2011/2012 Young Women’s Giving Circle

The 2011/2012 Young Women’s Giving Circle (YWGC) class started meeting in September 2011 and have planned their year of leading and learning about philanthropy and civic engagement. 

The YWGC is composed of teenage girls from Howard County high schools with a strong passion for philanthropy with the mission to promote and ensure the wellness of women and girls in the Howard County community.

Weekly workshops have been held since the beginning of the school year to teach members about philanthropy, fundraising and giving grants. Site visits have occured, where each girl gets the opportunity to interview and learn about a chosen nonprofit organization in order to develop the mission of the giving circle as well as decide where to give grant money to. Finally, the girls have organized events and fundraisers to raise money to donate to the chosen Howard County nonprofit organization.

There were “a lot of new faces and excitement for upcoming events” they wrote on their Facebook page. 

YWGC Comes Full “Circle”

Alison Curry, co-president of the Young Women’s Giving Circle, also participated in the 2008 Journey class, which she described as a “life changing” experience. This summer, the Hammond High School senior encouraged Journey 2011 alums to join YWGC, an off-shoot of WGC for young women.  There are now 21 girls involved in YWGC. 

“The young women in our new YWGC class are exceptional” – says Kathy Barnett, WGC Advisory Board members and mentor to the YWGC. “We are really excited about the learning, leadership and philanthropic action opportunities ahead.”

Girls Supporting Girls

Last year, the group gave their first grant, $601, to Girls on the Run, a program designed to prepare elementary and middle school girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living through physical training and health education. This year, they will learn about issues affecting girls in the community and as a group decide where they will invest their philanthropic dollars. Stay tuned!

Contact the YWGC

Co-Presidents: Isabelle Staines and Alison Curry

youngwgc@gmail.com