The Maryland Women’s Society launched in 2025 to connect Terp women and allies who are passionate about advancing meaningful change at the University of Maryland. Through an annual gift of $1,000 to the Maryland Women’s Society Discretionary Fund, members support rotating campus priorities selected by the members each year—creating an immediate impact on students, faculty, and university life.
The Maryland Women’s Society is led by Volunteer President Marlene Feldman ‘75, Chair-Elect, University of Maryland Board of Trustees. She is joined by a Leadership Council of members, including Alma Gildenhorn, Christine Fisher, Cate Luzio, Patty Perillo, Polly Smith, and Susan Wilkes. The Society is administered by the Office of Donor Relations.
The Maryland Women’s Society is composed of University of Maryland supporters of all ages, personal interests and life stories who make a difference by investing in the transformational work of our students, faculty and university as a whole.
Membership consists of an annual gift of $1,000 — 100% of which supports a rotating campus priority chosen by the Society each year.
Members can look forward to engaging with this special community at activities and events throughout each year. Additionally, an annual celebratory event for all Maryland Women’s Society donors will be held with university leadership and feature the announcement of winning funds.
As part of this Society and to express our gratitude, a Maryland-themed appreciation gift will be sent, as well as an annual report on the impact of their generosity. We will also share regular communications featuring campus updates as well as other exciting events and opportunities for involvement hosted by the university’s schools, colleges and units—curated specifically for this community of donors.
In gratitude, the first 100 founding members will also be provided with a special, limited-edition Maryland-themed item.
Yes! Gift memberships are available and make a meaningful way to invite someone into our community. When you complete our online giving form, simply click the “on behalf of” bubble, and let us know who your membership is for in the comment section.
Memberships are valid through the close of each grant cycle. For the 2025-2026 academic year, membership will conclude on May 31, 2026. Renewal reminders will be sent prior to the beginning of the next grant cycle.
We love when current members inspire new members to join our community! To thank referring members for their thoughtfulness, we’ll honor the Society member who has referred the most new members each year during our annual luncheon.
Yes. Membership dues are tax-deductible, and members will receive a tax receipt from the University after each donation. Please consult your tax advisor for details.
To make your gift, visit giving.umd.edu/campaigns/maryland-womens-society, or please contact the Office of Donor Relations at donorrelations@umd.edu with any questions. A confirmation email with details about upcoming events and opportunities will follow.
Yes. Members may fulfill their $1,000 commitment through four quarterly installments. To cast a vote in the current grant cycle, a pledge must be entered and the first installment received by the March 15 deadline.
Membership gifts can be made online via credit card, by check, or through other giving vehicles such as donor-advised funds (DAFs), stock transfers, or IRA required minimum distributions (RMDs). For assistance, please contact the Office of Donor Relations at donorrelations@umd.edu.
Please make your check payable to the “University of Maryland College Park Foundation” with “Maryland Women’s Society” in the memo line, and mail to:
University of Maryland
UMCPF
P.O. Box 49013
Baltimore, MD 21297-4913
Yes. Members may schedule a recurring annual gift of $1,000 to the Maryland Women’s Society. This ensures your membership continues seamlessly each year without needing to re-enroll.
Corporate matches are a wonderful way to increase the impact of your giving. At this time, a match cannot be used to fulfill the required $1,000 membership commitment itself, but any matched dollars will provide additional support to the Society’s funded priorities.
Deans and Presidential Cabinet members are invited to submit proposals on behalf of their college, school, or division. Each unit may submit up to five high-impact priorities that align with the university’s mission.
In order to meet the eligibility requirements, funding applications are being accepted from University Deans and Cabinet members only. We encourage members to stay engaged to help shape the Society’s impact through your annual vote.
Eligible projects should: (1) Align with the university’s mission, (2) Demonstrate meaningful potential for impact on students, faculty, or campus life, (3) Request funding between $5,000 and $100,000, and (4) Be able to expend awarded funds within FY27. A full description of the Funding Application Guidelines and Criteria for Funding can be found here.
Each college, school, or division may submit up to five priorities. Each priority/project requires a separate request.
Each submission must include: (1) A description of the priority/project, (2) An explanation of why it is important, (3) The cost to fund, and (4) A designated contact for follow-up and impact reporting.
Applications are due by January 30, 2026.
Applications will be reviewed by the Office of Donor Relations and the Maryland Women’s Society Leadership Council. Society members will then vote to select which projects to fund.
Awardees will be notified by email in early April 2026.
Funded proposals will be formally announced at the Inaugural Maryland Women’s Society Annual Luncheon in May.
Yes. Units must assist with impact reporting in late fall 2026 and designate a contact at the time of submission to provide follow-up information.
Each year, the Maryland Women’s Society members are invited to review proposals submitted by campus leaders. Members then cast their votes to determine which projects will receive funding. Every member’s vote directly influences the outcome.
Voting takes place in the spring, after the Leadership Council has reviewed all eligible applications. Members will receive an email with voting instructions and materials once the ballot is open.
Members will be notified by email in early April with the final results. Funded projects are also celebrated at the Annual Maryland Women’s Society Luncheon each May.
Members may cast votes for the projects they feel most passionate about. Specific voting guidelines (such as the number of votes per member) will be provided with the ballot each year.
The number of projects funded depends on the total funds raised by the Society each year. Projects with the most member support will be prioritized for funding.
For more information, visit go.umd.edu/mws, or take a look at our one-pager.
Please reach out to The Office of Donor Relations at donorrelations@umd.edu.