Crickett Woloson Honored by Philanos as the 2025 recipient of The Willoughby Award

Philanos is pleased to announce Crickett Woloson, Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle, as the 2025 recipient of The Willoughby Award.

This is awarded on International Women’s Day in honor of Colleen Willoughby to recognize a member of a Philanos Affiliate who has used her collective giving experience to take philanthropy and leadership in new directions in her local community.

Colleen Willoughby challenged the status quo of traditional philanthropy 25 years ago when she found it deeply troubling that women did not have an organized vehicle for using their own money to invest in their communities. Through collective giving, she inspired women to find and amplify their voices today, tomorrow and for the future.

Crickett Woloson has been a leading visionary in the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle for incorporating social justice and DEI Initiatives in the Circle’s values. She also led the Circle’s efforts to introduce Trust-Based Philanthropy into their grantmaking before many of its members had heard of the term. “Our Circle has benefited from her vision - working hard to streamline our grants process, educating members to the needs of smaller nonprofits, and overall enhancing our reputation in the greater Baltimore community,” shared her award nominators.

Crickett led her Circle through a series of workshops designed to rethink their mission, vision and values. She worked tirelessly to help other members understand the need to incorporate concepts of equity in the Circle’s approach to grantmaking. As an ardent believer in honest dialogue, Crickett frequently quotes the adage, “If you want to travel fast, travel alone; if you want to travel far, travel together.”

Thanks to Crickett, the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle has traveled far - modifying their grants process, engaging with more community-led organizations and altering the voting process - and even more importantly they have traveled together. The Membership has overwhelmingly accepted initiatives leading to more equitable outcomes.

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Source: Philanos