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      • #16 - Our Giving, Our Stories
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WGC OF HOWARD COUNTY
  • Home
  • About
    • WGC Mission, Vision, Values, Goals
    • WGC Advisory Board
    • WGC Committees
    • WGC 2023-2026 Strategic Plan
    • WGC Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • WGC is a Fund of the Community Foundation of Howard County
    • WGC - 20 Years at a Glance
    • WGC Herstory
  • Give
    • WGC's 4 Distinct Ways to Give >
      • WGC Community Member >
        • WGC's 20th Anniversary
        • WGC In Her Honor >
          • In Honor and Memory of WGC Supporter Jackie Melonas
        • WGC Core Support
        • WGC Impact 2024
      • WGC Sponsor Member >
        • Thank You 2023 Sponsors!
        • Thank You 2022 Sponsors!
      • WGC Legacy Member
      • WGC Big Give Member >
        • WGC Big Give $1,200 Individual Donation
        • WGC Big Give $1,200 Team Donation
        • WGC Big Give Process and Grantmaking Guidelines
    • WGC Emergency Response Network
    • WGC Barb Van Winkle Leadership Fund
  • Grants
  • Events
  • News
    • WGC's 20 Years, 20 Stories >
      • #16 - Our Giving, Our Stories
      • #17 - State of Women and Girls in Howard County
      • #18 - Local Funding Partnerships
      • #19 - First Executive Director
      • #20 - Celebrating 20 Years of Impact!
    • WGC's 20 Years in Photos - A Snapshot
    • WGC's State of Women and Girls in Howard County
    • WGC's Our Giving, Our Stories Series >
      • 2023-2021 OGOS Monthly Profiles
      • OGOS Nominations
      • 2022 OGOS Black Philanthropy Month
      • 2021-2020 OGOS Black Philanthropy Month
    • WGC's (S)hero Mosaic
  • Blog
  • Contact

Find all the good we are up to on our blog.

WGC's 2023 Big Give: Nonprofits, Apply by April 30!

3/28/2023

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Women's Giving Circle of Howard County's Big Give 2023 
Letter of Interest for Funding - Submit by April 30, 2023
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  •  - Are you a nonprofit in or serving Howard County that focuses on women and girls?

 - And/or, do you have a program that supports women and girls?

 - Apply for the opportunity to receive up to $10,000 in potential funding from members of the WGC's Big Give 2023

Learn more and download the WGC Big Give 2033 Letter of Interest here

Questions?
Contact Dee Athey: dathey@cfhoco.org 

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WGC's 2023 Big Give: Donors, Join Us by April 30!

3/27/2023

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The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County's 2023 Big Give is designed for women who want to learn more about grantmaking to women and girls in our community in a fun, fast-paced, "pop-up" giving circle learning and giving experience.

WGC 2023 Big Give Overview:
  • Big Give Members will each contribute $1,200. (1 vote)
  • Teams of up to 4 women can be formed who collectively give $1,200 as a team. (1 vote per team)
  • The amount of grants given will be determined by the number of women participating.

​2023 WGC Big Give Members Will: 
  • Meet on May 16 and June 6, 2023 to learn about the philanthropic landscape and collectively decide on funding for nonprofits with a focus on women and girls in Howard County.​
2023 WGC Big Give Membership Sign-Up:
  • Those interested can sign-up and give an individual $1,200 payment here or a team payment here.
  • Registration is open until April 30, 2023 - we hope you can join us!

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WGC Joins Women's Affairs Breakfast Panel

3/21/2023

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The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County was honored to be invited to sit on yesterday's powerhouse panel at the Women's Affairs Breakfast hosted by The Maryland Commission for Civil Rights and The Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity.

WGC Chair Jennifer Bodensiek spoke on the panel about the WGC's State of Women and Girls in Howard County and how we are utilizing the data to inform our grantmaking and providing the data to others  - underscoring the value of partnership, collaboration, and support of and for women.

It was great to be surrounded by so many women leaders in our community and across the state, and to have Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller with us!
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WGC's Emergency Response Network - $1,000, Can You Help?

3/16/2023

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The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County  invites you to join with us to raise at least $1,000 to support a woman in need at Grassroots through our WGC Emergency Response Network (ERN).

This woman is a single mom with one child that owes back rent debt of $9,962. After losing her housing due to landlord issues, this client was temporarily self-paying in a motel until she lost her job due to lack of childcare. She and her child were then staying in her car. Last month she and her daughter came into the Grassroots Cold Weather Shelter program. She's been driving for Uber while her child is in school to make some money to pay for other bills besides housing but just last week her car was repossessed. She is currently interviewing for jobs but can't get housing until this debt is cleared.

Grassroots has been working with other organizations to help her pay off this debt as it is a barrier to her getting housing and while they know that they can't pay all of her back debt, they are attempting to help her pay as much as possible. To date, Grassroots has raised $5,325 toward her debt.

Grassroots is requesting $1,000 to help this single mom alleviate her debt. 

On behalf of our partners at Grassroots we invite you to join with us in raising at least $1,000 to support this woman in our community. We will leave this ERN request open for several days and 100% of all gifts will go directly to Grassroots to support their client in need.

Can you help?
Any amount is valued and appreciated!

​Thank you!


Jennifer Bodensiek, WGC Chair
Candace Dodson-Reed and Alison Canning, WGC Grants Committee Co-Chairs
Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, WGC Executive Director
www.womensgivingcircle.org
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WGC on Panel Discussing The Role of Philanthropy in Funding Global Women's Movements

3/14/2023

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Women's Giving Circle of Howard County Executive Director Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz participated in this NGO CSW Forum adjacent panel on March 14, 2023 with Jeannie Infante Sager, Director of the Women's Philanthropy Institute and Susan Benford, Chair of Philanos where they discussed "The Role of #Philanthropy in Funding Global Women's Movements". Learn more here 
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What a Night! WGC's 2023 Annual Celebration & Pink Party

3/9/2023

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We had a fabulous night on March 8, 2023 at WGC's Annual Celebration & Pink Party - on International Women's Day!

It was wonderful to have so many of us together again for WGC's Annual Celebration at Howard Community College in the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center - in a beautiful sea of pink! 

View photos from the event here

WGC Chair Jennifer Bodensiek declared that the state of the WGC is strong and underscored our impact the last 20 years - $1M in grants, $1.3 endowment, and 1,600 donors that are collectively building community.

WGC leaders Mary Thompson, Kashonna Marrow, and Jade McDuffie McClary provided an overview of our recent successes, plans for the future, how to give, how to get involved, and the why of it all - why we are doing the work we do, and how we are focusing on building community through collaboration with our donors, nonprofit and community partners, and the broader community.

And, we reviewed the WGC's State of Women and Girls in Howard County, and how we are utilizing the data to inform our grantmaking. 

When you consider basic statistics like:
  • Women make 82 cents for every dollar a man is paid.
  • Women's reproductive health is controlled by the government.
  • We lack affordable child care for women who work outside the home and women in school.
  • We lack federal paid family leave for new mothers, and
  • Half a million women and girls age 12 and over are the victims of sexual assault every year.

We know that we need to continue to gather and utilize data for change, and we are committed to doing so. Find examples of how data from the State of Women and Girls in Howard County has helped direct and/or underscore some of our recent grants.

WGC Executive Director Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz introduced our Keynote Speaker Victoria Vrana who laid out a powerful presentation on the importance of community, and how we are all playing a role in building it through collaboration. And WGC Vice Chair Candace Dodson-Reed did a wonderful job facilitating an inspirational panel conversation with Victoria who was joined by Dr. Daria Willis, President of HCC, Tonya Aikens, President & CEO of the Howard County Library System, and Lee Draminski of the  WGC and Vectorworks.

We honored immediate past WGC Chair Barb Van Winkle for Women's History Month, and we enjoyed delicious food from Chef Jamila of The 3rd, non-alcoholic Rose' from Beth Harbinson and Sobar, and women-made wine from The Wine Bin.

And, we had a great response regarding WGC's Feminine Hygiene Product Drive - all three bins for the Howard Community College Foodbank were filled to the brim - thank you all for responding to the call!

Many of you asked how you can get or remain involved in our collective work.

Here's 5 Ways to Get Involved Today:


  • Sponsor the WGC in 2023
  • Support the WGC Barb Van Winkle Leadership Fund
  • Register for WGC's April 24 Membership Monday Call
  • Join the WGC 2023 Big Give by April 30
  • Register for WGC's Black Philanthropy Month Happy Hour on August 1

Many thanks to all of our sponsors so far this year, to all those who attended the event, and to everyone who supports the WGC and all that you do to build community in Howard County. 

We collectively underscored that we are all growing community together through collaboration, and while it is Women’s History Month, and International Women’s Day, there is not just one time to celebrate women’s successes and discuss solutions to ongoing challenges. We must continue to do this each and every day, and the Women’s Giving Circle will be here to be your partner in supporting women and girls in Howard County. 

There is strength in numbers, and we are all in this together. As our distinguished panel said, “a rising tide lifts all boats." 

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WGC 2023 Feminine Hygiene Product Drive - March Update

3/4/2023

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The WGC’s Feminine Hygiene Product Drive continues to bring in needed supplies for women and girls in Howard County. You can support this effort in two ways:

  • Donate Products: We are collecting donated products on a regular basis and bringing them to the Community Action Council/Howard County Food Bank, Columbia Community Care, and other places to distribute to women and girls in our community. 
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  • Donate Money: We invite donations to the WGC that we will provide to our nonprofit partners so they can purchase products for their clients.

The WGC has chosen to continue our focus on this because it's a need that is easily and often overlooked.

Did you know ...
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  • 29% of girls miss school due to lack of supplies needed.
  • 39% cannot provide period products for themselves.
  • Some are forced to use towels and plastic instead of proper supplies.

You can read more about this important issue here.

Many thanks to our partners at the Howard County Library System, that has bins in all branches, as well as our partners at Bra-La-La and The 3rd who are collecting products regularly. 

Thank you to everyone who donated money and/or products at locations around Howard County in 2022 and 2023. So far, we've been able to donate hundreds of pounds of products and $4,000 dollars to WGC nonprofit partners to purchase products for their clients.
And, a big welcome to our new WGC Student Interns Isabella Farro and Jess Ndiritu who are managing WGC's 2023 Feminine Hygiene Product Drive!
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3 Questions With Philanthropist Barb Van Winkle for WGC's "Our Giving, Our Stories" Series in Honor of Women's History Month

3/1/2023

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When did you start giving to issues that are important to you? 

"While in college, I volunteered at Planned Parenthood in Baltimore and was deeply moved by the power of helping women in need.  When I moved to Howard County to open my business, a friend invited me to be on the Board of The Family Life Center in Wilde Lake, and thus began my local volunteering!​ " - Barb Van Winkle

Organizations that Barb currently supports:
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  • Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County
  • Howard Community College Educational Foundation
  • Community Action Council of Howard County
  • Grassroots Crisis Center
  • HopeWorks
  • Just Living Advocacy
  • The 3rd
  • Howard County Library System

Learn more about the WGC's "Our Giving, Our Stories", an ongoing series of giving profiles designed to celebrate women's philanthropy and amplify the voices of women and girls in Howard County.
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Click here to read Barb's full profile.
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February 2023 WGC eNewsletter - Take a Look!

2/16/2023

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Click here to read the full eNewsletter!
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3 Questions With Philanthropist, Yolanda F. Sonnier for WGC's "Our Giving, Our Stories" Series in Honor of Black History Month

2/13/2023

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When did you start giving to issues that are important to you? 

"Giving to issues that are important to me began in elementary school ... and they remain important but with further education, experience and exposure, have evolved and expanded. The ways in which I give include volunteering, teaching, mentoring, giving financially and being open to giving in the ways an organization or a community requests assistance. " - Yolanda F. Sonnier

Organizations that Yolanda currently supports:
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  • Voices for Children, Howard County   
  • Ujima, The National Center on Violence Against
  • Women in the Black Community 
  • Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County
  • Columbia Community Care
  • NAACP
  • Howard County Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinating Council
  • HopeWorks
  • Grassroots 

Learn more about the WGC's "Our Giving, Our Stories", an ongoing series of giving profiles designed to celebrate women's philanthropy and amplify the voices of women and girls in Howard County.
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Click here to read Yolanda's full profile.
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Welcome WGC Student Interns Isabella Farro and Jess Ndiritu!

2/8/2023

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We are excited to welcome Isabella Farro and Jess Ndiritu as our new 2023 Student Interns!

Jess and Isabella are managing our 2023 WGC Feminine Hygiene Product Drive and they recently collected products from our partners at the Howard County Library System where each branch holds WGC bins to collect products, and from our partners at The 3rd - and then they brought the products to our partners at Columbia Community Care.

This is how you help build community - thanks Jess and Isabella, and all of our partners!
​
Learn more here
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WGC 2023 Annual Celebration & Pink Party Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Howard Community College

1/26/2023

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WGC 2023 Annual Celebration & Pink Party 
Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
at Howard Community College


With Keynote Speaker: Victoria Vrana, CEO of Global Giving, Speaking on: “Building Community Through Cooperation + Collaboration”

And distinguished panelists who will discuss "The Keys to Building Community Locally Through Collaboration"

Tonya Aikens, President & CEO - Howard County Library System
Candace Dodson-Reed, VP Gov. Relations & Community Affairs, UMBC
Lee Draminski, Partnership Specialist, Vectorworks
Dr. Daria Willis, President, Howard Community College

Purchase Tickets and/or Sponsor Here

Join us to hear the latest update on the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County as we celebrate our collective efforts this year, and our cooperation and collaboration with our donors, and our nonprofit and community partners to support women, girls and families in Howard County.

Hear from Keynote Speaker Victoria Vrana, CEO of GlobalGiving. Formerly the Deputy Director of Philanthropic Partnerships at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, she is a global philanthropic leader and innovator who has broad experience overseeing portfolios in policy, data, and everyday giving, and has been a key architect in building the infrastructure and supporting the growth of the national collective giving movement, which includes the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County. And, learn from a panel conversation with Victoria and WGC partners about how we are building community through cooperation + collaboration.

Please join us!

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3 Questions With Philanthropist, Regina M. Clay for WGC's "Our Giving, Our Stories" Series in Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

1/9/2023

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What moves you to give your time, talent and financial resources?

"Most people wait to be inspired to act. I choose to act in order to get inspiration ...

​I have always been blessed with a heart to serve and give. For me, it's as natural as breathing. When I see an area that needs attention, I simply allow what's already in me to manifest openly."

​ - Regina M. Clay

Three organizations that Regina currently supports:
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  • Columbia Community Care
  • The 3rd
  • Life Change AME Church

Learn more about the WGC's "Our Giving, Our Stories", an ongoing series of giving profiles designed to celebrate women's philanthropy and amplify the voices of women and girls in Howard County.

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​Double click the profile to read it as a large PDF - enjoy!
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Your January 2023 WGC Engagement Checklist - Join Us!

1/5/2023

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Are you interested in getting more involved in the WGC this year?

Here's your planning checklist!

Here are 5 opportunities for you to engage in the work of the WGC in the coming months. Take a look, mark your calendars, sign-up, donate, sponsor, and/or purchase tickets and plan to join us a we work collectively to support women and girls in Howard County!

  • PARTICIPATE: WGC's Monthly Membership Monday Chat - 1/23 at 8:30 am
  • SPONSOR: WGC's 2023 Sponsorship Opportunities - $200 + Up
  • REGISTER: WGC's 2023 Annual Celebration & Pink Party - 3/8 at 5:30 pm
  • DONATE: WGC's Feminine Hygiene Product Drive - 2023
  • JOIN: WGC's 2023 Big Give! - 4/30 Deadline

We hope you will join us! As always, don't hesitate to reach out with any questions. See you soon!
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WGC 2022 Year in Review

12/31/2022

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WGC 20 Years of Impact, By the Numbers

12/30/2022

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Women's Giving Circle of Howard County's 2022 Grants to Date

12/30/2022

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

  • We have been part of the Howard County community for 20 years, having launched in 2002. 
  • This year, in 2022, WGC will give $200,000 in celebration of our 20th Anniversary year.
  • By the end of this year we will have given over $1,000,000 to our nonprofit partners in Howard County!
  • Learn more about WGC's grantmaking here.
  • Learn more about the WGC's Emergency Response Network here.
"We are proud to support our nonprofit partners on the ground focusing on women, girls, and families in our community." - Candace Dodson-Reed & Alison Canning,  
2022 WGC Grants Committee Co-Chairs
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WGC's 2022 Grantee Partners to Date:

  • Business Women’s Network of Howard County: for a Lifelong Learner Scholarship - $1,500
  • Columbia Community Care: Pantry Support - $500
  • Community Allies of Rainbow Youth (CARY) - $100
  • Community Ecology Institute/Freetown Farm: Community Barn Raiser - $5,500
  • Community Foundation of Howard County: CFHoCo Porch Naming​ ​- $4,000
  • Community Foundation of Howard County: YWGC/Youth in Philanthropy Partnership - $5,000
  • Food and Care For All, Inc.: Support for Women and Families - $1,000
  • Get on the Bus: Scholarships for 10 Girls - $5,000
  • Highland Project: Support of our Social Justice Grant to The 3rd - $10,000
  • Howard Hospital Foundation: Breast Imaging Center for Women - $6,000
  • Howard Community College: Continuing Education: Scholarships and Books - $10,500
  • Howard Community College: Head Start Empowerment Scholarship - $2,875
  • Junior Achievement of Central Maryland: JA Rising Women​ ​Program - $20,000
  • JustLiving Advocacy: WorkHER Program for Single Mothers - $5,000
  • JustLiving Advocacy: Back-to-School Supply Drive - $1,000
  • Leadership Howard County’s Leadership:   Scholarships for Female Participants - $5,000
  • National Black Philanthropy Month: $1,000 
  • Neighbor Ride: 200 Rides for Senior Women - $2,500
  • Philanthropy Together: We Give Summit  - $500
  • Sobar: Sobar Certification - $1,000
  • The 3rd: Black Philanthropy Month  - $1,500
  • The 3rd: Leadership Development Program - $20,000
  • United Way of Central Maryland: Scholarship for the New Family Center - $5,000
  • Emergency Response Network Grants: 
    • ERN Request for Columbia Community Care for Gift Cards for the Holiday Season - $2,000
    • ERN Request for the Community Action Council for Thanksgiving Meals for Families - $1,500
    • ERN Request for the Howard County Autism Society for a woman in need - $1,308
    • ERN Request for Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center to Support a Woman in Need - $1,435
    • ERN Request for HopeWorks to support a woman in need - $2,100
    • ERN Request for Luminus to Support Afghan Refugee Families - $10,000
    • ERN Request for WGC’s Feminine Hygiene Product Drive - $3,760

  • Big Give 2022 Grants:
    • Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center - $10,000
    • HopeWorks - $6,000
    • HCC Educational Foundation - $4,000

  • Changemaker Challenge Grants: 3, $1,000 grants to Female-Lead Programs - $3,000
    • Howard County Autism Society
    • Howard County Lynching Truth & Reconciliation
    • Oakland Mills Online​

  • WGC 20th Anniversary ERN Grants: 10, $2,000 grants to ERN partners - $20,000
    • Bridges to Housing Stability
    • Community Action Council
    • Columbia Community Care
    • Girls on the Run
    • Grassroots
    • Hope Works
    • Howard County Autism Society
    • HCC Educational Foundation
    • Howard Hospital Foundation
    • Luminus
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We are grateful for you.

12/19/2022

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December 2022 WGC eNewsletter - Click Here to Read the eNewsletter
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WGC End-of-Year Advisory Board Meeting & Celebration

12/13/2022

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The WGC Advisory Board had a wonderful night at The 3rd celebrating the end of our 20th Anniversary Year!

We highlighted WGC's Leadership:

  • We acknowledged long-time WGC Advisory Board Chair Barb Van Winkle, who will stay on the Advisory Board and assume the role of Immediate Past Chair, and Kim Agnor and Alice Giles for their Advisory Board service as they leave the Advisory Board after many years of support.
  • We celebrated Jennifer Bodensiek and Candace Dodson Reed as our incoming Chair and Vice Chair, and welcomed Cheryl Gray and Adora Brown as our incoming Advisory Board members.
  • And, we thanked all WGC Advisory Board members for their incredible leadership this year and all those who will continue leading committees and those who will assume new roles.

We are grateful to all of WGC's leaders for their generosity of time, talent, and treasure! For anyone interested in honoring Barb and all WGC leaders, please consider contributing to the WGC Barb Van Winkle Leadership Fund!

We reviewed WGC's 20 Years of Impact - By the Numbers, WGC's 2022 Year in Review & Opportunities for Growth, reviewed and voted on our new WGC 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, and we discussed how Advisory Board members can continue to support WGC's efforts in 2023. 

And, we celebrated our members and nonprofit partners! 

We are looking forward to a meaningful year in 2023, together. Check out our upcoming Events, including our March 8, 2023 Annual Celebration and Pink Party with Keynote Speaker Victoria Vrana, CEO of Global Giving, who will discuss "Growing Philanthropy Through Cooperation + Collaboration". Sponsor or purchase tickets here!

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WGC Announces New Advisory Board Members, 2023 Leadership

12/1/2022

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Columbia, MD, December 1, 2022 - The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is very pleased to announce the addition of two new members to its Advisory Board, as well as the full slate of Executive Committee and Advisory Board members for 2023. 
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The newly elected Advisory Board members are Adora Brown and Cheryl Gray Hines.

“We are thrilled to welcome these two talented women, each of whom bring diverse experience and unique backgrounds to the Women’s Giving Circle” said Women’s Giving Circle Advisory Board Chair, Barb Van Winkle. 


Adora Brown: Adora Brown is an Emerson College sophomore working in journalism, marketing, and the nonprofit sector. She has written for various publications such as Baltimore Style, Milk Crate, The Mountain, and The Voiced Society. She does freelance marketing work for Melissa Curtin Coaching and other small businesses. In recent years, she has emerged in the nonprofit sector, accomplishing many creative goals with the Elma Lewis Center of Emerson College and The 3rd. Adora is on the WGC’s Events Committee and helping to manage the WGC’s Feminine Hygiene Product Drive.
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Cheryl Gray Hines: Cheryl Gray Hines is an accomplished entrepreneur, executive coach, and mentor with a mission to support women to live authentically and to be their best. Her deep expertise in leadership, organizational development, and business strategy has equipped her to coach executives and leaders through the most challenging transitions. As founder of C. Gray & Associates, she teaches Fortune 100 corporations, federal agencies, and high-net-worth entrepreneurs that leadership integrity is the foundation of stellar business performance. She is the author of the personal development book In Support of Myself: A Woman’s Guide to Asking for and Accepting Help from Others. Cheryl is on the WGC’s Membership & Development Committee.

After four years of leadership, Barb Van Winkle’s term is ending as WGC’s Advisory Board Chair, and she will become WGC’s Immediate Past Chair and continue as part of WGC’s leadership team. We are excited to welcome Jennifer Bodensiek as the incoming WGC Advisory Board Chair, and Candace Dodson-Reed as the incoming Vice Chair. 

“Jennifer and Candace have deep community knowledge and a passion for philanthropy” said Barb. “We are fortunate to have them by our side as we work to shape the future for women and girls in Howard County through the power of collective giving”.

The WGC is honoring Barb for all that she has done and will continue to do for the WGC with the Barb Van Winkle Leadership Fund and we invite gifts in honor of WGC women's philanthropic leadership the last 20 years with a gift in her/their honor. "I am deeply honored to have served the WGC for so many years, and so grateful to all of the leaders who have helped WGC grow to what we are today, 20 years later" said Barb. "I am so very humbled and grateful to everyone who has given to this fund to date and thank you all for your consideration!"

We are very grateful to Kim Agnor and Alice Giles whose terms are ending on the WGC Advisory Board after years of dedicated leadership and service.

The full 2023 slate of WGC Executive Committee and Advisory Board members are:

2023 WGC Advisory Board

Executive Committee:

Officers:
  • Jennifer Bodensiek, Chair
  • Candace Dodson-Reed, Vice Chair and Grants Committee Co-Chair 
  • Barb Van Winkle, Immediate Past Chair
  • Lynne Schaefer, Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair
  • Lee Draminski, Secretary
 
  • Judy Smith, WGC Strategist
  • April Force Pardoe, Governance Committee Chair
  • Alison Canning, Grants Committee Co-Chair
  • Melissa Curtin, Membership & Development Committee Chair
  • ​Mary Thompson, Events Committee Chair
  • Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Executive Director *Ex Officio

Advisory Board:

  • Adora Brown
  • Laura Bacon
  • Maxine Clark 
  • Cheryl Gray Hines
  • Kashonna Marrow, Membership & Development Committee Vice Chair
  • Jade McDuffie McClary, Events Committee Vice Chair
  • Barbara Peart 
  • Nette’ Stokes 
  • Beverly White-Seals, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Howard County Liaison *Ex-Officio

Dee Athey - CFHoCo Director of Grants and Community Engagement - Staff Liaison 

The Women’s Giving Circle is building a community of philanthropists and creating a permanent legacy to address the needs of women and girls in Howard County. We bring women together to learn about issues impacting women and girls in our community, and pool our dollars to fund programs that address those issues so we can have a greater impact together than we might otherwise have alone. www.womensgivingcircle.org

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WGC Emergency Response Network Request - $1,000 for CCC on Giving Tuesday - Can You Help?

11/29/2022

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The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is inviting you to join with us to raise $1,000+ to support Columbia Community Care this Giving Tuesday, through our Emergency Response Network (ERN).

Columbia Community Care is providing gift cards to give to women and families this holiday season. We are hoping to raise at least $1,000 to give Columbia Community Care 40, $25 gift cards for the holidays.

“When women support one another with true compassion in the spirit of community care and mutual aid through the WGC's Emergency Response Network, anything and everything is possible" ​said Erika Strauss Chavarria, CCC Founder.

On behalf of our partners at Columbia Community Care, this Giving Tuesday we invite you to join with us in raising at least $1,000 to support women and families in our community during the holidays. Any amount is valued and appreciated!

Thank you!

Barb Van Winkle, WGC Chair
Candace Dodson-Reed and Alison Canning, WGC Grants Committee Co-Chairs
Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, WGC Executive Director
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WGC Supports Women of Color Entrepreneurs on Small Business Saturday

11/26/2022

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The WGC was out in full force supporting Women of Color entrepreneurs and our partners at The 3rd on Small Business Saturday! And, it was great to see so many women donating products in WGC's Feminine Hygiene Product Drive bin at The 3rd - thank you!

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.

Take a visit this holiday season - there are so many beautiful, unique and tasty options!

#community
#partnership #givingcircles #collectivegiving #collectiveimpact
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WGC's Emergency Response Network - $1,000 - Can You Help?

11/21/2022

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The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is requesting help to raise $1,000+ to support the Community Action Council (CAC) this Thanksgiving, through our Emergency Response Network (ERN).

For many in our community, the holidays can be extra challenging and present families with additional financial stress. In fact, EVERY SINGLE DAY in Howard County 1 in 4 families struggle to make ends meet. 
 
Our partners at the Community Action Council are providing full holiday meal kits to families in our community. The CAC's mission is to diminish poverty, enable self-sufficiency and advocate for low-income families and individuals, and they continue to see an increase in demand for services at the Howard County Food Bank. 

Every $50 helps to provide dinner for a family of four. Our goal is to raise at least $1,000 together to provide 20 or more meals to our neighbors in Howard County this Thanksgiving.

Can you help? 
Any amount is valued and appreciated.

We also encourage you to consider engaging your family in a volunteer effort to support CAC this 2022 Season of Hope - they have made it meaningful and easy! Here is CAC's Guide to Giving this holiday season, which provides numerous opportunities for you and your family to make a difference.
Thank you - we are grateful for all of you!

Barb Van Winkle, WGC Chair
Candace Dodson-Reed & Alison Canning, WGC Grants Committee Co-Chairs
Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, WGC Executive Director
www.womensgivingcircle.org
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WGC Sunset Happy Hour at Freetown Farm, CEI

11/16/2022

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We had a fantastic time tonight at WGC’s Sunset Happy Hour at The Community Ecology Institute/Freetown Farm talking about building community and women supporting women! As WGC Executive Director Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz said, it was a true testament to the power of women supporting women to have so many women join us around the bonfire on such a chilly but beautiful night!

Our thanks to CEI/Freetown Farm Founder Chiara D'Amore and her team for hosting us. We are proud to support their efforts and partner to build community for the future.

You can find information about future WGC events on our website here.

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In Her Honor ... The WGC's Barb Van Winkle Leadership Fund

11/11/2022

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Barb Van Winkle is a long-time supporter of the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County, and has been the WGC Chair for the last 5 years. She is one of the WGC's largest donors and has been a vocal cheerleader for the WGC since its inception 20 years ago!

During this season of gratitude, it's only fitting that after 20 years of support for the WGC, as she ends her tenure as WGC's Advisory Board chair in December 2022, we honor Barb for all that she has done and will continue to do for the WGC with the Barb Van Winkle Leadership Fund!

Our goal is to raise at least $20,000 in honor of Barb's 20 years of leadership and support for the WGC, and in honor of ALL WGC leaders the last 20 years - who have helped the WGC grow to having over 1,600 donors, a $1.3M endowment, and over $1M in grants!

All funds raised will go toward WGC's grantmaking and core support as we look to the next 20 years, with a focus on WGC's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts - Barb's legacy. As she always says: "Women’s philanthropy shapes the future for women and girls through the power of collective giving​." 

Please join us to celebrate Barb and WGC women's philanthropic leadership the last 20 years with a gift in her honor! She will be informed of every gift, and will see every note that accompanies each donation. 

PLEASE DONATE HERE


Thank you for helping us honor this incredible philanthropic leader!

Jennifer Bodensiek and Candace Dodson-Reed, WGC 20th Anniversary Co-Chairs
​Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, WGC Executive Director​
​The WGC 2022 Advisory Board​

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"Women’s philanthropy shapes the future for women and girls through the power of collective giving​." - Barb Van Winkle, Immediate Past Chair
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