• 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
    • WGC - Get Involved
  • Give
    • WGC's 4 Distinct Ways to Give >
      • WGC Community Member >
        • WGC In Her Honor >
          • In Honor and Memory of WGC Supporter Jackie Melonas
        • WGC Core Support
        • WGC Impact 2024
      • WGC Sponsor Member >
        • Thank You 2025 Sponsors!
        • Thank You 2024 Sponsors!
        • 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's Emergency Response Network
    • WGC's "Break the Cycle" Period Product Drive
    • WGC's Barb Van Winkle Leadership Fund
  • Grants
  • Events
  • News
    • WGC's State of Women and Girls in Howard County
    • WGC's Our Giving, Our Stories Series >
      • Monthly OGOS Profiles
      • Black Philanthropy Month OGOS Profiles
      • OGOS Nominations
    • WGC's 20 Years, 20 Stories
    • WGC's (S)hero Mosaic
  • Blog
  • Contact
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
    • WGC - Get Involved
  • Give
    • WGC's 4 Distinct Ways to Give >
      • WGC Community Member >
        • WGC In Her Honor >
          • In Honor and Memory of WGC Supporter Jackie Melonas
        • WGC Core Support
        • WGC Impact 2024
      • WGC Sponsor Member >
        • Thank You 2025 Sponsors!
        • Thank You 2024 Sponsors!
        • 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's Emergency Response Network
    • WGC's "Break the Cycle" Period Product Drive
    • WGC's Barb Van Winkle Leadership Fund
  • Grants
  • Events
  • News
    • WGC's State of Women and Girls in Howard County
    • WGC's Our Giving, Our Stories Series >
      • Monthly OGOS Profiles
      • Black Philanthropy Month OGOS Profiles
      • OGOS Nominations
    • WGC's 20 Years, 20 Stories
    • WGC's (S)hero Mosaic
  • Blog
  • Contact

WGC's 2019 Year in Review

12/31/2019

0 Comments

 

December 2019


WGC Donors and Friends,

2019 was a year of impact and meaning ... and it’s because of you.

We brought people together with common interests to learn about issues impacting our community and to fund programs that benefit women and girls in Howard County.

How did we do this?
​
  • By giving grants to nonprofits in Howard County that focus on our mission to empower women and girls - over $46k to 13 organizations!
  • By raising money from donors to support our grantmaking and having an endowment so that we will have money in perpetuity to fund programs that benefit women and girls - over $80k from 350+ donors, including our newly-launched Impact 2024 Campaign, and a $940k endowment!
  • By hosting events and programs to engage donors and raise money to support our grantmaking - 6 social, educational and networking gatherings engaging hundreds of women!

We’ve been busy!

And, we have highlighted 18 specific, important WGC efforts this year, as we celebrate WGC’s 18 years of making a difference for women and girls in Howard County - please take a look.


As part of the Howard County community for over 18 years, we have raised over $1 million to support our efforts from over 1,000 donors, and have given over 100 grants to nonprofits that support women and girls in our community.

​
And we’ve done all this together – as a Giving Circle.

It takes all of us investing our time, talent, and financial resources in various ways to ensure we are having an impact. We hope our 2019 efforts have inspired you as much as it has all of us – it fuels us to continue working together to support women and girls in our community as we look to 2020.

Perhaps it’s needed now more than ever.

Please give to the WGC during this giving season – we can’t do it without you.

Thank you!

Barb Van Winkle
WGC Chair
0 Comments

WGC 2019 Financial Snapshot

12/31/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

2019 was a year of impact and meaning ... and it's because of you.

12/31/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Thank You for Your Support!
0 Comments

​Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County Announces New Advisory Board Members

12/16/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
New WGC Advisory Board Members, (L-R) Melissa Curtin, Judy Smith and Mary Thompson

December 2019
​
The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to its Advisory Board: Melissa Curtin, Judy Smith and Mary Thompson.

“I am thrilled to welcome these three 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. “Each of them have deep community knowledge and a passion for philanthropy, and 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 Women’s Giving Circle would also like to express deep appreciation to two distinguished outgoing Advisory Board members, Diana Bailey and Karen Titus, who are leaving the Advisory Board following years of voluntary service. “We are so grateful to Diana and Karen, both of whom made great contributions to the WGC in a variety of ways for many years,” said Van Winkle. “We will miss their vision and leadership, but look forward to continuing to have their support for years to come.”

NEW WGC ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

Melissa Curtin is the owner of Melissa Curtin Coaching + Consulting, and is a talented and accomplished professional with over 25 years of corporate and nonprofit leadership experience, including personal leadership and organizational development with nonprofit and philanthropy professionals and organizations through individual and team coaching, strategic planning, and nonprofit management consulting. Previously, Melissa served as the President & CEO the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County where she led the revitalization of the foundation, the largest institutional nonprofit funder in the county with a mission to promote, increase, and distribute philanthropy. She also served as the President & CEO of the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence. Melissa has a Bachelor and Master Degree in Social Work from the University of Wyoming and University of Denver.

"I am excited to join the WGC Advisory Board because I believe in the transformative power of collective giving - for those who give, and for those who receive the gifts. I hope to contribute my experience in philanthropy to positively impact women and girls in Howard County." - Melissa Curtin
​
Judy Smith is the Managing Partner of On Point Consulting, where she partners with businesses and nonprofit organizations to prepare them for the impact of digital transformation on their business strategy, operations, and development. She is a dynamic, results-driven leader who is able to create and actualize a vision using sound strategy development and execution, and strong program execution skills. She is an inspirational leader who actively practices principled leadership while at the same time focusing on the financial levers of the business. Judy holds an MBA from the University of Baltimore, MS in Computer Science from the Johns Hopkins University, and a BS in Electrical Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University.  She completed the Wharton School of Business Executive Leadership Program.  

"WGC provides an opportunity for me to serve my community, support a cause that I am passionate about, network with wonderful people, and contribute to making the world a better place." - Judy Smith

Mary Thompson is the founder of ReFrame Financial Planning, a fee-only Financial Planning and Advisory firm in Howard County, where she helps individuals build financial and purpose-driven transition plans for retirement. Mary specializes in guiding clients through the next chapter of their lives by balancing their financial and personal goals in a way that’s aligned with their values, passions and purpose. Mary also worked for 10 years for FAI Wealth Management in Columbia, MD where she was a Senior Advisor and Partner working with clients to develop and implement investment and financial planning strategies. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with minors in Business and Computer Science from the University at Albany, SUNY.  She holds the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM certification.  

"I've always admired the amazing work the organization has done throughout the community to support and promote the girls and women of Howard County. I am excited to join the WGC Advisory Board to help continue the wonderful work of the organization, to have the opportunity to work with a dedicated group of women, and to take a more active role in promoting the mission of the WGC." - Mary Thompson

WGC 2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee:
  • Barb Van Winkle, Chair - Nancy Adams Personnel
  • Jennifer Bodensiek. Vice Chair - Junior Achievement of Central Maryland
  • Kim Agnor, Treasurer - Kimberly A. Agnor, CPA, LLC
  • Christine Meket, Secretary -  Republic Services
  • Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Executive Director *Ex Officio

Advisory Board Members:
  • Alison Canning – Financial Planning Specialist
  • Maxine Clark – Maryland Orthodontic Specialists
  • Jillianne Crescenzi – Law School Student
  • Melissa Curtain – Melissa Curtin Coaching + Consulting
  • Lee Draminski - Maryland Mortgage Bankers and Brokers Association
  • April Force Pardoe - Tobi Fairley Interior Design
  • Alice Giles – Graduate Student
  • Hina Naseem - Howard County Public School System
  • Barbara Peart – Community Volunteer
  • Judy Smith – On Point Consulting
  • Mary Thompson – ReFrame Financial Planning
  • Kimberly Price Prescott, Community Foundation of Howard County Liaison – Prescott HR *Ex Officio
0 Comments

WGC Emergency Response Network Request - $1,000 - We Did It!

12/10/2019

0 Comments

 
The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County received a request to help with an immediate need in the community through our Emergency Response Network (ERN).

Our partners at Bridges to Housing Stability  requested $1,000 to help a woman in need of a car, and in a short period of time you collectively took action and donated $1,000 to help this woman right here in our community.

Thank you all!


Here is the story of the woman you just helped:

A brave mother of three recently fled her home in the Midwest, and left her partner after she feared for her life and the safety of her children due to domestic abuse. She has some friends here in Howard County and hoped to restart her life quietly here without her partner finding her. After living in her car with her children for a while, her Bridges to Housing Stability Housing Advocate worked quickly to help her find a place to live and she recently moved in. 

She found a job with a church in Montgomery County where she feels safe every day and is surrounded by supportive people that care. The children are happy in their new schools here in Howard County, and all seemed to be going well until this week when the transmission in her car stopped working altogether. The mechanics told her it would be $3,800 to fix it and she shouldn’t drive it at all because it will likely lurch and cut out which will cause an accident.
Picture
 Her co-workers at her job told her it might be better to find a new car. She has low credit which makes purchasing a car difficult and very expensive. She is taking Uber to work, since public transportation between Howard and Montgomery County is almost non-existent. This daily cost of $50+ per day is unsustainable. Vehicles for Change told her there is at least a six-month waiting list for a discounted vehicle through their program. 
​
She has found an inexpensive car that seems to be in good shape for $2,000 and put together some other funds through friends and family and her church to come up with half of the money needed to purchase it. She needs another $1,000.
0 Comments

WGC Advisory Board Begins DEI Work

12/3/2019

0 Comments

 
 Members of the WGC Advisory Board are reading "Waking Up White" as we begin our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work.

The reading and discussion of this book is a first step in our overall DEI efforts, which is part of WGC's Impact 2024.

Impact 2024 is WGC’s five-year, $500,000 fundraising effort and focus on diversity, equity and inclusion for women in Howard County.

We are fundraising to build on our past and enhance our future by increasing our grantmaking to programs that benefit women and girls, as well as strengthening our infrastructure to grow the circle. And, we are enhancing our core values to better meet our mission by implementing a diversity, equity and inclusion lens to all of our work.

We will be enhancing our core values to better meet our mission by implementing a diversity, equity and inclusion lens throughout every aspect of the work WGC does under the leadership of WGC DEI Committee Co-Chairs Hina Naseem and Judy Smith.

This will be a meaningful and important journey for the WGC, and we look forward to many WGC donors joining us!
Picture
0 Comments

$18 for 18 Years - Help Celebrate the WGC this #GivingTuesday!

12/3/2019

0 Comments

 
Dear WGC Donors and Friends:

Did you know that women are more likely than men to give on #GivingTuesday?

We are.

According to the Women's Philanthropy Institute it's because:
​
  • Women are asked more often.
  • Women are more likely to use social media to build relationships and a sense of community,   and
  • Women participate more in collaborative giving. 

This is the hallmark of the appeal of giving circles!

Women are leveraging our dollars to have more of an impact together than we might otherwise have alone, as we forge relationships, strengthen networks, learn together, and build communities seeking change through giving.

This is what we've been doing together the last 18 years at the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County. We've been building a community of philanthropists and creating a permanent legacy to address the needs of women and girls in Howard County.

This #GivingTuesday, won't you join us for #GivingTuesday and give a gift of $18 to celebrate our 18 years together?

Thank you - we appreciate you! 

You are part of a community of philanthropists.


Picture
0 Comments

    WGC
    ​News

    The latest news, information, and opinion from the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County, MD.

    PAST
    ​POSTS

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018

    FOCUS

    All
    Donors
    ENewsletter
    Events
    Grants
    News
    Resources

Picture
"Women’s philanthropy shapes the future for women and girls through the power of collective giving​." - Jennifer Woods, Chair
Picture
WGC is proud to be a fund of the
​Community Foundation of Howard County - cfhoco.org

EIN Number: 52-0937644
Find us on Guidestar Here
​​​WGC is a proud member of and partner with local, regional and national philanthropic organizations 
Picture
Picture
Picture

Contact Us

www.womensgivingcircle.org

    Subscribe Today!

Submit
  • 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
    • WGC - Get Involved
  • Give
    • WGC's 4 Distinct Ways to Give >
      • WGC Community Member >
        • WGC In Her Honor >
          • In Honor and Memory of WGC Supporter Jackie Melonas
        • WGC Core Support
        • WGC Impact 2024
      • WGC Sponsor Member >
        • Thank You 2025 Sponsors!
        • Thank You 2024 Sponsors!
        • 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's Emergency Response Network
    • WGC's "Break the Cycle" Period Product Drive
    • WGC's Barb Van Winkle Leadership Fund
  • Grants
  • Events
  • News
    • WGC's State of Women and Girls in Howard County
    • WGC's Our Giving, Our Stories Series >
      • Monthly OGOS Profiles
      • Black Philanthropy Month OGOS Profiles
      • OGOS Nominations
    • WGC's 20 Years, 20 Stories
    • WGC's (S)hero Mosaic
  • Blog
  • Contact