FAQs
Membership and Joining the Circle
Who are Circle members?
The Circle welcomes all women. We are an energetic, caring, curious and engaged group of women who represent a wide range of backgrounds, ages, and life experiences from professionals, entrepreneurs, students, philanthropists, grantees, non-profit board members, stay at home mothers to retirees. We welcome new members throughout the year.
If I am interested or have a friend who is interested in the Circle, how can we get information?
Learn more about the Giving Circle by contacting: membership@thebwgc.org
OR Contact:
Baltimore Community Foundation
11 East Mt. Royal Avenue, 2nd Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 410.332.4172
Fax: 410.837.4701
How much of my annual contribution is tax deductible?
All of it.
How is my contribution used?
Most of your contribution goes to giving out grants. A small portion of each member's contribution goes to our programming.
How long is my commitment when I join?
The commitment is made year to year, one year at a time. If you wish, you may pay for more than one year at a time. Invoices are sent via electronic mail on or around July 1st.
When is my annual contribution due?
Our fiscal year is from July 1 - June 30. Existing members will receive an invoice on or about July 1. We appreciate payment promptly.
What payment method may I use?
You may pay by check, online with a credit card or e-check, by wire, with securities, by recommending a grant from a donor-advised fund at the Baltimore Community Foundation, or by transfer from another charitable fund. See detailed information under Join Us on the BWGC website.
Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube)
How would I send you something to post on Social Media?
The BWGC uses its social media platforms to increase visibility of the Circle to the general public, and promote the Circle's mission of collective impact. Sharing photos, videos, and news from Circle events or events related to our grantees is a great way to stay connected and learn about issues that women and girls face in our community. Visit our current social media sites for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. If a grantee has an event that it would like to share with the Circle or its respective audiences, please feel free to send the information directly to socialmedia@thebwgc.org. The Communications Committee will review how best the information can be utilized.
Full Circle
Does the BWGC meet as a group?
Yes, there are four Full Circle meetings a year. At three of the meetings, policy experts, program operators and program beneficiaries speak about issues affecting women and their families, followed by a Q&A. At the fourth meeting, Circle members vote to select the new grants that will be awarded effective July 1.
May members bring a guest to a Full Circle Meeting?
Yes, to three of the four meetings, subject to space. Members bringing a guest must RSVP with the guest’s name and must accompany the guest to the meeting. The May Full Circle meeting is reserved only for members as that is when new grants are selected.
Committees
Whom do I contact if I have a question about my committee?
You should contact the leadership of the committee in which you are interested. The committee’s co-chairs can be reached at the following emails:
Grants Committee: grants@thebwgc.org
Membership Committee: membership@thebwgc.org
Education Committee: education@theBWGC.org
Grantee Connect Committee: granteeconnect@thebwgc.org
Post Grants Committee: postgrants@theBWGC.org
Communications Committee: communications@thebwgc.org
REDI Committee: REDI@thebwgc.org
Do I have to join a committee?
No, not at all. But it is a great way to get involved and learn about the Circle.
May I join more than one committee?
Yes, but we recommend you first carefully consider the time commitment of each.
May members bring a guest to a committee meeting?
This varies by committee. Please contact the leadership to confirm.
Grants
How are grants awarded?
Circle members are involved in all aspects of the decision-making process associated with grants awarded by the BWGC. Circle members who volunteer to be grant readers are organized into teams. Each team reviews a group of proposals to identify those that best address the BWGC grant criteria and warrant site visits. Subsequent to site visits, team members identify those proposals that they wish to recommend for funding. Circle members who are grant-readers and other Circle members who attend voter orientation vote to select the new grantees. The awards are effective July 1.
How can I participate in the grants review process?
Sign up to serve on the Grants Committee when you join the Circle or renew your membership.
How does an organization receive information about applying for a grant?
Through the BWGC website or from an RFP (request for proposal) announcement emailed each fall to organizations in the Greater Baltimore area identified as providing services that relate to the BWGC mission. Circle members can request that a specific organization receive an RFP announcement by contacting grants@thebwgc.org. Organizations may add their names to our RFP list by contacting grants@thebwgc.org. Organizations do not need to receive an RFP announcement to apply for a grant; see Apply for a Grant on the BWGC website for information.