Since our founding in 2006, Anne Arundel Women Giving Together has raised and invested over $1.1 million to improve the lives of women and children in Anne Arundel County!Call for 2020 Grant Applications: We are accepting applications between December 2, 2019, and January 31, 2020. Click here to learn more.
Read about our 2019 Grantees
Anne Arundel Women Giving Together (AAWGT) is a women’s giving circle with over 200 members. AAWGT is a fund of the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County. We invest — pooling our annual contributions for “collective philanthropy,” thus multiplying the power of one by many. Since 2007, AAWGT has awarded grants totaling over $1,100,000 to non-profit organizations to improve the quality of life for women and families in Anne Arundel County. Grants focus on health and welfare, education and the prevention of and treatment for violence and abuse. We inform — holding in-depth education sessions highlighting issues in our county that require active attention and support. And, we inspire — encouraging our members to engage as leaders and philanthropists in our local community. | AAWGT IS:Investing ... Informing ... Inspiring ... Click here to see our Upcoming Events » |
Announcing Special Year-End Campaign to Raise $20,000 for GrantsThis past May, AAWGT was able to support seven fabulous organizations with grants totaling $112,000. We were pleased that we could provide this important support to such deserving organizations. But we also felt the frustration of not being able to do more. The need in our community is simply greater than our ability to address alone. But we think we can do more. We are excited to announce a special fundraising campaign to raise an additional $20,000 for grants by December 31, 2019. This amount would be above and beyond what the regular membership dues bring in. These funds will be awarded as part of the 2020 grant cycle next May. Just imagine being able to support at least one additional deserving nonprofit in 2020 - and perhaps as many as three, depending on the level of support requested. We already have several thousand dollars in pledges already in hand. With your help we can meet our ambitious goal of $20,000 in the next 100 days! We're asking each of you to personally help us meet that goal by making a gift before December 31st to increase next year’s pool of available funds. Giving is as easy as clicking on the Donate button for AAWGT at the Community Foundation's website HERE, or by sending a check to CFAAC, 914 Bay Ridge Road, Suite 220, Annapolis, MD 21403. When donating online or sending a check, please indicate that your contribution is for the AAWGT 2020 Grants Fund. Join us to do even more to help deserving women and families across our community! Remember to make your contribution before December 31st to be counted toward the total grant funds for 2020. |
If your business is interested in sponsoring AAWGT, please email sponsorship@givingtogether.org. | ||||||
AAWGT EVents
| UPCOMING EVENTS AAWGT Education MeetingThe First 1000 Days of a Child’s LifeWednesday, February 12, 2020 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Location and Registration Details to be Announced This event is free, open to the public and accessible to persons with disabilities. What’s the most important thing a child has? It’s their brain. And yet, we’re not caring for children’s brains the way we care for their bodies. The first 1,000 days of life – from conception to age three – open a critical and singular window of opportunity. During this period, children’s brains can form 1,000 neural connections every second. A three-year-old’s brain is twice as active as that of an adult and the connections their brain makes are the building blocks of their future. The science is clear about what a young brain needs to make those connections. Stimulation from the earliest possible moment, nutrition, protection from violence and pollution, all shape children’s futures. What happens to those children who have been denied these critical advantages in their earliest days? When children miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, we, as a global community, are perpetuating intergenerational cycles of disadvantage and inequality. Life by life, missed opportunity by missed opportunity, we are increasing the gap between the haves and the have-nots. These failures come at a great cost to all of us. A cost measured in poor learning, lower wages, higher unemployment, increased reliance on public assistance and intergenerational cycles of poverty that weigh down economic and social progress for everyone. Working together, we must find ways to invest in programs targeted at the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, focused on nutrition, stimulation, early learning and protection from violence. —excerpted from remarks by Anthony Lake, Executive Director, UNICEF, at the World Economic Forum. 2019 Grantee Field Trip: Sarah's House
September 25, 2019Open since 1987 as a safe haven for women, children, and families who are homeless or abused, Sarah’s House is located on the edge of US Army Fort George G. Meade and consists of eight refurbished Army barracks housing office space, emergency shelter, dining facilities, a day care center, and four apartments where clients can live while obtaining support services. Executive Director Kathryn Philliben briefed the group on arrival and introduced her staff, all of whom have been at Sarah’s House for at least 12 years. Kathryn explained that incoming clients are initially placed in emergency shelter so that case managers, program assistants, and training staff can identify the type of assistance needed. Each individual or family is given their own room with a door that locks, and as many clients have not experienced such security and safety in the past they are thrilled to have some privacy. Residents’ meals are donated by churches, volunteer organizations and businesses. Stays in the emergency shelter are limited to 90 days after which clients move either to one of the apartments at Sarah’s House or somewhere in the county, where they are given financial help with rent for up to a year. Read More 2019 Grants ShowcaseSeptember 11, 2019The annual Grants Showcase highlights the impact of AAWGT’s philanthropy as grantees inform and inspire community members with stories illustrating how our grant funds are making a difference in Anne Arundel County. On Wednesday, September 11, 2019, 77 AAWGT members and 69 guests gathered at the Blue Heron Room in Quiet Waters Park to hear how six non-profits utilized the funds provided them during the 2018 grant year. President Sue Pitchford opened the evening while Assistant Membership Chair Margo Cook thanked corporate sponsors One North Wealth Services and Holden & Campbell, Attorneys at Law for their support in underwriting some of AAWGT’s operating costs. Opening remarks also were made by Ann Francis, Development Director for the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC), the umbrella organization under which AAWGT operates. Read More |
Why I belong to AAWGT:“… a great idea that is working.” Lori DeRose, member since 2015 “… thoughtful, talented women who want to make positive contributions to their community.” Gwyn Smith, member since 2012 “… a top-level group of interesting, professional women who are passionate about issues and learning.” Lynne Davidson, member since 2006
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