How to Get Involved Throughout the Year
We want our members to have options for how they want to be involved. Different times of the year may be better than others to invest, connect, and inspire.Visit our Eventbrite Page
Upcoming Events
Thursday, March 13 from 11:00-1:00 pm - 2nd Annual Multiplying Potential Luncheon
Location: Talent for Tomorrow Alliance, 609 H Street, NE, Rooftop, Washington, DC 20002
Registration Link: https://www.paperlesspost.com/go/jkoGgAXF2p84A9hz7mzq4
Description:
BWGC 2024 Grantee, Talent for Tomorrow Alliance, invites BWGC members to their 2nd Annual Multiplying Potential Luncheon to celebrate their commitment to collectively provide greater educational and career opportunities for young people in our community. A panel will discuss the value of an ecosystem approach to address youth challenges and explore how collaboration within the nonprofit sector could impact more young people in our community.
Friday, March 14 from 5:30-8:30 pm - "Counted Out" Documentary Screening and Discussion
Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/business-womens-giving-circle-counted-out-film-screening-tickets-1229409640329?aff=oddtdtcreator
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax Campus, Merten Hall #1201 (James W Hazel Conference Room) Visitor Parking in Rappahannock River Parking Deck, 4400 University Drive Fairfax, VA 22030
Description:
Welcome to the local Premiere of "Counted Out" hosted by Business Women's Giving Circle!
Join us for a special screening of “Counted Out,” a new hard-hitting documentary that shines a light on math as the foundation of democracy and economic opportunity.
Watch the trailer here: Counted Out Film Trailer
CFNOVA’s 2025 Shape of the Region Conference: Our Children
Creating Safe, Supportive Futures for Northern Virginia’s Youth
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 | Hybrid Event
7:30 am: Breakfast & Registration (in-person)
8:30 – 11:30 am: Conference Program (hybrid)
Valo Park Auditorium, 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102
Registration Link: https://www.cfnova.org/register/sotr-2025
Wednesday, April 2 from 12:00-1:00 pm - Virtual Education Event " Developing and Using AI Responsibly for Social Good"
Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1232183767819?aff=oddtdtcreator
Description:
Join us virtually on April 2 for an intriguing conversation with female thought leaders on developing and using AI responsibly for social good. Our speakers include Dr. Julia Stamm, the founder of She Shapes AI, Swathi Young, AI/ML Strategy Architect & Technology Innovator, and Rachel Gutierrez, Processes and Partnerships Lead for She Shapes AI. The discussion moderator is BWGC member, Nanci Schimizzi, Principal Owner, Fair Oaks Strategies, LLC.
During this session we will delve into:
- The development of artificial intelligence technologies and their uses across the world
- The preservation of freedoms in the AI revolution while ensuring no one is left behind
- The respect for humanist values in artificial intelligence and its service to society and the public interest
Saturday, June 14 from 2:00-5:00 pm - Summer Social at Good Spirit Farm
Save the Date! Registration opens March 16
Location: 35113 Snickersville Turnpike, Round Hill, VA 20141
Description:
Join the Business Women's Giving Circle for our Summer Social. This casual event connects members, guests, and our grantees for a casual networking event. An added benefit is Good Spirit Farm is owned by BWGC Founding Member, Luanne Gutermuth and her husband, Mike! After raising a family and retiring from rewarding and challenging careers, they embarked on a new adventure. Their statement about "retirement" highlights BWGC's and our grantees' work "..., it's what's possible when folks take a chance and move out of their comfort zone. Because that's where the magic happens." Consider bringing a guest interested in learning more about the Business Women's Giving Circle.
September 30 - Renewal Deadline: Consider renewing early to help the Grants Committee estimate the available grant funding for 2025. Contribute by September 30 to be part of the 2025 grants pool and have a say in selecting the finalists to receive awards.
Future Events
Fall Educational Event – date and topic coming soon
2025 Raise the Region Gala - October 17
Save the Date! Attend CFNova's Raise the Region Gala and enjoy the evening with BWGC Members.
November/December - Year-End Social – date coming soon
Past Events
Grantee Celebration – February
Members and guests came together to hear from our five 2024 grantee organizations on their current work, how our funding will elevate or sustain their impact, and how members can volunteer with the nonprofits in 2025. BWGC’s goals for 2025 were included in the evening. Good conversations and connections make this event a favorite for all members.
2024 Events
Educational Event in October
When: Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Where: Virtual
SCIENCE AT THE FOREFRONT
On Wednesday, October 23, we hosted a virtual fireside session with two impressive scientists who help lead the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH). Stacey Adam, PhD, and Courtney Silverthorn, PhD, will discuss their career journeys and their perspectives as women leaders in STEM fields.
Co-sponsored by Business Women’s Giving Circle (BWGC) and ARCS® Metro Washington Chapter, the discussion will cover:
- The evolution of science and technology career fields
- Insights, successes, and lessons learned from two successful women scientists
- Leadership advice
Moderator: Elli Nesbitt, Chair of the Council of Presidents for ARCS® and BWGC Member
Speakers: Stacey Adam, PhD, Vice President, Science Partnerships -Translational Sciences, FNIH, and Courtney Silverthorn, PhD, Vice President, Strategic Alliances and Innovation, FNIH
About the FNIH: The FNIH builds public-private partnerships that connect leading biomedical scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with their counterparts in life sciences companies, academia, patient advocacy organizations, foundations, and regulatory agencies. The FNIH contributes to the development of new therapies, diagnostics, and potential cures; advances global health and equity in care; and celebrates and helps train the next generations of scientists. Established by Congress in 1990 to support the mission of the NIH, the FNIH is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
2024 Raise the Region Gala - October 18
Attend CFNova's Raise the Region Gala and enjoy the evening with BWGC Members
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia along with hundreds of supporters celebrated the power of local philanthropy at the 2024 Raise the Region Gala. We also celebrated one of the BWGC Founding Members and President & CEO of Reston Limousine, Kristina Bouweiri! Kristina was the 2024 recipient of CFNova's Community Leadership Award presented annually for outstanding community service and dedication to improving the quality of life for all Northern Virginians.
BWGC always has a table(s) at the Gala and we plan to do so again next year.
Shark Tank Grantee Pitches - November 13
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Reston, VA
Save the Date!
Holiday Party - December 4
The Business Women's Giving Circle celebrated ten years of impact supporting women and girls across Northern Virginia. Join members, grantees, and community partners in this celebration lunch.
Annual Grantee Celebration and Kick-Off Meeting
Thursday, February 1. We welcomed in our 10th year and heard from the 2023 grantees as they presented ways we can become personally engaged in their programs.
2024 Shape of the Region Conference
Friday, February 9. The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia hosted its annual conference in collaboration with 19 regional partners, which highlighted a key problem facing our region, and the whole country today: diminishing social trust and how to bridge across our differences.
Educational Lunch & Learn
Monday, April 8. Fostering STEM Learning, Experiences, and Careers for Girls
Thank you to Denise Bellows, Brian Moran and Jennifer Fortney for educating us on engagement with girls in Northern Virginia and specifically with Boolean Girl and STEM for Her. Fostering STEM Learning, Experiences, and Careers for Girls was attended by 30 members and guests who walked away with many take-aways from the hour conversation including:
- Curriculum is not geared for the female narrative. Females gravitate toward work that is collaborative, problem solving in nature, and meaningful.
- Integration of STEM into the classroom increases exploration and allows girls to engage in opportunities they may not have seen for themselves.
- Factors of success from Boolean Girl - engage early, create diverse environments, representation is critical, integrate STEM into courses, engagement must be ongoing
- Engagement factors from STEM for Her - STEM exposure, hands-on learning, and role models are critical. It is OK to learn as you go! Dive into a new challenge.
Summer Social Pop-up Event
- Wednesday, July 17. Over 40 members, grantees, and guests attended the Summer Social at Parc de Ville for casual conversation, learning more about grantees, reconnecting with members and making new friends.
View a slideshow of photos from Business Women's Giving Circle events.
| Annual Calendar | What to Expect |
| February | We have our Annual Grantee Celebration where members can meet our grantees and learn about how they make an impact. Members also can meet new members and build relationships with the BWGC community. |
| March | We host pop-up events as possible with our members throughout the year. |
| April | We host a STEM focused education event to provide BWGC members a window into the STEM landscape for girls and young women. |
| May, June, & July | We have our membership drive and focus on sharing the impact we have made to date at a BWGC event. |
| September | Grants committee releases grant application and develops reviewing subcommittee. Education event focused on professional development topics. |
| October | Application review subcommittee begins review process and selects semi-finalists to present at a "Shark Tank" pitch event where members can ask questions and understand their funding requests. |
| November | We nominate members for the Steering Committee. Semi-Finalists present at Shark Tank where members can hear their pitches and vote on finalists and determine grant amounts. Holiday Pop Up event for members and grantees. |
| December | The slate of Finalists is voted on by all members and shared with the applicants. The Finalists are announced via a press release. |
Questions?Please contact Gabrielle Webster, Director of Donor Relations.
703 347 7419 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
with questions about engaging with this group.
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