WGC "BIG GIVE" MEMBER: gifts of $1,200 

We are excited to announced the launch of our new "Big Give" Membership opportunity for those who want to learn more about grantmaking to women and girls through a hands-on learning and grantmaking experience! 

WGC's "Big Give" Membership Opportunity Overview:

• The WGC's "Big Give" membership opportunity has launched as part of our 20th Anniversary year in 2022.
• We have a goal of engaging at least 20 women in our inaugural “Big Give” Membership opportunity to collectively give $20,000.
• This new giving opportunity is designed for those who want to learn more about grantmaking to women and girls in our community.
• Women who want to participate give $1,200. (1 vote)
• Teams of up to 4 women can be formed, who collectively give $1,200. (1 vote per team)
• $1,000 will go toward the grants pool and $200 will go toward our core support.
• WGC is accepting gifts to be a WGC "Big Give" Member through June 15, 2022.
• The amount of grants given will be determined by the number of women participating.
• This opportunity is open to women in Howard County who are 18 years and older who are interested in and able to participate in a four month giving and grantmaking experience.
• WGC “Big Give” Members will meet in July, August, September and October 2022 to learn about the philanthropic landscape in Howard County, grantmaking, and WGC nonprofit partners and programs.
• WGC “Big Give” Members will be provided with a slate of current, vetted WGC nonprofit partners with a demonstrated focus on women, girls and their families in Howard County, to learn about and discuss.
• WGC "Big Give" Members will vote on where they will collectively give their grants based on this list. 
• WGC "Big Give" Members will each have one vote on the final grant recipients, and will gather to make the final decision and celebrate their giving.
• The WGC "Big Give" Membership Opportunity is just one of the many distinct opportunities to give to the WGC.

​WGC "Big Give" Membership Sign-Up:

• You can sign-up and give your individual $1,200 payment here to participate in the WGC's "Big Give" Membership opportunity.
• Once we receive your $1,200, we will email you to fill out an online participant form and then we will be in touch with further information about getting started!
• If you are interested in hosting a team of up to four women who will have one vote, please contact us here.
• If you are interested in participating and may need some support, please contact us here. 
• If you have any questions - contact us here.
• Sign-up for the 2022 WGC "Big Give" Membership opportunity will remain open through COB on June 15, 2022.

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2022 WGC "Big Give" General Structure and Timeline:

• "BIG KICK": July 2022 - Grantmaking/Philanthropy Overview: In Person: Gather for 2 hrs. at CFHoCo, refreshments, information in advance, multiple presenters. Gather, learn about the WGC, CFHoCo, Howard County nonprofit sector, grantmaking.
• "BIG LEARN": August 2022 - WGC Grantmaking History/Future: Virtual: Overview of WGC’s grantmaking, overview of the report and our parameters, pre-vetted list of 12 nonprofit partners focusing on women and girls to discuss w/summaries in advance, Q&A. 
• "BIG THINK": September 2022 - Final Discussion: Virtual: Final discussion, Q&A, virtual vote on the 3 nonprofit partners that will be funded at some level who will make a final presentation in October.
• "BIG GIVE": October 2022 - Big Voting/Giving Event: In Person: Gather for a final vote on the amount that each of the final 3 receive. Nonprofit presentation, final Q&A and vote. 

2022 WGC "BIG GIVE" Grantmaking Guidelines and General Process:

• The WGC’s grant focus is on programs that benefit women and girls, and we specifically we focus on programs that increase the life skills of women and girls, encourage the healthy development and personal authority of young girls, and raise the awareness of gender disparities in our community - all with an overlay focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.
• We have compiled information about our 20 years and $1,043,807 in grantmaking and how it falls within the six categories we are using as a framework for our new “Status of Women and Girls in Howard County” report.
• We have developed a standard framework for our 20 years of grantmaking using the vetted, researched gender lens categories identified by the Maryland Commission for Women in their April 2021 report. Our grantmaking for 20 years generally falls within each of these six categories: Demographics and Diversity, Work and the Economy, Education and Educators, Health and Wellbeing, Safety and Justice, and Leadership and Political Participation.
• "Big Give" members will be provided with a slate of WGC/Community Foundation of Howard County-vetted nonprofit partners that fall within our 6 categories of giving for their review, discussion, and vote.

• "Big Give" members will be guided through a checklist of considerations when making grants, and will be encouraged to do “homework” in between meetings to learn more about the nonprofits being considered.
• The final three nonprofits being considered will be invited to speak with "Big Give" members at the final October meeting, and then members will vote on the amounts that each of the three will receive.
• The "Big Give" Membership is designed to be general support for our nonprofit partners, in line with our Trust-Based Philanthropy and DEI beliefs - these grants will be an unrestricted investment in their work that supports women and girls.