Oktoberfest Brings GIVING WoMN Members Together to Celebrate the Impact of Trust-Based Philanthropy

On October 20, GIVING WoMN members and guests gathered at Boom Island Brewery for Oktoberfest, an evening of connection, community, and reflection on the impact of our collective giving. We welcomed Markus and Rosemarie from Black Men Teach, a 2025 GIVING WoMN grantee, to share updates on their work to recruit, prepare, and retain Black male elementary school teachers. Recognizing the importance of early educational experiences in shaping students’ futures, Black Men Teach is building a stronger teacher pipeline, brick by brick, through mentorship, professional development, coaching, and wraparound support. With an ambitious goal of placing 450 Black male teachers in more than 90 elementary schools by 2035, the organization is also developing partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to expand its reach.

Through GIVING WoMN’s $27,000 general operating grant, Black Men Teach has expanded classroom resources, strengthened mentoring and professional development opportunities, broadened access to down payment assistance, and established an emergency fund to help participating teachers navigate unexpected expenses, such as car repairs. This marks GIVING WoMN’s second investment in the organization, following an early grant shortly after its founding. Markus reflected on the significance of that initial support, sharing how GIVING WoMN’s belief in their vision and flexible, trust-based funding provided both confidence and room to grow. The evening offered a meaningful reminder that philanthropy is more than financial support—it is about building relationships, trusting community leaders, and investing in long-term change. Hearing firsthand how our partnership is helping Black Men Teach strengthen educational opportunities for teachers and students alike reinforced the power of collective giving.