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April 2020
 WGC Donors and Friends,
We hope that you and your family are staying safe and healthy during this very challenging time for our country right now. Our hearts go out to all those impacted by COVID-19. We are truly in unprecedented times.
As we try to adjust to the new daily realities for ourselves and our families during this public health crisis, it is heartening to see funders come together to harness the power of philanthropy to make a difference in our communities.
To do this, we are leveraging the things that make the WGC an empowering way to give, and using our unique strengths to make a difference.
We have focused on communicating regularly, being nimble and flexible, broadening our grantmaking scope, collaborating with other funders, seeking information and resources from trusted partners, and leveraging our large network of donors to have a greater impact together than we might otherwise have alone - all hallmarks of the strength and draw of giving circles.
In the last six weeks, between our Emergency Response Network and our HoCoRespond partnership, we have given over $56,000 to nonprofits on the frontline of responding to the urgent needs of disproportionately impacted communities in Howard County.
I'd like to thank each and every one of you for your generosity in so many ways, and specifically those of you who have donated to the WGC to support our community during this unprecedented COVID-19 crisis!
We are also collaborating locally with the Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation, and United Way of Central Maryland to assess where assistance may be needed, accept donations, and provide funding to assist Howard County nonprofits on the frontline of support, focusing on assisting with food security, housing, childcare and healthcare - through the newly launched HoCoRespond.com. Last week we jointly announced $205,000 in grants to Howard County nonprofits and next week we will announce a second round of grants, as we continue to accept donations to continue our joint funding in the community.
And, we are coordinating with funders across the state by participating in weekly calls through our statewide Maryland Philanthropy Network (formerly the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers-ABAG) to learn what our colleagues are doing, and share information. Finally, we are in contact with Philanos (formerly Catalist Women), our national network of women's giving circles across the country regarding philanthropy's important role during this challenging time.
For those who wish to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic right now through the WGC:
We will continue to provide opportunities to give directly to our nonprofit and community partners through the WGC's Emergency Response Network and the WGC's COVID-19 Response Fund. And, on Tuesday, May 5, we'll be participating in #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving to support our community during this challenging time - I hope you'll join us!
Thank you - we can have a greater impact together than we might otherwise have alone. Stay strong, stay healthy!
Sincerely,
Barb Van Winkle
WGC Chair
If you have any questions about the Women's Giving Circle, our Emergency Response Network, or HoCoRespond.com, please contact WGC Executive Director, Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz at wgcexecutivedirector@wgchowardcounty.org or myself at wgcchair@wgchowardcounty.org.
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WGC Grants Update: COVID-19
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WGC Has Provided Over $28,000 through the Emergency Response Network to Nonprofit and Community Partners on the Frontline of COVID-19 Support
 The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County has given over $28,000 to nonprofit and community partners on the frontline of responding to the COVID-19 urgent health and economic needs of disproportionately impacted communities in Howard County. The WGC has organized four successful Emergency Response Network requests that have allowed us to give this support to our partners at the Community Action Council's Howard County Food Bank, Columbia Community Care, and the Howard County Teen Parenting Program. Thank you to all of you who have donated to our ERN requests! Your support is fueling our collective effort to be there for our community.
The WGC's Emergency Response Network was created over 15 years ago and is typically utilized for donations up to $1,000 to help an individual in need through our nonprofit partners. However, to address the escalating and unprecedented coronavirus public health crisis, we broadened the scope of our grantmaking.
"We made the swift decision to broaden the scope of our grantmaking at this critical time in order to be as responsive as possible to growing community needs" said Alice Giles, Chair of the WGC's Grants Committee. "We will continue to leverage the strength of our Emergency Response Network to learn of and highlight needs, accept donations, and provide emergency funding to our nonprofit and community partners right away."
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WGC Has Partnered with Howard County Funders and Announced $205,000 in COVID-19 Emergency Grants
 In March 2020 the WGC partnered with the Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation, and United Way of Central Maryland to establish HoCoRespond.com to support Howard County nonprofits on the frontline of support, focusing on assisting with food security, housing, childcare and healthcare.
An initial $100,000 fundraising goal has been met and exceeded and $205,000 in grant awards have been made for the first round of funding from HoCoRespond COVID-19 Emergency Funds. Find the list of grantee partners here. A second $200,000 fundraising goal has been met and a second round of funding will be announced soon. Thank you to all of the very generous donors to HoCoRespond!
The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County has established the WGC COVID-19 Fund. Donors can double the impact of their gifts through the generosity of Cyndi and Ron Gula, who are matching donations dollar for dollar up to $25,000 to address unprecedented COVID-19 community needs. WGC donors and members of the community are invited to donate.
“We know the needs are great, and we are proud to be part of a community of donors and funders that are stepping up to show support in these trying times” said Barb Van Winkle, chair of the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County. “We are in this together, and will get through this together.”
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National Giving Circle Spotlight: Women’s Giving Circle Of Howard County
Giving Compass
April 14, 2020
Giving circles all over the country are using their unique strengths as a collective giving network to support their local communities in light of COVID-19. Read on to hear how one giving circle in Howard County, Maryland — the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County — is taking action right now.
10 ways the WGC utilized its strengths to respond to COVID-19
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 WGC's Monthly Blog: HoCoRespond - We Are All in This Together
Her Mind Magazine
April 1, 2020
The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is proud to be coordinating with other funders to rapidly raise funds and deploy critical resources to nonprofits in Howard County through HoCoRespond.com. We are working closely with the Community Foundation of Howard County, Horizon Foundation, and United Way of Central Maryland to assess where assistance may be needed, accept donations and provide funding to nonprofits on the frontline of support, focusing on food security, housing, childcare and healthcare. Read the full blog here.
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WGC Program Update: Young Women's Giving Circle
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 The WGC's Young Women's Giving Circle of Howard County will complete their 2019/2020 Journey virtually this week - what a year! They started the year in September with twenty young women in 7th - 12th grade participating in the 2019/2020 class, who share the same passion: helping women and girls in need.
They met monthly to learn about each other, learn about the community, and determine a joint philanthropic project for the year. Through a Shark Tank-like presentation effort with community judges, the girls decided to organize a Feminine Hygiene Product collection effort from January - March 2020. They decorated collection boxes and engaged over 20 local businesses and our Howard County Library System to serve as collection sites. And, they ran a fundraising campaign to purchase additional products. They were able to donate some of the products and $750 to the Community Action Council and product to Hope Works. The result? They learned about philanthropy, giving circles and collective giving, and organized lots of product and monetary donations to support women and girls in Howard County!
"The power of collective giving helping people in our very own community was the focus of the girl's philanthropic efforts this past year" said Lee Draminski and April Force Pardoe, WGC Advisory Board members and leaders of the YWGC. "We are so proud of the learning and growth the girls experienced this year, and the measurable results they have seen from their efforts."
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WGC Grant Update: JA Rising Women
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 Undaunted by the COVID-19 crisis, JA Rising Women of Howard County - funded by the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County - recently held a virtual “Shark Tank” to uncover their upcoming business idea for the semester.
A program of Junior Achievement of Central Maryland, JA Rising Women students presented the sharks with various concepts including tote bags, sports wraps, and more, but the hygiene kit was the ultimate winner, which was in response to the current #COVID-19 pandemic.
"We are incredibly proud of these young entrepreneurs who have been working hard these past few weeks to provide cohesive, analytical and thought-provoking presentations during such challenging times - they have prevailed!" said WGC Chair Barb Van Winkle
In the upcoming weeks, JA Rising Women entrepreneurs will continue this concept and bring it to the marketplace. Keep up the great work ladies! We look forward to sharing more in coming weeks about their progress.
"Without the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County, these amazing young women would not have this opportunity" said Jennifer Bodensiek, President & CEO, Junior Achievement of Central Maryland. "Thank you for inspiring the next generation on women leaders and entrepreneurs."
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#GivingTuesdayNow - Tuesday, May 5 - Join Us!
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 The WGC is participating in #GivingTuesdayNow - a new global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 in addition to the regularly scheduled Dec 1, 2020 #GivingTuesday – as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.
We have established the WGC COVID-19 Fund where donors can double the impact of your gifts through the generosity of Cyndi and Ron Gula, who are matching donations dollar for dollar up to $25,000 to address unprecedented COVID-19 community needs. These donations will go directly to support our Howard County nonprofit and community partners through our HoCoRespond funding partnership.
WGC donors and members of the community are invited to donate to the WGC on this global - and local - day of giving. Please join us!
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WGC Donors - Thank You! You Are Appeciated
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Thank you to all of you who have given to the WGC this past month!
 Sabina Taj and Kyle Reis, Cyndi and Ron Gula, Mickey Gomez, Nancy Winter, Barbara Lawson, Jessica C. Tuthill Memorial Fund, Costco, Pam Mack, Barb Van Winkle, Ilana Bittner, Valerie Montague, April Force Pardoe, Bonnie Jones, Margaret Shomali, Cheryl Griffin, Ron & Ellen Flynn Giles, Rasheedah Bilal Sanders, Caroline MacDermott, Mary Thompson, Theresa Billow-Supple, Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Anita Sheckells, Paula Seabright, Diane O'Connor, Maxine Clark, Wendy Royalty, Alex Tuten, Stephanie Schultz, Beverly Byron, Patty Konecke, Tanya La Salle, Kelly O'Connor, Jill Comeaux, Jacqueline Melonas, Kathy Fisher, Jennifer Kubina, Beth Singleton, Ulrike Jaller, Judy Hess, Masami Stratton, Wendy Newton, Jo Lock, Dawn Yost, Peggy Shaw, Margaret Connor, Megan Bruno, Nancy Parsons, Michelle Marks, Barbara Strong, and Savitha Janakiraman, Louise Kibler, Barbara Smole, Jodi Dalpe, Kirsten Pfeiffer, Lia Nigro, Feli Sola-Carter, Elaine Pardoe, Xina Kojzar, Chinghui Jean Hsieh, Gokul Srinivasan, Kerry Greer, Kenneth Stailey, Allison and Alan Korn and Clardy, Earl Wikinson, Ellen Liebert, Elizabeth Kosterich, Carolyn Sherman, Patty Jones, Heather McDonald-Carver, Ms. Lola, Judith Wolf, Narendra Potluri, Mary Donegan, Theresa Berkheimer, Shannon Spann, Lori Painter, Beatrice Dane, Beth Harbinson, Kim Agnor, Diana Bailey, Lindsey Greer, Daniela Sharfstein, Ashley Schott, Wendy Allen, Suellen Hubbard, Natalie Dickins, Jacqueline Melonas, Angie Kozlowski, Jim and Christina Beaudoin, Korin Sharp, Jennifer Mallo, Andrea Ingram, Yolanda Bruno, Sue Buswell, Beth Leaman, Teresa Chaconas, Laura Sullivan, Brenda Martineau, Eleanor Hunt, Julia McCready, Ayesha Holmes
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WGC Donor Profile: Mickey Gomez
 For Mickey's birthday this year, she decided to support the Women's Giving Circle through a Facebook Fundraiser. A former WGC Advisory Board member, Mickey has been a long-time supporter, but she chose to use this fast, easy, and effective Facebook Birthday Fundraiser as an opportunity to not only support the WGC, but to also elevate her support for the community during the COVID-19 crisis.
"For my birthday this year, I'd like to ask you to support a cause that's near and dear to my heart: the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County ... a great organization that I’m proud to be a part of," said Mickey.
In a short period of time, Mickey raised $1,311, after changing her goal amount three times.
"I knew I couldn't give that amount on my own, as much as I wanted to" said Mickey. "I loved the opportunity to give collectively, raise awareness, and leverage funding for such a remarkable, responsive, visionary local organization ... together we are stronger."
Thank you Mickey, for your thoughtful creativity in supporting the WGC and our community during this COVID-19 crisis - we truly are stronger together!
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