Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle

For the past 10 years, the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle (BWGC), a fund of the Baltimore Community Foundation, has helped countless women and children in Baltimore City and County. What began with 52 women has increased to more than 300 members and is part of a growing national trend—the collaborative giving concept.|

In 2010 alone, BWGC contributed $317,000 to Baltimore-area nonprofits, bringing the Circle’s total amount of giving to nearly $2 million in grants.

But, for BWGC, it’s not just about the money. Not by a long shot.

Ellen Bernard, who co-chairs the group, says there is another, equally important reason the Circle exists: “The other goal of the Circle is to educate our members on what some of the real issues are for disadvantaged women and their children in the Baltimore area.”

Bernard explains that members of the Circle agree to donate $1,100 a year for two years, with $100 of each contribution used for administrative costs. Instead of putting the money into an endowment, BWGC chooses grant recipients to award it to each year.

“Our Circle is essentially a more traditional [philanthropic organization] in that money is in and money is out in a year,” says Bernard. “We’re not vested in the future. We’re vested in today.”

The Circle also differs from many other philanthropic groups in that its grants aren’t huge—but they aren’t small either. “If you’re short an amount of money that you need for a social worker, or you need money to get a program off the ground, we really can fill that space,” says Bernard.

 

Gathering Information

Bernard believes one of the best aspects of BWGC is that the women who give the money are the ones who can help choose which recipients receive grants. While there are no requirements of members other than to donate money, many choose to be involved with the group's Grants, Post-Grant Evaluation, Education, Membership, or Communications Committees.

The Circle holds three major informational meetings for its members a year, during which leaders in various fields talk about specific areas of interest—everything from issues involving seniors to juvenile justice, after-school programs, and health care. In addition, site visits throughout the year allow members of the Circle to learn firsthand about an organization that has received funding. As the women travel to different parts of the city and county to visit the areas they’ve funded, they get the opportunity to speak with community leaders and neighborhood residents about issues that concern them.

Circle members also can participate in briefing breaks, afternoon meetings at which a smaller group of up to 40 women get to talk with community leaders or others who have received grant funding. “We try to look at issues from multiple points of view, and we try to give people opportunities to hear them—whether in large groups or smaller groups,” says Bernard.

 

Grant Recipients

While the grantees vary widely, the main qualification for an organization to be eligible for a [BWGC] grant is the same: The group must be tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) and, according to BWGC’s website, must provide programs or services to promote “self-sufficiency for women and their children.” The 2010 grant recipients included Bon Secours of Maryland Foundation for its GED training, early literacy programs, and in-home support services through the Family Support Center, Camp Fire USA Baltimore for its after-school program Peer Proof, which teaches violence prevention skills, and Prisoners Aid Association of Maryland for its work in helping homeless female ex-offenders and their children find housing and develop skills.

Some organizations and programs have received funding from BWGC more than once, although all grant recipients must wait one year after receiving funding to reapply.

For their part, Bernard and Coe, who have been in the Circle for 10 and six years, respectively, have stayed involved for many reasons.

“I have stayed because of the women in the Circle,” says Coe. “I really like the camaraderie. It’s a bright, active, interested, optimistic group.”

Adds Bernard: “The Circle gives you multiple opportunities to learn about the broader issues that are facing our areas. You know that your funds are going to be invested wisely and they’re going to be invested right away.”

“I feel that it’s one of the most rewarding things I do,” she continues. “I’ve learned about some organizations that I’ve been able to be involved with through the Circle, and I really appreciate the friendships I’ve made and the women I’ve met and work with.”

“Every year, there are different issues,” says Bernard. “Every year is different. That’s the other thing that’s so interesting—as you start to learn a little bit, you’re just ready to learn more.” BC

 

For more information on the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle, including how to become a member, visit the website www.thebwgc.org.

 

© Baltimore’s Child Inc. January 2011