We are a group of women with a shared commitment to giving back to our communities by working together to serve others in a meaningful way.
The Maine Women’s Giving Tree (MWGT) is a charitable organization with the mission to improve the lives of people in our region through collective giving to qualified non-profit organizations that focus on the needs of women, children, and families. MWGT supports organizations primarily in Bath, Brunswick, Freeport, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Topsham, Woolwich and Wiscasset. Other communities in Maine may be added.
MWGT is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, which include the making of grant distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations as described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As a donor-funded 501(c)(3) organization, all members’ charitable contributions to the MWGT are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
In 2009 nine local women decided to pool their philanthropic dollars in order to make a greater impact in addressing pressing needs in our area, and The Maine Women’s Giving Tree (MWGT) was born. We are a giving circle, part of a growing phenomenon that includes more than 400 similar groups and many thousands of women nationwide. We are totally self-funded through each member’s annual contribution and nonmember donations. Contributions to the MWGT are tax deductible and 100% of your contribution is distributed directly to the community programs.
Here’s an overview of Maine Women’s Giving Tree’s work over the past ten years: 10th Anniversary Celebration
How We Work
Each fall we ask representatives of local nonprofit organizations to meet with us to educate our members about community needs and issues. We then invite eligible groups to apply for our annual grants. After a rigorous and unbiased consideration of these applications, a process in which every member is encouraged to participate, we vote on the number and amounts of the grants we will give. The Maine Women’s Giving Tree awarded its first grants in 2012. Since then we have awarded $398,000 to local groups.
MWGT Printable Information Brochure
The story of MWGT published in The Times Record:
David Treadwell: The Maine Women’s Giving Tree builds communities to serve the community
Other articles about women in philanthropy:
