The Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County is honored to announce the recipients of our 2026 Grant Awards. This year, we are proud to award $290,000 in funding. This milestone brings our cumulative community investment to an incredible $3,519,607 since our inaugural awards in 2007.

Our Strategy for Greater Impact

Remaining steadfast in our mission to support women striving for self-sufficiency while faced with challenging circumstances, we refined our 2026 cycle to focus on four critical pillars:

• Health

• Education

• Housing

• Transportation

By narrowing our scope, we provided our applicants with greater clarity and enhanced the efficiency of our dedicated grants committee. Most importantly, prioritizing fewer, more substantial awards has allowed us to deliver a more profound and lasting impact on the lives of women in our community.

Looking Ahead Following the success of this strategic shift, we will define our specific focus for 2027 as we prepare for the upcoming cycle. We look forward to continuing this vital work together.

The 2026 Grant Cycle by the Numbers

The response to this year’s cycle was overwhelming, highlighting the significant needs within our community:

• 35 Proposals received from 29 local organizations.

• $938,909 in total funding requested.

• 12 Projects selected from 11 organizations.

• $290,000 in total funds awarded.

After thorough consideration and careful deliberation, our committee selected the projects that most closely align with our mission and demonstrate the highest potential for positive local impact. These grants have been officially approved by the membership of the Women’s Giving Circle and the Community Foundation of Frederick County.

A Debt of Gratitude

This rigorous process would not be possible without the unwavering commitment of our Grants Committee. We wish to express our sincerest appreciation to the entire team, led by Chair Stephanie Fitch and Vice-Chair Emilie Routzahn.

Their keen insights and steadfast dedication ensured a fair and thorough evaluation. Each member brought a unique perspective that enriched our discussions and ensured our decisions truly reflected our organization’s values. We are also incredibly grateful to the Community Foundation of Frederick County for their vital support throughout the application and evaluation phases.

Join Us in Celebration

We invite you to help us honor these remarkable organizations. The 2026 grant recipients will be recognized at our Annual Grant Awards Celebration:

Help Widen Our Circle - Invite a Friend!

There’s no better time to introduce someone to the Women’s Giving Circle than at our annual Grant Awards Celebration. This uplifting event celebrates the heart of our mission—the power of collective giving—and the tangible impact we’re making in our community through the programs we fund together.

Inviting a friend, colleague, or neighbor to join you is more than a kind gesture—it’s a powerful way to help grow our circle and deepen our impact. The more members we have, the more dollars we can direct to the organizations and initiatives that need it most.

Guests will hear directly from this year’s grant recipients, connect with current members, and experience the energy, purpose, and generosity that define the Women’s Giving Circle. Whether your guest is simply curious or looking to get more involved, this is a perfect opportunity for them to see what we’re all about.

Help widen our circle. Bring someone along and help us continue building a stronger, more generous community.

For more information about the Women's Giving Circle Grants program: see https://frederickwgc.org/grants