There is a growing trend in philanthropy. It is something called a "giving circle." It is estimated there are more than 800 giving circles nationwide. Several of them here in Colorado were started by a 7Everyday Hero.

The beauty of a giving circle is its simplicity. A group of friends gather several times a year to focus on helping others.

"Our particular group is going to help women and children," said 7Everyday Hero Mary Fuller.

The first group that Fuller started a few years ago in Northern Colorado pools its resources in order to make a bigger impact helping others. Fuller calls each of her groups "Small Change".

"You just like to feel you can help in some way," said Fuller.

One of the nonprofit agencies that receives financial support from Fuller's "Small Change" group is the Crossroads Safehouse in Fort Collins. It is a shelter for victims of domestic violence.

"So, we come to Small Change and the group hears what we need and they somehow manage to come up with the funds," said Vicki Lutz, Executive Director of Crossroads Safehouse.

The Small Change women also support Project Self-Sufficiency of Loveland and Fort Collins, which helps low-income, single parents become self-sufficient.

"What they have been able to do is fund some of those participant needs that otherwise we would not be able to help with," said Kathy Miner, Assistant Director, Project Self-Sufficiency.

Fuller's Small Change groups are limited to 20-people to keep them intimate. But there's nothing small about their impact. These giving circles can raise a lot of money.

"Over the last three years we have raised in the neighborhood of $19,000," said Fuller.

No small thanks to the compassion and determination of Mary Fuller. As Lutz puts it: "She is a petite, gentle dynamo."

To learn more about Giving Circles as well as the Crossroads Safehouse and Project Self-Sufficiency: www.Givingcircles.Org, www.Crossroadssafehouse.Org, www.Ps-s.Org.