The Giving Spirits Foundation is a public foundation that was created at the same time as MyCity4Her, Inc in 2007 with the specific intention to make a formal commitment to give back to the communities in which we engage in commerce, do business and prosper. The goal of this public 501(c) 3 is to “shed light and pay it forward”.
Since it’s creation, MyCity4Her has pledged to give back 10% of gross sales back to the community by serving worthy causes that help women, children and families as well as the greater community as a whole, lead healthier, better lives. To date we have donated in cash or in kind over $275,000.00 back to the local Baltimore community and are slowly making similar impact in other areas around the country.
The Giving Spirits Foundation is a registered 501 (c) 3 organization based in the State of Maryland. It has existed since MyCity4HER.com was first published back in 2007 and operated continually, through the pandemic, and the founder’s battle with cancer.
Some of the financial support we have extended has been given to:
- The Red Cross of the Chesapeake Region
- The Heart Association – Circle of Red
- The House of Ruth
- Marian House
- The Anthony McCarthy Diversity & Inclusion Awards
- Code in Schools
- Samaritan House
- Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore
- Meals on Wheels
- Chase Braxton Services
- Juvenile Diabetes
- The Kidney Foundation
- Suited to Succeed
- Susan G. Komen
- The Red Devils
- The Hampden Family Association
- The Caroline Center
- Art with a Heart
- AVAM
- The Art League of Ocean City Maryland – The “Stigma” Project
Our primary areas of philanthropy include:
- Women’s economic development initiatives
- Business literacy and education for minorities, women and veterans
- Women’s health with an emphasis on heart disease awareness and prevention
- Programs that aid Survivors of domestic violence and their children
- Violence prevention and advocacy programs and education to support communities at a grass roots level
- Access to financial empowerment and education for disadvantaged women
- Art and art development programs for children and young adults living in urban communities
- Farm to table initiatives that support farming and cottage industries
- Entrepreneurship and economic development in urban areas
- Democratic access to capital for women in business
- Increased presence of women on corporate boards
- Diversity in all aspects of business and community
- Veteran focused start-up and growth programs related to entrepreneurship
- STEAM and STEM education for girls in middle school
- Feeding the hungry
- Supporting initiatives that assist women & children survivors of domestic violence
- Supporting and providing entrepreneurial educational and incubator-like information, resources and more to visible and minority-owned, as well as veteran-founded and led, startups, as well as women-led companies
- Acting as a patron to women and minority artists creating work in the mediums of digital media, painting, collage, sculpture, fiber arts, and street art with an emphasis on supporting work that is disruptive, inspiring and thought-provoking in nature
- Supporting animal welfare causes and animal therapy programs dedicated to reducing anxiety, trauma, and PTSD
- Supporting community associations and initiatives dedicated to preserving the quality of life for children in their communities
Our annual gifting is done by lottery, and as of Covid especially, favors SMALL, hands-on, non-profit organizations physically located in the immediate areas we do business, thus directly impacting where we live and work, as well as our communities. We do earmark some funds for relief efforts internationally, because we believe we are all citizens of the world, and thus share responsibility when another country’s people is suffering.
Grant recipients considered for 2022 include: SPCA of Annapolis, Digital Harbor Foundation, Happy Life Mission, The Light House Shelter Food Service Training Program, NAMI Maryland, Maryland Equine Transition Service (METS), Maryland Therapeutic Riding, PIVOT, MICA (MICAPRENEURSHIP specifically), The Rubell Family Collection, The Annapolis Film Festival (calendar year 2022), the YWCA of Annapolis, Charting Careers, and a WILD Card.
Stay tuned for more information about how we are going to be awarding and allocating our gifting. To support us feel free to donate by clicking here.
Grant applications will open for the 2023 Calendar year in April 2022. To learn more about the process or to make a donation to support our mission, please Contact Us for more information.