Full Circle News
September 2025
Local Nonprofits on Stage! Complimentary registration, parking and refreshments.
Click HERE to learn more and register.
Grantee Spotlight
Seafarer's Foundation: Making Waves of Change The Seafarers Foundation Summer Youth Program—an AAWGT grantee—is marking its 20th anniversary of empowering underserved children with lifesaving swim instruction, sailing opportunities, and leadership development. On September 26, the community will gather to celebrate this milestone! To find out more about AAWGT’s impact, CLICK HEREIn the United States, drowning remains the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4, and African American children ages 5–19 drown in swimming pools at 5.5 times the rate of their White peers. Hispanic children also face heightened risks, with 45% reporting few to no swimming skills, often due to financial and accessibility barriers. The Seafarer’s Foundation Summer Youth Program, funded with $25,000 by AAWGT, directly combats these inequities by offering free, structured swimming instruction and water safety education to over 100 youth ages 8–12 each summer. With generous AAWGT support, SYP has expanded its aquatic curriculum, ensuring that every child leaves with both confidence and competence in the water. These lessons aren’t just recreational—they’re lifesaving. Under the guidance of certified instructors, participants gain mastery in swim strokes, floating techniques, and basic rescue skills that prepare them to stay safe and protect others. As the Seafarers Foundation Summer Youth Program (SYP) celebrates its 20th anniversary, its mission has never been more urgent: to empower underserved youth through education, exploration, and critical water safety skills. Central to this two-week experience is the AAWGT funded comprehensive swim and safety initiative that addresses deeply concerning disparities in drowning rates among African American and Hispanic children. This year marks an especially meaningful milestone: 20 years of inspiring, safeguarding, and equipping youth for brighter futures. To honor this legacy, the Seafarers Foundation will host a special anniversary celebration on Friday, September 26, , in Greenbelt, MD. Seafarer’s commitment remains unwavering: to reduce drowning risks, expand opportunities, and cultivate a generation of confident, capable young leaders—because every child deserves a summer that inspires, safeguards, and sets the course for a brighter future. Alice Mahan, Seafarer’sBoard Member & Program Committee Chair, contributed to this article. | Young Philanthropist Launch
YPP Launched! Recently, we launched the Young Philanthropist Program (YPP) at AAWGT at Vida Taco and welcomed more than 50 women to an evening of connection, inspiration, and community impact. The YPP is a new initiative designed to engage women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s who are passionate about making a difference. Come join us and bring your friends. Complete the form here: https://givingtogether.org/MembershipForm and we will be in touch! Send an email to membership@givingtogether.org to be sure not to miss our next gathering. A special thank you to Vida Taco for their generous support in donating 10% of the day’s proceeds to advance AAWGT’s mission. |
Mark Your CalendarsCommunity Events and Member/Guest Events Community Events:
Member/Guest Events:
| Did You Know? National Hispanic Heritage Month
This is National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15). Let’s recognize and honor the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic Americans. National Hispanic Heritage https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/oehr/special-observances/hhm Note: To celebrate and honor the diversity within our community, and to underscore AAWGT’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging, we will continue sharing federally-recognized heritage/history months with you. We hope you will enjoy learning about the meaningful contributions these months celebrate. |
Member Profile - Namita Murthy |
Meet Namita Murthy, MD, who joined AAWGT in January 2025 . . . In 2021, my husband and I moved to Anne Arundel County with our twin sons, now 7 years old. Since then, our family has grown, and we added a third son who is now 3 years old. As we settled into our new community, I was eager to connect with organizations committed to supporting women, a focus that aligns closely with both my professional work and personal values. My medical practice often includes caring for women who are survivors of domestic violence or facial trauma, so contributing to women-centered causes is especially meaningful to me. CLICK HERE to read moreWhile researching philanthropic opportunities in the area, I came across the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County, which led me to AAWGT. I initially became involved as a sponsor and quickly realized I could become a member as well—which I was excited to do. Since joining, I’ve had the opportunity to become deeply engaged with the organization. I attended the new member orientation, joined the Grants Review Committee, and was invited by Chris Messina-Boyer to serve as an Assistant Chair for the upcoming grant cycle. I also participate in the Young Philanthropists program led by Christie Martin. One of the things I value most about AAWGT is the diversity of experience and expertise among its members. The organization truly embodies the spirit of a giving circle—where each member has a voice and a say in how funds are directed to serve the community. I’m also impressed by AAWGT’s emphasis on mentorship and education, which not only strengthens our collective impact but also fosters a lasting commitment to philanthropy. Looking ahead, I’m particularly excited about efforts to engage younger members and help cultivate a lifelong understanding of philanthropy—its logistics, meaning, and role in shaping communities. I’m honored to be part of this mission. In our family’s “spare time,” we enjoy walking the B&A Trail and participating in volunteer activities. Our sons are part of a children’s volunteer group that meets monthly, and we are committed as a family to making service a regular part of our lives. I grew up in Northern Virginia, attended the Madeira School for high school, and earned my undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia. After conducting research at the National Institutes of Health, I spent nine years at Boston University, where I received my medical degree and completed specialty training in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. I then pursued a fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, awarded by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Welcome Dr. Murthy! |
Grants Grants Application Available in November to Review The 2026 AAWGT grant application will be available for preview in November so applicants can begin preparing requests. It will go live on the first of the new year and close on January 31st. As in the past, the entire grants process, including the preview, is being made available in Spanish. Grant awards will be made in May 2026. Thanks to the generosity of our members and friends, this past May AAWGT awarded $226,316 in grants - a new record. Our total giving since AAWGT was founded in 2006 has now surpassed $2,100,000. Our grants are at the heart of AAWGT’s mission to support women and families in Anne Arundel County (AAC). CLICK HERE to read moreMore than 50 AAWGT work on the challenging application review process of more than 45 requests and recommend about 10-13 final applications for member vote in May. AAWGT’s more than 375 members champion collecting giving - pooling contributions for collective impact through grant-making, thus multiplying the power of one by many. There’s no better legacy than investing in AAC organizationsthatsupportwomen and families in our community! | Getting Togethers
Members and Their Guests - Join us! We’re excited to invite you to our next AAWGT Getting Together on Tuesday, September 9 at 5:30pm at Garten in Severna Park! These casual gatherings are the perfect chance to connect with fellow members, make new friends, bring prospective members, and enjoy time together outside of our member meetings, educational programs, and Grants Showcase (mark your calendar—Sept. 30!). Advance registration is required, and members are welcome to bring a guest. Register HERE. We look forward to seeing you! |
Giese Foundation Profile
Faith in Action: An Interview with Brian & Patty Giese AAWGT thanks Brian & Patty Giese for being the 2025 Platinum level underwriter supporting grants and how AAWGT makes a difference. At the Brian & Patricia Giese Foundation, generosity is not simply an act—it is a calling. Founded in 2021 by Brian, a visionary entrepreneur, and Patty, a devoted nurse and children’s advocate, the Foundation stands on the belief that loving God and loving others is the highest purpose of life. Click HERE to read more…
| DEIAB Framework
New Framework - Join the committee! The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) Committee strives to foster a culture within AAWGT in which all individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and abilities. Our Committee is pleased to share with you a Framework which expresses the values that we believe can help guide AAWGT and how we function. By doing so, we will together build a stronger, more innovative, and collaborative organization. Click HERE to learn more… The DEIAB Committee meets monthly and invites any and all interested AAWGT members to join us -- we welcome your voice and participation! You may reach us at DEIAB@givingtogether.org. |
Welcome New Members! Carmen Bienemann Lisa Bishop Carrie Capuco B.J. Chamberlain-Skinner Emma Cusack Robie DeBiasi Faith DeNoble Claire Goebeler Annie Kronk Maria Worthington McKenna Betty Morganstern Linda Opiekun Roxana Rodriguez Bridget Shanley Dawn Stoltzfus | Leadership Message Join us on September 30! Celebrate Anne Arundel County AAWGT grantees supporting women and families.What better way to start off the new year than with our annual Grantee Showcase. . Please join us in meeting the 2024-2025 grant recipients as they share their stories. This is what we do. It all comes to life in one room, for this one evening. We are excited to start the new AAWGT program year and thank the Executive Committee, Committee chairs, and assistant chairs who helped lead AAWGT during the past 18 months. Throughout the year we will keep you updated on events and developments and ask that you reach out with any questions, concerns and suggestions you may have. As we prepare to celebrate our 20th anniversary, many exciting projects are underway, some of which will help us see where we have been and where we are headed in our grant making endeavors. We want to hear from the whole community! We thank you for continued support and look forward to seeing you at the Grantee Showcase and other upcoming events. Stealey Ashley, President Liz Gillette and Jennifer Wazenski, Vice Presidents |
Anne Arundel Women Giving Together | giving@givingtogether.org
AAWGT is a component fund of the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel CountyAAWGT is a member of Philanos: Accelerating Philanthropy through Women’s Collective Giving
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