Changemaker (n) – One who desires change in the world and, by gathering knowledge and resources, makes that change happen.

The Women's Giving Circle, Horizon Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland, and Community Foundation of Howard County are igniting and recognizing new and continued innovation in our community with the Changemaker Challenge. Think “Shark Tank” for social change! This biennial event awards funding for project ideas that promise to make a difference in Howard County, especially after an unprecedented 2020.​

That’s why our theme for the 2021 Changemaker Challenge is – Innovate. Cultivate. Uplift.

“We are excited to partner with Howard County’s philanthropic community to encourage big ideas that will spark social innovation to better our community through the Changemaker Challenge!” said Barb Van Winkle, WGC Advisory Board Chair.

Despite all the strengths of our community in Howard County, we recognize that many pressing problems continue to persist. Many Howard County households do not earn enough to meet a basic “survival budget” and face barriers beyond their control that limit their ability to become financially stable. Chronic diseases like diabetes disproportionately affect people of color in our community. Public transportation remains a hurdle for residents who need to get to work, school or grocery shopping without a car. The list goes on.

Fortunately, Howard County has a long history of tireless work by many individuals and organizations that have brought creative solutions to some of these pressing problems. With the Changemaker Challenge, we are excited to spark and celebrate new and continued innovation in our community.

We want to hear the best out-of-the-box ideas for social change! 

One of the $10,000 grants will be awarded to an entry for a project created by or serving women and/or girls in Howard County - applications due by August 29!

“Growing philanthropy, engaging community, collective impact, social change, and big ideas – it’s what the Women’s Giving Circle believes in and why we are proud to support the Changemaker Challenge!” said Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, WGC Executive Director.

Learn more here and please help spread the word through your networks!

Many thanks to all of our members - long-time and new - who have given to the WGC recently. 

Joan Hash, Jean Moon, Barbara Lawson, Barb Van Winkle, Sharice Hammond, Beatrice Dane, Beth Harbinson, Kimberly Agnor, Megan Bruno, Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Diana Bailey

Kate Schulze (In Honor of Madge S. Schulze)
Gayle Siegel (In Honor of Jackie Edwards)

​You are appreciated!

In honor of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is proud to recognize Catherine Hyde as part of the WGC's "Our Giving, Our Stories" profile series. Catherine is a fearless community advocate who has worked in the social justice arena, primarily around housing insecurity.  

When her child told her, at the age of 4, that he was supposed to be a she, she did not understand transgender or gender identity until National Public Radio educated her years later. Since that awakening and education, she has volunteered as Transgender Coordinator for PFLAG Howard County and speaks and trains on transgender understanding and sensitivity. 

Catherine has been honored both locally and nationally for her work on behalf of the transgender community. She has received awards, testified before the US Senate, served on the PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and the Howard County Human Rights Commission.  

​Thank you for joining us in recognizing her by clicking on this image to read her full WGC "Our Giving, Our Stories" profile, and learning more about all of the amazing women who are part of  WGC "Our Giving, Our Stories"!

In honor of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is proud to recognize Ying Matties as part of the WGC's "Our Giving, Our Stories" profile series. Ying is part of the Howard County Immigrant Justice Coalition and the Chinese American Network for Diversity and Opportunity.

Ying works on behalf of LGBTQIA+ Youth and is a founding member of Community Allies of Rainbow Youth (CARY), who are family, friends and allies of LGBTQIA+ youth in Howard County, Maryland. CARY “advocates for LGBTQIA+ youth in our schools and community, get involved in local politics, and support and uplift one another.  As many of these youth are from traditional immigrant communities, Ying works to promote understanding and compassion for them and their families.  She strongly believes “Love is Love.” Learn more about what's happening in Howard County at the PFLAG website.

She also works tirelessly on behalf of the immigrant community, seeking to bring an end to the current pervasive atmosphere of racism, hatred and fear, experienced by so many immigrants.  As part of this effort, she organized a Stop Asian Hate Rally on to honor those Asian women who were killed in a hate crime last March.  

Ying gives her time, talent and treasure to fully support both her causes and their members. Thank you for joining us in recognizing her by clicking on this image to read her full WGC "Our Giving, Our Stories" profile, and learning more about all of the amazing women who are part of WGC "Our Giving, Our Stories"!