Women Giving Circle of McKean County is a philanthropic giving circle that pools the combined charitable resources of over 65 area women to fund projects that enhance the quality of life for women and their families in McKean County. Along with the satisfaction of making a difference in their communities, our members also enjoy events where they gather to network, learn about community needs and award grants.
Our Annual Business Meeting is held each fall where grants are awarded. At the meeting, organizations that have been chosen as final grant candidates give a brief overview of their project to the members in attendance. The members vote on their favorite projects and grants are awarded. Along with learning all about exciting programs that are benefiting our communities, members enjoy great food, great friends, and an always entertaining evening.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE! Women’s Giving Circle 2024 Spring Event will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at The Red Fern. SPRING BREAK WITH WOMEN WHO CARE AND THE BEACH BUMZ, a Jimmy Buffet/Beach Boys Tribute band. Watch for more details!
PAST EVENTS
Women’s Giving Circle 2023 Annual Business Meeting
2023 WGC Annual Meeting
November 2, 2023
Marilyn Horne Museum & Exhibit Center, Bradford
Women’s Giving Circle awards $7,400 in grants
The Women’s Giving Circle of McKean County (WGC) granted a total of $7,400 to five nonprofit organizations at their annual business meeting on November 2nd held at the Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center in Bradford. Along with the awarding of grants, the women enjoyed appetizers, raffles and a self-guided tour of the museum.
Women’s Giving Circle is a donor advised fund held at the McKean County Community Foundation. Since its inception in 2019, the WGC fund has awarded over $31,000 in grants to enhance local nonprofit programs. The fund was established by a group of community-minded women who continue to work together to address and support issues that are important to women.
The recipients of the 2023 WGC grants were YWCA Bradford, $2,000 for increase in length of shelter stays; Mattresses Across McKean County, $2,000 for twin and toddler mattress distribution; Destinations of Bradford, $2,000 for Emergency Housing Vouchers; Catholic Charities and Adoption Services, $800 for necessities, such as wipes, baby food, formula, toiletries, strollers, and pack-n-plays; and CARE for Children, $600 for LifeVac Choking Rescue Devices and trainings.
WGC offers the opportunity for every woman to become a member and participate in charitable giving in their community. Members each donate a very affordable $100 or more annually. All donations are pooled together each year to determine the amount available for granting that year. WGC extends an invitation to all area women to join their organization.
WGC members can enjoy two events each year; an annual meeting where they network and hear presentations by organizations that have applied for a grant, then vote on the projects of their choice; and a yearly fun social event to enjoy the company of many other amazing women. The only requirement is an affordable personal contribution to the granting fund to help support local nonprofits. There are no regular meetings or job assignments to take up your valuable time! Detailed information on the Women’s Giving Circle is available on our website, www.mckeancountyfoundation.org.
WAS HELD ON THURSDAY,
AUGUST 3, 2023 AT EDDIE’S ON MAIN
Photo Gallery coming soon
Women’s Giving Circle 2022 Annual Meeting
2022 Bradford Brew Station Business Meeting
November 16, 2022
Bradford Brew Station in Bradford
Women’s Giving Circle awards $7,300 in grants
The Women’s Giving Circle (WGC), a project of the McKean County Community Foundation, held its annual granting meeting on Wednesday, November 16, awarding $7,300 in grants to five area non-profit organizations. WGC, a philanthropic giving circle, was founded in 2019 by a group of charitable-minded women who cared about improving the quality of life in McKean County for their families and friends.
The 2022 annual meeting, held at the Bradford Brew Station, was attended by WGC members and their guests who greatly enjoyed an evening of socialization, refreshments and education, including a tour of the brewing station.
The highlight of the evening was a presentation by each of the ten grant applicants with a brief description of the project their grant would be funding. WGC members then voted on their favorite projects and awarded a total of $7,300 in grants to five non-profit organizations. All ten grant applicants were seeking funding for exceptional programs. It is the goal of WGC to continue to increase their membership and grow their ability to assist more non-profit organizations in McKean County.
YWCA received a $2,000 grant for their housing and employment services program, CASA of McKean County was awarded $2,000 for recruitment and training of additional volunteers, Destinations of Bradford received $2,000 to expand their housing and gasoline card programs, Duke Center Methodist Church Food Pantry was awarded $1,000 to supply personal care and hygiene products, and The Guidance Center was awarded a $300 grant to address the needs of women and families located in McKean County.
Women’s Giving Circle 2022 Floral Design at Logyard
2022 WGC FLORAL DESIGN EVENT
July 13, 2022
At Logyard in Kane
The Women’s Giving Circle of McKean County (WGC), a project of the McKean County Community Foundation, held a special event at the Logyard in Kane on Wednesday, July 13. The women enjoyed an evening of appetizers and floral design, while helping to grow the granting monies available for distribution at their annual meeting. Local florists guided the group in creating beautiful floral bouquets and succulent garden dishes. WGC invites all area women to consider joining their group to help support many great programs that assist women and their families in McKean County!
This past year, WGC granted $7,000 to area nonprofits for their programs and projects. The 2022 awards will take place at the Annual Meeting in November, with membership for this year open until October 1. Each WGC member makes an annual charitable donation of at least $100. The donations are pooled together to make an impact in McKean County by awarding grants to non-profits. WGC is both a philanthropic and a social organization that strengthens the concept of women working together to fund change and create a better way of living in their communities.
Women’s Giving Circle 2021 Annual Business Meeting
2021 WGC ANNUAL MEETING
November 10, 2021
At the Eldred WWII Museum
First in-person Women’s Giving Circle Annual Membership Meeting was held in 2021!
The Women’s Giving Circle (WGC), a project of the McKean County Community Foundation, held its first in-person annual granting meeting on November 10, awarding $7,000 in grants to four area non-profit organizations. WGC, a philanthropic giving circle, was founded in 2019 by a group of charitable-minded women who cared about improving the quality of life in McKean County for their families and friends.
The 2021 annual meeting, held at the Eldred WW2 Museum, was attended by WGC members and their guests who greatly enjoyed an evening of socialization, refreshments from Eddie’s on Main and The Winery at Wilcox, and education, including a wonderful presentation by Steve Appleby of the WW2 museum.
The highlight of the evening was a presentation by each of the eight grant applicants with a brief description of the project their grant would be funding. WGC members then voted on their favorite projects and awarded a total of $7,000 in grants to four non-profit organizations. All eight grant applicants were seeking funding for exceptional programs. It is the goal of WGC to continue to increase their membership and grow their ability to assist more non-profit organizations in McKean County.
YWCA received a $2,000 grant for their housing and employment services program, Mattresses Across McKean County was awarded $2,000 to provide mattresses to those in need, CASA of McKean County received $2,000 for recruitment and training of additional volunteers, and Care for Children was awarded a $1,000 grant for their Cribs for Kids program and sleep education for parents.
WGC is open to all area women who are interested in addressing and supporting issues that are important to women. Each member makes an annual charitable donation of at least $100. The donations are pooled together to make an impact in McKean County by awarding grants to non-profits. WGC is both a philanthropic and a social organization that strengthens the concept of women working together to fund change and create a better way of living in their communities.
Women can learn more or join Women’s Giving Circle by visiting the McKean County Community Foundation website, or calling the Foundation at 1-844-238-2289.
Women’s Giving Circle 2020 Annual Business Meeting
2020 WGC ANNUAL MEETING
November 17, 2020
Virtual Meeting
Our Women’s Giving Circle Annual Membership Meeting was held in 2020!
OUR FIRST GRANTING YEAR!
WGC awarded their inaugural grants totaling $9,500 during the organization’s first Annual Membership event held virtually in November via Zoom. Door prizes were awarded throughout the 30-minute program. As part of the event, the organization’s 75 members had an opportunity to vote for the projects they felt were most important to the community. Voting was conducted via mail, email and fax this year, due to the constraints of a face to face event. After the votes were tallied, five agencies received grant awards.
2020 WGC GRANTS
$2,000 To CASA of McKean County to support their volunteer advocacy program
$2,000 To McKean County Early Intervention for educational tote bags for parents of newborns
$2,000 To The Guidance Center–Big Brothers, Big Sisters of McKean County for volunteer recruitment & marketing
$2,000 To The Lutheran Home at Kane for activities to fight depression in residents
$1,500 To Mt. Jewett to Kinzua Bridge Trail Club for portable toilet to be placed at trail head
