Blog Archives

WGC's September 2024 eNewsletter

9/16/2024

wgc in the community.

It's that time of year again - the "ber" months when we are back to school and back to the hustle and bustle after summer. We are excited to be back with a full calendar of opportunities for our community to get involved in philanthropic activities that support women and girls, and I hope you will plan to join us!

Are you interested in learning how you can make a lasting impact in our community through planned giving? We invite you to join the WGC and Community Foundation of Howard County for an informative and inspiring virtual WGC "Leave Your Legacy" Planned Giving Lunch & Learn on Monday, October 14 from 12:00 - 12:45 pm. Learn more and register here.

If you or your business have ever sponsored the WGC or if you are interested in learning more about how to sponsor us throughout 2025, please plan to join us at our upcoming WGC "Sip, Sparkle & Support" Sponsor Thank You Happy Hour on October 22, 5:30 - 7:00 pm at the Community Foundation of Howard County's "WGC Porch". Learn more and register here.

We recently announced our partnership with the Horizon Foundation to fund a new report highlighting stories and wisdom from Black Women Nonprofit Leaders in Howard County. Together, we are collecting data and information and speaking with and listening to women in our community with the goal of highlighting what we learn and developing action steps for how we as funders, and how the broader community can provide support. For the Women’s Giving Circle, this effort will build upon the data we continue to collect as part of our State of Women and Girls in Howard County that informs our grantmaking. You can learn more here and we have an open call for those who would like to participate in the report - find more information here.

If you are looking for a more hands-on opportunity to participate in the work of the WGC, you can support our newly named WGC "Break the Cycle" Period Product Drive and WGC's Emergency Response Network - just two of WGC's ongoing opportunities to support women and girls in our community. In fact, our "Break the Cycle" student interns are helping us raise $5,000 by October 11 - "Give to Women and Girls Day", to support the purchase of new period product boxes to distribute throughout our community - you can support this 5 week fundraiser here!

As you can see, there's a little something for everyone who wants to join with other women to make a greater difference together than we might otherwise make alone.

This, is the power of a giving circle.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Please contact WGC Executive Director Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz with any questions and to learn more about how to get involved.

Jennifer Bodensiek
WGC Advisory Board Chair
[email protected]
www.wgchowardcounty.org

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3 Questions With ... Philanthropist LUSMERLIN in Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month - WGC's Our Giving, Our Stories

9/12/2024

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The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County is proud to amplify the voices and stories of women givers in our community through our regular series "Our Giving, Our Stories".

Inspiring philanthropic leadership and increasing giving by amplifying the voices of women and girls are among the goals of this effort and we are committed to advancing this important work in our community.

This month we are profiling LUSMERLIN in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

What advice do you have for those interested in giving back?

"Forget about giving back. GIVE FIRST! Your energy and creativity can change someone's life no matter your age. No matter your background. We cannot sit around to receive things from others, to then reciprocate. The world needs proactive change!"

LUSMERLIN focuses her giving and support on La Alianza Latina in Columbia, the Asian American Center of Frederick, and Rush Arts in Philadelphia.

Read LUSMERLIN's full profile here

Learn more about the WGC's "Our Giving, Our Stories" and nominate a woman today! We are always accepting the names of women throughout the year who may be profiled for their inspiring philanthropic leadership.

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Open Call to Black Women in Nonprofit Leadership

9/7/2024

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The Horizon Foundation and the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County are working to craft a report that identifies ways the community can better support Black women in leadership. Our hope is to elevate stories of Black women in Howard County, and their experiences - both bright spots and challenges - in positions of nonprofit leadership.

The report will particularly provide guidance to funders, employers and boards on practical steps they can take to champion and advance Black women in leadership.

We know a lot of stories are out there, and though we know we won’t be able to capture them all, we want to connect! If you are a Black woman who has led or are interested in leading in the Howard County nonprofit sector, we want to hear from you.

Our interviews are 100% confidential, as we are truly trying to listen and learn from your authentic experiences.

Please use this form to share your contact information, and someone from our team will be in touch.

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WGC's "Break the Cycle" Period Product Drive Student Intern Kick-off!

9/5/2024

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We had a great night at the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County’s “Break the Cycle” Period Product Drive 2024-2025 Student Intern Kick-off!

What an amazing group of young women who are investing in the WGC this school year.

We loved having our student interns and WGC’s Advisory Board and friends join us for the start of this 9-month journey!

Want to support this effort?

Learn more here