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WGC OF HOWARD COUNTY
  • Home
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    • WGC Mission, Vision, Values, Goals
    • WGC Advisory Board
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    • WGC 2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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    • WGC is a Fund of the Community Foundation of Howard County
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    • WGC - Get Involved
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    • WGC's 4 Distinct Ways to Give >
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          • In Honor and Memory of WGC Supporter Jackie Melonas
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      • 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
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    • WGC's Barb Van Winkle Leadership Fund
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There's still time to give a gift to the WGC in 2024!

12/31/2024

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There's still time to give a gift to the WGC in 2024!

  • Are you interested in sponsoring the WGC throughout 2025, which includes tickets to our 3/4/25 Annual Celebration & Pink Party? Learn more
 
  • Would you like to join as an individual or a team for our May 2025 WGC Big Give so you can join with others to invest in local nonprofit partners and have a greater impact together? Join here
​
  • Or maybe you want to give an end of year gift to support all the great things the WGC is doing to support women and girls in Howard County? Give here
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We have lots of options to make an impact, and 1 final day to give to the WGC in 2024. Thank you for your generosity!
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WGC Emergency Response Network Request: $1,000 - Can You Help?

12/30/2024

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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 our partners at HopeWorks through the WGC's Emergency Response Network (ERN).

HopeWorks ​has a shelter client who is in need of at least $1,000 for a security deposit and toward her first month's rent for a rental property she recently found.

This client entered the shelter in early October 2024 due to experiencing intimate partner violence with her spouse. She currently has physical and legal custody of her granddaughter, and she has recently been offered safe, stable housing through Bridges to Housing Stability for herself, and her granddaughter once she exits from the emergency shelter. 

In order for her to secure safe and stable housing, she will need at least $1,000 in financial assistance to help toward the security deposit and first month’s rent.

The total needed to fully pay for both is $3,000.

Can you help?

Any amount is valued and appreciated!

Thank you,

Jennifer Bodensiek, WGC Chair
Candace Dodson-Reed, WGC Grants Committee Chair
​Alison Canning, WGC ERN Chair
Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, WGC Executive Director
www.womensgivingcircle.org​
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WGC's 2024 Year in Review

12/30/2024

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WGC is Featured in New National Giving Circle Report - Patterns in the Tapestry: A Typology of Collective Giving Groups

12/18/2024

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The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County is featured in the new national research report Patterns in the Tapestry: A Typology of Collective Giving Groups, published today!

  • You can read the WGC's feature information here​
  • You can read the full report here

"We are honored to be featured in this important national research" said Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, WGC's Executive Director and Board Member of Philanos. "This typology overview will inform the field for years to come - for those interested in starting a collective giving group, and for those interested in growing, nurturing, and sustaining them."

Drawing on research covered in In Abundance: An Analysis of the Thriving Landscape of Collective Giving in the U.S., this report by Philanthropy Together and Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy delves deeper into the various types of collective giving groups and serves as a practical resource for giving circles to launch or refine existing structure and processes. 

"The Women's Giving Circle has utilized national research about collective giving throughout our 23 years of growth" said Jennifer Bodensiek, WGC Chair. "We look forward to taking the findings of this new research and applying them to our efforts to continue to strengthen and grow our circle."
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For those interested, you can join the co-authors for a webinar on Thursday, January 23 at Noon ET / 9AM PT as they share findings from the report, along with practical guidance on how you can use the report.

​Read the report and register at 
http://collective.giving/#typology
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Empower Change with an End-of-Year Gift to the WGC!

12/17/2024

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Friends,

As we approach the end of another remarkable year, we reflect on the impact the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County has made on the lives of women and girls in our community.

Your dedication to philanthropy has been the driving force behind the positive change we've achieved together.

And, as we stand on the brink of a new year filled with both challenges and potential opportunities, we invite your support with an end-of-year gift to the WGC.

We have a $5,000 year-end fundraising goal. Will you join us?

Your support has been instrumental in empowering women and girls in our community, and with your help, we can continue to drive positive change in the new year.

Why Give Before Year-End?
​
  1. Maximize Your Impact: Every dollar you contribute by December 31st will be maximized through matching funds and strategic partnerships, ensuring your investment goes even further in supporting our community.
  2. Year-End Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on the positive change you've been a part of this year. Your generosity has helped create opportunities for women and girls in Howard County.
  3. Tax Deductibility: Your donation is not only an investment in our community but also an opportunity to benefit from potential tax advantages. Please consult with your financial advisor to explore how your year-end contribution can make a difference for you as well.​

How Your Contribution Makes a Difference
​
  • Direct Support for Women: Your support to our Emergency Response Network and Break the Cycle Period Product Drive helps to directly support women and girls in need through our partnerships with local nonprofits on the ground.
  • Investment in Women and Girls Programs: By contributing, you enable us to support a variety of programs that benefit women and girls in our community. By the end of this year we will have invested approximately $100,000 to make a difference - we are having a greater impact together than we might otherwise have alone.
  • Community Building: Your donation is helping to grow a community of women philanthropists and strengthen our community partnerships for greater change - we truly are stronger together.
WGC's 2024 Year in Review

We have accomplished a lot in 2024! Take a look at 10 highlights of our efforts this year, and 5 opportunities for growth in 2025. Learn more here. 

And, we are proud that our efforts continue to be recognized nationally. In fact, WGC is featured in new national research that was published today, Patterns in the Tapestry: A Typology of Collective Giving Groups. You can see WGC's snapshot and read the full report here.

Donate Today!
​
  • Make your contribution here before the year ends. Together, let's continue the momentum and create a brighter future for the women and girls of Howard County.
  • Your commitment to the Women's Giving Circle has been instrumental in shaping a better tomorrow. As we embark on a new year, let's build upon our successes and pave the way for even greater achievements with a final gift to the WGC.

Thank you for your unwavering support!
​

Sincerely,

Jennifer Bodensiek, WGC Chair
Candace Dodson-Reed, WGC Vice Chair
Kashonna Marrow, WGC Membership & Development Committee Chair
Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, WGC Executive Director
www.womensgivingcircle.org
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WGC eNewsletter - December 2024

12/11/2024

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thank you.

As we celebrate the holiday season I want to thank all of you - our WGC community.

Read the full eNewsletter here


I am grateful to our Advisory Board, our Executive Director, our past leadership, and all of you - our growing community of donors, grantees, partners, and all those who are making a bigger difference together than we might otherwise make alone through collective giving.

One way many women are doing this is through an end-of-year gift to the WGC.

There are numerous ways to support the WGC - from donating to WGC's Break the Cycle Period Product Drive, to supporting a woman in need through WGC's Emergency Response Network, to becoming a WGC 2025 Sponsor, to joining the WGC 2025 Big Give, to leaving a Legacy Gift to the WGC ... and more. Any gift, of any size, is valued and appreciated!


This, is the power of our giving circle.

Thank you for your consideration of a year-end gift. Please contact WGC Executive Director Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz with any questions.

Happy Holidays!

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

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WGC Leaders Honored at CFHoCo's Celebration of Philanthropy!

12/11/2024

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What a night celebrating philanthropy with the Community Foundation of Howard County! The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County was in the house as two of our visionary longtime leaders were honored. Congratulations Jean F. Moon and Alison Canning for all you do for our community, for all you’ve done to grow philanthropy, and in particular, for all you have done and continue to do for The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County! ​
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WGC Hosts End-of-Year Advisory Board Celebration

12/9/2024

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WGC's Advisory Board got together for an end-of-year gathering, where we toasted a meaningful year supporting women and girls in Howard County. WGC’s Advisory Board = true leadership!
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WGC's Break the Cycle Period Poverty "Drive & Drop"

12/8/2024

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Thank you to everyone who stopped by Howard Community College to drop off period products for our "Break the Cycle" Period Product Drive! We collected enough products today to support HCC's Food Pantry for students for a few months - we appreciate all of the support! Please click here if you are interested in donating and learning more about WGC's Break the Cycle Period Product Drive and the amazing work of our student interns!
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WGC Participates in GOTR 5K!

12/7/2024

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On Saturday, December 7 our WGC Break the Cycle Leadership and Student Interns represented the WGC at the Girls on the Run 5K, and collected period products from participants. Many thanks to all who donated! We are so proud of our partners at GOTR and all of the amazing girls who ran the 5K!
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WGC's "Break the Cycle" Student Interns Discuss Women's Health with Jennifer Holland of The Horizon Foundation

12/4/2024

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Since 2022, the WGC has supported women’s health and highlighted period poverty in Howard County through the WGC’s “Break the Cycle” Period Product Drive, an effort to highlight period poverty through education, donations, fundraising, and grantmaking to support women and girls in Howard County. The WGC has chosen to continue our focus on this important issue because it's a need that is easily and often overlooked and we believe it is time to break the cycle of period poverty”.

This year we are excited to host 7 “Break the Cycle” Student Interns throughout the 2024-2025 school year, who are
 focusing on women’s philanthropy, the continuum of women’s health, and in particular period poverty. 

On Wednesday, December 4 we hosted our monthly, virtual WGC Break the Cycle Student Intern meeting, where we discussed the state of women's healthcare with Guest Speaker Jennifer Holland, Director of Policy and Community Engagement at The Horizon Foundation.

Jennifer discussed the Horizon's focus on women's health, and in particular Maternal and Infant Health, Mental Health, and Health Coverage and Care. Jennifer also discussed how we all can take action to fight for the things we care about, including:


  • Find out who your representatives are
  • Reach out to them, write to them, and set up a time to meet with them
  • Develop relationships with individuals and organizations in the community that align with your values
  • Build coalitions with individuals who have a passion for the things you care about
  • Decide what you want to change and make a plan to change it!

WGC's "Break the Cycle" Student Interns appreciate learning about women's health from a local advocate and will continuing learning and engaging each month on these issues that they care deeply about.

Learn more about WGC's "Break the Cycle" effort here.


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Give $23 to the WGC on Giving Tuesday in Honor of 23 Years!

12/3/2024

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It's Giving Tuesday - a Meaningful Day for YOUR Giving!

A day dedicated to recognizing and supporting the causes, issues, and organizations that you care about. 

On this Giving Tuesday we hope you will consider donating to the WGC with a gift of $23 (or more!) in honor of the 23 years that we have collectively been supporting women and girls in our community. 

​Together, we have given over $1.2 million to our nonprofit partners and we have built a $1.1 million endowment that will ensure there are funds to support women and girls in our community in perpetuity.
This, is the power of our giving circle.

​We know you are hearing from so many worthy organizations today, and we thank you in advance for considering the WGC as part of your plans this Giving Tuesday. We are making a greater difference together than we might otherwise make alone!
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    WGC
    ​News

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

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"Women’s philanthropy shapes the future for women and girls through the power of collective giving​." - Jennifer Woods, Chair
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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 
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  • 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