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"Our Giving, Our Stories" in Celebration of Black History Month ![]() February 2021 By Malynda Madzel, Chair, WGC’s “Our Giving, Our Stories” Committee In 2021, as we celebrate Black History Month, we continue to honor the leaders who unselfishly gave of themselves to fight to ensure equitable access to basic necessities like food, housing, health care, education and civil rights. In the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County our programming pays tribute to that legacy. Leveraging the WGC's "Our Giving, Our Stories" daily profile series of 31 Howard County philanthropists, published in August 2020, we continue the celebration of the contributions and sacrifices of our citizenry. We were honored to highlight these inspirational stories of women who discussed what moves them to give their time, talent and financial resources to enrich the community. In presenting these stories, we were moved to look back at Howard County’s history and found many African American women philanthropists who worked tirelessly to “give back” to their community. These women were instrumental in establishing a culture of giving, despite some having limited resources. Bessie Bordenave, President of the Harriet Tubman Foundation, gave us names of the many women who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Howard Countians during the time of segregation and Jim Crow. She said, “These women are my ‘Sheroes.’ They gave so much of themselves in order that we would have opportunities that many of them did not have. When I think of each of them, I reflect on the many sacrifices they made for others—their time, guidance, support, love and much more for our community. I can only say ‘Thank you, Thanks a Million!’ Your legacy will continue to live through us as we continue to tell your stories to this generation and the generations to come. You are indeed, the ‘Wind Beneath Our Wings.’ Peace and Love.” Some of the names are recognizable, and some are not, however, these are just a few of the women who left us with a legacy of giving that uplifts our entire community: Mrs. Ruth James was
Mrs. Mildred Woodson was
Dr. Wylene Burch was
Rev. Mrs. Aileen Moore was
Mrs. Eva Anderson was
Mrs. Maggie Brown was
Mrs. Leola Dorsey-African American, Political Activist was
“I personally knew and respected all of these ladies" said Joan Hash, Native Howard Countian, Philanthropist and WGC Black Philanthropy Month Honoree about these historic women. "In their own way, they were all soldiers in the fight to uplift the Black community by leading the way in the areas noted ... they had vision and determination in their quest to make a difference for future generations and we have all benefited by their efforts. As we reflect on Black (S)heroes during this Black History Month, I cannot thank the Women’s Giving Circle enough for recognizing them because by raising up their names, you raise up all of us who remember and try to live up to the examples they set ... they stand as 'Giants' in the history of Black women in Howard County and their contributions should never be forgotten." "The Women’s Giving Circle is humbled by the contributions these courageous women have made to our community. We truly “stand on their shoulders” having learned from them the values of leadership and cooperative giving to better the lives of women and girls” said Barb Van Winkle, WGC Advisory Board Chair. The WGC is proud to recognize the women who came before us and we look to their example to improve our own philanthropic endeavors—focusing our collaborative giving on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “We are inspired by these amazing women who led to way by doing the important work of elevating the Black community during very difficult times" said Hina Naseem and Judy Smith, Co-Chairs of WGC's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. "They are truly our role models as we commit ourselves to advancing the diverse voices in our community.” As we acknowledge and celebrate Black History Month, we invite you to highlight YOUR (S)heroes on the WGC's Virtual (S)hero Mosaic Wall that is part of our upcoming Virtual Annual Celebration on March 8, 2021, where we are celebrating (S)heroes Among Us, and discussing "Democratizing and Diversifying Philanthropy Through the Power of Collective Giving" - please join us!
![]() January 2021 WGC Members, Partners, and Friends, Welcome 2021! We have entered this new year ready to continue engaging members of our community to pool our dollars so that we can make grants to support women and girls and have a greater impact together than we might otherwise have alone. This is the value of collective giving, and we appreciate those of you who have supported the WGC the last 19 years, and welcome our many new members! READ THE FULL ENEWSLETTER HERE I hope all of you will join us at our upcoming 2021 Virtual Annual Celebration - "Celebrating (S)heroes Among Us" on Monday, March 8, 2021 - International Women's Day. Our Host, Candace Dodson-Reed will discuss “Democratizing and Diversifying Philanthropy Through the Power of Collective Giving” with our Keynote Speakers, national philanthropic leaders Valaida Fullwood and Sara Lomelin, on how the landscape of philanthropy is shifting, and how collective giving is continuing to play a transformational role in bringing in many more — and more representative — women donors to the table to create more equitable communities, and make a difference through the power of giving, together. Tickets are available for purchase and we have numerous sponsorships available, starting at $100. Many thanks to the 70 sponsors who have already chosen to invest in our 2021 Annual Celebration! It takes a special individual or business to understand the value of investing in women and girls - thank you. And, we have partnered with some of Howard County’s best to provide guests with numerous food and drink options for purchase, pick-up and to consume during our March 8, 2021 Virtual Annual Celebration. We appreciate the opportunity to support local female business owners, and/or highlight female vintners, and hope you like the diversity of options from around the county for non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, appetizers, desserts, and/or entrees from our partners at Sobar, Cured | 18th & 21st, Ranazul, and the Wine Bin! This year, we are proud to feature five (S)heroes Among Us who have led critical efforts on behalf of organizations that we have funded this year through our Emergency Response Network, who are focusing on widespread community needs affecting women, their families, and the broader community: Jen Broderick - Bridges to Housing Stability Erika Strauss Chavarria - Columbia Community Care Bita Dayhoff - Community Action Council Dr. Mariana Izraelson - Grassroots Crisis Intervention Vanita Leatherwood - HopeWorks of Howard County And, we are highlighting “(S)heroes Among Us” before, during, and after our Annual Celebration - all of YOU. All women are (S)heros in their own ways - women admired for their courage and outstanding achievements. This year we will be honored to acknowledge the many ways women are supporting our community through our beautiful Virtual (S)hero Mosaic. Over 350 women in our community have been highlighted by friends and family so far, and we have room for everyone! Please take a moment to highlight YOUR Howard County (S)heroes today. I look forward to "seeing" you at our March 8, 2021 Virtual Annual Celebration - join us! Barb Van Winkle WGC Advisory Board Chair www.womensgivingcircle.org The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is proud to elevate the voices and giving of our members, nonprofit partners, and friends throughout the year. I have invited my friend and colleague Malynda Madzel to guest write my column this month and highlight the voices of those making a difference in our community. – Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz ![]() Her Mind Magazine, January 2021 By: Malynda Madzel, Chair, WGC’s “Our Giving, Our Stories” Committee Last year the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County highlighted 31 women each day in August in celebration and support of Black Philanthropy Month. As a former WGC Advisory Board member and long-time supporter, I was excited to lead this effort and elevate the voices of women of color in our community who give back in so many ways. And now, I am honored to continue to lead the WGC’s effort to develop ways to do this year-round. One way we aim to inspire philanthropic leadership and increase giving is by amplifying the voices of those making a difference in our community, including our youth. In the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and in recognition of the work of this network of community activists is doing in support of racial and social justice, I recently asked the youth leaders of HoCo for Justice a few questions – here’s what they had to say:
I am proud of the youth who are leading HoCo for Justice. Elevating the important stories of how our youth are giving and volunteering is critical as we work to engage others in collectively addressing issues in our community, and our country. I thank all those making a difference in Howard County – for your voices, your stories, and all that you do to make our community better. “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” —Martin Luther King, Jr., Stride Toward Freedom, 1958 Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz is the Executive Director of the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County. She can be reached at: [email protected] and www.wgchowardcounty.org
HoCoRespond funders denounce heinous attack on nation’s democracy The Community Foundation of Howard County, the Horizon Foundation, the United Way of Central Maryland and the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County jointly condemn the acts of violence perpetrated on our United States Capitol and our elected leaders on January 6 in a deliberate attempt to disrupt the certification of a fair and democratic election. This attack on the peaceful transition of democratic power – which is so core to our principles as a nation – is an affront to us all. We join other foundations across the county in condemning this egregious act of domestic terrorism rooted in racism, intolerance and bigotry. We affirm the salience of our work centered in racial equity, which drives us to create a better future in which we all thrive and a future in which injustices in health, housing, criminal justice and social services are overcome. Furthermore, as philanthropic leaders and as stewards of humanity, we commit to continuing to work together to make 2021 a year that not only combats COVID, but one that affirms democracy. Franklyn Baker, President and CEO, United Way of Central Maryland Nikki Highsmith Vernick, President and CEO, Horizon Foundation Barb Van Winkle, Advisory Board Chair, Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County Beverly White Seals, President and CEO, Community Foundation of Howard County ##
![]() The WGC is a fund that gives grants … it’s what we do! We've been part of the Howard County community for 19 years, have raised over $1 million to support our efforts, and have given over 100 grants to nonprofits that support women and girls in our community. Since we formed in 2002, the WGC has granted over $625,000 to our nonprofit partners in Howard County. 2020 Grants Snapshot: In 2020, the WGC gave a total of $124,071 to our nonprofit partners in Howard County. We gave $29,550 as part of our planned grants to programs that benefit women and girls, $37,921 that was matched with $6,600 through our Emergency Response Network, and $50,000 through our HoCoRespond partnership. In March 2020 the Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland and Women's Giving Circle of Howard County announced new emergency funds and actions to support community members affected by COVID-19, and established HoCoRespond.com to support Howard County nonprofits on the frontline of support, focusing on assisting with food security, housing, childcare and healthcare. To date we have collectively given 46 grants to 34 organizations for a total of $608,500 in HoCoRespond COVID-19 Emergency Funds to Howard County nonprofits since March. Our 2021 grantmaking cycle is currently underway - stay tuned for additional information. The WGC’s grant focus is 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. In 2021 we will continue with our extended grantmaking scope to support our community through the escalating COVID-19 pandemic. The WGC is an endowed fund at the Community Foundation of Howard County.
Learn more at www.womensgivingcircle.org ![]() By Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, WGC Executive Director For Philanos, a national network that serves to catalyze the movement of women in philanthropy by connecting women’s collective giving grantmaking organizations. Giving circles and collective giving groups are working to address power in philanthropy. Why? Because there are times that funders inadvertently hinder nonprofits doing the work they know best. According to the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project (the Project), this can slow down progress, perpetuate inefficiency, and obstruct nonprofit growth and innovation. Trust-Based Philanthropy reimagines that dynamic. Infused by core values of power-sharing, equity, humility, transparency, curiosity, and collaboration, the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project believes philanthropic efforts will be more successful and rewarding if funders approach each grantee relationship as an ongoing partnership rather than a one-time transaction. The Project outlines a trust-based approach that relies on six interrelated principles which, when practiced together, can help alleviate power imbalances:
If you were able to join the Philanos monthly webinar series on October 13 on Women's Giving Circles & Trust-Based Philanthropy, you heard an introduction to trust-based philanthropy for giving circles - what it is and how it can be reflected in collective giving. The webinar presented its principles and practices, the reasons for its emergence, and the impact it has had on the social sector. We heard from two perspectives: Colby Swettberg, Chief Executive Office of the Silver Lining Institute in Boston spoke from the nonprofit perspective; and Philip Li, President and CEO of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation in New York City, spoke from the funder perspective. In addition to sharing their experiences, they helped us understand how we might apply trust-based philanthropy principles to the collective giving model – how we educate our members, how we evaluate applications and organizations, and how we remain open to supporting organizations we may not know very well. Philanos Affiliate Member Impact 100 Seattle is committed to incorporating trust-based philanthropy principles and practices throughout their grantmaking philosophy. In fact, they proudly and publicly state their grantmaking philosophy as believing in trust-based philanthropy to drive enduring improvements in the Puget Sound Region. As a somewhat new organization, they are working hard to address some of the unhealthy power dynamics in traditional philanthropy. Here are their grantmaking principles:
“We are offering support beyond the check ... we want to be an organization that grants with curiosity” said Jennifer Larsen, Impact Seattle 100 Vice President. “We worked hard to remain in a learning posture throughout the process and sustained an equitable process throughout.” The principles of Trust-Based Philanthropy have been important for funders across the country in general, and in particular the last ten months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Philanos Affiliate Member ninety-nine girlfriends has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by adapting their work to be responsive to the situation at hand in their community. As they state publicly on their website, “ninety-nine girlfriends plays a unique role in our region in connecting women in collective action and supporting nonprofits. All of us must pivot as the pandemic moves through our community ... ninety-nine girlfriends will play our role in ‘flattening the curve’ to slow down the spread of COVID-19 and the severity of its impact on our community.” Ninety-nine girlfriends has been vocal about leveraging best practices by philanthropic leaders across the country and highlighting Trust-Based Philanthropy principles to their philanthropic response to COVID-19. In fact, they have highlighted recommendations from the Council on Foundations and the Whitman Institute. The Council on Foundations created a Call to Action to guide philanthropy’s commitment during COVID-19, where over 600 organizations have signed. Among the recommendations are to:
COF’s recommendations are based on the work of the Whitman Institute, advocating for Trust-Based Philanthropy. There is much we will learn about the Trust-Based philanthropic response to COVID-19 in the months and years to come. Giving circles and collective giving groups across the country are increasingly listening, learning, and responding by incorporating Trust-Based Philanthropy principles and practices throughout their grantmaking philosophy and seeking to help alleviate power imbalances. And, Philanos is committed to being an ongoing resource and partner to our Affiliate Members across the country on the principles and practices of Trust-Based Philanthropy. _____________________________________________________________________________ Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz is a member of the Philanos Communications Committee and is the Executive Director of Philanos Affiliate Member, the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County, Maryland. Buffy can be reached at [email protected]. Erika Strauss Chavarria, Founder of Columbia Community Care, Recognized as a WGC Featured (S)hero1/5/2021
![]() By Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Executive Director, Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County “Women’s philanthropy shapes the future for women and girls through the power of collective giving.” – Barb Van Winkle, Chair As we head into the New Year, we reflect on the unexpected challenges for all of us - which the WGC has tried to navigate by developing creative solutions to ensure our work continued to make an impact throughout the year. We did this by:
You can read more about our 2020 efforts here. Our work in 2020 has assured us that partnership and generosity is alive and well in Howard County and that philanthropic investment in our community is more important than ever as we continue to face the COVID-19 global pandemic and fall out. Please consider a year-end gift to the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County so that we can continue to give more grants, engage more members, and strengthen the circle for the future. One option for an end-of-year gift is to sponsor our upcoming WGC Virtual Annual Celebration on March 8, 2021 – “Democratizing and Diversifying Philanthropy Through the Power of Collective Giving” – find sponsorship information here, starting at $100. Also, the WGC is highlighting “(S)heroes Among Us” this year during the March 8, 2021 Virtual Annual Celebration. Please join us in thanking women in your life for their efforts by uploading a photo of your Howard County (S)heroes on our WGC (S)heroes Among Us Virtual Mosaic Wall. With your help, we are highlighting women across the county before, during and after our upcoming Annual Celebration! Thank you for supporting women, girls, and families in Howard County. We are making a greater difference together than we might otherwise make alone. It’s because of you .... Happy New Year! Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz is the Executive Director of the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County. She can be reached at: [email protected] and www.wgchowardcounty.org
![]() By Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, WGC Executive Director The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is building a community of philanthropists and creating a permanent legacy to address the needs of women and girls in Howard County. One of our stated goals is to increase the life skills of women and girls, which we are focused on through our grantmaking. We are are also working to meet this goal by hosting an HCPSS Student Intern this year, recognizing that internships can provide a real-world learning experience that can help increase the life skills of young women, open doors, and shape future paths in college and beyond. We recently welcomed our new Student Intern, Adora Brown to the WGC. Adora is a senior at Mt. Hebron High School, and already has a good deal of marketing, communications, and media experience as the Editor-in-Chief of the Mt. Hebron High School Newspaper, and through volunteer work as the PR Manager for the Delta Scholars, and other activities. One thing Adora is supporting this year is our WGC (S)heroes Among Us Virtual Mosaic Wall, where we are highlighting women across Howard County before, during and after our March 8, 2021 Annual Celebration that focused on “Democratizing and Diversifying Philanthropy Through the Power of Collective Giving”. We are excited to highlight (S)heroes across Howard County who make a difference in so many ways, every single day, and invite women in our community to nominate (S)heroes in the coming weeks and months. In fact, take a look at Adora's #WGCShero Snapshot here! We are thrilled to have Adora supporting the WGC's Membership and Events Committee, and invited her to share some thoughts about interning with the WGC: 1. We are so excited you are working with the WGC this year! Why did you want to take time during your senior year to intern with the WGC? "I wanted to pursue something out of my comfort zone for my last year of high school. I knew that the Women's Giving Circle would allow me to continue my passions, but in a new and more localized format. I have always hoped to create change in my community, and WGC allows me to do just that!" 2. Now that you've joined our Membership & Events Committee, what are you working on that interests you? "I have been helping out with finding sponsors for this years' virtual event. It is truly a learning experience for me, and I am very excited to be challenging myself. I am also working on a socially distanced pick-up event for members who purchase gift bags. Hopefully, we can get a lot of passionate student volunteers to assist in this endeavor." 3. What is the most interesting thing you've learned so far about women's philanthropy and giving to programs that benefit women and girls? What would you like us to know? "It has been really interesting to learn about the process of putting together an event. Finding sponsors, getting donations, spreading the word, and putting together the individual facets of the event are just a few of the necessary steps. It has been so inspiring to bring the final event to fruition while truly making a difference for women and girls in Howard County. The Women's Giving Circle does so much to help the Howard County community, and I am so grateful to be a part of it." Thank you for experience, ideas, and hard work Adora ... welcome! HoCoRespond Has Awarded More than $600,000 to Howard County Nonprofits in 2020 ![]() The Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland and Women's Giving Circle of Howard County today announced $201,000 in emergency grants to 15 Howard County nonprofits addressing COVID-19 needs. The collaborative effort that began in March, called HoCoRespond, has now awarded 46 grants totaling $608,500 in the last eight months to 34 nonprofits meeting food security, housing, childcare and healthcare needs. “Throughout this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has created great challenges and uncertainty for our residents, but our response has demonstrated how this county unites during its toughest times, looks out for one another, and commits to collective action,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “HoCoRespond continues to have a significant impact - supporting our most vulnerable neighbors in need who are facing the continued economic challenges of the pandemic. Howard County is truly lucky to have devoted organizations who are determined to ensure our residents have the food on their tables, money to pay bills, and vital support services during this time.” The $201,000 in COVID-19 emergency grants will go to the following organizations serving Howard County:
“The HoCoRespond Fund is a clear example of the power of partnerships to drive positive change. In this time of uncertainty and instability, collaboration is essential,” said Franklyn Baker, president and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland. “We’re proud to be part of this united effort to help Howard County nonprofits meet the immediate and long-term needs of the people and neighborhoods they serve.” On December 6, the Howard County Health Department reported 8,815 confirmed cases of COVID-19. We are in a heightened state of alert regarding COVID-19 and the number of cases is projected to continue to rise, putting great strain on frontline nonprofits and health services across the county. “We are not out of this public health and economic crisis yet. There is still a great need to support our community during these tough times,” said Nikki Highsmith Vernick, president and CEO of the Horizon Foundation. “We are working hard to respond to those needs and to uplift Howard County residents as best we can.” The HoCoRespond funders are continuing to coordinate fundraising to provide critical resources to nonprofits in Howard County, and hope to undertake a fourth round of funding in the new year. “The impact of COVID-19 on our community has been challenging for some, and devastating for others,” said Beverly White-Seals, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Howard County. “We can’t begin to thank enough, all of the generous members of our community who have invested in HoCoRespond to help and support those who are struggling with the impact of COVID. You are true philanthropists! Whether it’s food assistance, delinquent rental or mortgage payments, childcare, mental health or a plethora of other issues, we’re here to help. We are in an unprecedented crisis, but we are so gratified at how the community has come together to take care of one another.” Those looking to help can donate to the following COVID-19 emergency funds:
“We are proud to be part of a community that has continued to step up to support our friends and neighbors during this very challenging year” said Barb Van Winkle, chair of the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County. “We are utilizing our unique strengths to make a bigger difference together than we might otherwise make alone.” ##
![]() WGC Donors and Friends, As we all know, 2020 has been an incredibly challenging year, and we have been focused on doing what we can to provide funding and support to women, girls and families in our community through our nonprofit partners on the ground. We are proud to welcome four new WGC Advisory Board members who will help to guide our efforts in the coming year. Welcome to Candace Dodson-Reed, Mireille Grangenois, Lynne Schaefer, and Nette’ Stokes. READ THE FULL eNEWSLETTER HERE As we enter the season of giving and look forward to Thanksgiving this year, all of us at the Women's Giving Circle want to say thank you for all you have done to be a part of our collective efforts to support our community this year. And, we are making plans for 2021. One of the things we are planning for is our 2021 Virtual Annual Celebration - "Celebrating (S)heroes Among Us" on Monday, March 8, 2021 - International Women's Day. Our keynote speakers will discuss “Democratizing and Diversifying Philanthropy Through the Power of Collective Giving”. Hear from national philanthropic leaders Valaida Fullwood and Sara Lomelin how the landscape of philanthropy is shifting, and how collective giving is continuing to play a transformational role in bringing in many more — and more representative — women donors to the table to create more equitable communities, and make a difference through the power of giving, together. And, we will be highlighting “(S)heroes Among Us” this year during our Annual Celebration. All women are (S)heros in their own ways - women admired for their courage and outstanding achievements. This year we will be honored to acknowledge the many ways women are supporting our community through our (S)hero Snapshots - stay tuned for how you can highlight your (S)heroes! We are excited to offer a number of terrific sponsorship opportunities for individual women and businesses of all sizes - take a look at our online Sponsorship Center. I would love to talk to you about the chance to sponsor the WGC - please don't hesitate to contact me. Many thanks to the numerous sponsors who have already chosen to invest in our 2021 Annual Celebration! It takes a special individual or business to understand the value of investing in women and girls - thank you. Happy Thanksgiving. Warm Regards, Barb Van Winkle WGC Chair ![]() By Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Executive Director, Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County For Her Mind Magazine “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” – Maya Angelou “It’s 8 am and you’re waking up just in time to get breakfast and the kids in front of their iPads for school. While they learn online, you escape to your makeshift office, which used to be the guest room, to start your workday. What was once two places of home and work has been shortened from 20 miles apart to 20 steps. We hear you superwoman, you need another place away from your space! The 3rd will be a place away from working at home and the needy children and life partner (whom you love dearly.) This will be a place where you can rest your cape and develop your entrepreneurial ideas with like-minded superheroes. You need a 3rd place where you can breathe, create, exist, and thrive!” Do you like how this sounds? You are not alone. The 3rd is a new space that is opening in Columbia where community members can “chill, work, eat and shop all while supporting Women of Color entrepreneurs.” Founded by CEO Laura Bacon, The 3rd’s mission is to build a space that fosters dreams, creates community, and provides mentorship, which enables Women of Color to turn their ideas into economic power and freedom. “We want to provide the keys to open doors women of color entrepreneurs have been denied access to – the keys to resources, education, and skill-building are only a few benefits to being a part of The 3rd” said Bacon. “In addition, we will develop a community of sister-friends through collaboration and partnerships in a chill environment.” As a recent The 3rd Facebook post highlights…“Imagine an open space with beautiful furniture and tons of natural light…walk further into the cute little shop filled with goodies made by WOC entrepreneurs. Then head over to the café to purchase a delicious pastry and coffee right before sitting down and writing your kick-ass grant proposal for your nonprofit! Take it all in sister-friend, this will be you at The 3rd.” Asked why Laura decided to create The 3rd she said “I create spaces where people can show up as the best version of themselves. My talent is in putting all the right people in a space to make something special.” Want to support The 3rd this holiday season? You can do so, and purchase a homemade pie for the holidays! Laura is selling delicious homemade Sweet Potato Pies for $50 this Thanksgiving to raise funds. The pies comes unbaked and frozen. You can also buy a pie and give a pie. Spend $85 and you’ll get a pie and The 3rd will give one away to our nonprofit partners at Columbia Community Care. Click the link below and order your Thanksgiving pie today! Purchase pies here. Pie pick-up will be in Columbia on November 23, time to be determined. I am grateful for efforts like The 3rd this holiday season – hope you are too. Happy Thanksgiving! You can connect with Laura Bacon at [email protected] and learn more at their website at www.the3rd.org. ___________________________________________________________________________ Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz is the Executive Director of the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County. She can be reached at: [email protected] and www.wgchowardcounty.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Executive Director [email protected] www.womensgivingcircle.org Columbia, MD, November 16, 2020 - The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is very pleased to announce the addition of four new members to our Advisory Board, as well as the full slate of Executive Committee and Advisory Board members for 2021. The newly elected Advisory Board members are Candace Dodson-Reed, Mireille Grangenois, Lynne Schaefer, and Nette’ Stokes. “I am thrilled to welcome these four 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 has 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 is building a community of philanthropists and creating a permanent legacy to address the needs of women and girls in Howard County. The WGC bring women together to learn about issues impacting women and girls in our community, and pools our dollars to fund programs that address those issues so we can have a greater impact together than we might otherwise have alone. The WGC is a fund of the Community Foundation of Howard County. Joining the WGC Advisory Board to help us meet our mission are: ![]() Candace Dodson-Reed is an experienced executive with a 20 plus year successful career in the public, education, and nonprofit sectors. Skilled in media relations, grassroots organizing, government relations, crisis communications, inclusion and equity work, public policy and community/public affairs, Candace currently serves as the Chief of Staff and Executive Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). In 2012, Candace founded the African American Community Roundtable of Howard County and just prior to that launched the twentyfivefortyfive Giving Circle at the Community Foundation of Howard County. Candace also co-hosts a podcast—Elevate Maryland. In 2020, she was named a Maryland Top 100 Woman by The Daily Record. Mireille Grangenois, formerly Publisher of the Chronicle of Philanthropy and The Chronicle of Higher Education, serves on the board of Verité, a global advocate for fair labor, and the Community Foundation of Howard County. On the latter, she is chair of a new committee focused on equity, racial justice, diversity and inclusion. A journalist with an undergraduate degree from New York University, Mireille spent much of her career in business-side leadership roles at preeminent news organizations, including The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Washington Post, and The Baltimore Sun. Lynne C. Schaefer has served as Vice President for Administration and Finance at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) since 2005. In her role as chief business officer at UMBC, she is responsible for financial management, budget, reporting and control for annual operations of nearly $500 million. She previously served as Vice President for Finance and Administration at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and as Budget Director and Vice President for Administrative Services at Wayne State University in Detroit. She has been named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women, and one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Metropolitan Detroit. Nette’ Stokes founded and currently works at JustLiving Advocacy, Inc. as the Executive & Community Engagement Director. She has a heart for all people, especially for women heading up their households alone as single parents. She believes in giving and creating opportunities for those who have a strong personal desire to lift themselves out of impoverished circumstances. Nette has strategic and executive management experience combined with a solid vision for operations and providing a creative approach to organization operations, marketing and development and community outreach. She worked for 15 years at IBM and 10 years in the government at the US Department of State and the Department of Justice as a Senior Program and Project Manager. She was named as a 2020 HerMind Community Hero in Howard County, MD for her advocacy work in child care and heart disease in women. The full 2021 slate of WGC Executive Committee and Advisory Board members are: Executive Committee Officers:
Advisory Board Members
![]() Many thanks to everyone who took action and donated to help families in our community this Thanksgiving. We asked, and our network of women philanthropists responded - and in about three hours we collectively raised $2,500, and counting - thank you! We are going to leave the opportunity to donate open through the weekend to support our partners at the Community Action Council. This is the power of a giving circle. In the 16+ years we've had the Emergency Response Network women have responded to our call to action and have given together to meet and/or exceed every single request, resulting in over $100,000 to directly support over 100 women and their families in Howard County. “It’s hard to imagine that poverty is a problem in an area like Howard County, but one-in-four neighbors are struggling to make ends meet every day,” said Bita Dayhoff, CAC president. “Our vision is to enhance the quality of life for our neighbors so they may share in the promise and opportunity of our community, but we cannot do it alone. It is only with the help of our community partners, supporters and volunteers that we are able to meet the ever-growing needs of the clients we serve every day.” Here is the Emergency Response Network Request that you responded to - thank you! If you have any questions about the WGC or our Emergency Response Network, please email [email protected]. Thank you for being a part of the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County and this powerful network supporting women in our community! Barb Van Winkle, WGC Chair Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, WGC Executive Director www.womensgivingcircle.org WGC Emergency Response Network Request - $2,500 - Can You Help Feed 50 Families This Thanksgiving?11/11/2020
Democratizing and Diversifying Philanthropy Through the Power of Collective Giving - Join Us!11/11/2020 HoCoRespond Has Already Granted $407,500 in Support of Housing, Food Security, Childcare and Healthcare Columbia, Md. - The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County, Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation, and United Way of Central Maryland are sustaining their strong partnership during the COVID-19 pandemic and announcing another $200,000 in available funds to support nonprofits working on the frontlines in Howard County through HoCoRespond. Howard County nonprofits can apply for this round of funding beginning Monday, November 2. Organizations must apply by midnight on Monday, November 23, 2020. Grant applications can be submitted here. HoCoRespond will host two virtual Q&A information sessions for those interested in applying for funding on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 9:30 - 11:00 am and Thursday, Nov. 12, 1:00 - 2:30 pm. RSVP to receive zoom details to [email protected]. New, coordinated grant funding is urgently needed to help Howard County residents as unemployment insurance supplements have ended and eviction protections are at risk. Many vulnerable families in Howard County are increasingly unable to pay for food, rent, childcare and healthcare, and nonprofits in the county are helping address those challenges. Under the umbrella of HoCoRespond, the Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland and Women's Giving Circle of Howard County have been working together since March to assess community needs, accept donations and provide funding to Howard County nonprofits providing frontline support, with a focus on food security, housing, childcare and healthcare. With the goal to maximize impact and equity through HoCoRespond, Howard County funders have awarded a total of $407,500 since March to 31 nonprofits. "This public health crisis has caused a wave of challenges for our residents - people are facing unimaginable circumstances deciding whether to keep a roof over their head or food on their table," said County Executive Calvin Ball. "We're incredibly grateful to have such dedicated organizations to help look out for our most vulnerable, and HoCoRespond has already demonstrated effectiveness in collaboration. In a time when it's imperative to help those among us most in need, this is a perfect way to support your neighbors and community. I encourage those who are able to make a charitable contribution to support this emergency fund." As of November 1, the Maryland Department of Health reported 6,015 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Howard County and 146,995 cases across the state. “Howard County Funders are coordinating to raise and deploy critical resources to nonprofits on the frontlines of responding to the urgent health and economic needs of disproportionately impacted communities in Howard County” said Beverly White-Seals, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Howard County. “We continue to be here to support our community as we navigate ongoing community needs this fall and into the winter.” A key focus of the collective grantmaking is to ensure communities of color are receiving equitable treatment. “We are proud that our collective grantmaking is working to advance equity by focusing on cultural, racial, ethnic, geographic and ability diversity in the organizations we are funding” said Franklyn Baker, president and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland. “We are working closely with our partners to continue to identify urgent needs on the ground.” HoCoRespond.org is continuing to accept donations. Those looking to help can donate to the following emergency funds supporting nonprofits that are assisting community members affected by COVID-19:
“The reality is that COVID-19 is continuing to harm our community,” said Nikki Highsmith Vernick, president and CEO of the Horizon Foundation. “We will continue to work closely with our funding partners to address critical housing, food, childcare and healthcare challenges in Howard County and provide emergency and ongoing support to those in need.” The Howard County funding partners are urging county residents, donors and the community at large to take action and support the nonprofits who are on the frontlines during the COVID-19 crisis. “We will continue exploring the path forward in providing relief to our community by leveraging our strengths and working with others to make a bigger difference together than we might otherwise make alone,” said Barb Van Winkle, chair of the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County. ##
![]() WGC Donors and Friends, This fall has been busy for us as we prepare for the upcoming holiday season and plan for 2021. READ THE FULL eNEWSLETTER HERE One of the things we are planning for is our 2021 Virtual Annual Celebration - "Celebrating (S)heroes Among Us" on Monday, March 8, 2021 - International Women's Day. Please Save-the-Date! We are excited to offer a number of terrific sponsorship opportunities for individual women and businesses of all sizes - take a look at our online Sponsorship Center. I would love to talk to you about the chance to sponsor the WGC - please don't hesitate to contact me! Many thanks to the numerous sponsors who have already chosen to invest in our 2021 Annual Celebration! We have a lot of great things going on - would you like to learn more about the WGC and what we're doing? Join us for a brief, but interactive Membership Monday Chat on Monday, November 16 at 4:30 pm. Once each month we are now hosting a Membership Monday 30-minute Zoom chat, where you can meet members of the WGC’s Advisory Board, hear about the WGC, how you might get involved, and have a chance to ask questions. We look forward to meeting you – register today and join us! I look forward to "seeing" you soon! Warm regards, Barb Van Winkle WGC Chair |
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