WGC Donors and Friends,

Wow, what a difference a month makes since we sent our last eNewsletter. 

Last month we were discussing our ongoing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work, our trip to Seattle to meet with 75+ giving circles from across the country, and the many upcoming events we had planned for Women's History Month and beyond. As we've communicated, all previously planned WGC events are cancelled or on hold at the moment.

As we end Women's History Month, 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 through our Emergency Response Network to support the community during this unprecedented coronavirus public health crisis.

As many of you may know, 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've broadened the scope of our Emergency Response Network at this time to stay nimble and flexible to be as responsive as we can to growing community needs. The past two weeks we've organized three successful ERN requests that have raised over $13,000, that we have supported with over $6,000 in matching funds, for a total of just about $20,000 to give to the community so far:

• Community Action Council: We asked for $5,000 and to date, 102 donors have helped to raise $11,944.88. We matched the first $5,000 with $5,000 and have sent a $10,000 check to CAC. We will use the additional funds to continue to help CAC in the coming weeks.

• Teen Parenting Program: We asked for $500 and raised $716.69 from 13 donors. We matched the first $500 and sent a check to Wilde Lake High School for the Teen Parenting Program to purchase diapers and wipes for teen moms, dads and their babies. We'll use the additional funds to assist the community in the coming weeks.

• Columbia Community Care: We asked for $500 and raised $553.74 from 17 donors to purchase items to assist families in need of food and other basic necessities. We matched this and are purchasing and delivering $1,000+ worth of food and other items this week.

In the coming weeks and months we will continue to pool our dollars through the ERN so we can have a greater impact together than we might otherwise have alone.

Additionally, our Young Women's Giving Circle not only organized a Feminine Product Drive the last several months, but they raised $1,006.26, which the WGC supported with an additional $500. While the YWGC is waiting until it is safe to pick up and distribute the donated products, in order to assist during this challenging time, WGC/YWGC has used these funds to provide HopeWorks with a check for $750 and the Community Action Council with a check for $750 to purchase feminine products to distribute to those in need now.

We are 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. Please give if you can, and help spread the word that funds will be available soon for nonprofits in our community.

And, we are coordinating with funders across the state by participating in weekly calls through our statewide Maryland Philanthropy Network, to learn what our colleagues are doing, and share information. 

Finally, we are in contact with Philanos, our national network of women's giving circles across the country regarding philanthropy's important role during this challenging time.

The Women's Giving Circle, along with local and national funders will continue to explore the path forward together in providing relief to our friends, neighbors, and communities. We are proud to be working directly with you, and representing you.

We are all in this together. 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.