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
Annual Membership Meeting - January
All members are invited to the annual kick off meeting where we review the membership survey responses, grantee process, and annual events. This year we will also begin the Strategic Planning process.
Grantee Celebration
We welcome the 2024 grantees and learn about the programs BWGC supports and how we can personally engage in their programs.
Spring Educational Program
Summer Social
Fall Educational Event
2025 Raise the Region Gala - October 17
Attend CFNova's Raise the Region Gala and enjoy the evening with BWGC Members
Join the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia in-person and help "Raise the Region" at the annual celebration of local philanthropy.
October and November – Members who renew by September 30 contribute to the grants pool and are invited to participate in the grantee process from application through recommendation of grantees
December - Year-End Social
PAST 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
Save the Date!
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 |
| January | We have our annual planning meeting, where members can meet the incoming Steering Committee and learn about ways to engage throughout the year. |
| 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 | We have our membership drive and focus on sharing the impact we have made to date at a BWGC event. |
| July - September | We nominate members for Steering Committee positions. The Grants Committee reviews applicants and selects the grantee semi-finalists. |
| October | Semi-Finalists present at Shark Tank where members can hear their pitches and vote on finalists and determine grant amounts. |
| November | 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.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
