Fund of the Community Foundation of Howard County - Story #3
partner
What?
But what exactly is a community foundation? And how does it relate to the WGC?
In 1914, Frederick Goff created a new type of philanthropy in Cleveland, Ohio. It was called a ‘community foundation,’ and it was as simple as it was elegant. It made philanthropy available to average citizens to help build the communities where they lived and worked.
Maryland is home to 14 community foundations, each serving a region of Maryland in unique ways. They hold a total of more than $700 million in philanthropic assets, and distribute about $128 million in grants each year to nonprofit organizations in their communities.
And, most of them host a giving circle!
When Rouse created the CFHoCo, the first community foundation in Maryland, he did so with his signature vision: to support and meet the needs of the newly founded town of Columbia and its surrounding county far, far into the future.
And CFHoCo does this and more, led by a mission focused on “educating and engaging the community to inspire life-long giving for the advancement of Howard County residents and nonprofits supporting civic, cultural, environment and education.”
When the WGC first began, one of the Founders immediately understood the mutual benefits of bringing the Circle to the CFHoCo, positioning it as a fund of the community foundation. That Founder was the then-head of the CFHoCo, Barbara Lawson. As the oldest community foundation in Maryland, it was a natural fit to be one of the first to host a giving circle.
Upon returning to Howard County, the five women invited eleven others to join them as they embarked upon an intensive 18 month planning and implementation process that culminated with the launch of the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County (WGC).
So What?
The benefits truly are mutual.
Given the WGC’s belief that, “there is a place for all women, from all incomes and at all stages of life to be philanthropists and make a difference in Howard County,” it’s easy to see how such a creative and active fund attracts donors who may be previously unfamiliar with philanthropy or the community foundation model. Many of these empowered, engaged, enthusiastic individuals choose to learn more about our community, its needs, CFHoCo, and to become more involved.
And it’s equally obvious why having an existing framework complimentary of the WGC’s goals, one fully supportive of the parameters of a giving circle, makes the CFHoCo the perfect fit for the WGC.
Now What?
Join us!
Take part in an innovative, empowering, strategic, nimble organization harnessing the power of collective giving to support women and girls in Howard County. Organizations that support women and girls are traditionally underfunded, so we’re changing that, dollar by dollar, grant by grant, now and into the future.
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? www.womensgivingcircle.org
Be a part of our story.
#WGC20Years
#WGC20Years20Stories
partner
What?
- Over 100 years ago, the very first community foundation was started in Cleveland, Ohio by Frederick Goff.
- Over 50 years ago, the Community Foundation of Howard County (CFHoCo, formerly the Columbia Foundation) was started in Howard County, Maryland by James Rouse.
- And 20 years ago, the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County began as a fund of CFHoCo.
But what exactly is a community foundation? And how does it relate to the WGC?
In 1914, Frederick Goff created a new type of philanthropy in Cleveland, Ohio. It was called a ‘community foundation,’ and it was as simple as it was elegant. It made philanthropy available to average citizens to help build the communities where they lived and worked.
- “Simply stated, community foundations build and strengthen philanthropy—and thus, communities—by making it simple and cost-efficient for individuals, families and businesses to establish philanthropic funds, learn about and invest in the needs of their communities.“ - Dee Athey, former WGC Advisory Board Member and Director of Grants and Community Engagement at the Community Foundation of Howard County
Maryland is home to 14 community foundations, each serving a region of Maryland in unique ways. They hold a total of more than $700 million in philanthropic assets, and distribute about $128 million in grants each year to nonprofit organizations in their communities.
And, most of them host a giving circle!
When Rouse created the CFHoCo, the first community foundation in Maryland, he did so with his signature vision: to support and meet the needs of the newly founded town of Columbia and its surrounding county far, far into the future.
And CFHoCo does this and more, led by a mission focused on “educating and engaging the community to inspire life-long giving for the advancement of Howard County residents and nonprofits supporting civic, cultural, environment and education.”
When the WGC first began, one of the Founders immediately understood the mutual benefits of bringing the Circle to the CFHoCo, positioning it as a fund of the community foundation. That Founder was the then-head of the CFHoCo, Barbara Lawson. As the oldest community foundation in Maryland, it was a natural fit to be one of the first to host a giving circle.
- "As the former President of the Community Foundation, it was clear to me that the power of women's collective philanthropy had the enormous potential to impact the lives of women and girls in Howard County by addressing a number of challenges including education, child care, abuse, leadership, work, to mention just a few." - Barbara K. Lawson
Upon returning to Howard County, the five women invited eleven others to join them as they embarked upon an intensive 18 month planning and implementation process that culminated with the launch of the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County (WGC).
So What?
The benefits truly are mutual.
Given the WGC’s belief that, “there is a place for all women, from all incomes and at all stages of life to be philanthropists and make a difference in Howard County,” it’s easy to see how such a creative and active fund attracts donors who may be previously unfamiliar with philanthropy or the community foundation model. Many of these empowered, engaged, enthusiastic individuals choose to learn more about our community, its needs, CFHoCo, and to become more involved.
And it’s equally obvious why having an existing framework complimentary of the WGC’s goals, one fully supportive of the parameters of a giving circle, makes the CFHoCo the perfect fit for the WGC.
- “We are proud to host one of the longest-tenured giving circles in the country that has been a national leader in the field. As one of our largest funds, the WGC has provided so many opportunities to women and girls in Howard County and we will continue to grow our strong partnership to best support the WGC and our community for the next 20 years and beyond.” - Beverly White-Seals
Now What?
Join us!
Take part in an innovative, empowering, strategic, nimble organization harnessing the power of collective giving to support women and girls in Howard County. Organizations that support women and girls are traditionally underfunded, so we’re changing that, dollar by dollar, grant by grant, now and into the future.
- “This year, 2022, WGC has been a fund at CFHoCo for 20 years. With their support and partnership, we will have given $1M+ to our nonprofit partners through 250+ grants, and will have a $1.3M endowment, raised from 1,600+ donors, which will ensure that there are funds to support women and girls in our community in perpetuity.” - Jennifer Bodensiek, WGC Vice Chair
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? www.womensgivingcircle.org
Be a part of our story.
#WGC20Years
#WGC20Years20Stories
