Women’s Giving Circle Awards More Than $14,000 in Grants

The Women’s Giving Circle, a component fund of the Community Foundation of Washington County MD, Inc., awarded nine grants to the following organizations in June: Beacon House; Boys & Girls Club of Washington County; Brooke’s House; CASA, Inc. - Citizens Assisting & Sheltering the Abused; Girls Inc. of Washington County; Lasting Change; Salvation Army; Valor Ministries and Washington County Family Center. The Circle gave away $14,485 in grant money to the following nonprofit organizations that support its mission of improving the lives of women and their families in Washington County.        

• Beacon House: $1,500 for Steam Works.
• Boys & Girls Club of Washington County: $1,500 for SMART Girls, a program that offers girls guidance on healthy attitudes and lifestyles.
• Brooke’s House: $1,500 for an educational outreach program to the community on substance abuse.
• CASA, Inc. - Citizens Assisting & Sheltering the Abused: $1,500 to provide services to victims residing in their emergency shelter.
• Girls Inc. of Washington County: $3,500 for the Power of 1, a training program to raise awareness on human trafficking and exploitation.
• Lasting Change: $1,500 to help remodel the client group room.
• Salvation Army: $1,500 for the Women and Children’s Emergency Shelter.
• Valor Ministries: $1,350 for Draped with Confidence Career Clothing and Guidance Initiative.
• Washington County Family Center: $1,035 to help offset costs associated with taking the GED or NEDP for women enrolled in their adult education classes.

The Women’s Giving Circle launched in 2003 to encourage women to become more involved philanthropically in Washington County. It provides a unique opportunity for donors to promote and support programs and organizations that enable and empower women. One half of all yearly contributions go to work immediately through the granting process. The other half is secured in the endowment fund to ensure growth and perpetuity.