 Members of the WGC Advisory Board are are reading "Waking Up White" as we continue 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.
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 YWGC Members, along with Nette Stokes of JustLiving Advocacy, Inc, prepare Feminine Product Collection Boxes The YWGC is collecting and providing feminine products to county residents in need - for their inaugural year philanthropic project. As part of our efforts, monetary donations collected will be used to purchase items. At this time, YWGC will be collecting products at the following sites: (more will be announced soon)
Howard County Businesses! Please let us know if you would be willing to serve as a collection site - thank you! YWGC participants were honored to meet this week with mentor Nette Stokes, Founder of JustLiving Advocacy, Inc., who has also spearheaded collection efforts for years and who has just donated supplies to the YWGC. "The YWGC is doing great things and I am very proud of them" said Ms. Stokes. Sponsored by the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County, YWGC is comprised of girls in 7th - 12th grade who share the same passion: helping women and girls in need. Members of the YWGC raise money and make grants to nonprofit organizations in Howard County whose missions support women and girls. “We are so proud of these young philanthropists who are committing themselves to learn more about the community and raising money to fund programs that are meaningful to them” said Barb Van Winkle, WGC Advisory Board Chair. Please help spread the word! You can follow the Collection drive Instagram page @YWGCdrive, and spread the word to friends. We look forward to the collective impact we will make together in Howard County, and specifically in the lives of hundreds of women and girls. Contact YWGC Co-Chairs Lee Draminski and April Force Pardoe with any questions at: youth@wgchowardcounty.org  The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County received the request below from our partners at FIRN to help with an immediate need in the community through our Emergency Response Network (ERN). They requested $800 to help a woman in need and in a very short period of time, our donors responded and funded the request in full - thank you!
Here's the request that we helped with: This woman is a 34-year-old Howard County resident and a mother of three who has been working as a janitor for many years. In the past few months, she developed a hernia that made it impossible to lift or bend, forcing her to quit her job. The client has been told by doctors that surgical treatment is the only way to repair it. She is uninsured and cannot pay for treatment. She is late with her rent and was able to pay only $600 of the $1,400 she owes for December. Although she has another job prospect, she still needs $800 to pay the rest of this month’s rent. We pooled your contributions and will send the funds directly to our partners at FIRN. We are making a bigger difference together than we might otherwise be able to alone – the reason for our giving circle! If you have any questions about the WGC or our Emergency Response Network, please email wgcexecutivedirector@wgchowardcounty.org Thank you for your support of women and girls in our community through the WGC’s Emergency Response Network (ERN).
 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:
Advisory Board Members:
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! 
11/26/19 From the Women's Philanthropy Institute: Understanding the role gender plays in philanthropy empowers organizations to engage their donors most effectively and increase their giving. This is true throughout the year and particularly on #GivingTuesday, a day designated to maximize philanthropic giving. Do men and women give differently on #GivingTuesday? This new report from the Women's Philanthropy Institute finds that the answer is "yes," and includes key findings that can help fundraisers and philanthropists maximize the impact of their #GivingTuesday efforts. Learn more here.   During this week of Thanksgiving, we give thanks to all of you - our donors and friends - who believe in pooling our funds to have a greater impact together than we might otherwise have alone.
WGC's Emergency Response Network (ERN) is an example of this. We recently sent two ERN requests to our donors that raised about $1,400 in hours to help women in need in our community. And, in the past 18 months we have sent 11 ERN requests raising just about $10,000. The WGC's Emergency Response Network was created 15 years ago in response to the desire of many women to provide direct support to other women in need - and WGC donors have done just that by supporting women identified by our nonprofit partner agencies who serve women and girls in Howard County. Thank you all!  The 2019/2020 Young Women's Giving Circle (YWGC) has determined that they will collect and provide feminine products to county residents in need for their inaugural year philanthropic project.
Sponsored by the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County, YWGC is comprised of girls in 7th - 12th grade who share the same passion: helping women and girls in need. Members of the YWGC raise money and make grants to nonprofit organizations in Howard County whose missions support women and girls. In a Shark-Tank style format, four groups (STEM education, Mental Health, Women’s Healthcare and Feminine Products) presented topics of interest to three judges: Barb Van Winkle, President of Nancy Adams Personnel and WGC of Howard County Advisory Board President; Nina Basu, President and CEO of Inner Arbor Trust Inc.; and Mary Jordan, Owner of Bra-La-La. In addition to judges voting, YWGC members voted as well. A nearly-unanimous decision was reached by the judges and girls alike to support important access to basic feminine products. “All of the pitches were extremely well-done and well-presented” said Lee Draminski and April Pardoe, WGC Advisory Board Members and Co-Chairs of the Youth Development Committee for the WGC of Howard County. “And in the end, the clear winner was the need to provide greater access to basic feminine products.” Although specific organization(s) have not yet been chosen, the YWGC 2020 did determine the thrust of its philanthropic efforts will be to create a campaign drive and collection of feminine products at key access points and will be strategically distributed accordingly to women and girls as well as organizations post-collection in Howard County. In the coming months, the group will work together to successfully market the campaign through social media and print channels, create corporate partnerships in addition to securing financial donors, identify key collection points, and create a logistics plan on how, when and where to distribute the feminine supplies throughout the County. “We are so proud of these young philanthropists who are committing themselves to learn more about the community and raising money to fund programs that are meaningful to them” said Barb Van Winkle, WGC Advisory Board Chair. If you are interested in assisting with this campaign, please contact us at youth@wgchowardcounty.org. We look forward to the collective minds and power of these highly intelligent and motivated young ladies to display the impact they can make in Howard County and in the lives of hundreds of women and girls.  Brings Extensive Experience in Women’s Philanthropy and Giving Circles
The Advisory Board of the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County, a fund of the Community Foundation of Howard County, is excited to announce the appointment of Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz as its first Executive Director. The Women’s Giving Circle is building a community of philanthropists and creating a permanent legacy to address the needs of women and girls in Howard County. “It is truly full-circle having Buffy take the helm as our first Executive Director almost 20 years after helping to start the circle as a founder, serving as Chair, and then consulting with the WGC the last two years” said Barb Van Winkle, WGC Advisory Board Chair. “As a recognized leader in the field, we are thrilled to have her energy and experience helping to guide the WGC into our 20th year and beyond." Beaudoin-Schwartz is a philanthropic leader whose professional career, volunteer efforts, and activism have been focused on women’s issues, human rights, and social change through philanthropy. She is co-author of the award-winning book Women & Philanthropy: Boldly Shaping a Better World, has written articles on women’s giving, and is active with national groups, including Women’s Giving Circles International, Catalist, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-funded Infrastructure Support Group for the American Giving Circle Field. “I am excited and honored to step into this position” said Beaudoin-Schwartz. “I strongly believe that giving circles help to democratize philanthropy, and that pooling our money so we can have a greater impact together than we might otherwise have alone is a powerful way to engage in giving and invest in women and girls in our community.” She began her career working for an international human rights organization in Washington, DC, and has served as Director of the Baltimore Giving Project, Communications Director at the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers (now Maryland Philanthropy Network), and is currently President of her own firm BBS Consulting, working with foundations, nonprofits and political campaigns. Buffy has been recognized for her work in philanthropy: as part of the “Circle of Excellence” having been honored as one of Maryland's Top 100 Women three times - in 2003, 2008 and 2010 by The Daily Record. She was named an "Innovator of the Year" in 2004 by The Daily Record, and one of "40 Under 40" in 2004 by the Baltimore Business Journal. She was a first Impact Award Winner in 2012 by The Mall in Columbia and the WGC, and was honored to be inducted into the Howard County Women's Hall of Fame in 2019. She is active in the community and has served on numerous Boards of Directors including the Community Foundation of Howard County, Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County, Hope Works, Sobar, Our Maryland, and the Friends & Foundation of Howard County Library System, and is involved in gun violence prevention efforts. She has a BA in Russian History from the University of Maryland and has lived in Howard County for almost 30 years. She and her husband Howard have four children ranging in age from 27 – 13 and a newborn granddaughter. Find more information about the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County at www.womensgivingcircle.org  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 Grassroots requesting $700 to help a woman in need of a down payment on a car.
And in less than an hour, you responded. The money you collectively donated will help put a down payment on a car from Vehicles for Change so that this woman can commute to work and her large family of six can get affordable housing. This woman and her family have been living at the Grassroots shelter for several months but they will soon be leaving. She is the sole breadwinner of the family which includes a school-age child, a toddler, newborn twins, and her partner who provides the childcare for the family. She works at the Amazon warehouse in Baltimore but it has been a big challenge for her to get to work and take care of her children without a car, which would allow her to keep her well-paying job to support her family and to find affordable housing for all of them. Thank you for your support of women and girls in our community through the WGC’s Emergency Response Network (ERN). We are making a bigger difference together than we might otherwise be able to alone – the reason for our giving circle! If you have any questions about the WGC or our Emergency Response Network, please email wgcchair@womensgivingcircle.org.  November 11, 2019
Philanthropy Women For the past decade, Catalist has supported the creation, development, and expansion of women’s collective giving groups, sometimes referred to as giving circles. Open to all women’s collective grantmaking organizations, the network connects and inspires a fast-growing movement of community-minded women who recognize the exponential power of collectively sharing of the experience of giving for social change. The network currently has over 75 affiliates nationwide. Globally, with the addition of groups in Melbourne and London, the movement’s combined giving is over $125 million and has involved more than 17,000 women since 1995. Collaboration and connection are essential elements of collective grantmaking, so every 18 months, the women of Catalist convene to be inspired and learn new tools in philanthropy. In addition to national conferences, Catalist energizes and educates philanthropists year-round through webinars, online forums, and one-to-one mentoring to foster informed grantmaking. Read the full article ... The Women's Giving Circle is happy to be a member of Catalist. We had a great first meeting of the 2019/2020 Young Women’s Giving Circle at the Elkridge Fire Station! Many thanks to Jean Parker and Jessica Chicorelli for speaking to the girls. It was a great way to kick off their giving back mind set and fiscal responsibility. A Shark Tank exercise next month will determine who they will be raising money for this year. Stay tuned to follow the girls and their philanthropic path! The Young Women's Giving Circle (YWGC) is sponsored by the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County and is comprised of girls in 7th - 12th grade who share the same passion: helping women and girls in need. The YWGC:
The power of collective giving helping people in our very own community will be the focus of these philanthropic efforts with young ladies 7th through 12th grade. Join us to learn more! Are you interested in learning more about the YWGC?
    The Sisterhood is Strong! This was the theme of the WGC's 2019 Annual Celebration: A Tale of Two Women and Their Rise to Equality - Shattering Glass Ceilings in Howard County, with Keynote Speakers Lisa Myers and Christine Uhlhorn, Howard County's first female Police Chief and first female Fire Chief. It was a wonderful evening listening, learning, networking, and celebrating the collective work and successes of women in Howard County. WGC Chair Barb Van Winkle provided highlights of the important work the WGC has done this year and underscored that the WGC's success is our collective success, and couldn't happen without the investment of time, talent, and resources of everyone in the room, and all those who support the WGC at any level. She highlighted the WGC's 2019 grantmaking, local and national partnerships forged, fundraising, friendraising, programs, events, and new efforts for the future, including IMPACT 2024, WGC’s five-year, $500,000 fundraising effort and focus on diversity, equity and inclusion for women in Howard County. As she said, "it is great to see so many of you here - longtime supporters and friends, founders, and many new faces ... if you’ve been wanting a way to deepen your investment in women and girls, and diversity, equity and inclusion, we invite you to join us." Learn more about how to invest in the WGC through IMPACT 2024. And, Barb underscored that it takes a special business or individual to understand the value of investing in efforts that support women and girls. We can’t thank all of our sponsors enough for your ongoing investment - friends, please support businesses and individuals that support women and girls! Chiefs Myers and Uhlhorn provided smart, funny, thoughtful, relatable and inspirational remarks about their paths as women who shattered glass ceilings to make history, and make it to the top of their fields. They discussed the power and importance of the sisterhood that helped them along the way, and the ways in which they now mentor other women. And, they highlighted that there is still work to be done, together. Their meaningful commentary stayed with all of us throughout the evening, and will serve as inspiration and motivation as we move forward with our collective work:
Here's just some of the great feedback we've heard from donors and friends who attended:
Thank you all for attending this year's Annual Celebration, and for all you do to ensure that we continue to support women and girls in Howard County! See more pictures here.   It takes a special business or individual to understand the value of investing in efforts that support women and girls. We can’t thank all of our sponsors enough for your investment in the WGC's 2019 Annual Celebration: A Tale of Two Women and Their Rise to Equality - Shattering Glass Ceilings in Howard County, with Keynote Speakers Lisa Myers and Christine Uhlhorn, Howard County's first female Police Chief and first female Fire Chief. Friends, please support businesses and individuals that support women and girls, thank you! 
WGC Emergency Response Network Request - We Did It! Many thanks to everyone who took action today and donated to help two women in need right here in our community. We asked, and you, our network of women philanthropists, responded - and in a short period of time we raised $685. Thank you all! And, stay tuned for our next WGC Emergency Response Network request - in the last year or so we've had 10 ERN requests that have raised over $9,000 to directly help women and their families.
Exciting, and we are a part of it! The Women and Girl's Index: "Women’s and girls’ issues have received increased attention in recent years, but for a number of reasons, quantifying charitable giving to these causes has been challenging. Until now. With the creation of the Women & Girls Index, which identifies 45,000+ organizations in the United States dedicated to women and girls, the Women’s Philanthropy Institute can measure giving to these organizations from individuals, foundations, and corporations."  
Don't forget - get your tickets today! WGC's 2019 Annual Celebration: A Tale of Two Women and Their Rise to Equality - Shattering Glass Ceilings in Howard County Monday, October 14, 2019 5:30 - 7:30 PM With Keynote Speakers Lisa Myers and Christine Uhlhorn, Howard County's first female Police Chief and first female Fire Chief, on Monday, October 14 at Howard Community College's Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center. See you there!  We had a fantastic WGC Happy Hour at Success in Style in partnership with Feldspar Studio & Gallery! Many thanks to everyone who attended tonight, donated and bought clothing, and learned more about the WGC - including our newly launched IMPACT 2024 Campaign and focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion! #wgc #womensgivingcircles #dei What an afternoon we had today at the JustLiving Advocacy, Inc.'s Bridges of HOPE luncheon, where the Women's Giving Circle and WGC Chair Barb Van Winkle of Nancy Adams Personnel of Columbia were honored, along with Beverly White-Seals of the Community Foundation of Howard County. Thank you to all who attended the lunch, including WGC Board Members April Pardoe, Lee Rees Draminski, Kim Mann Agnor and Hina Naseem!
Thank you so much to the wonderful Nette Stokes of JustLiving Advocacy, Inc. for this honor, and for the incredibly important work you do in our community! And, many thanks to Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, for being there, are for these wonderful pictures, and lovely statement: "There are many members of our community who are suffering in the dark. It is why I was pleased to join Bridges of HOPE for their community Luncheon to recognize the individuals and organizations who effortlessly help our friends in need. We need to expand the flame of opportunity and feed the fires of hope. This only happens when we work together to spread the light to those around us. Congratulations to today’s honorees Nancy Adams Personnel, Community Foundation of Howard County, and Women's Giving Circle." The Bridges of HOPE Community Leadership Luncheon is an opportunity to recognize organizations and individuals that significantly contribute to the community through their philanthropic and life sustaining endeavors for individuals and families in need, as well as aid community businesses and organizations in their efforts to help change lives for the better in Howard County. Thank you! We had a great turn out at our YWGC interest meeting Wednesday night!
We are really pumped about our YWGC Impact Team 2020 Kick off meeting on Thursday October 17th at the Elkridge Fire Station at 7pm. If you couldn’t make the meeting Wednesday night and are still interested, contact us by October 4th! The Young Women's Giving Circle (YWGC) is sponsored by the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County. Our group is composed of girls in 7th - 12th grade who share the same passion: helping women and girls in need. What does the YWGC do? We:
We are currently accepting applications for YWGC members for the 2019/2020 school year! We have three opportunities for girls grades 7-12 to participate in the YWGC as part of Impact Team 2020. The power of collective giving helping people in our very own community will be the focus of these philanthropic efforts with young ladies 7th through 12th grade. Join us to learn more! Are you interested in joining the YWGC? Here's several steps you can take:
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Location"Women’s philanthropy shapes the future for women and girls through the power of collective giving.."- Barb Van Winkle, WGC Chair
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