_White.png)
The mission of the Women's Giving Circle is to educate, connect and inspire women to practice strategic philanthropy; using our collective strengths and financial resources to create positive change in Bartholomew County.
​
Women of all ages and means are invited to join in this important work with a gift to the Women's Giving Circle Philanthropic Fund as you are able and inspired to give. Gifts from women across the community will be pooled together for greater impact in grant-making and programs.
VISION
Women’s Giving Circle is a powerful philanthropic force transforming lives in Bartholomew County
HIGH IMPACT GRANTS
DEVELOPING WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
AN EDUCATED & ENGAGED NETWORK
COLLECTIVE GIVING
CONNECTION & COLLABORATION
INITIATIVES
2022 begins the 12th year of the Women’s Giving Circle of Bartholomew County, and as a reminder, our mission is to educate, connect and inspire women to practice strategic philanthropy; using our intellectual and financial resources to create positive change in Bartholomew County. We hope that you will join us as we celebrate the great work of the past and move into the future.
We know that when we come together as women – anything is possible.
WOMEN IN CRISIS MICRO-LOAN PROGRAM
In partnership with Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center, WGC will provide grant funds to assist women in crisis for three years, 2019-2021. LCFNC will identify women in need and work to make small-dollar, high impact loans with reasonable payment terms. Women will be assisted with support for items such as unexpected emergency expenses, monthly bill assistance due to extenuating circumstances, job preparedness, etc. Due to the COVID-19, the loans were changed to grants as women dealt with loss of income due to the pandemic.
WOMEN RISING LEADERSHIP GRANT APPLICATION & CRITERIA
​
The Women Rising Leadership Grant was established in 2020 by the Women’s Giving Circle of Bartholomew County to invest in the leadership growth of women and increase the number of women in leadership positions throughout our community. We know that the unique perspective and diverse skill set that women possess add value at every level of an organization and that women’s voices deserve, and need, to be heard.
​
Applications will be awarded on a rolling basis until funding is gone. For more information and the complete list of application criteria, please access the Women Rising Grant here.
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP PIPELINE STUDY
WGC is bringing all resources to the table including the investment of time, skill, talent, finances, intellect and leadership. The unique perspective and diverse skill set that women possess add value at every level of an organization and that women's voices deserve, and need to be heard. The goal through this project is to better understand and document how women are represented in leadership positions throughout our community.
​
The study revealed real data about women in leadership positions in Bartholomew County. WGC will leverage this information to help women find equal representation across all sectors of leadership and not limited to those roles that have been traditionally considered "female" - children/youth serving, caregiving, etc. Increasing women's access to leadership roles is core to the mission of the Women's Giving Circle and integral to the continued advancement of the community.
​
STRATEGIC GRANT MAKING
The WGC annually raises funds to award grants benefiting women, children, and families throughout Bartholomew County.
​
In 2022, WGC members selected early learning and childcare as the impact area for grantmaking. In 2023, Heritage Fund partnered with Community Education Coalition, United Way and Ivy Tech to recruit and hire an early learning coordinator for Bartholomew County. This position represents the first time our community has had a dedicated resource focused on improving the early learning and childcare sector in the county.
​
2022-23 grants
-
$10,000 allocated to support Bartholomew County Early Learning Coalition programming
-
$4,750 to Busy Bees Academy -- $250 awarded to each classroom in the BCSC pre-K program to be used at the discretion of staff to enhance learning opportunities for students
-
$10,000 to Children Inc. to be used for childcare subsidies, staff retention efforts, and building entryway renovation to create a more welcoming atmosphere for students.
Check out these fast facts related to early learning in Bartholomew County.
​
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY REPORT CARD FOR WOMEN
In order to better assess the needs of women in our community, WGC will work with strategic partners to collect key data on the status of women locally. Data will be shared with the community and used to define the future initiatives and grant making from the WGC.
​
BE A GEM - GIVE EVERY MONTH
New in 2021, our monthly giving program, be a GEM (Give Every Month). Giving monthly is hassle-free and you never have to remember when it’s time to rejoin! Plus your monthly gift will build on the philanthropic force of the WGC to improve the lives of women and children in Bartholomew County! Indicate your monthly gift when giving on our website.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
When we come together as women, anything is possible.
MAILING LIST
Join the mailing list by sending an email to: jmccann@heritagefundbc.org – put “Join WGC Mailing List” in the subject line.
Follow us on our new Facebook page.
QUESTIONS?
Questions? Contact Jacquie Bontrager-McCann
at (812) 376-7772 or jmccann@heritagefundbc.org.