Hali Lee with Stephanie Gillis — 'The Big We'

Third Place Books is thrilled to welcome Hali Lee to our Lake Forest Park store for a discussion of her new book, . In The Big We, 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 our sense of overwhelm at the many problems we face by learning, acting, and giving together. She will be joined in conversation by Stephanie Gillis. This event is free and open to the public.

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This event is free to attend. Registration is recommended in advance.

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 our sense of overwhelm at 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. Through these giving circles do we see not only the immense impact we can have in our own backyards, but also the tremendous scope of change we can achieve through the power of collective action.

In 2021, Hali Lee was named to Forbes’ 50 Over 50: Impact in recognition of her work as a cofounder of the Donors of Color Network, the first-ever national network of wealthy folks of color, a co-creator of Philanthropy Together, a national collective giving support organization, and as founder of the Asian Women Giving Circle. Her work has been covered by the Washington Post, New York Times, and Good Housekeeping, who called her “The Mindful Giver” and one of “10 Women Over 50 Who Prove It’s Never Too Late to Change the World.” Hali was born in Seoul, South Korea, and grew up in Kansas City. She lives in Brooklyn, New York in the company of her family, a big love of a dog, an old cat, and rooftop honeybees.

Stephanie Fuerstner Gillis works in philanthropy, at the Raikes Foundation, where she leads a portfolio focused on resourcing movements by supporting donors to give in ways that center equity, effectiveness, and systems change. She has spent her career in the social sector, including in positions with the Youth Leadership Institute (a Bay Area youth development organization), the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and the Institute for Defense and Disarmament Studies. She is on the board of Borealis Philanthropy and a member of the Impact 100 giving circle in Seattle. When she is not at work, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and going on adventures with her husband and puppy, Maisie.

Founded in 1998 in Lake Forest Park, Washington, Third Place Books is dedicated to the creation of a community around books and the ideas inside them. With locations in Lake Forest Park and Seattle's Ravenna and Seward Park neighborhoods, Third Place Books is proud to serve the entire Seattle metro area. Learn more about their event series at thirdplacebooks.com/events.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way Northeast, Lake Forest Park, United States