A local philanthropy has announced a series of new initiatives that seek to pool together the collective strengths and financial resources of local women to help make a positive impact in Bartholomew County.
The series of initiatives, called the Women’s Giving Circle of Bartholomew County, is a program of the Heritage Fund — The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County and seeks to educate, connect and inspire women to practice philanthropy. The initiatives are geared toward helping local women and families.
This year, the Women’s Giving Circle will feature four key new initiatives, including a micro-loan program for women who need emergency financial support, a leadership program designed to help connect women to leadership roles in the community, a data collection effort to identify opportunities to help local women through philanthropy and networking opportunities for local women who are interested in philanthropy, said Kristin Munn, director of development at the Heritage Fund.
“The new direction is really about the new strategic initiatives we’ve chosen and to increase our impact int he community,” she said.
Founded in 2010, the Women’s Giving Circle of Bartholomew County has helped award more than $130,000 in grants since the program’s inception, according to the program’s website.
Approximately 150 to 200 women typically participate in the Women’s Giving Circle each year, Munn said.
The Women’s Giving Circle is open to women of any age and financial status, according to the program’s website.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to engage more women in our work and increase the impact of the Giving Circle,” she said. “We’re hoping that the new direction will be a call to action for women across the community who have an interest in philanthropy to get involved.”
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Visist heritagefundbc.org/giving-circle/ for more information about the Women’s Giving Circle of Bartholomew County.
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Women in Crisis Micro-Loan Program: the Women’s Giving Circle will partner with Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center to provide funds for women who need help with emergency expenses, bills, among other expenses.
Bartholomew County Report Card for Women and Strategic Grantmaking: the Women’s Giving Circle will collect data to determine the needs and status of local women and how they can be helped through philanthropy.
Women’s Leadership Pipeline: The Women’s Giving Circle seeks to create a "pipeline" to help better connect women to leadership opportunities in the community.
WGC Empower Hour: The Women’s Giving Circle will hold an hour-long event the first Wednesday of every month for women interested in philanthropy can network, learn about issues affecting the community and discuss funding opportunities.
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