Big Give 2023 Members Give $20,000 to 3 Nonprofit Partners!

The WGC's Big Give 2023 concluded on June 6 with 35 women pooling their dollars to have a greater impact together than they might otherwise have alone - the power of a giving circle! 

The 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.

"The WGC's Big Give is an exciting opportunity for women to roll-up their sleeves and get involved in the work of the WGC!" said WGC Chair Jennifer Bodensiek.

Big Give 2023 members met in May and June, learned and shared together, and collectively made the decision to grant $20,000 to three nonprofit partners: Bridges to Housing Stability, Columbia Community Care, and Girls on the Run:

• Bridges to Housing Stability received $10,000 to support their strategy to to recruit and train two women with lived experiences of homelessness to their Board of Directors and committees, where they can provide invaluable insight into solutions that yield improved outcomes for their clients.
• Columbia Community Care received $6,000 to support their ongoing series for "All Who Mother" that incorporates networking, learning, sharing, health, and wellness for women who "mother" others.
• Girls on the Run received $4,000 to support their efforts to provide sneakers and other running equipment to girls and their running buddies from Title 1 schools for their learning and enrichment program that incorporates running.

​"Not only are we providing support to our nonprofit partners through the Big Give" said Melissa Curtin, WGC Membership & Development Committee Chair, "but we are continuing to bring women to the philanthropic table, and providing critical connections to the community that go far beyond the Women's Giving Circle."

The Big Give 2024 was held at The 3rd, a community space in Columbia for women of color entrepreneurs, and one of the Women's Giving Circle's partners. 

"The WGC walks the talk!" said The 3rd Founder and CEO Laura Bacon."WGC leaders are committed to not only supporting partners with funding - but also with access, information, ideas, networking, promotion, and other opportunities for doors to open, with long-term sustainability in mind." 

The Big Give 2024 is Open! 

We are now inviting women to join the Big Give 2024, that will take place in the Spring of 2024. Learn how it works and join here.

"The WGC's Big Give unleashes the power of collective giving to invest in nonprofits that improve the lives of women and girls right here in Howard County" said Dee Athey, Director of Grants and Community Engagement at the Community Foundation of Howard County. The Big Give is another reminder that local giving means better living for all of us."

Why join the WGC's Big Give?

"I loved meeting other women who wanted to pool our money so we can have a bigger impact together on programs that benefit women and girls in our community" said Kashonna Marrow. "The energy, excitement, and empowerment in the room was palpable!"
​
Our 2024 goal is to have 50 women/team donors participating so we can collectively give $50,000 to nonprofit partners in our community - join us!

​"We firmly believe that women’s philanthropy is shaping the future for women and girls through the power of collective giving​" said Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, WGC Executive Director. "WGC's The Big Give is empowering women to support other women in our community now, and in the future."

---