Women’s Giving Circle Awards $100,000 in Grants

Frederick, MD – July 6, 2011:  The Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County proudly awarded $100,000 to 17 area nonprofits who serve women and children. The awards were presented during the sixth annual tea, held on June 17, 2011 at Dutch’s Daughter Restaurant, with The Women’s Giving Circle members, nonprofit organizations and community leaders in attendance. The Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County Fund is one of more than 600 component funds of The Community Foundation of Frederick County.

Since 2006, The Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County has awarded a total of $440,000 in support of its mission to provide programs and services promoting self-sufficiency for women and children. To date, more than $900,000 has been pledged and received. The organization now has 190 members.

This grant cycle marked the first use of a new online application process called Common Grant Application, which modernized and improved the application and review process. This initiative was spearheaded by Lisa Ausherman, Grants Committee Chair.

“The Women’s Giving Circle received 43 grant applications totaling more than $348,000 in requests,” said Mrs. Ausherman. “The top priorities were emergency funding needs, self-sufficiency, overcoming disabilities, homelessness, and strengthening relationships. It was my privilege to lead the nine outstanding Grants Committee members who worked diligently to evaluate the applications. What an honor to help empower women and children and make Frederick County a better place to live and work.”

In addition to the awards presentation by Mrs. Ausherman, the program included remarks by Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Communications Director, The Association of Baltimore Area Grantsmakers; Betsy Day, President, The Community Foundation of Frederick County; Mimi McLaughlin Galanis, Women’s Giving Circle Community Involvement Chair; Barbara Roman, Women’s Giving Circle Finance Chair, Ann Ryan, Project ALIVE Coordinator, Teleola Sofola, Project ALIVE participant and Karlys Kline, Women’s Giving Circle Founder.

The following nonprofit organizations received grants:

Advocates for Homeless Families received a $4,000 grant to assist 10 homeless single mothers with childcare and gas expenses.

The Arc of Frederick County received a $1,500 grant to fund a retreat for up to 10 mothers with intellectual disabilities.

Cakes for Cause, Inc. received a $5,000 grant to support workshops and resources for female caregivers of children with incarcerated parents.

Church Women United received a $2,000 grant to support workshops and resources for female caregivers of children with incarcerated parents.

Families Plus, Inc. received a $3,600 grant for six four-week childbirth education and infant care classes for women up to 21 years of age.

Gale Houses, Inc. received a $5,000 grant to create and furnish separate dining, meeting and study areas.

Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley, Inc. received a $4,000 grant to support job placement development and services for 10 women residents of Gale House.

Heartly House received a $6,500 grant to provide transportation and support food costs for women and their children living in emergency shelters.

Hope Alive, Inc. received a $4,650 grant to provide transitional family shelters for homeless women and their children.

Housing Authority of the City of Frederick received three grants totaling $15,000 to provide transportation and childcare assistance for women enrolled in school, and non-credit tuition assistance.

The Mental Health Association of Frederick County received a $5,000 grant to support parent coaches for supervised visitation for 20 women and their children.

Mission of Mercy received grants totaling $10,000 to support the prenatal care program serving more than 70 women and the chronic care program serving more than 450 women and children.

Partners in Care Maryland, Inc. received a $5,000 grant to provide fuel reimbursement for volunteers who provide rides to appointments for older women.

The Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs received grants totaling $20,000 to support eviction prevention for women and their families, utility interruption prevention, and the Exodus Project 90-day program for homeless women.

Seton Center received grants totaling $5,750 to support emergency housing needs and the “Jump Start Your Job Search” program for up to 30 women.

Woman to Woman Mentoring Program received a $1,500 grant to provide childcare reimbursements for women attending training programs.

YMCA of Frederick County received a $1,500 grant to provide on-site child care for women participating in financial sessions.

Click here for information about the Women’s Giving Circle, or contact founder Karlys Kline at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 240.357.6400.

Since 1986, the Community Foundation has worked with individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to establish charitable funds that provide grants to area nonprofits serving the community and scholarships to students. Click here to make a secure, online donation to The Women’s Giving Circle Fund. Checks made payable to The Community Foundation of Frederick County may be mailed to 312 East Church Street, Frederick, Maryland, 21701, with the name of the specific fund on the memo line. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. For additional information about the Community Foundation please call 301.695.7660.