February 2021

By Malynda Madzel, Chair, WGC’s “Our Giving, Our Stories” Committee

In 2021, as we celebrate Black History Month, we continue to honor the leaders who unselfishly gave of themselves to fight to ensure equitable access to basic necessities like food, housing, health care, education and civil rights.   In the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County our programming pays tribute to that legacy.

Leveraging the WGC's "Our Giving, Our Stories" daily profile series of 31 Howard County philanthropists, published in August 2020, we continue the celebration of the contributions and sacrifices of our citizenry.  We were honored to highlight these inspirational stories of women who discussed what moves them to give their time, talent and financial resources to enrich the community. 

In presenting these stories, we were moved to look back at Howard County’s history and found many African American women philanthropists who worked tirelessly to “give back” to their community.  These women were instrumental in establishing a culture of giving, despite some having limited resources.   

Bessie Bordenave, President of the Harriet Tubman Foundation, gave us names of the many women who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Howard Countians during the time of segregation and Jim Crow. She said, “These women are my ‘Sheroes.’  They gave so much of themselves in order that we would have opportunities that many of them did not have.  
When I think of each of them, I reflect on the many sacrifices they made for others—their time, guidance, support, love and much more for our community.  I can only say ‘Thank you, Thanks a Million!’  Your legacy will continue to live through us as we continue to tell your stories to this generation and the generations to come.  You are indeed, the ‘Wind Beneath Our Wings.’ Peace and Love.” 
 
Some of the names are recognizable, and some are not, however, these are just a few of the women who left us with a legacy of giving that uplifts our entire community:

Mrs. Ruth James was

• the first Black woman appointed to the Howard County School Board and the first woman appointed to the Trustee Board of Howard County Community College.

 
Mrs. Mildred Woodson was

• the first Black woman involved with the Girl Scouts in Howard County, helping young women to reinforce the values of excellence and service.

 
Dr. Wylene Burch was

• the Co-Founder and Director of Howard County African American Cultural Center. The Center still exists at Oakland Manor.

 
Rev. Mrs. Aileen Moore was

• the first Black woman minister in Howard County.  She served as pastor for the Asbury United Methodist Church for more than 30 years.  

 
Mrs. Eva Anderson was

• the Founder of the Baltimore Dance Theatre and an arts pioneer who taught choreography as well as establishing a world-renowned dance company.  She was the granddaughter of a slave.

 
Mrs. Maggie Brown was

• a Columbia “Pioneer” and Community Activist.  She led the Columbia Birthday Celebration for many years, was active in Howard County government and became President of the Columbia Association. She was a founder of the Women’s Giving Circle.  

 
Mrs. Leola Dorsey-African American, Political Activist was

• a long-time leader in Howard County politics. With her husband, she led the Howard County Republican Party for many years.  A new community center in Jessup is named for her. 

 
“I personally knew and respected all of these ladies" said Joan Hash, Native Howard Countian, Philanthropist and WGC Black Philanthropy Month Honoree about these historic women. "In their own way, they were all soldiers in the fight to uplift the Black community by leading the way in the areas noted ... they had vision and determination in their quest to make a difference for future generations and we have all benefited by their efforts. As we reflect on Black (S)heroes during this Black History Month, I cannot thank the Women’s Giving Circle enough for recognizing them because by raising up their names, you raise up all of us who remember and try to live up to the examples they set ... they stand as 'Giants' in the history of Black women in Howard County and their contributions should never be forgotten."

"The Women’s Giving Circle is humbled by the contributions these courageous women have made to our community. We truly “stand on their shoulders” having learned from them the values of leadership and cooperative giving to better the lives of women and girls” said Barb Van Winkle, WGC Advisory Board Chair.

The WGC is proud to recognize the women who came before us and we look to their example to improve our own philanthropic endeavors—focusing our collaborative giving on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
 
“We are inspired by these amazing women who led to way by doing the important work of elevating the Black community during very difficult times" said Hina Naseem and Judy Smith, Co-Chairs of WGC's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. "They are truly our role models as we commit ourselves to advancing the diverse voices in our community.”

As we acknowledge and celebrate Black History Month, we invite you to highlight YOUR (S)heroes on the WGC's Virtual (S)hero Mosaic Wall that is part of our upcoming Virtual Annual Celebration on March 8, 2021, where we are celebrating (S)heroes Among Us, and discussing "Democratizing and Diversifying Philanthropy Through the Power of Collective Giving" - please join us!

The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is proud to elevate the voices and giving of our members, nonprofit partners, and friends throughout the year. I have invited my friend and colleague Malynda Madzel to guest write my column this month and highlight the voices of those making a difference in our community. – Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz

Her Mind Magazine, January 2021

By: Malynda Madzel, Chair, WGC’s “Our Giving, Our Stories” Committee

Last year the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County highlighted 31 women each day in August in celebration and support of Black Philanthropy Month. As a former WGC Advisory Board member and long-time supporter, I was excited to lead this effort and elevate the voices of women of color in our community who give back in so many ways. And now, I am honored to continue to lead the WGC’s effort to develop ways to do this year-round.

One way we aim to inspire philanthropic leadership and increase giving is by amplifying the voices of those making a difference in our community, including our youth.

In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and in recognition of the work of this network of community activists is doing in support of racial and social justice, I recently asked the youth leaders of HoCo for Justice a few questions – here’s what they had to say:
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• What moves you to give your time, talent and financial resources? “We are a network of community organizers, consisting of high school and college students, who comprise a multicultural youth collective. We are moved by our dual focus on social justice and philanthropic community outreach in Howard County. We believe in “leading with impact” and have organized projects that include a “Back to School” Drive and helping organizations like Columbia Community Care.”

• When did you start giving to issues that are important to you? “We started as part of a larger group that coalesced around protesting the tragic and consecutive murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Our protest, on June 2, 2020, was the largest gathering in Howard County history. It was well-organized and attracted both local and national attention for its obvious diversity and inclusion of all ages and ethnicities.”

• What advice do you have for those interested in giving back? “Our primary objective is to dismantle white supremacy and its resulting oppressive systems through coadaptation, education, and legislation. Our goals include: empowering marginalized communities, reallocating resources for equity programs, ending the school to prison pipeline and changing racist narratives that continue to criminalize Blackness.”

I am proud of the youth who are leading HoCo for Justice. Elevating the important stories of how our youth are giving and volunteering is critical as we work to engage others in collectively addressing issues in our community, and our country. I thank all those making a difference in Howard County – for your voices, your stories, and all that you do to make our community better.

The WGC is a fund that gives grants … it’s what we do!

We've been part of the Howard County community for 19 years, have raised over $1 million to support our efforts, and have given over 100 grants to nonprofits that support women and girls in our community. Since we formed in 2002, the WGC has granted over $625,000 to our nonprofit partners in Howard County.

2020 Grants Snapshot:

In 2020, the WGC gave a total of $124,071 to our nonprofit partners in Howard County. We gave $29,550 as part of our planned grants to programs that benefit women and girls, $37,921 that was matched with $6,600 through our Emergency Response Network, and $50,000 through our HoCoRespond partnership.

In March 2020 the Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland and Women's Giving Circle of Howard County announced new emergency funds and actions to support community members affected by COVID-19, and established HoCoRespond.com to support Howard County nonprofits on the frontline of support, focusing on assisting with food security, housing, childcare and healthcare.  To date we have collectively given 46 grants to 34 organizations for a total of $608,500 in HoCoRespond COVID-19 Emergency Funds to Howard County nonprofits since March. 

Our 2021 grantmaking cycle is currently underway - stay tuned for additional information.

​The WGC’s grant focus is on programs that increase the life skills of women and girls, encourage the healthy development and personal authority of young girls and raise the awareness of gender disparities in our community. In 2021 we will continue with our extended grantmaking scope to support our community through the escalating COVID-19 pandemic.

The WGC is an endowed fund at the Community Foundation of Howard County. 
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• WGC does not accept grant proposals. Instead, WGC proactively identifies issues it wants to address and invests grant dollars in projects and programs for maximum impact.
• WGC works in partnership with nonprofit organizations and other organizations to advance its mission and address the needs of women and girls, as well as making grants to fund programs.
• ​Education-based philanthropy is the cornerstone of the WGC’s grantmaking, thus WGC sponsors and co-sponsors programs, events and activities that advance understanding of the issues affecting women and girls in Howard County.

Learn more at www.womensgivingcircle.org

By Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, WGC Executive Director
For Philanos, a national network that serves to catalyze the movement of women in philanthropy by connecting women’s collective giving grantmaking organizations.

Giving circles and collective giving groups are working to address power in philanthropy. Why? Because there are times that funders inadvertently hinder nonprofits doing the work they know best. 

According to the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project (the Project), this can slow down progress, perpetuate inefficiency, and obstruct nonprofit growth and innovation. Trust-Based Philanthropy reimagines that dynamic. Infused by core values of power-sharing, equity, humility, transparency, curiosity, and collaboration, the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project believes philanthropic efforts will be more successful and rewarding if funders approach each grantee relationship as an ongoing partnership rather than a one-time transaction. 

The Project outlines a trust-based approach that relies on six interrelated principles which, when practiced together, can help alleviate power imbalances: 

1. Provide Multi-Year, Unrestricted Funding 
2. Do the Homework 
3. Simplify & Streamline Paperwork 
4. Be Transparent & Responsive 
5. Solicit & Act on Feedback 
6. Offer Support Beyond the Check

If you were able to join the Philanos monthly webinar series on October 13 on Women's Giving Circles & Trust-Based Philanthropy, you heard an introduction to trust-based philanthropy for giving circles - what it is and how it can be reflected in collective giving.  

The webinar presented its principles and practices, the reasons for its emergence, and the impact it has had on the social sector. We heard from two perspectives: Colby Swettberg, Chief Executive Office of the Silver Lining Institute in Boston spoke from the nonprofit perspective; and Philip Li, President and CEO of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation in New York City, spoke from the funder perspective. In addition to sharing their experiences, they helped us understand how we might apply trust-based philanthropy principles to the collective giving model – how we educate our members, how we evaluate applications and organizations, and how we remain open to supporting organizations we may not know very well.

Philanos Affiliate Member Impact 100 Seattle is committed to incorporating trust-based philanthropy principles and practices throughout their grantmaking philosophy. 

In fact, they proudly and publicly state their grantmaking philosophy as believing in trust-based philanthropy to drive enduring improvements in the Puget Sound Region. As a somewhat new organization, they are working hard to address some of the unhealthy power dynamics in traditional philanthropy. 

Here are their grantmaking principles:

• Trust-Based Philanthropy. Impact Seattle 100 members see trust-based philanthropy as a process to address long-standing power imbalances and increase equity in philanthropy. They believe this approach requires funders to build relationships with grantee organizations through trust-based practices and behaviors. 

 

• Partner for Transformative Change. This approach is based on their desire for transformative change – or addressing the root causes of issues and inequities as opposed to the symptoms. They want to support organizations that work in partnership with others toward collective impact and those that build power among those who may lack it. 

 

• Embrace Risk. Impact Seattle 100 members are committed to embracing risk, by rewarding and encouraging new ways of thinking and acting to increase resilience and impact. 

 

• Listen, Learn and Evolve. They are committed to listening, learning and evolving, by recognizing the learning journey they are on with other members, and their partners.

“We are offering support beyond the check ... we want to be an organization that grants with curiosity” said Jennifer Larsen, Impact Seattle 100 Vice President. “We worked hard to remain in a learning posture throughout the process and sustained an equitable process throughout.”

The principles of Trust-Based Philanthropy have been important for funders across the country in general, and in particular the last ten months during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Philanos Affiliate Member ninety-nine girlfriends has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by adapting their work to be responsive to the situation at hand in their community. As they state publicly on their website, “ninety-nine girlfriends plays a unique role in our region in connecting women in collective action and supporting nonprofits. All of us must pivot as the pandemic moves through our community ... ninety-nine girlfriends will play our role in ‘flattening the curve’ to slow down the spread of COVID-19 and the severity of its impact on our community.”

Ninety-nine girlfriends has been vocal about leveraging best practices by philanthropic leaders across the country and highlighting Trust-Based Philanthropy principles to their philanthropic response to COVID-19. In fact, they have highlighted recommendations from the Council on Foundations and the Whitman Institute.

The Council on Foundations created a Call to Action to guide philanthropy’s commitment during COVID-19, where over 600 organizations have signed. 

Among the recommendations are to:

• Loosen or eliminate restrictions on current grants.
• Make new grants as unrestricted as possible to provide maximum flexibility for nonprofits.
• Reduce what we ask of nonprofit partners e.g. site visits, reporting requirements and other demands on their time. 
• Support grantee partners advocating for important public policy changes.

COF’s recommendations are based on the work of the Whitman Institute, advocating for Trust-Based Philanthropy. There is much we will learn about the Trust-Based philanthropic response to COVID-19 in the months and years to come. 

Giving circles and collective giving groups across the country are increasingly listening, learning, and responding by incorporating Trust-Based Philanthropy principles and practices throughout their grantmaking philosophy and seeking to help alleviate power imbalances.

And, Philanos is committed to being an ongoing resource and partner to our Affiliate Members across the country on the principles and practices of Trust-Based Philanthropy.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz is a member of the Philanos Communications Committee and is the Executive Director of Philanos Affiliate Member, the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County, Maryland. Buffy can be reached at buffybschwartz@wgchowardcounty.org.

By Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Executive Director, Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County

“Women’s philanthropy shapes the future for women and girls through the power of collective giving​.” – Barb Van Winkle, Chair

As we head into the New Year, we reflect on the unexpected challenges for all of us - which the WGC has tried to navigate by developing creative solutions to ensure our work continued to make an impact throughout the year. 

We did this by:
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• Giving Grants – we gave $130,000 to support women, girls and their families to our nonprofit partners, and $608,000+ to support COVID-19 needs through our #HoCoRespond partnership with the Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation and United Way of Central Maryland.
• Engaging Members – we engaged and increased our membership through seven in-person and virtual events, including our new monthly “Membership Mondays” virtual gathering, and developed and reinforced our membership structure, with an enhanced menu of giving and engagement options moving into 2021.
• Strengthening the Circle – we invested in and focused on our core strength by growing our professional staff, developing our volunteer leadership, and advancing and enhancing our diversity, equity and inclusion framework throughout all of our work! And, we amplified and elevated our voice through increased marketing and communications efforts.

You can read more about our 2020 efforts here.

Our work in 2020 has assured us that partnership and generosity is alive and well in Howard County and that philanthropic investment in our community is more important than ever as we continue to face the COVID-19 global pandemic and fall out.

Please consider a year-end gift to the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County so that we can continue to give more grants, engage more members, and strengthen the circle for the future. One option for an end-of-year gift is to sponsor our upcoming WGC Virtual Annual Celebration on March 8, 2021 – “Democratizing and Diversifying Philanthropy Through the Power of Collective Giving” – find sponsorship information here, starting at $100.

Also, the WGC is highlighting “(S)heroes Among Us” this year during the March 8, 2021 Virtual Annual Celebration. Please join us in thanking women in your life for their efforts by uploading a photo of your Howard County (S)heroes on our WGC (S)heroes Among Us Virtual Mosaic Wall. With your help, we are highlighting women across the county before, during and after our upcoming Annual Celebration!

Thank you for supporting women, girls, and families in Howard County. We are making a greater difference together than we might otherwise make alone.

It’s because of you .... Happy New Year!
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Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz is the Executive Director of the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County. She can be reached at: buffybschwartz@wgchowardcounty.org and www.wgchowardcounty.org

By Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Executive Director, Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County
For Her Mind Magazine

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” – Maya Angelou

“It’s 8 am and you’re waking up just in time to get breakfast and the kids in front of their iPads for school. While they learn online, you escape to your makeshift office, which used to be the guest room, to start your workday. What was once two places of home and work has been shortened from 20 miles apart to 20 steps. We hear you superwoman, you need another place away from your space! The 3rd will be a place away from working at home and the needy children and life partner (whom you love dearly.) This will be a place where you can rest your cape and develop your entrepreneurial ideas with like-minded superheroes. You need a 3rd place where you can breathe, create, exist, and thrive!”

Do you like how this sounds? You are not alone.

The 3rd is a new space that is opening in Columbia where community members can “chill, work, eat and shop all while supporting Women of Color entrepreneurs.”

Founded by CEO Laura Bacon, The 3rd’s mission is to build a space that fosters dreams, creates community, and provides mentorship, which enables Women of Color to turn their ideas into economic power and freedom. 

“We want to provide the keys to open doors women of color entrepreneurs have been denied access to – the keys to resources, education, and skill-building are only a few benefits to being a part of The 3rd” said Bacon. “In addition, we will develop a community of sister-friends through collaboration and partnerships in a chill environment.”
As a recent The 3rd Facebook post highlights…“Imagine an open space with beautiful furniture and tons of natural light…walk further into the cute little shop filled with goodies made by WOC entrepreneurs. Then head over to the café to purchase a delicious pastry and coffee right before sitting down and writing your kick-ass grant proposal for your nonprofit! Take it all in sister-friend, this will be you at The 3rd.”

Asked why Laura decided to create The 3rd she said “I create spaces where people can show up as the best version of themselves. My talent is in putting all the right people in a space to make something special.”

Want to support The 3rd this holiday season? You can do so, and purchase a homemade pie for the holidays!

Laura is selling delicious homemade Sweet Potato Pies for $50 this Thanksgiving to raise funds. The pies comes unbaked and frozen. You can also buy a pie and give a pie. Spend $85 and you’ll get a pie and The 3rd will give one away to our nonprofit partners at Columbia Community Care.

Click the link below and order your Thanksgiving pie today! Purchase pies here. Pie pick-up will be in Columbia on November 23, time to be determined.

I am grateful for efforts like The 3rd this holiday season – hope you are too. Happy Thanksgiving!

You can connect with Laura Bacon at laura@the3rd.org and learn more at their website at www.the3rd.org.
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​Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz is the Executive Director of the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County. She can be reached at: buffybschwartz@wgchowardcounty.org and www.wgchowardcounty.org

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Candace Dodson-Reed is an experienced executive with a 20 plus year successful career in the public, education, and nonprofit sectors. Skilled in media relations, grassroots organizing, government relations, crisis communications, inclusion and equity work, public policy and community/public affairs, Candace currently serves as the Chief of Staff and Executive Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). In 2012, Candace founded the African American Community Roundtable of Howard County and just prior to that launched the twentyfivefortyfive Giving Circle at the Community Foundation of Howard County. Candace also co-hosts a podcast—Elevate Maryland. In 2020, she was named a Maryland Top 100 Woman by The Daily Record. 

Mireille Grangenois, formerly Publisher of the Chronicle of Philanthropy and The Chronicle of Higher Education, serves on the board of Verité, a global advocate for fair labor, and the Community Foundation of Howard County. On the latter, she is chair of a new committee focused on equity, racial justice, diversity and inclusion. A journalist with an undergraduate degree from New York University, Mireille spent much of her career in business-side leadership roles at preeminent news organizations, including The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Washington Post, and The Baltimore Sun. 

Lynne C. Schaefer has served as Vice President for Administration and Finance at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) since 2005. In her role as chief business officer at UMBC, she is responsible for financial management, budget, reporting and control for annual operations of nearly $500 million. She previously served as Vice President for Finance and Administration at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and as Budget Director and Vice President for Administrative Services at Wayne State University in Detroit.  She has been named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women, and one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Metropolitan Detroit.

Nette’ Stokes founded and currently works at JustLiving Advocacy, Inc. as the Executive & Community Engagement Director. She has a heart for all people, especially for women heading up their households alone as single parents. She believes in giving and creating opportunities for those who have a strong personal desire to lift themselves out of impoverished circumstances. Nette has strategic and executive management experience combined with a solid vision for operations and providing a creative approach to organization operations, marketing and development and community outreach. She worked for 15 years at IBM and 10 years in the government at the US Department of State and the Department of Justice as a Senior Program and Project Manager. She was named as a 2020 HerMind Community Hero in Howard County, MD for her advocacy work in child care and heart disease in women.

The full 2021 slate of WGC Executive Committee and Advisory Board members are:

Executive Committee

​Officers:

• Barb Van Winkle, Chair - Nancy Adams Personnel
• ​Jennifer Bodensiek. Vice Chair - Junior Achievement of Central Maryland
• Kim Agnor, Treasurer & Chair, Governance Committee - Kimberly A. Agnor, CPA, LLC
• ​Lee Draminski, Secretary - Vectorworks, Inc.
• Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Executive Director *Ex Officio

 

• Melissa Curtin, Chair, Membership & Events Committee – Melissa Curtin Coaching + Consulting
• Alice Giles, Chair, Grants Committee – Graduate Student
• Hina Naseem, Co-Chair, DEI Committee - Howard County Public School System
• Judy Smith, Co-Chair, DEI Committee – On Point Consulting
• Alison Canning, Immediate Past Chair - Financial Planning Specialist

Advisory Board Members
​

• Maxine Clark – Maryland Orthodontic Specialists
• Jillianne Crescenzi – Law School Student
• Candace Dodson-Reed – Chief of Staff, UMBC
• Mireille Grangenois - Senior Strategy Consultant, Opinion Writer - Community Foundation of Howard County Liaison 
• Christine Meket - Republic Services
• April Force Pardoe - Tobi Fairley Interior Design
• Barbara Peart – Community Volunteer
• Lynne Schaefer - Vice President for Administration and Finance, UMBC
• Nette’ Stokes – JustLiving Advocacy
• Mary Thompson – ReFrame Financial Planning

Columbia, Md. - The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County, Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation, and United Way of Central Maryland are sustaining their strong partnership during the COVID-19 pandemic and announcing another $200,000 in available funds to support nonprofits working on the frontlines in Howard County through HoCoRespond. 

Howard County nonprofits can apply for this round of funding beginning Monday, November 2. Organizations must apply by midnight on Monday, November 23, 2020. Grant applications can be submitted here. 

HoCoRespond will host two virtual Q&A information sessions for those interested in applying for funding on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 9:30 - 11:00 am and Thursday, Nov. 12, 1:00 - 2:30 pm. RSVP to receive zoom details to grants@cfhoco.org.

New, coordinated grant funding is urgently needed to help Howard County residents as unemployment insurance supplements have ended and eviction protections are at risk. Many vulnerable families in Howard County are increasingly unable to pay for food, rent, childcare and healthcare, and nonprofits in the county are helping address those challenges.

Under the umbrella of HoCoRespond, the Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland and Women's Giving Circle of Howard County have been working together since March to assess community needs, accept donations and provide funding to Howard County nonprofits providing frontline support, with a focus on food security, housing, childcare and healthcare. With the goal to maximize impact and equity through HoCoRespond, Howard County funders have awarded a total of $407,500 since March to 31 nonprofits.

"This public health crisis has caused a wave of challenges for our residents - people are facing unimaginable circumstances deciding whether to keep a roof over their head or food on their table," said County Executive Calvin Ball. "We're incredibly grateful to have such dedicated organizations to help look out for our most vulnerable, and HoCoRespond has already demonstrated effectiveness in collaboration. In a time when it's imperative to help those among us most in need, this is a perfect way to support your neighbors and community. I encourage those who are able to make a charitable contribution to support this emergency fund." 

​As of November 1, the Maryland Department of Health reported 6,015 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Howard County and 146,995 cases across the state. 

“Howard County Funders are coordinating to raise and deploy critical resources to nonprofits on the frontlines of responding to the urgent health and economic needs of disproportionately impacted communities in Howard County” said Beverly White-Seals, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Howard County. “We continue to be here to support our community as we navigate ongoing community needs this fall and into the winter.”

A key focus of the collective grantmaking is to ensure communities of color are receiving equitable treatment. 

​“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” said Franklyn Baker, president and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland. “We are working closely with our partners to continue to identify urgent needs on the ground.”

HoCoRespond.org is continuing to accept donations. Those looking to help can donate to the following emergency funds supporting nonprofits that are assisting community members affected by COVID-19:

• The Community Foundation of Howard County has its established Howard County Community Relief Fund to address ongoing emergencies in Howard County. 

 

• The United Way of Central Maryland has established the COVID-19 Community Fund for Central Maryland to support the community, and in particular, support those who operate on the frontlines of providing help and resources to those in need. 

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• The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County has established the COVID-19 Fund to address unprecedented COVID-19 community needs and is also responding to emergency needs through its long-established Emergency Response Network (ERN). 

“The reality is that COVID-19 is continuing to harm our community,” said Nikki Highsmith Vernick, president and CEO of the Horizon Foundation. “We will continue to work closely with our funding partners to address critical housing, food, childcare and healthcare challenges in Howard County and provide emergency and ongoing support to those in need.”

The Howard County funding partners are urging county residents, donors and the community at large to take action and support the nonprofits who are on the frontlines during the COVID-19 crisis.  

“We will continue exploring the path forward in providing relief to our community by leveraging our strengths and working with others to make a bigger difference together than we might otherwise make alone,” said Barb Van Winkle, chair of the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County.