Women's Giving Circle of Howard County

06/19/2026

Fabulous, Barb!! Thank you for your service!

Please join us in celebrating and thanking Barb Van Winkle for her incredible leadership and service!

Through her work with the 's Giving Circle of Howard County and Philanos, Barb has championed the power of collective giving, inspired others to lead with purpose, and helped strengthen communities.

Thank you, Barb, for your vision, generosity, and unwavering commitment. Your impact will be felt across the Philanos network and beyond. 💙💚

06/18/2026

Join the Women's Giving Circle and Black Philanthropy Circle on August 4 for our annual Black Philanthropy Month Happy Hour at the Community Foundation of Howard County!

Together, we'll celebrate the legacy, leadership, generosity, and community impact that Black philanthropy has fostered for generations. As giving circles and funds at CFHC, we are proud to partner in bringing people together to explore how collective giving can help build community. Tickets: $25, Sponsorships: $100, includes a ticket and visibility on our website, social media, and the event.​

Purchase tickets and/or sponsor today! https://www.womensgivingcircle.org/events.html

06/17/2026

The latest WGC eNewsletter is now available!

From celebrating the success of Big Give 2026 to inviting you to our Black Philanthropy Month Happy Hour on August 4, this issue highlights the power of connection, community, and collective giving.

Read the newsletter and join us in making a difference: https://mailchi.mp/womensgivingcircle/having-a-greater-impact-together-18245239?e=412ba3f01f

06/15/2026

ICYMI! WGC’s Big Give 2026 Celebrated the Power of Collective Giving: https://www.womensgivingcircle.org/blog/wgcs-big-give-2026-celebrates-the-power-of-collective-giving

06/09/2026

WGC's Young Women's Giving Circle of Howard County is seeking our next cohort of interns for 2026-2027! Take a look, spread the word, and apply here: https://www.womensgivingcircle.org/wgcs-break-the-cycle-period-product-drive.html

06/03/2026

Mark your calendars - lots going on, hope to see you! Learn more here: https://www.womensgivingcircle.org/events.html

05/29/2026

The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County (WGC) is celebrating an important victory for menstrual equity in Maryland - and the leadership of young women who helped make it possible.

On May 26, Governor Wes Moore signed Maryland House Bill 457 into law, requiring institutions of higher education that provide on-campus housing to make free menstrual hygiene products available in student health centers by August 1, 2028. The legislation represents a meaningful step forward in addressing period poverty and ensuring students have access to essential health resources.

The WGC's Young Women's Giving Circle of Howard County worked closely with Delegate Jessica Feldmark throughout the legislative process, helping elevate the issue and providing opportunities for YWGC participants to engage directly in advocacy efforts. The bill's passage demonstrates what is possible when community leaders, elected officials, and young advocates work together toward a common goal.

"Our interns worked hard to turn their vision into action," said Paula Seabright, Chair of the Young Women's Giving Circle and Co-Chair of the Women's Giving Circle Grants Committee. "Many of our current and former YWGC members have spent the past two years learning about period poverty, raising awareness, advocating for change, and meeting with legislators. To see Governor Moore sign this bill into law was incredibly meaningful. It shows our young women that their voices matter and that they can help create real change in their communities and beyond."

Learn more: https://www.womensgivingcircle.org/blog/young-women-big-impact-wgcs-ywgc-helps-shape-statewide-change

05/21/2026

The WGC is proud to amplify the voices and stories of women givers in our community through our regular series "Our Giving, Our Stories". Inspiring philanthropic leadership and increasing giving by amplifying the voices of women and girls are among the goals of this effort and we are committed to advancing this important work in our community.​

This month for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month we are profiling Niti Srivastava, Executive Director of the Indian Cultural Association.

Take a look! https://www.womensgivingcircle.org/blog/3-questions-with-philanthropist-niti-srivastava

05/19/2026

A few more fun moments from the WGC’s Big Give 2026 💕

Now in its 5th year, the Big Give brought together 50 women and girls over two evenings to learn, share, network, connect, and celebrate the power of collective giving. Together, we directed $26,000 to nonprofit organizations supporting women and girls in Howard County.

Together, we awarded funding to:

Bridges to Housing Stability - $10,000
Trinity Maternal Wellness - $6,000
TurnAround, Inc. - $4,000
Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center - $5,000
HopeWorks of Howard County - $500
Howard Community College Educational Foundation's Jill of All Trades Program - $500

The Big Give is one important way WGC engages women in hands-on philanthropy and collective grantmaking as part of our broader goal of directing up to $100,000 annually to nonprofit organizations serving women and girls in our community.

We celebrated our nonprofit partners, our community partnerships, and the impact we can create when women come together with purpose.

And we’re just getting started! As WGC prepares to celebrate our 25th Anniversary next year, our goal is to double our collective impact through Big Give 2027 to $50,000 and bring even more women to the philanthropic table.

We’re so grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s Big Give such a meaningful and joyful experience, including our partners at the Community Foundation of Howard County, where WGC is a fund.

Check out some of the fun and memorable moments from the Big Give 2026! https://www.womensgivingcircle.org/blog/wgcs-big-give-2026-celebrates-the-power-of-collective-giving