#18 - Local Funding Partnerships
Unite
What?
When it comes to strategic, timely, and meaningful impact in our local community, we cannot overstate the importance of developing partnerships among local funders.
Here in Howard County, we’re fortunate to have four strong organizations committed to collaboration for the betterment of all: the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County, Community Foundation of Howard County (CFHoCo), the Horizon Foundation (Horizon), and the United Way of Central Maryland (UWCM).
While we each have unique missions, initiatives, priorities, and programs, we all recognize the value of working together in the following five key ways:
So What?
Supporting Partners
As our partners at Horizon, UWCM, and CFHoCo each invested in WGC's 20th Anniversary Year, we in turn invested in CFHoCo’s new home at Athol Manor. The historic building, one of the oldest residential properties in Howard County, offered a unique opportunity for the CFHoCo to both relocate and to position themselves in the very midst of the Howard County community they serve.
As part of our investment, there is now a WGC Porch at Athol Manor. In addition to being a gorgeous event space, the very concept of a porch - welcoming, inviting, a place to gather and chat and share ideas and provide support and tell stories and cultivate friendships - speaks to the very essence of all that the WGC brings to our broader community.
Investing in Our Partners’ Work
We’re so grateful to both Horizon and UWCM for investing in WGC's State of Women and Girls in Howard County, especially given our two primary goals:
Based on the data collected through this process, it made perfect sense for the WGC to turn around and invest in United Way of Central Maryland's Family Center. The Family Center provides affordable and accessible childcare, an issue identified under Work and the Economy as one that poses a significant financial challenge for working mothers.
Building Innovation and Highlighting Nonprofits Together
Strong, knowledgeable, and resilient nonprofits are able to better serve their mission, clients, team members, and community. We’re fortunate here in Howard County to have some of the very best, and what better way to spark creativity, celebrate innovative ideas, and share inventive solutions than offering a little challenge? And that’s how The Changemaker Challenge was born - a joint effort of all four partners to find and fund those nonprofits committed to approaching challenges as opportunities.
Jointly Responding to Crises
When Covid 19 began to shut our country down, Howard County philanthropies immediately ramped up to assist nonprofits meeting the basic needs of county residents and supporting front line health care workers. To date HoCoRespond provided $608,500 via 46 grants to 34 nonprofits meeting food security, housing, childcare, and health care needs.
Collectively Speaking on Behalf of the Funding Community in Howard County
We’re taught that actions speak louder than words, and yet there are times when the action of speaking out is what is most needed in the moment. That was the case following the shocking attack on our United States Capitol, elected officials, and democracy itself.
In response, partners convened to issue this Joint Statement re: January 6th:
Now What?
We’ve given a handful of examples of the true power of philanthropies working hand in hand to address societal challenges. Doing so in strategic, creative, timely, flexible, and meaningful ways serves to do what the WGC has committed to from the moment we were founded: amplify collective giving in ways that make us stronger together than we are on our own.
Barb Van Winkle of the WGC may have said the following in response to Covid 19, but the words continue to resonate:
Each partner brings unique strengths, abilities, and resources to our Howard County community. And so we collaborate instead of duplicating. We coordinate our efforts in ways that make the most sense, both fiscally and strategically. We seek ingenious ways to work together. And as we invest in each other, we invest in a brighter future for all.
For 20 years, the WGC has dedicated itself to leveraging our collective dollars, to amplifying the power of collective giving, to building a community of philanthropists and creating a permanent legacy to address the needs of women and girls in Howard County.
Will you join us?
Be a part of our story.
#WGC20Years
#WGC20Years20Stories
Unite
What?
When it comes to strategic, timely, and meaningful impact in our local community, we cannot overstate the importance of developing partnerships among local funders.
Here in Howard County, we’re fortunate to have four strong organizations committed to collaboration for the betterment of all: the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County, Community Foundation of Howard County (CFHoCo), the Horizon Foundation (Horizon), and the United Way of Central Maryland (UWCM).
While we each have unique missions, initiatives, priorities, and programs, we all recognize the value of working together in the following five key ways:
- Supporting Partners
- Investing in our Partners’ Work
- Building Innovation and Highlighting Nonprofits Together
- Jointly Responding to Crises
- Collectively Speaking on Behalf of the Funding Community of Howard County
So What?
Supporting Partners
As our partners at Horizon, UWCM, and CFHoCo each invested in WGC's 20th Anniversary Year, we in turn invested in CFHoCo’s new home at Athol Manor. The historic building, one of the oldest residential properties in Howard County, offered a unique opportunity for the CFHoCo to both relocate and to position themselves in the very midst of the Howard County community they serve.
- “We’ve made one of the most significant moves the Community Foundation has done in its lifetime, making Athol Manor our new home. We’ll be centered right in the middle of the Howard County community and better able to continue to thrive and support families for the next 50 years and beyond.” - Beverly White-Seals, President and CEO of CFHoCo
As part of our investment, there is now a WGC Porch at Athol Manor. In addition to being a gorgeous event space, the very concept of a porch - welcoming, inviting, a place to gather and chat and share ideas and provide support and tell stories and cultivate friendships - speaks to the very essence of all that the WGC brings to our broader community.
Investing in Our Partners’ Work
We’re so grateful to both Horizon and UWCM for investing in WGC's State of Women and Girls in Howard County, especially given our two primary goals:
- To gather existing data and develop a compilation of baseline information through a gender lens that identifies key issue areas that impact women and girls in Howard County in order to inform our past, current and future grantmaking.
- To provide to other Howard County funders, nonprofit partner organizations, government agencies, and the community for use in determining funding, supporting, and implementing programs and developing legislation to address the needs of women and girls in our county.
Based on the data collected through this process, it made perfect sense for the WGC to turn around and invest in United Way of Central Maryland's Family Center. The Family Center provides affordable and accessible childcare, an issue identified under Work and the Economy as one that poses a significant financial challenge for working mothers.
Building Innovation and Highlighting Nonprofits Together
Strong, knowledgeable, and resilient nonprofits are able to better serve their mission, clients, team members, and community. We’re fortunate here in Howard County to have some of the very best, and what better way to spark creativity, celebrate innovative ideas, and share inventive solutions than offering a little challenge? And that’s how The Changemaker Challenge was born - a joint effort of all four partners to find and fund those nonprofits committed to approaching challenges as opportunities.
- “The Changemaker Challenge showcases the power, creativity and energy of our community to address complex social problems. The breadth of challenges addressed, and the creativity used to address those challenges is inspiring. We are fortunate to have so many dedicated, enterprising individuals and nonprofits who truly care about social change and making our community a better place for everyone.” - Nikki Highsmith Vernick, president and CEO, the Horizon Foundation
Jointly Responding to Crises
When Covid 19 began to shut our country down, Howard County philanthropies immediately ramped up to assist nonprofits meeting the basic needs of county residents and supporting front line health care workers. To date HoCoRespond provided $608,500 via 46 grants to 34 nonprofits meeting food security, housing, childcare, and health care needs.
- “We are proud that our collective grantmaking is working to advance equity by focusing on cultural, racial, ethnic, geographic and ability diversity in the organizations we are funding. We are working closely with our partners to continue to identify urgent needs on the ground.” - Franklyn Baker, president and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland
Collectively Speaking on Behalf of the Funding Community in Howard County
We’re taught that actions speak louder than words, and yet there are times when the action of speaking out is what is most needed in the moment. That was the case following the shocking attack on our United States Capitol, elected officials, and democracy itself.
In response, partners convened to issue this Joint Statement re: January 6th:
- The Community Foundation of Howard County, the Horizon Foundation, the United Way of Central Maryland and the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County jointly condemn the acts of violence perpetrated on our United States Capitol and our elected leaders on January 6 in a deliberate attempt to disrupt the certification of a fair and democratic election. This attack on the peaceful transition of democratic power – which is so core to our principles as a nation – is an affront to us all. We join other foundations across the county in condemning this egregious act of domestic terrorism rooted in racism, intolerance and bigotry. We affirm the salience of our work centered in racial equity, which drives us to create a better future in which we all thrive and a future in which injustices in health, housing, criminal justice and social services are overcome. Furthermore, as philanthropic leaders and as stewards of humanity, we commit to continuing to work together to make 2021 a year that not only combats COVID, but one that affirms democracy.
Now What?
We’ve given a handful of examples of the true power of philanthropies working hand in hand to address societal challenges. Doing so in strategic, creative, timely, flexible, and meaningful ways serves to do what the WGC has committed to from the moment we were founded: amplify collective giving in ways that make us stronger together than we are on our own.
Barb Van Winkle of the WGC may have said the following in response to Covid 19, but the words continue to resonate:
- “We are proud to be part of a community that has continued to step up to support our friends and neighbors during this very challenging year. We are utilizing our unique strengths to make a bigger difference together than we might otherwise make alone.” - Barb Van Winkle, chair of the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County
Each partner brings unique strengths, abilities, and resources to our Howard County community. And so we collaborate instead of duplicating. We coordinate our efforts in ways that make the most sense, both fiscally and strategically. We seek ingenious ways to work together. And as we invest in each other, we invest in a brighter future for all.
For 20 years, the WGC has dedicated itself to leveraging our collective dollars, to amplifying the power of collective giving, to building a community of philanthropists and creating a permanent legacy to address the needs of women and girls in Howard County.
Will you join us?
Be a part of our story.
#WGC20Years
#WGC20Years20Stories
