Colleen Baldwin
Patricia Barland Brasse*
Joy Beer
Kathleen Brooks*
Shauna Chabot
Anna Greenberg*
Barbara Hoffstein*
Betsy Kimrey
Becki Kurdle
Debbie Richardson Daugherty*
Lynda Salamon*
Sharon Stewart
Susan Swayze*
Helene Tenner*
Abbie von Schlegell
(*Active Members 2020)
AAWGT Founding Members
(Made their first annual membership contributions by June 30, 2006)
Colleen
Baldwin, Joy N. Beer, Bronwyn Belling*, Helaine Betnun*, Linnell R.
Bowen, Patricia Barland Brasse, Kathleen Perry Brooks*, Susan Cartney,
Shauna A. S. Chabot, Virginia P. Clagett*, Prudence I. Clendenning*,
Tara Balfe Clifford*, Robin C. Cohen, Carol A. Cronin*, Debbie
Daugherty*, Lynne Davidson*, Karen L. Davis*, Diane R. Evans*, Dorothy
K. Fitzgerald, Therese M. Gardner, Anna E. Greenberg*, Barbara
Hoffstein*, Barbara M. Holch, Eleanor Huggins*, Caroline Von Kessler
Hughes, Betsy A. Kimrey, Nancy Kling*, Anne P. “Patti” Konrad, Florence
Beck Kurdle, Bev Marcus*, Gloria Martin-Pressman*, Carol Ann McClees,
Lynn McReynolds*, Jane M. Morrell, Elizabeth Ann Nicholson, Mary-Ann
Pinkard*, Beverly J. Reed, Peggy K. Rightnour, Lynda B. Salamon*, Laurie
E. Salladin, Raleigh Schein, Sharon L. Stewart, Trish Strott, Susan A.
Swayze*, Helene S. Tenner*, Abbie J. von Schlegell
(*Active Members 2020)
2006
AAWGT holds its first public meeting, in March 2006.
- The vision for AAWGT began with Sharon Stewart in 2005 when she moved to Annapolis and contacted the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County about starting a giving circle. Fifteen women came together in September 2005 and held monthly meetings to determine governing structure, focus for grants, annual contribution amount and other infrastructure issues.
- AAWGT holds its first public meeting in March 2006 and elected an interim slate of officers.
- AAWGT holds its first annual meeting, featuring speaker Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz of the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers.
- AAWGT ends 2006 with 71 members.
2007
AAWGT awards its first grants.
- $40,000 in grants awarded to four local nonprofits.
- Sharon Stewart receives the first Founders’ Award.
- AAWGT ends the year with 98 members.
2008
AAWGT holds first Grants Showcase, highlighting current and past grantees.
- $57,000 in grants awarded to five local nonprofits.
- Bronwyn Belling receives Founders’ Award.
- First Grants Showcase held, highlighting current and past grantees.
- AAWGT holds Education Meeting on Women’s Philanthropy.
- AAWGT ends the year with 117 members.
2009
AAWGT creates an Associate Member category for members age 35 and younger.
- $64,529 in grants awarded to seven local nonprofits.
- Tara Clifford receives Founders’ Award.
- AAWGT forms its Lighthouse Lunch Group, making 50 bag lunches for the shelter.
- Associate Member category created for members under age 35 and younger.
- Holds first Women and Leadership Event — Women as Leaders: Tools for Success.
- AAWGT members Tara Potter and Sharon Stewart receive Leadership Anne Arundel Community Trustee Awards.
- Holds Education Meeting on Addiction and Recovery Issues Facing Women and Families in AA County.
- Holds Education Meeting on Self-Sufficiency Standards for Women and Families.
- Holds Education Meeting on How Arts Programming Can be Used to Create a Positive Impact on the Lives of At-Risk Youth in AAC.
- AAWGT ends the year with 127 members.
2010
AAWGT celebrates its five-year anniversary. Membership has grown from 15 to 150, we have awarded $225,000 in grants to 25 organizations, and have held 35 educational sessions.
- $65,257 in grants awarded to eight Anne Arundel County nonprofits.
- Maximum grant increased to $15,000 for 2011 grantees.
- Gloria Martin-Pressman receives Founders’ Award.
- Members participate in Habit for Humanity and Women Build.<<br> - AAWGT receives Fannie Lou Hamer Community Service Award.
- January Education Meeting: Assessing Need in a Challenging Economy
- February Education Meeting: Health Care Services: Issues and Gaps
- March Education Meeting: Developmental Disabilities: The Growing Needs
- November Education Meeting: Women and Leadership – We Are All Leaders: Telling Our Stories
- AAWGT ends the year with 157 members.
2011
The Endowment Fund is established, in celebration of AAWGT’s 5th anniversary. The Endowment fund ensures that AAWGT will operate and continue to award grants in perpetuity.
- $76,168 in grants awarded to six Anne Arundel County nonprofits.
- Lynne Davidson receives Founders’ Award.
- AAWGT holds the first Special Interest Forum on individuals with disabilities.
- AAWGT and M&T Bank give “Making A Difference Award” of $1,000 to the AA County Library Foundation to purchase resource materials on proposal writing, grantsmanship and board/staff development for the nonprofit community.
- January Education Meeting: Transportation: Because Getting There is Half the Battle
- January Education Meeting: Individuals with Disabilities: Discovering the Roadmap for Services and Support
- March Education Meeting: Women and Leadership – Connecting to the Global Community: Lessons from Abroad
- Held a Special Interest Forum: Emerging Issues in Our Community – Human Trafficking
- September Education Meeting: Immigration: Facts, Trends and Realities
- October Education Meeting: Youth — Juvenile Justice In AA County
- AAWGT ends the year with 188 members.
2012
Hosts the photo essay project, “Sharing Our Vision: Stories of Giving through the Eyes of Youth” at our April open house.
- $103,664 in grants awarded to nine Anne Arundel County nonprofits.
- Laurie Sharp receives Founders’ Award.
- AAWGT receives the Coretta Scott King Award at the 24th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Dinner. Our giving circle was recognized for the important work we do to improve the quality of life for all women and families.
- February Education Meeting: Caregiving and Caregivers: A Monumental Challenge for our Community
- Co-hosts the Giving Circle Connector Workshop, Making a Difference – Defining the Impact of Success
- AAWGT ends the year with 175 members.
2013
Holds Women and Leadership Event: Connecting to the Global Community: Lessons from Abroad.
- $95,682 in grants awarded to seven Anne Arundel County nonprofits.
- AAWGT reaches the $500,000 mark in total grants awarded.
- Susan Swayze receives Founders’ Award.
- AAWGT is awarded the 2013 Leadership Award from Court Appointed Special Advocates in recognition of continuous commitment to ensuring that every child in our community has the opportunity to live in a safe, stable, permanent home.
- January Education Meeting: The Real Picture of Homelessness
- March Education Meeting: Housing and Homelessness II – AAWGT Educational Bus Tour
- September Education Meeting: The Weakening Link Between Marriage and Childbirth: Does it Matter?
- November Education Meeting: Women’s Health
- November: Viewing of the film “Reflection on Good Karma $1” and discussion - AAWGT ends the year with 183 members.
2014
Holds Women and Leadership Event: An evening with Molly Barker, founder of Girls on the Run.
- $93,715 in grants awarded to seven Anne Arundel County nonprofits.
- Eve-Marie Lacroix and Diane Rode receive Founders’ Award.
- Holds Women and Leadership Event: An evening with Molly Barker, founder of Girls on the Run.
- February Education Meeting: Changing Demographics: Opportunities and Untapped Resources
- October Education Meeting: Mental Health Part 1: The Big Discussion: Who, What, Where How, Why
- AAWGT ends the year with 193 members.
2015
Grant applications available online for the first time.
- $105,505 in grants awarded to nine Anne Arundel County nonprofits.
- Sandy Sweeney receives Founders’ Award.
- Bronwyn Belling, Judy Coughlin, Barbara Haight and Sandy Sweeney receive the Laurie Sharp Running With Scissors Award.
- Bess Langbein receives the Laurie Sharp Running With Scissors Award.
- Holds Women and Leadership Event: Effective Leadership: Keys to Success.es
- February Education Meeting: Living on the Ledge Part I: Economic Insecurity and Our Older Neighbors
- June Education Meeting: Living on the Ledge Part II: Debunking the Myths of Poverty
- October Education Meeting: Poverty Amidst Plenty: Biennial State of AA County
- AAWGT ends the year with 190 members.
2016
Celebrates 10 years of grantmaking with $800,000 total awarded to 70 local nonprofits.
- $100,548 in grants awarded to eight Anne Arundel County nonprofits.
- Melanie Teems receives Founders’ Award.
- Holds Women and Leadership Forum, The Emerging Face of 21st Century Philanthropy, in celebration of its 10th anniversary. Over 200 people attend the event.
- February Education Meeting: Breaking the Cycle: Where There is Breath, There is Hope
- June Education Meeting: Community Plan for Collective Impact 2017-2020 Improving the Lives of Children, Youth and Families
- October Education Meeting: Heroin and Opioids: Suddenly a Big Problem
- November: Members’ Forum: Collective Impact – Making Large Scale Change
- AAWGT ends the year with 212 members.
2017
Education Meetings topics include Fostering Hope: Perseverance in the Face of Adversity, domestic violence and the One Love Escalation Workshop.
- $111,7295 in grants awarded to eight Anne Arundel County nonprofits.
- Holds Women and Leadership Event: How Women Lead and Change at Home and Around the World.
- February Education Meeting: Derailing the Impact of Early Childhood Trauma
- June Education Meeting: Fostering Hope: Perseverance in the Face of Adversity
- October Education Meeting: Domestic Violence
- November: One Love Escalation Workshop
- AAWGT ends the year with 197 members.
2018
AAWGT passes the $1,000,000 mark in total grants awarded.
- $105,136 in grants awarded to nine Anne Arundel County nonprofits.
- Maximum grant incrased to $20,000.
- Awards first Momentum Grant to STAIR-Annapolis. The grant was for $40,000 over two years
- Caroline Purdy and Karen Smith receive Founders’ Award.
- Holds International Women’s Day Event: Women on the March
- January Education Meeting: Evening with Carol Graham, author of Happiness for All? Unequal Hopes and Lives in Pursuit of the American Dream.
- June Education Meeting: Now That You’re Here – A Look at How We Assimilate Non-English-Speaking Newcomers into our Country
- AAWGT member Tara Clifford is named Volunteer of the Year by CFAAC.
- AAWGT member Beverly Marcus and her husband, Stephen, are named Philanthropists of the Year by CFAAC.
- AAWGT ends the year with 202 members.
2019
AAWGT members Karen Smith, Anna Greenberg and Margo Cook are honored by the YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County at the 34th Tribute to Women in Industry luncheon. These awards recognize contributions and accomplishments of visionary women in the workplace and the community.
- $112,778 in grants awarded to six Anne Arundel County nonprofits.
- Linda Eggbeer receives Founders’ Award.
- AAWGT member Bronwyn Belling named Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County Volunteer of the Year.
- AAWGT member Pam Brown receives a Fannie Lou Hamer Award for Leadership in Civil and Human Rights.
- AAWGT member Cassandra Smith Moore honored at the 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast.
- Held International Women’s Day Event: How Women Find Their Voices
- February Education Meeting: Unsung and Unserved: The Double-Edged Sword Facing Today’s Women Veterans
- June Education Meeting: Craving a Solution to Hunger: A Path to Food Security by 2030
- October Education Meeting: Transportation: A Route to Education, Jobs, Health Care and Food
- AAWGT ends the year with 224 members.
2020
Awards first Fundamental Needs Grant to Newtowne Community Development Corporation.
- Passes the $1.2 million mark in total of all grants awarded
- $139,381 in grants awarded to nine Anne Arundel County nonprofits.
- Holds Women and Leadership Forum: The Cost of Silence: Census 2020
- September: Holds first virtual Grants Showcase.
- February Education Meeting: The First 1,000 Days of Child’s Life
- June Education Meeting Trimming Health Inequity
- October Education Event: Elevating All Students-Eliminating All Gaps
- AAWGT ends the year with 225 members.
2021
After a thorough review, we greatly simplify our grants application and review process, applying principles of trust-based philanthropy. We offer a single type of grant this year, and give preference to nonprofits with gross receipts of $100,000 or less.
- Celebrates our 15th year of collective philanthropy. Featured several members in our newsletter that are long-time members and also posted video messages from several members and community leaders.
- Votes on May 11 to fund eight area nonprofits with grants totaling $138,496. We offered three different types of grants: a $20,000 Racial Equity Grant, a $10,000 Fundamental Needs grant and our regular grants.
- Holds education events on the performing arts during covid, affordable housing in Anne Arundel County, and maternal mortality in our county.
- Holds our annual Women Leaders Fostering Change event in March. It featured Linda Gooden, Rear Admiral (Ret.) Margaret Kibben, and Monica Brown Jones, M.D. The panel was moderated by member Cardie Templeton. The women spoke about their experience being one of the few women leaders in their organizations.
- Founders Award is awarded to long-time member and founder Barbara Hoffstein.
- Creates a resource guide with materials that address racial equity.
- Holds our spring open house via zoom.
- Holds our annual Grantee Showcase at the Annapolis Maritime Museum on September 22.
- AAWGT ends the year with 251 members.
2022
We voted to change our membership structure so that we have four contribution options (in addition to Lifetime Membership). Those options are Friend ($175), Catalyst ($375), Ally ($575), and Sustainer $1,075). All options have the same benefits, and all members continue to have one vote, no matter the contribution option.
- We continue to simplify our grants application and process to more fully embrace trust-based philanthropy. We vote to increase the maximum grant available to $25,000. We also update our list of the types of projects will fund.
- After a thorough review, the Governance Committee updates and simplifies our bylaws with full support of our membership. - Votes on May 11 to fund 11 area nonprofits with grants totaling $159,265.
- Holds education events on the adult literacy, the Innocence Project, and the geography and color of Anne Arundel County poverty.
- Holds our annual Women Leaders Fostering Change event in March. The topic was women leaders in climate action. It featured member Kate Fritz as facilitator, and Carmera Thomas-Wilhite of the Urban Conservation Iniative; Lynn Heller of the Climate Access Fund, and Candace Dodson-Reed of the Office of Equity and Inclusion, University of Maryland Baltimore County.
- Founders Award is awarded to Grants Committee chair Cindy Whittle.
- Holds our spring open house at Londontowne.
- Holds our annual Grantee Showcase at Temple Beth Shalom in Arnold, Md.
- Holds successful One More Grant Campaign, raising $20,000.
- Our Racial Equity Study Group and DEI Committee continues to meet to address how our work can incorporate these ideals. The RESG held a field trip to take the Harriet Tubman Country Narrated Tour around Cambridge, Md.
-Our Book Group continues to meet to discuss relevant non-fiction and movies.
- The Membership Committee continues to hold well-attended member “Getting Together” events.
- Holds our field trip, this year to Marshall Hope Corp.’s food pantry.
- AAWGT ends the year with 263 active members.
2023
- We vote to change our fiscal year to July 1 to June 30 to match our grant year. The fiscal year was previously January 1 to December 31.
- Holds education events What’s New With AAWGT?, Women in Leadership: The Impact the Pandemic Has Had on Our Collective Mental Health, The Many Faces of Homelessness, and The Realities FAcing Early Learners.
- Awards $164,305 in grants to nine local nonprofits bringing our total grants awarded since our founding to over $1.7M.
- Hosts our best-attended Open House (in April) and Grants Showcase (in September)
- Are one of five co-hosts of the Philanos PowerUp! Conference of giving circles from across the country. Three of our members presented at education sessions, and two of our members received DEI Advocate Awards.
- Our Racial Equity Study Group tours the local community of Highland Beach, which is one of America’s many historic resort communities founded by, and for, African Americans.
- AAWGT ended the year with 305 active members.
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