b'FINDING ONESELF: HELPING WOMENand GIRLSW hen Barb Siegel retired fromgiving circles in the U.S. tripled betweenWhen I got engaged with collective teaching in 2018, one of the2007 and 2017.giving, it was awesome to see how a pool first things she did was joinJWGF has a two-stage, annualof money contributed by a large groupThe Associateds Jewish Womens Givinggrantmaking cycle that runs fromof women could translate into grants Foundation (JWGF). She had heard fellowSeptember to May, says Jennifer Millman,in the range of $10 to $20 thousand, retired teachers talk about the foundationJWGF Director. Grantmaking is limited towhich can really make a difference in and she wanted to be part of it. organizations that support women andsome of these organizations. Ive lived here almost all my life, saysgirls, and the foundation aims to allocateWhile many of the women in JWGFSiegel. And yes, I know there are people50% of its funds to the Jewish community. are empty-nesters or retirees, othersthat are in need. But when my friendsUnlike Seigel, Julie Newman isntare newlyweds and young professionals. would start talking to me about the a native Baltimorean. She says becomingMillman says the pandemic, and the need organizations they were supporting, I wasinvolved with JWGF helped her meetto hold virtual meetings and events, has blown away. I had this realization that I amlike-minded women and get to in a position to help.know Baltimores Jewish and secularBarb Siegel reviews grant proposals for JWGF.Once she joined, Siegel saw howcommunities. JWGF presents her dedicated the women in JWGF were. with a unique opportunity to make Its their calling, their passion. Its been a real difference in the lives of girls a great experience.and women in need.Giving circles such as JWGF allow Ive always tried to make women to pool their resources toindividual donations, but I can only support organizations they believe in.do or give so much, says Newman. They also teach women to be successfulI mean, were not in the financial philanthropists. While they have alwaysposition to give millions of dollarsexisted, giving circles have grown ina year or even tens of thousands popularity, especially with womenof dollars a year to one specific philanthropists. In fact, the number oforganization.Recent Grants from The Associateds Jewish Womens Giving Foundation Since its establishment, JWGF has given grants to more than 54 nonprofit organizations that help women and girls of all faiths and backgrounds live safer, healthier and more meaningful lives. Here are a few of the recent grants: 14 SHALOM BALTIMORE'