community of….
50
leaders from
29
countries
speaking
33
languages
ranging in age from
11 to 71
The Starling Collective’s Unique Approach Design for Interaction
Lead with Community
Build the model with the knowledge and needs of the cohort at its center; encourage feedback and sharing
Build a culture of generosity, love and support within the Collective
Vary Learning Modes Offer informal, formal and self-paced learning opportunities
Increase Confidence as Leaders Focus on helping participants recognize their innate leadership and offer learning that builds their capacity
Commit to Measurement Uplift the value of setting goals, measurement and continuous learning in social movements
“[The experience with] Starling and GivingTuesday is breaking down the constructs of what I thought was possible for myself. It has me thinking so much bigger.” Emily Churchill-Smith, Canada
“
It's a relief to know I can walk this journey with someone and I'm ready to go through the process. Barbara Kimigisa, Uganda
“We need a community like Starling to have people around us who can help us push through the difficult times.” Roberto Soto-Acosta, Puerto Rico
“
The Starling Collective is helping me see that the world can be more generous, and we are learning effective processes for shaping a real movement. Débora Verdan, Brazil
Innovation Spanning the Globe
Canada United States
17
6
Bulgaria France Greece Italy Spain Romania Ukraine 7
Argentina Brazil Chile Colombia Eastern Caribbean Guatemala Puerto Rico Uruguay Venezuela
13
7
Botswana Kenya Senegal South Africa Tanzania Uganda
Hong Kong India Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Thailand
Connecting a Wide Range of Leaders
Driving Grassroots Change Projects by Issue Area Community Building Accessibility and Disability Awareness
Capacity Building
Youth LGBTQ+ rights
Arts
Human and Civil Rights
BIPOC focused work Women and Girls
Hunger Environment and Sustainability
Healthcare
Homelessness and Poverty
Driving Grassroots Change Projects by Intervention Type
Building Giving Habits
Mutual Aid Network Peer Learning Food Security & Supply Chain
Technology Solutions
Storytelling
Infrastructure
Education
Arts
Civic Action
Social Influence
Fueling Growth and Success
100%
of participants said the Starling Collective helped them achieve their objectives.
44%
said it helped them exceed their objectives.
Uplifting Proximate Leaders 100% OF STARLING PARTICIPANTS SAID: ● “I am a more confident leader as a result of my participation in the Starling Collective"
Nearly half the projects were led outside of traditional organizations
● “I’ve learned movement-building techniques that I can apply to my work through my participation in the Starling Collective." ● “I can make a greater impact on my community as a result of my participation in the Starling Collective." ● “I feel better equipped to innovate and try new things as a result of my participation in Starling Collective.'' “ This was a life-changing experience that helped me step into my power as a community leader and someone with skills to share.” -- Rebel Sidney Black, Portland Disability Justice Collective
Boosting Grassroots Equity Work OF STARLING PARTICIPANTS WORKING ON ISSUES OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION:
30%
of projects included a racial justice focus
● Less than half were part of traditional organizations ● 94% identified as Black, indigenous, or people of color ● 100% agreed that as a result of participating in the Starling Collective: ○ “I am a more confident leader." ○ "I feel better equipped to fund my work." ○ "I can better tell the story of my work and/or my personal story as a leader." ○ “I received training that I otherwise would not have had access to."
Building on What We’ve Learned Simple application process Guided by regional voices Emphasis on experimentation and innovation Coaching for leadership, movement building, measurement and communications skills Dedicated peer learning community
Building Blocks for Grassroots Leadership Connection
Month 1: Cohort Relationship Development
Movement
Month 2: Building a Movement
Measurement Storytelling Sustainability Community Wrap-up
Month 3: Measurement & Learning Month 4: Storytelling & Communications Month 5: Sustainability Month 6: Managing & Growing Your Community Month 7: Survey, Wrap-up & Reflections 15
One program, exponential impact Emphasis on systems change and grassroots ideas that can replicate Rapid deployment of resources and knowledge to vetted, on-the-ground leaders New best practices for entire GivingTuesday network and sector Promoting generosity, connection and civic participation
Regional Directors
Catherine Mwendwa Regional Director Africa
Cherisse Faith Beh Regional Director Asia Pacific
João Paulo Vergueiro Regional Director Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and Brazil
Estefania Rodriguez
Z. J. Jallah
Regional Director Europe and South America
Regional Director Canada and US
“The Starling Collective allowed us to learn from different people across the world tackling different challenges in their communities. We are now planning to share our lessons with other young leaders.”
Lesein Mutunkei, Kenya
“
Because of the Starling Collective, I have become a better storyteller, a more thoughtful changemaker, and more empathetic member of society. Alexandra Tsai, United States
“The Starling Collective has been an extremely rewarding experience for me. Most international resource agencies just provide requirements and criteria for grant applications, approve or disapprove proposals, release the funds and wait for the report. Giving Tuesday is entirely different. You journeyed with us from the submission of applications, to coaching sessions and project implementation, and even afterwards. Collaborating with other cohorts reaffirmed my purpose and aspirations for the communities in the Philippines.” Michelle Jean C. Batinga, Philippines
An investment in GivingTuesday propels change across the globe It’s an investment in… A RADICAL GENEROSITY MOVEMENT A GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM OF LEADERS - NOT JUST AN ORGANIZATION THE KNOWLEDGE AND HEALTH OF THE THIRD SECTOR WORLDWIDE A JUST AND GENEROUS WORLD
We invite you to join us.