There’s a thread running from 1947 to now among Covenant Guild members, a deep commitment to the community and each other.
As they reach their 79th year as a women’s philanthropic organization, Guild members remain loyal to their roots while embracing change and welcoming new members.
“What makes Covenant Guild very unique is that we have the same ideas that [the founders] started with in 1947 — to work on making life better for people in need,” says Lois Balser. “We raise money for any cause we feel is very worthy.”
While other organizations have struggled in recent years, Covenant Guild counted upwards of 38 new members in 2025. Members range in age from their 40s to 90s, and new members (of any age) are welcome with open arms.
“I think people are looking to be kind and to help other people,” says Balser. “For women who maybe just retired and are looking for something else to do, we seem to be able to fill that void for them, not only in philanthropic work but also socially. They were working and now they want to do something else, something important.”
The organizational structure is also a unique point for Covenant Guild. There was recently a vacancy for president, but no current member wanted to assume the responsibility. So the past presidents put their heads together.
“The past presidents got together and said, ‘We love this organization so much, we do so much good in the community,’” says Dale Levitz. “And we said, ‘We can’t let this go. What can we do?’”
To fill the leadership void, nine past presidents joined together to form a coalition, keeping the organization running. The nine leaders meet every month, advise Covenant Guild’s committees, and collaborate on decision-making while dividing duties among themselves.
Nine people in charge of an organization could bring with it drama and disagreement, but the leaders insist they get along beautifully.
“We’re going forward,” says Levitz. “We’re keeping the organization together, helping the needy and we’re growing. It’s working out great.”
Another way the organization has changed in the last few years? “We’re getting into this century now,” says Levitz with a laugh. “We’re getting a credit card reader. We’re so proud of that. And we’re getting software to run the financial part of our organization.”
Other changes are brewing to ensure longevity of the organization’s archives. Levitz and Sydell Gould are archivists and the historians of Covenant Guild. The Jewish Museum of Maryland recently accepted their archives to preserve, which are currently being stored in Levitz’s basement.
(Provided photo)
Fundraising is still at the core of the guild, which has donated more than $2.6 million over the decades. Recipients include Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Maryland Hospital, Sinai Hospital and Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital.
The guild has supported HIV/AIDS patients, those struggling with addiction, cancer patients, the homeless, Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company ambulances, mental health organizations, foster children and more. They even helped supply a local boy with a suit for his bar mitzvah.
“It’s a very good feeling for us to do what we do,” says Gould. “Your heart is so filled with joy that you’re able to do all this. And we have fundraisers that help us give the money to these organizations that need the funds.”
But the guild does more than just write a check.
“We took a trip this year to several of the organizations that we’ve given money to over the past few years,” says Levitz. “We rented a yellow school bus, and 30 of us toured four places that we donated to, so the members really see their money at work and what these organizations are doing.”
In addition to the commitment to fundraising for worthwhile causes, the guild engages in lots of leisure activities and socialization opportunities, from a book club to attending the theater.
Last year, the group visited the Baltimore Museum of Arts’ “Amy Sherald: American Sublime” exhibit on a guided tour and dined together at Miss Shirley’s. The day was also a fundraiser for the nonprofit Chai Lifeline.
As always, the members and leaders look both to the past and the future.
“Now we’re looking forward to our 80th year of ‘Loving, Caring, Giving and Sharing’,” says Balser. 
Anna Lippe is a freelance writer.
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