Full Circle News
October 2025
Local Nonprofits on Stage! Complimentary registration, parking and refreshments.
Click HERE to learn more and register.
Member Spotlights |
Meet Léopoldine Farrington, Melanie Kincaid, Yolanda Rayford, and Emma Cusack |
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CLICK HERE to meet Léopoldine.LÉOPOLDINE FARRINGTON, AAWGT Secretary, says that since she first attended an AAWGT Grants Showcase 3 years ago, she has enjoyed being among strong, inspiring and kind women who have a genuine commitment to helping other non-profits in our community. As a member of the Grants team, Léeopoldine says she has gained a clearer vision of the challenges on the rise in the county. She was born and raised in France and moved with her family to Annapolis in 2017 where she works full-time as a realtor. She is also excited about her involvement with AAWGT because it allows her 12-year-old daughter to see what it is to be a leader in the community. | CLICK HERE to meet Melanie.MELANIE KINCAID says that from her very first open house three years ago, she was struck by how welcoming and impactful AAWGT is. Melanie has worked for non-profit organizations around the world her whole career and sees AAWGT as a great model because members can get as involved as they’re able to and pool their money with 100% going into the community. She loves the power of collective giving and the connections made between members. Melanie is Director of Development and Communications for Historic London Town and Gardens and is excited about AAWGT’s Young Philanthropists Program, bringing young people and volunteer opportunities together. | CLICK HERE to meet Yolanda.YOLANDA RAYFORD joined AAWGT in February 2025 and is the Asst. Chair of the Marketing and Communications committee.. She is excited to help impact the lives of families in our community and says the ability of the organization to grow and be more diverse is key to its development. Yolanda especially enjoys the educational events and the opportunity to network and work in a team. She is the Executive Director of Blue Star Families Maryland Chapter and has 5 adult children and 5 grandchildren. Yolanda says with AAWGT having both professional and retired members, she’d like to see more “cross-pollination” interaction and she is excited to be a part of the AAWGT team. | CLICK HERE to meet Emma.EMMA CUSACK is the marketing and communications intern for AAWGT and a full-time student at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale. Emma joined this summer and is our youngest member. She likes content design projects and has already helped with the newsletter and made the event flyer for the Young Philanthropists event in August. Emma is impressed with the strong women she has met and hopes to meet more when she’s home for winter break. |
Mark Your Calendars
Save the Date - Watch social media and your inbox to sign up! Community Events (attend and invite guests):
Member Events:
| Getting Togethers We got together at Garten on September 9, for an enjoyable summer evening of meaningful connection, networking, and friendship building! Save the Date for our next Getting Together.
Coffee at Discoveries: The Library at the Mall — November 12 at 8:30am Join us in their new expanded space, which is also the busiest library in the system, to learn about the Community Pantry that supports women and families by providing diapers and menstrual products. Hosted by the Library Foundation, guests are asked to bring diapers, wipes, or menstrual products in support of the Pantry - learn more about needs here: www.aacpl.net/services/discoveries/pantry |
Young Philanthropist Launch
Come Volunteer 11/6 Come Volunteer 11/6 Calling young philanthropists (18-49 years old) to volunteer November 6, 4:30-6:00PM at Anne Arundel County Food Bank. Watch social media to sign up! | Grantee Spotlight When Women Invest in Women, Futures Change Journey to Joy Recovery House When women invest in women, futures change. It starts small—a notebook, a lesson—and grows into something life-changing. CLICK HERE to learn more.That truth was on full display at the monthly life skills workshop at Journey to Joy Recovery House, funded by the AAWGT Life Skills Grant. Program Director Tanaisha Pearson reminded participants: “It’s important for you to know that this isn’t charity—it’s That month’s session focused on time management, with simple but powerful strategies: Make your bed every morning. For Tiffany those notes became more than advice—they became a plan to solve her toughest challenge: weekend childcare. “How can I pay $20 an hour for childcare when I only make $15 an hour?” she asked. Guided by Pearson, Tiffany leaned into the lessons. She asked for help and built a network of six trusted families to share childcare. Within six weeks, she had a schedule that allowed her to work with peace of mind, knowing her daughter was safe. The workshop’s impact reached beyond tips and tricks. It built confidence, problem-solving skills, and community support. Tiffany’s gratitude came through in a simple text message: “I could never have done this without you and your support. Thanks!” This is what Journey to Joy Recovery House is all about—an affirming and accountable sober living community where women in recovery, and their children, are nurtured into abundant life. Going Beyond the Check: Journey to Joy celebrates its third birthday in October. To mark the occasion, the organization has created an Amazon Wish List and is building a volunteer database for those interested in serving. If you feel inspired, we invite you to join in—by donating, volunteering, or simply sharing their story. Every gesture helps women write a new chapter for themselves and their families. AAWGT is proud to support Journey to Joy Recovery House. These women are our sisters, our friends, and our neighbors. Together, we invest in one another, and together, we create futures full of possibility. |
Join an AAWGT Committee! | 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. |
Food Insecurity in AAC
Join Us - October 29 - Empower Hour “Food Insecurity in Anne Arundel County - Small Bites of Insights.” A conversation (via zoom) with Leah Paley, LMSW, CEO, AAC Food Bank - 6:00 - 7:00PM, presented by the AAWGT Education Committee. Register HERE. | Welcome New Members! Kristin Boulette Carol Butler Margaret DiGiorgio Jan Flaherty Betsy Jones Nicole Libby Deborah Light Janet Nolan Erin Reeder Joy Ritz Thank you for joining. We look forward to seeing you all soon at upcoming events! |
Join the Grants Committee! Welcome to the start of the 2026 Grants Year! Thanks to YOU, AAWGT awarded a record $226,316, the largest amount in our history to organizations supporting women and families in Anne Arundel County. Since our founding almost 20 years ago, we have provided over $2.1M in grants to 60 different nonprofit organizations in Anne Arundel County; Would you like to help review grants this year? If you’re new to the process, we will have an orientation for reviewers and team leaders on October 30th on zoom. CLICK HERE to learn more.We truly appreciate those who do the important work of assessing the many applications (45 just last year). We may receive even more this year! Over the summer, former and current members of the Grants and Grants Systems committees met for a productive planning session. We use an efficient and effective review system and software that makes it easy to read applications from anywhere in the world! Our grants are at the heart of AAWGT’s mission. Come join us! Email us at grants@givingtogether.org | 2024 DEIAB Survey Update and Progress Thank you to those ~150 active volunteers (committee members, officers, steering committee members) who completed the 2024 DEIAB survey sent last fall. We had a phenomenal participation rate and have used the results for progress. CLICK HERE to learn more.From the survey results we learned that AAWGT members are ready for greater engagement on matters relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging and would like more information. Since the survey, the 2024-2025 Steering Committee had a six-hour retreat/DEIAB training last December, including numerous 2025-26 leaders. greater awareness of and engagement in DEIAB principles among leaders was discussed Leadership was recruited for the DEIAB Committee The DEIAB Committee has established guiding principles Specifically, the 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. The Committee shares a Framework which expresses the values that can help guide AAWGT and how we function. By doing so, we will together build a stronger, more innovative, and collaborative organization. |
Message From Leadership Welcome to fall! We're excited about our schedule of educational and inspirational events and hope you'll join us.. CLICK HERE to learn more.Upcoming events include our October 15 business meeting where we will discuss what’s underway with grants, membership, and the Young Philanthropists Program, marketing and more. At this meeting the Founders’ Award will be presented to a most deserving member. This award is always a great testament to the work we all do.In November Dr. Pam Brown will present “Poverty Amidst Plenty,” an invaluable resource for AAWGT and our grant making. As we approach our 20th year of grantmaking, we're taking time to reflect on our work and impact while looking toward AAWGT's future. This strategic review will help us enhance both our grantmaking process—central to our mission—and our membership services as we continue to grow. As always, Liz, Jen and I welcome your thoughts and feedback. Stealey Ashley, President |
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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