The Women’s Giving Circle was formed in 2006 to provide a new avenue for women to be involved in the community. The focus of The Women’s Giving Circle emerged from a seed of an idea that was planted in the mind of Karlys Kline, a 25-plus-year resident of Frederick. When Karlys looked around Frederick, she learned about women and their children who were facing significant struggles in their lives, and she thought there had to be some way to assist them.

 

Not wanting to duplicate existing programs, Karlys founded a fund through the Community Foundation of Frederick County. The funds would help women who needed money to better their own lives and the lives of their children. She gathered friends and business associates together and issued a challenge — pledge $3,000 over a period of three years ($1,000 per year) to help women and their children facing economic challenges in our community.  The idea quickly caught on and in 2007 the first set of grants, totaling $70,000 was awarded to nine Frederick nonprofits.

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After 20 years of operating as a component fund of The Community Foundation of Frederick County, the Giving Circle began operating as a registered independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on July 1, 2026.  The Giving Circle is deeply grateful to the Community Foundation for their stewardship, their guidance, and the spirit of collaboration that contributed to the success and impact of the Giving Circle mission during the first twenty years of our history.  

 

Today the Women's Giving Circle of Frederick County numbers over 500 members and has provided over $3,500,000 in grant funds to 67 local nonprofit organizations.