WGC Leaders Work on a National Level to Bring Attention and Resources to Underserved Communities Through Collective Giving

WGC leaders Barb Van Winkle and Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz are on the Board of Directors of Philanos, the leading national Women's Collective Giving network. Philanos’ mission is to support and strengthen women's collective giving organizations through education and collaboration designed to promote women's philanthropy and informed, impactful grantmaking in communities.

One way Philanos is doing this work is by leveraging our position as a national network to bring greater attention and resources to underserved communities. Supported by a grant from the Fidelity Charitable Catalyst Fund, Philanos has prioritized national BIPOC populations, and a geographic focus on the 16 states in the South Central and Mountain West regions which receive one-third the philanthropic dollars per capita as the coasts.

​"We are proud to be among those working nationally to bring additional attention and resources to underserved communities" said Barb Van Winkle, Immediate Past WGC Chair. "We will continue to support this important work and bring what we learn to the Women's Giving Circle."

To develop a deeper, firsthand understanding of these communities, the Philanos Board, including Barb and Buffy engaged in multiple convenings and educational experiences in Mississippi and Alabama over the course of several days last week:

• Philanos was excited to collaborate with the Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy, Philanthropy Together, Community Investment Network and Grapevine to support the emerging collective giving movement in Mississippi. This coalition hosted a CircleUp regional gathering which brought together community foundations, funders, nonprofits and giving circle advocates for a day of shared learning, relationship building and collaboration.

• Philanos was an active sponsor and participant in CIN’s Conference in Birmingham, Alabama on 10/3-10/4, celebrating 20 years of BIPOC-led giving. Seven Board members attended the inaugural Alabama Nonprofit Film Festival which spotlighted the transformative impact of ten innovative nonprofits via short films. The following day, three Philanos Board members led an interactive panel discussion entitled “Building Stronger and More Diverse Partnerships in Collective Giving”. This generated lively dialogue and commitments to action with and among the attendees, which included leaders in philanthropy, nonprofits and collective giving.

• Finally, the entire Philanos Board journeyed to Montgomery, Alabama on 10/4-10/6 for an immersive and riveting exploration of our nation’s past. Through visits to the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park, they learned how historical events in the South continue to impact individuals, communities, economic conditions and criminal justice systems today. Following these powerful and moving experiences, the Board established links between historical events and our current philanthropic goals in a reflection and Allyship training session led by Whitney Parnell. The group’s collective insights informed and sharpened the focus of the new strategic plan.

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"We are honored to be learning, sharing, and connecting with other women's collective giving leaders across the country who are rolling up their sleeves and doing this important work" said WGC Executive Director Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz. "We are proud to be a part of Philanos and Philanthropy Together and to be participating in these important efforts while representing the WGC and we will continue to help do this work nationally and here in our community."

This trip provided an unprecedented opportunity for the Philanos Board, and for Barb and Buffy to learn about the history
and current conditions in the South, and how we can help elevate community-centric giving in the region, and they are bringing this learning and knowledge to the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County to inform our ongoing work.

- Adapted in part from this Philanos blog post written by Philanos co-Chair Clare O'Brien