Women’s Giving Circle Junior Members Give Away First Grant

Junior members of the Women’s Giving Circle of Washington County selected their first grant recipient from three nonprofit organizations who provide services to women at different stages in their lives. The $1,000 grant was presented to the Washington County Family Center. The grant money came from the junior members’ annual fees as well as a match from the Women’s Giving Circle.The Washington County Family Center provides comprehensive services to families with young children, mostly teen parents and single mothers, who are eligible for public assistance due to their low income levels.The Women’s Giving Circle, a component fund of the Community Foundation of Washington County MD, launched in 2003 as a way to encourage women to become more involved philanthropically in Washington County. The Giving Circle provides donors the opportunity to pool their resources to promote and support programs and organizations that enable and empower women. Members participate in philanthropy through grant-making, education, advocacy and other community-based activities. The junior membership encourages girls under 22 to participate in the organization as well through service projects and grant-making.