It takes a special individual, business, or organization to understand the value of investing in the national women's collective giving movement by sponsoring the Philanos PowerUP! Texas 2026 National Conference. 

Taking place February 8-10, 2026 at The Austin Hilton, “PowerUP! Texas: The Spark Igniting Collaboration” is Philanos’ national Conference for visionaries who believe in the power of women’s collective giving to create impact in local communities. 

We are honored that businesses, individuals, and in particular, our own Affiliate giving circles have made a commitment to not only attend PowerUP! Texas, but to be proud, visible sponsors. Philanos Affiliates gain the most from our network, so it makes sense that they are choosing to invest in this important conference.

The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County, Maryland is one of them.

“I am thrilled that the Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County is sponsoring our Philanos PowerUP! Conference again!” said Barb Van Winkle, Immediate Past Chair of the WGC, and Treasurer of Philanos. “We were a sponsor of PowerUP! Baltimore as well because Philanos is very important to us and the learning, sharing, networking, and connecting is extremely valuable.”

Philanos hosts the national Conference to advance collective giving and the impact of women’s philanthropy. In Austin, 30 education sessions and keynote speakers will:

• Explore new ways of approaching collective giving to increase effective responses to community needs and  fostering systemic change

• Share best practices in operations, marketing, governance and leadership 

• Discuss trends that affect philanthropy, and 

• Provide information about establishing, running, and scaling a giving circle

Sessions and content will be shared on social media and Philanos’ website with the 20,000+ women in Philanos’ networkand400+ leaders in women’s collective giving groups and other women philanthropists, philanthropic organizations, foundations, and local nonprofits will meet in-person.

“We are honored to have our giving circle sponsor this important gathering of leaders in collective giving!” said Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, WGC Executive Director and co-Chair of the Philanos Communications Committee. “WGC leadership has chosen to visibly support and invest in PowerUP! Texas in addition to having our leaders attend because it is such an important time in the growth of our circle, and the movement.”

Interested in having your giving circle sponsor the conference? Learn more here and contact Philanos Development Committee Chair Heather Jauregui: hjauregui@philanos.org. 

Join us in being the spark that ignites collaboration and supports women’s collective giving!