Supporting Nonprofits in Uncertain Times: What You Can Do Right Now

Nonprofits across the country, but especially right here in the Greater Washington region, are facing a challenging and uncertain landscape. With the threat of federal funding cuts and shifting policies that could have major impact on our region, many of our nonprofit partners are preparing for a period of financial uncertainty.

The work of our region’s critical nonprofit sector is more important now than ever – from providing essential services to keep families housed and children fed, to organizations supporting education, mental health, marginalized communities, or offering other services that enrich our lives and ensure that our communities continue to thrive. These same nonprofits are now grappling with policy changes, budget shortfalls, inflationary pressures, and anticipating an increase in demand for their services as funding cuts and layoffs are projected to hit our region especially hard.

While private philanthropy cannot fully step in to replace the loss of public funding, The Community Foundation and our donors and partners can help play a critical role in sustaining and strengthening this region’s nonprofit sector.

Here are a few recommendations for both individual and institutional philanthropists to consider:

1. Reach Out to the Nonprofits You Support - It is important to check in with the organizations you care about to ask what they need most right now. A simple conversation can go a long way. Understanding their immediate and long-term needs can help you align your giving in the most effective way possible. Don’t be afraid to ask them how they are doing – recognizing these challenges have also been difficult for their staff and board members too.
   

2. Increase Your Support - We can all play an important role in helping nonprofits weather this crisis and minimize disruptions to their critical services. If you are in a position to give, now is the time to increase your support. This follows a similar conversation happening among many private foundations (both locally and nationally) that are increasing their annual payout rate.
   

3. Make Your Support Flexible - If you truly believe in the organization and its mission — then you should give them the flexibility to deploy those dollars where they are needed most in the community. Providing flexible, unrestricted funding allows these organizations to remain responsive, resilient, and effective in their work. You may also consider making a multiyear gift, which allows the nonprofit to plan more effectively by focusing less on fundraising and more on its mission.
   

4. Invest in advocacy and community organizing - While much of charitable giving is directed towards direct services that help individuals and families to meet basic needs, philanthropy can also support advocacy and organizing that can help shift policies and practices at both the local and national level. Investing in advocacy groups is a great way to ensure that your philanthropy aligns with your values and to ensure that the causes you care about have the support they need to continue their important work in the community.
   

5. Invest in Nonprofit Resilience & Infrastructure Nonprofits need more than just funding—they need strategic investments in organizational infrastructure that will allow them to weather economic uncertainty and adapt to ongoing challenges.
   
   If you are passionate about long-term impact, consider directing some of your giving to capacity-building efforts, such as leadership training, strategic legal counsel, or communications support. These investments can ensure that organizations are equipped to meet urgent needs, advocate effectively, and continue delivering meaningful impact across our region for the foreseeable future.
   

6. Partner with The Community Foundation - As your community foundation, we believe in the power of community and we stand in solidarity with our nonprofit partners providing critical programs and services to our neighbors who need it most. We are in constant communication with partners from across the region to understand the urgent and emerging needs they are facing.
   
   We remain committed to the values that have guided our work to build a stronger, more inclusive, and resilient region where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. You can partner with us and support our efforts to make strategic investments in response to today’s needs and tomorrow's challenges. You can also reach out to your local Community Foundation Officer to learn more about specific needs and opportunities to support the work in your local community and across the region.
   
   Together, we can make a difference.
   

7. Stay Engaged and Advocate Beyond financial support, your voice matters. Engage in conversations about the value of nonprofit work, advocate for policies that strengthen the sector, and stay informed about the challenges and opportunities facing philanthropy in our region.

   A few examples of this include:

• Stay informed and combat the spread of misinformation by attending Town Hall meetings or informational webinars about local issues impacting nonprofit partners in your community.

• Donate your time! Whether you’re a weekend volunteer or offering your professional expertise, donating your time can be a great way to support a nonprofit partner’s work and ongoing mission.

• Join us for a community event! The Community Foundation regularly hosts events around the causes and organizations most relevant to our region. Reach out to your local Community Foundation Officer to find opportunities to engage with community partners in your neighborhood.

• Join your local Sharing Community Fund. This community grantmaking initiative allows you to be in community with like-minded peer philanthropists while seeing the impact that nonprofits are having in your backyard!

Your generosity has always played a vital role in shaping strong, vibrant communities across DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. As we navigate these uncertain times together, your continued support, leadership, and advocacy will be more important than ever.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to philanthropy. If you have questions about how to maximize your impact, the Greater Washington Community Foundation is here to help.

DCA Together Relief Fund: Latest Updates and Impact

In the aftermath of the tragic midair collision on January 29 that claimed the lives of all 67 passengers, service members, and crew, the Capital Region Community Foundations quickly mobilized to launch the DCA Together Relief Fund. This community-supported crisis response fund aims to aid impacted families, first responders, and nonprofit organizations supporting community recovery and healing. In close coordination with the Wichita Foundation and its ICT Together Fund, this effort will ensure that those affected receive the care, resources, and support they need during this difficult time.

Community members interested in learning more or to support this effort can visit https://donate.thecommunityfoundation.org/dcatogether.

Community Support and Generosity

In response to this tragedy, there has been an incredible outpouring of support from more than 500 generous individuals, families, and businesses from across 32 states and the District plus several different countries. Together, we have mobilized over $100,000 in critical support to help provide hope and healing to those impacted by this heartbreaking loss.

Your support and generosity continue to make a profound impact on our community. Thank you for standing with us during this challenging time.

Grantmaking Efforts

Your contributions truly make a difference. Thanks to your acts of kindness and generosity, we have made two initial emergency response grants:

• A grant to Food on the Stove helped provide over 1,000 hot meals and hydration to first responders involved in the recovery efforts. Food on the Stove will also continue its efforts to support first responders with the launch of Food for Thought—an initiative designed to foster mental health awareness for first responders through weekly events offering food, mental health resources, counseling, and prayer services.

• A grant to Wendt Center for Loss and Healing helped provide no-cost trauma and grief services for impacted individuals and organizations in our community. Wendt's immediate response included emotional support sessions, psychoeducation sessions, and coaching—all tailored to ensure that recovery and healing efforts are responsive, accessible, and help to begin processing the losses.

Ongoing Support for Families

With the recovery operation complete, the families will face additional challenges that require ongoing financial and emotional support. We are coordinating with local authorities, community partners, and other relief funds to ensure your generosity will provide a second wave of support to help meet their immediate and long-term needs.

We remain committed to fostering resilience and well-being, and we're grateful for the ongoing support that makes this possible. Together, we are making a meaningful impact.

Corporate Partners

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed corporate partners—including Truist and Monumental Sports & Entertainment—for their generous contributions to the DCA Together Relief Fund. Their unwavering support and commitment will play an instrumental role in our efforts to provide relief and assistance to families, first responders, and impacted communities. Thank you for being an integral part of this vital initiative.

Legacy on Ice

We are honored to be one of three designated charity partners selected by Monumental Sports & Entertainment as it pays tribute to the victims and their families on March 2. The “Legacy on Ice" benefit event at Capital One Arena in DC will feature a star-studded figure skating tribute to raise funds to support the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy, as well as the first responders who participated in the recovery efforts.

All proceeds and donations will go to the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation’s Legacy on Ice Program, which will directly benefit the U.S. Figure Skating Foundation, our DCA Together Relief Fund, and DC Fire & EMS Foundation.

Tickets are on sale now here.

About the Capital Region Community Foundations

The Capital Region Community Foundations is a partnership among several of our region’s leading community foundations including ACT for Alexandria, Arlington Community Foundation, Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties, Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, and Greater Washington Community Foundation. Together, the community foundations serving the region have a more than 100-year history as community connectors and conversation brokers who work tirelessly to preserve, enhance, and protect the quality of life for our neighbors. This role often places us directly in the middle of our community’s most important decisions, most pressing issues, and most promising opportunities.

Making a Difference in Housing In Montgomery County

At the start of the new year, members of The Community Foundation’s Montgomery County Advisory Board, staff, and Sharing Montgomery donors visited with community partners to talk about the future of housing and the fight against homelessness in Montgomery County.

“The housing crisis is one of the biggest issues facing families in our community,” shared Anna Hargrave, Executive Director for Montgomery County at the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “We’re excited to learn from our partners about how we can work together to ensure everyone has a place to call home.”

As one of the most affluent and fastest growing counties in the region, housing has long been a challenge in Montgomery County. However, as housing prices and inflation have risen in recent months, many residents – particularly those on the margins – have found it increasingly difficult to keep a roof over their heads.

The 2024 Point in Time count by the Metropolitan Council on Governments found that more than 1,100 people in Montgomery County were homeless. The number represents a 20% increase from the previous year – including a 47% increase in homelessness among families.

“This isn’t a data problem – it’s a people problem,” explained Claudia Wilson Randall, when asked about the numbers. Randall is the Executive Director of the Community Development Network of Maryland – a community development advocacy group that heads the Montgomery Housing Alliance (MHA).

“We have lots of data about the housing shortages in Maryland – what we need are individuals who are committed to investing in housing solutions that break down some of the barriers in our communities.”

Jennifer Olney moderates a panel discussion with Claudia  Wilson Randall and Mary Kolar from the Community Development Network of Maryland

Randall was joined by her colleague, Mary Kolar – the Network’s organizer in Montgomery County, and The Community Foundation’s Jennifer Olney, Senior Program Officer for The Partnership to End Homelessness who moderated the discussion.

The group started off by outlining the benefits of Housing First – a nationally recognized strategy that prioritizes eliminating barriers to housing for those experiencing homelessness.

“Housing First is the anchor solution for a lot of the issues being faced in our community,” Kolar added

“Whether an individual is struggling with food insecurity, employment, or mental or physical health challenges – if we can get them housed, we can give them a foundation to build off; a safe and stable environment where they can grow and get the support they need.”

Some examples of this in Montgomery County include the Housing Initiative Program (HIP), Rapid Rehousing (RRH) and  Short Term Housing and Resolution Program (SHARP), which provide resources including rent subsidies and security deposits to lower the economic barriers to housing. The programs also connect residents with case management (based on the individual’s level of need).

“When it comes to supportive housing, not everyone needs the same level of resources,” Olney pointed out. “Some people just need help covering rent for a month or two; others may need more support.”

“Housing First is about matching the right resources with the right needs.”

Jennifer Olney, Senior Program Officer for The Partnership to End Homelessness with Claudia Wilson Randall, Executive Director of the Community Development Network of Maryland

Some programs like SHARP have been extremely successful, Kolar pointed out. According to the MHA, 79 percent of individuals who enter the SHARP program are still stably housed a year later. For families, that success rate is even higher – 97 percent.

However, as the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness continues to rise, advocates like the MHA and the Community Development Network of Maryland have raised the alarm about the need for more funding and support for those on the margins.

“Almost half of all renters in Montgomery County are one emergency away from eviction,” Kolar explained. “That rate is even higher for low-income households. We need more housing that meets the needs of these families.”

“People who need affordable housing aren’t invisible,” Randall added. “They’re all around us, every day, all day.”

“If we want to become a stronger county and grow the Maryland economy, we need to make sure we’re considering their basic needs. Our North Star needs to be higher, brighter, and pointing to a better place.”

When asked what role philanthropy should play, Randall and Kolar explained the importance of funding and supporting advocacy efforts to help connect philanthropy to impact.

“Whether we donate our time, our resources, or our expertise, we are all advocates,” Randall explained. “And as advocates, we do not have to resign ourselves to living in a world where people are homeless. We need to remind ourselves, our community members, and our elected officials, that housing needs to be a priority.”

Randall and Kolar were followed by Courtney Hall, CEO of Interfaith Works, and Abe Schuchman, CEO of Housing Unlimited, two of the leading service providers for individuals experiencing homelessness in Montgomery County.

Anna Hargrave moderates a panel with Claudia Wilson Randall and Mary Kolar (Community Development Network of Maryland), Courtney Hall (Interfaith Works) and Abe Schuchman (Housing Unlimited)

Hall began by echoing some of the unsettling trends from the latest Point in Time Count – particularly the increase in homelessness cases among seniors– many of whom have appeared at one of the four shelters that Interfaith Works operates across the county.

“Shelters are not a sustainable solution to address homelessness,” Hall shared.

Interfaith Works is one of the few service providers in the county that operates shelters and provides permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness (in addition to a wide range of other services).

“We know that for every dollar that we invest in programs like permanent supportive housing and Housing First, society saves $1.44.”

“In a community like ours where the cost of living for a middle-class family is so high, we really can’t afford to not make smarter investments when it comes to our housing system,” Schuchman agreed.

Housing Unlimited provides independent housing for 253 adults in mental health recovery –including many individuals transitioning from homelessness–thanks in part to a partnership with the county that caps rent for residents at 1/3 of their income. Right now, over 200 people are on the waitlist for the program.

“There’s a big stereotype that people who are homeless aren’t working or don’t want to work,” Schuchman explained. “That is simply not the case.  The reality is that most people are working, sometimes 2-3 jobs.  It’s just not enough to get by.”

Schuchman also addressed stigmas that those experiencing homelessness often face related to mental health challenges. He encouraged listeners to acknowledge the tenacity those individuals demonstrate as they work towards stability.

“We really need to remember and respect the integrity and complexity of people’s lives when we talk about these issues.”

While recognizing the challenges ahead, the panelists concluded by sharing what brings them hope. 

“I think it’s important to highlight that Montgomery County’s elected officials are really receptive to having these conversations,” Olney said. “They have been extremely proactive and willing to invest in Housing First; we just need to remind them that it must continue to be a top priority.”

“We have an opportunity to be a shining example of inclusionary housing for the country, here in Montgomery County,” Hall shared. “With your continued support – funding advocacy, supporting critical services, meeting with local officials, and leading discussions like this one – we can work towards a community where everyone has a place to call home.”

For more information on how you can support housing efforts in Montgomery County, contact Anna Hargrave at [email protected].

For more information about Permanent Supportive Housing, Housing First, and other initiatives to end homelessness, visit https://www.thecommunityfoundation.org/partnership-to-end-homelessness

Learn24 OST Summer Scholarship Application Portal Opens March 17

Over the past 3 years, The Community Foundation has been proud to partner with Learn 24 to offer the Learn 24 Out of School Time Youth Scholarship Program. Together we have supported the distribution of nearly $2.1 million in scholarship funding to more than 300 youth for summer and after school programs ranging from tutoring and mentoring to music lessons, dance, and sports.

We are thrilled to announce that additional funds for youth Scholarships for DC Students are now available through Learn24’s OST Youth Scholarship Program.

Learn24 is a network that supports equitable access to high-quality, Out-of-School-Time (“OST”) programs for the District’s students. Managed by the Greater Washington Community Foundation, Learn24’s OST Youth Scholarship Program provides funding to help students and their families – especially those with specific needs – access the programs they need to strengthen their education, health, and well-being outside of school.

Examples of programs that the scholarship may support include, but are not limited to, programs designed specifically for students with disabilities, advanced learners, and English Language Learners. The scholarship allows families to access summer programming or after-school programming during the school year – opportunities that are often inaccessible for students with specific needs and their families.

“The Community Foundation has done an OUTSTANDING job with this grant for my advanced son,” one parent shared. “I cannot emphasize enough why things of this sort are truly needed.”

“Thanks to this grant, my son has not missed a beat with any of his enrichment activities outside of school. This grant took a huge financial burden off of my pockets as a parent. Many will not understand the magnitude of why grants of this sort, processed by such a professional organization is needed. I hope that this will be a continuous thing for our beloved city.”

“I can’t begin to explain the impact this grant will have on my son’s future and on his confidence,” another parent shared. “The past 3 years have been strenuous and the amount of assistance he needs is not easily found and funded.”

“This funding will make sure his transition into middle school will be a little less difficult and more importantly, give him the foundation he needs in order to succeed in life.”

“My son, has received the OST scholarship for the past few years, starting from Pre-K4. He is currently a first grader at Lee Montessori East End Campus and is healthy, happy, and thriving! Thanks to these scholarship funds, my son has been given a safe space to explore and utilize his talents in cooking, building structures, dancing, and more!”

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If you are interested in applying, even if you’ve applied previously, please read this post in full as there are several program changes since the prior cycle.

This year, The Community Foundation and Learn 24 are excited to share the 2024/2025 Scholarship application will include two cycles—Year-Round Programs and Summer Programs. The application cycle for Year-Round Programs closed in November 2024. The application form for Summer Programs application will open on March 17th, 2025.

Applicants who are seeking to apply for summer programs that start no earlier than May 1 and end no later than August 30 can apply for the Summer Programs scholarships in the spring.

This year, students will be able to apply for support for ONE program up to $5,000 in scholarships for Year-Round Programs and up to $3,000 for Summer Programs. Applicants who are living with a disability can access up to $10,000 for Year-Round Programs and $5,000 for Summer Programs. The minimum scholarship award is $1,000.

Scholarships are awarded based on individual need and availability of funding. Scholarship funds can be used for any OST activities that have a cost association up to the total scholarship amount.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must be submitted online, using the link provided in the RFP. No hard copy, email or faxed proposals will be accepted. Applications are reviewed periodically by The Community Foundation and approved by Learn24.

Application Requirements

Applicants are required to sign a FERPA release to allow The Community Foundation to share data on the scholarship award with DC Government. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions within 4 weeks of application submission.

Applicants are also required to submit a Vendor Information Form as an attachment to their application. This form is intended to provide information to The Community Foundation about the program that the applicant intends to apply for scholarship funds to attend. Once Scholarship Applicants identify a program they'd like to receive scholarship funding to attend, they should contact the program to fill out this form. Once completed, please scan or print out this form and attach to your Scholarship Application.

Click here for the link to the Vendor Information Form!

Applicants are responsible for collecting the required documentation from the vendor listed in the RFP and at the end of the Vendor Information Form, and are encouraged to start gathering this information now to be ready when the application portal opens.

If you have questions or are encountering technical difficulties please contact Alex Cahill-Sanidas for support at [email protected].

For those seeking additional information, click here to read the full RFP or watch this orientation video if you are interested in applying. La guía de solicitacíon y vídeo de orientacíon tambíen están disponíbles en Español.

If you have questions, please contact Yorman De La Rosa at [email protected]

Kwesi & Swafia Ames - Building a Lasting Legacy by Giving Back and Looking Forward

The Community Foundation is excited to continue our Leaders of the Future series, highlighting the work and experiences of incredible individuals and organizations from across our community of philanthropic, community, professional advisor, corporate, and nonprofit partners.

Kwesi and Swafia Ames are long-time residents of Prince George’s County and fundholders at The Community Foundation since 2021. Swafia is the Managing Director at Brighter Strategies, LLC, while Kwesi is the Vice President of Software Engineering at Salesforce Inc. They are the proud parents of two teenage boys.

For Kwesi and Swafia Ames, philanthropy is more than just a dollar amount- it’s a way of caring for others.

“Philanthropy is not just about giving money,” Kwesi explained. “It’s more about giving yourself.   It’s about making an authentic connection with those you mean to serve. Your time, expertise, and compassion are often enough to make a long-term, meaningful impact.  ”

“When you see the joy on other people’s faces – the smiles and appreciation, as you witness the transformation in their lives – that’s philanthropy in action. And it’s priceless.”

Much of Kwesi’s philosophy on philanthropy comes from his upbringing. Born on the island of Trinidad, Kwesi saw first-hand the impact that human kindness has on everyday life.

“My family did not have a lot of resources,” Kwesi explained. “A lot of the extracurricular activities that had a big impact on my childhood – Boy Scouts, Track and Field, Soccer, Cricket, Swimming – were made possible by the kindness and generosity of strangers.”

“I always thought that when I had the opportunity, I would help other people – the same way strangers helped me.”

Kwesi Ames and his father, Samuel Ames.

He was also inspired by his late father, a Civil Engineering Technician who went out of his way to help those around him in small and simple ways.

“Education was so important to my father,” Kwesi recalled. “He taught me that the best way to better your life was to give yourself choices – and the best way to do that was to pursue an education.”

With his father’s coaching and support Kwesi excelled in his Common Entrance exams and qualified to enroll in Queen’s Royal College – one of the oldest and most prestigious secondary  schools in Trinidad & Tobago. He would later go on to Howard University to pursue a bachelor’s in Systems & Computer Science.

It was during this time in DC that Kwesi met Tonia Wellons – future President & CEO of The Community Foundation – and (more importantly), his wife, Swafia.

Growing up in California, Swafia is a first-generation American of Caribbean descent who relocated to MD  to attend the University of Maryland as a psycholgy major. As the first member of her family to graduate from college or attend University on the East Coast, Swafia quickly fell in love with the vibrancy and diversity of the Greater Washington region. 

“The part of California I grew up in wasn’t particularly diverse,” Swafia remembered. “Moving to the DC area was so inspiring to be around so many people of color and to see them in so many unique and influential roles and positions.”

Swafia made her home in Prince George’s County, where she married Kwesi and began her career in Human Resources and Recruiting. As part of her professional journey, she also became involved with Cavalry Women’s Services—a nonprofit serving women in Southeast DC—and served on the Organization’s Board of Directors and Governance Chair for several years.

"It was an honor to support the women of Calvary and make a positive impact on their lives," Swafia said. "I see my time with Calvary as my first formal volunteer experience, and it taught me that every effort, no matter how small, is vital and personally meaningful to both the organization and its mission."

For Kwesi, making an impact has spanned multiple countries – both in the country where he grew up and the community where he currently lives.

“I learned early on that I needed concentrate my time and treasure on my strengths,” Kwesi shared about his journey in philanthropy. “For me, that means investing in education and making a difference for the rising generation.”

Kwesi is a long-time supporter of his Trinidadian alma mater, Queen’s Royal College (QRC). Even decades after graduating, Kwesi has maintained strong relationships with current and former faculty during his frequent visits to the island. These relationships have enabled Kwesi to give back in simple, yet meaningful ways including leading the US based QRC alumni association, supporting the high school track team and – more recently – supporting a two-week long tour of DC for their  steel pan orchestra, a joint venture with Providence Girls’ Catholic School.

Meanwhile, in Prince George’s County, Kwesi and Swafia have enjoyed giving back to their community in new and innovative ways. In 2019, Kwesi recruited two of his computer science classmates from Howard University to create and sponsor a Robotics team to build opportunity and representation for Black youth interested in STEM. More recently, the couple made a significant investment in The Community Foundation’s Brilliant Futures program.

Kwesi and the robotics team he helped create for Black Youth interested in STEM

“We really want to focus on investing in the next generation,” Swafia shared. “Brilliant Futures is great because it allows kids to know that they have that support; that investment – so they can be empowered with the agency, ownership, and discipline to stay the course and accomplish their dreams.”

Kwesi and Swafia say they’ve learned a lot through The Community Foundation – specifically through their friend and neighbor, Tonia Wellons. The Ames family has enjoyed a close relationship with the Wellons family, long before Tonia joined the organization.

“I don’t think we would have thought of ourselves as philanthropists if Tonia hadn’t helped teach us what philanthropy is,” Kwesi shared. “Her example and leadership has helped us realize that philanthropy is meant to be an inclusive, safe space where we can learn as we go and be empowered to give back to the communities we care about.”

“The resources that The Community Foundation provides are incredible,” Swafia added. “They make it so easy for us.”

“We love partnering with an organization that truly knows the community and the importance of investing with equity and impact.”

The Community Foundation is proud to partner with incredible fundholders like Kwesi & Swafia Ames to connect philanthropy to impact. For more information on how you can become a fundholder, contact [email protected]

DCA Together Relief Fund Grant to Food on the Stove Provides Hot Meals to First Responders on the Frontlines of Recovery Efforts

In the wake of the tragedy that occurred on January 29th, the Capital Region Community Foundations came together to launch the DCA Together Relief Fund as a community-supported crisis response fund to ensure the families, first responders, and impacted communities receive the care, resources, and support they need during this difficult time. The outpouring of support in response to this effort has been inspiring – the Fund has received donations from more than 470 generous individuals and businesses from 27 states and several different countries.

These acts of kindness and generosity enabled us to make an emergency response grant to help Food on the Stove provide over 1,000 hot meals and hydration to first responders involved in the recovery efforts. With matching funds provided by the Wichita Foundation’s ICT Together Fund, Food on the Stove will continue its efforts to support first responders with the launch of Food for Thought—an initiative designed to foster mental health awareness for first responders through weekly events offering food, mental health resources, counseling, and prayer services.

Food on the Stove Founder Jonathan Tate shared with us:

“Over the past week, I’ve had the honor—though it comes with deep sadness—of serving alongside my fellow first responders. While we mourn the lives lost in this tragic incident, we also honor the heroes who rise to the occasion—no matter how dangerous, traumatic, or overwhelming the circumstances may be. It is their courage and resilience that allow us to face these crises head-on.”

Image Courtesy of Jonathan Tate from Food on the Stove

With the recovery operation now complete, we know the families are returning home and will face additional challenges that require ongoing financial and emotional support. We are coordinating with local authorities, community partners, and other relief funds to ensure your generosity can provide a second wave of support to help meet their immediate and long-term needs, as well as foster community recovery and healing. We will provide updates as the relief effort continues to unfold.

Our hope is that this incredible outpouring of support can help provide some comfort and healing for the families, loved ones, and communities impacted by this crisis.

Community members interested in learning more or to support this effort can visit https://donate.thecommunityfoundation.org/dcatogether.

 About the Capital Region Community Foundations

The Capital Region Community Foundations is a partnership among several of our region’s leading community foundations including ACT for Alexandria, Arlington Community Foundation, Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties, Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, and Greater Washington Community Foundation. Together, the community foundations serving the region have a more than 100-year history as community connectors and conversation brokers who work tirelessly to preserve, enhance and protect the quality of life for our neighbors. This role often places us directly in the middle of our community’s most important decisions, most pressing issues, and most promising opportunities.

2025 Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year Award Nominations Now Open!

Left to Right: Shirley Brandman (Former Montgomery County Advisory Board Member) and Bob Buchanan (2024 Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year) at the Celebration of Giving.

The Community Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year Award! This special honor was created to shine a light on individuals who have made a positive impact in our community through giving, and whose philanthropic leadership sets an inspiring example for us all.

The Philanthropist of the Year will be recognized at the 2025 Celebration of Giving later this fall. Read on for more information!

Nomination Process

Complete the official nomination form and submit a letter (2 pages max) explaining why your nominee should be selected as the Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year. 

Please note: the cover form must be completed in its entirety.  The 2-page letter must convey that the nominee meets all the eligibility criteria. Nominators are welcome to submit attachments that will help convey the impact of the nominee’s giving and philanthropic leadership.  However, the Awards Committee will not accept nominations which rely solely on resumes, newspaper articles, annual reports, or the like in substitution for concise responses to the criteria outlined above. 

When feasible, nominators are welcome to team up with other organizations to submit a joint nomination that will more fully articulate the nominee’s philanthropic leadership and impact.

Pending review by the Philanthropist of the Year Selection Committee, The Community Foundation staff may contact you for additional information. 

For inspiration, look no further than our past Philanthropist of the Year honorees.

Eligibility Criteria: 

All nominees must:

• Be a resident of Montgomery County

• Have a demonstrated track record of charitable giving to one or more nonprofit organizations based in and working in Montgomery County*

• Have made a positive impact in the lives of county residents through their giving*

• Encourage/motivate others to become philanthropic

Please Note: We encourage nominators to give special emphasis to any extraordinary giving and/or leadership over the past few years.  Please know, the level of charitable dollars given is secondary to its impact and potential to inspire others to follow suit. Creative approaches to philanthropy are welcome! 

In exceptional circumstances, the Selection Committee may consider a former resident, a family unit, or a philanthropist who is deceased. 

DEADLINE: THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2025

The nomination form, letter, and any additional attachments must be submitted via email with subject line “Philanthropist of the Year 2025 – Name of Nominee” by close of business on Thursday, March 20, 2025 to:

Anna Hargrave

Executive Director, Montgomery County

[email protected]

All nominators will receive confirmation that the nomination has been submitted within 24 hours of receipt. The Community Foundation in Montgomery County will contact the selected awardee(s) and their nominator by June. All other nominations will remain confidential.

Questions: Contact Anna Hargrave at [email protected]

Dr. Yavar Moghimi & AmeriHealth Caritas: Closing the Gap Between Health & Housing

The Community Foundation is excited to continue our Leaders of the Future series, highlighting the work and experiences of incredible individuals and organizations from across our community of philanthropic, community, professional advisor, corporate, and nonprofit partners.

This month, we’re pleased to feature Dr. Yavar Moghimi, Chief Psychiatric Medical Officer at AmeriHealth Caritas. Dr. Moghimi has spent much of his career serving individuals at the intersection of health and homelessness and sits on the Leadership Council of the Partnership to End Homelessness.

$770 Million. According to the DC Fiscal Policy Institute, that is how much it will cost to ensure everyone in DC has a place to live by 2030.

While that number may seem high, it’s less than half of what healthcare systems expect to pay over the same time period.

“Part of our role as a healthcare plan is to manage costs to the system and encourage positive health outcomes,” explained Dr. Yavar Moghimi, Chief Psychiatric Medical Officer at AmeriHealth Caritas. “Individuals who are housing insecure or homeless represent one of the largest costs to the healthcare system.”

The relationship between housing and healthcare has long burdened both those experiencing homelessness and the healthcare professionals who care for them. A recent study found that those experiencing homelessness are twice as likely to visit an emergency room than those who are housed – some of them as often as five times per year.

These visits can cost healthcare systems as much as $44,000 per year -- per person. With nearly 10,000 individuals experiencing homelessness in the DMV, the annual cost to the healthcare system ranges in the hundreds of millions of dollars. By 2030, homelessness could cost the healthcare system up to $2.6 billion.

“As a healthcare provider, it’s difficult to treat homelessness,” Dr. Moghimi explained. “We can treat symptoms – but until we are able to properly identify and address people’s needs, those who are housing insecure will continue to migrate from one acute care situation to another.”

Screening for Social Determinants of Health: Knowledge is Power

As a psychiatrist and addiction specialist with more than a decade of clinical experience in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in DC, Dr. Moghimi has spent much of his career serving individuals at the intersection between health and homelessness.

While working at places like Whitman-Walker Health and So Others Might Eat, Dr. Moghimi saw how healthcare providers were able to conduct screenings to identify a patient’s needs within the social determinants of health (SDOH).

SDOH screenings (known in the healthcare industry as Z Codes), are a relatively new innovation to healthcare that only became official practice starting in 2016. It allows healthcare professionals to add notes to a patient’s medical record for when a patient displays symptoms that don’t point to a specific medical concern, but still warrant treatment. These Z Codes include Homelessness, Problems related to employment or unemployment, Occupational Exposure to Risk Factors, Problems related to Education and Literacy, and others.

As a clinician, the information gleaned from these screenings was critical, as it allowed Dr. Moghimi to more effectively meet the immediate mental health needs of his patients. However, he also found that the system often stopped short of solving the problem.

“Most FQHC’s don’t have capacity to do the kind of long-term engagement needed to help patients progress,” Dr. Moghimi explained. “They would put the record in the system, but without someone to follow-up and work with patients to connect them with resources like housing and employment, that information doesn’t have any long-term impact.”

Now as the Chief Psychiatric Medical Officer at AmeriHealth Caritas and a member of the DC Interagency Council for Homelessness Health Subcommittee, Dr. Moghimi has been advocating for better integration between the healthcare providers and community partners providing homeless services.

“What we need is a liaison,” Dr. Moghimi added. “Someone who can utilize the data that we’re collecting to connect patients with the long-term support and resources they need to improve their health and wellbeing.”

The liaison position(s) would require external funding to support – as it falls outside of the hospital’s traditional staffing structure. As a member of the Partnership Leadership Council, Dr. Moghimi is working with government, philanthropic, and community partners to identify the right organizations and grant opportunities that could make it possible.

“The Community Foundation and the Partnership to End Homelessness play a huge role in bringing people together and building the bridges that make it possible for us to meet the needs and challenges facing our community,” Dr. Moghimi said. “This is the ecosystem we want to be a part of – one that builds stronger, and healthier communities, today, tomorrow, and into the future!”

The Community Foundation is proud to partner with Dr. Yavar Moghimi, AmeriHealth Caritas and other incredible community, corporate and philanthropic leaders on our Partnership to End Homelessness Leadership Council. For more information about how you or your organization can get involved, contact Jennifer Olney, Senior Program Officer for the Partnership to End Homelessness.

DCA Together Relief Fund: Crisis Support for Flight 5342 and Army Black Hawk Families

The Greater Washington community is devastated by the tragic event on January 29 that claimed the lives of all 67 passengers, service members, and crew on board American Airlines Flight 5342 and the Army Black Hawk Helicopter. We also recognize the heroic efforts of our region’s first responders working on the recovery effort to help provide some closure to grieving families.

Our Greater Washington Community is strongest when we stand together as neighbors helping neighbors. Through the generosity of our community and partners, we will stand united in remembrance and resilience.

In the wake of this heartbreaking tragedy, the Capital Region Community Foundations have partnered to launch a crisis response fund to aid impacted families, first responders, and nonprofit organizations supporting recovery and healing. In close coordination and partnership with the Wichita Foundation and its ICT Together Fund, the goal is to provide immediate and long-term assistance, ensuring that those affected receive the care, resources, and support they need during this difficult time.

We are working in close coordination with federal and local authorities, the Wichita Foundation, and community partners across our local jurisdictions to determine the best way to support impacted families.

The DCA Together Relief Fund: Crisis Support for Flight 5342 and Army Black Hawk Families will aim to provide:

• Assistance for impacted families to help meet their immediate needs.

• Resources and support for our region’s first responders and organizations aiding in recovery efforts.

• Support for nonprofits that are providing impacted families and communities with resources such as mental health services, trauma and grief counseling, and other community healing efforts.

You can make a difference in this critical time. Your contribution will help bring hope and healing to the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy.

The Capital Area Community Foundations is a partnership among several of our region’s leading community foundations including ACT for Alexandria, Arlington Community Foundation, Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties, Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, and Greater Washington Community Foundation. Together, the community foundations serving the region have a more than 100-year history as community connectors and conversation brokers who work tirelessly to preserve, enhance and protect the quality of life for our neighbors. This role often places us directly in the middle of our community’s most important decisions, most pressing issues, and most promising opportunities.

Looking Back, Moving Forward: A Discussion with Fundholders About Shaping Our Priorities for 2025

As the first month of 2025 comes to a close, Community Foundation fundholders and supporters joined our leadership for a discussion about the organization’s accomplishments during 2024 and the outlook for the upcoming year.

“We open this call with gratitude for all that you have enabled us to accomplish this past year,” Board Chair Seán Morris shared. “With your generosity, we have been able to coinvest more than $1.7 billion into the Greater Washington region. We are grateful to be working with you and look forward to continuing to partner with you to strengthen this beautiful region we all call home.”

2024: A Year in Review

2024 was a busy year for The Community Foundation and our community of changemakers. Together, we distributed more than $95 million to nonprofits and managed over 700 funds established by generous individuals, families, businesses, and civic groups from across the region. More than 70% of those grant funds were invested within the Greater Washington region.

“We have so much to be thankful for, as we start this new year,” shared President & CEO Tonia Wellons during a discussion moderated by Trustee Denielle Pemberton-Heard. “We know that there will be challenges – but we are determined to stay the course by leaning into the mission, vision, and values of our organization.”

Among the accomplishments Tonia shared were the launch of the Brilliant Futures program – an innovative children’s savings pilot program providing up to $1,000 per year for 2 kindergarten cohorts at Jackson Road and Bradbury Heights Elementary Schools, and exciting investments through the Health Equity Fund – which dispersed over $25 million to innovative programs supporting DC’s Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained and Employed (ALICE) population.

“Our hope is that these investments can help hundreds of families move from crisis to stability and from stability to prosperity,” Tonia explained.

An Update on Together, We Prosper – A Campaign for Economic Justice

Tonia also provided an exciting update on Together, We Prosper – The Community Foundation’s first ever capital campaign.

“Thanks to our Campaign committee and generous community of supporters, we’re excited to share that we have raised over 90% of our goal,” Tonia shared. “We’re so close! If you’re looking for a way to get involved, I invite you to join us in participating!”

Launched in 2023, the Together, We Prosper Campaign for Economic Justice is designed to jump-start The Community Foundation’s vision for economic justice by funding critical pilots across the region including guaranteed income pilots such as Thrive Prince George’s and children’s savings programs such as Brilliant Futures.

The campaign also works to build our endowment to ensure that The Community Foundation will be able to respond to today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges. Thanks to a generous matching donation from donor and former Trustee Terry Beaty, the effort has raised more than $500,000 for The Endowment for Greater Washington 

Addressing the Challenges & Opportunities for 2025

Looking ahead to 2025, Tonia next addressed The Community Foundation’s vision for the region and the philanthropic/nonprofit sector – particularly in light of recent actions that may have sweeping impact on our region.

“Our Community Foundation is nonpartisan – but we are not neutral,” Tonia reaffirmed. “We remain committed to creating a Greater Washington region where people of all races, places, and identities have the resources that they need to prosper.”

“Our work is grounded in a comprehensive strategic plan derived from data-driven analysis of the needs and opportunities present in the communities we serve,” Seán added. “As an organization, we are committed to staying the course and staying true to our mission, vision, and values.”

Over the past 51 years, The Community Foundation has continued to operate through many transitions in political leadership and has been proud to serve as a key convener and ‘community quarterback’ to help respond to critical community needs.

During the call, Tonia reiterated The Community Foundation’s commitment to actively listening to community needs and deploying our resources, voice, and efforts to build a stronger, more inclusive, and resilient region where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

“We will be a leader in listening, convening, and speaking truth to power when it comes to the impact that decisions are having on our community and on the individuals we serve.”

She also emphasized the importance of increasing private and philanthropic support for nonprofit organizations – particularly through unrestricted and multi-year funding.

“For those who wish to get involved - whether you are individual donor or a philanthropic organization — the best way to do so is to put more money into our community,” Tonia explained.

“Now more than ever, nonprofit leaders need general operating grants so they have the capacity, the resources, and the flexibility to make decisions and respond to critical needs that may arise on a daily basis.”

“By working together, we have the power and the potential to create deeper, more lasting impact toward achieving economic justice and prosperity for all who call our region home.” 

Investing in the Family - A Pathway to Economic Mobility, Prosperity, and Family Wellness

For DC Action, the Early Childhood Innovation Network (ECIN), and CityFirst Bank, the pathway to economic stability starts with supporting young families.

“Young families are the future of our community,” Kimberly Perry, Executive Director of DC Action shared. “And right now, many of them are struggling to keep their heads above water.”

The Multi-Generational Challenges of Young Parenting in DC

Recent data from DC Department of Health found that in 2022, at least 15 percent of new parents in DC were under the age of 25. When surveyed, 14% of these young parents shared that they didn’t have a place to call home, and 30% reported experiencing homelessness within the past year.

In a region where more than half of residents are worried about being unable to pay their rent or mortgage, the burden on young parents is particularly heavy. Many struggle to find the employment, childcare, and basic resources necessary to provide for their own immediate needs– let alone for their children. Others are among DC’s Asset-Limited, Income Constrained Employed (ALICE) population – individuals who are employed (often working long hours in multiple jobs), making just enough to get by – but not enough to get ahead.

“What we’ve found is that a lot of young parents are seeking guidance in how to plan for their family’s future,” shared Perry. “They are looking for a support network they can turn to during a financial crisis; mentors who can give them tips about continuing education or college (for themselves or their children). Most are just trying to make it to the next paycheck.”

And the financial challenges only tell half the story. Dr. J. Corey Williams, an experienced child and adolescent psychiatrist and co-Executive Director of ECIN explained that the lack of support has raised concerns amongst family and mental health advocates, due to the long-term social and emotional repercussions for both young parents and their children.

“We have to recognize that a lot of young parents are still on their own personal journeys – they’re trying to figure out what their educational trajectory is; what their career trajectory is; how they can meet their personal and mental health needs – all while trying to lay some sort of groundwork for their child.”

“It’s a lot of pressure – the kind that can contribute to long-term health challenges for both parents and children - especially if you don’t have access to the appropriate mental and emotional support system.”

Building a Pathway to Economic Mobility, Prosperity, & Family Wellness

Perry and Dr. Williams – and their respective organizations – have a long history of advocating for young parents in DC.

As the District’s designated child and youth organization, DC Action leverages research, data and policy analysis to advocate for the needs of young people from birth to age 30 including affordable childcare, Out-of-School Time (OST) programs, and formative employment opportunities. The organization has partnered with ECIN and others on several key initiatives including Under 3 DC – a District-wide Coalition dedicated to establishing a more equitable early childhood education system.

Meanwhile, ECIN specializes in parental engagement and early relational health for young families. Over the past few years, they’ve built a network of more than 30 DC schools and health organizations to provide underserved children and young families in DC with access to mental health care, family counseling, and developmental support.

“We understand that in order to set a child up for success, you have to make sure there’s a system in place so that the parents can succeed, too,” Dr. Williams explained. “You need to invest in their future.”

To do this, DC Action and ECIN are partnering with City First Bank to launch ‘The Pathway to Economic Mobility, Prosperity, & Family Wellness’ – a multi-generational support program that will provide 100 young families facing housing insecurity with greater family stability, economic mobility, and improved mental health and well-being.

An Unprecedented Multi-Generational Investment

The Pathway to Economic Mobility, Prosperity, and Family Wellness represents one of the most holistic and innovative investments in The Community Foundation’s history.

In partnership with local housing providers, the initiative will identify 100 young parents under the age of 30 who are facing housing insecurity in Wards 1, 5, 7 and 8 and provide them with unconditional monthly cash payments of $1,000 over two years -making this the 13th Guaranteed Income initiative to launch in the DC metro area over the past five years.

In addition, each participating parent will also receive $1,000 towards an IRA, an emergency savings account, financial empowerment coaching and education, and savings incentives to help them navigate the financial system and achieve their wealth-building goals.

However, the investment doesn’t stop there. In addition to the investments for each parent, each participating child will receive $1,000 towards a DC 529 College Savings Account and an additional $1,000 towards a ROTH IRA. Each family will also receive a $25,000 Children’s Trust Account that can be used to support their children’s future professional, educational, and personal goals.

In all, the initiative will invest about $5 million into participating families over the two years and will hopefully enable them to not only secure stable housing, but also pursue other long-term goals that were previously out of reach.

“This project is the type of systems transformation that we often only dream about,” Perry explained. “It’s very rare that we have the kind of funding to support young adults in such a holistic way. Investments are fragmented.”

“You can’t address the wealth gap without investing in the family – the whole family,” added Cynthia Newell, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff at City First Bank. “This initiative is about providing families with the resources they need to grow and succeed and in the way that they want to receive them.”

Founded in 1998 and supported by The Community Foundation, City First Bank was the first Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certified in DC. Today they are the largest Minority Depository Institution (MDI) in the nation with more than $1 billion assets under management.

In addition to supporting the financial investments, City First Bank will work with DC Action to provide participants with access to financial education resources including credit building classes and coaching, tax preparation services, and financial empowerment workshops.

City First, ECIN, and DC Action are confident that these investments will reap huge long-term benefits for families. The partnership estimates that as much as $34 million in wealth could be generated across the 100 participating families as a result of the initial $5 million investment.

“We’re here to meet the community where they are,” shared Patricia Stewart, Senior Vice President & Director of Bank Operations at City First Bank. “It’s not just about the money – it’s about how we can implement something that will lift up the individuals who need it the most in our communities and give them the resources but also the freedom and flexibility to accomplish their dreams.”

Strengthening Family Stability and Well-Being for Generations to Come

In addition to the financial investment, the initiative will help each household apply for or renew public benefits to help stretch the household income further – benefits such as childcare, after-school and summer programming, workforce development, nutrition assistance, health insurance coverage, and mental health services. Participants will be connected with community health workers – graduates of Georgetown University’s Family Leadership Certificate Program who will help families set personal goals and get connected with additional community resources, as needed.

“We are excited to see what happens when families finally have access to all of the resources that they need to thrive,” Dr. Williams shared. “How will their emotional health change? What kind of growth will we be able to see within both parents and their children– not only financially, but socially and psychologically?”

As the initiative progresses, ECIN, DC Action and City First Bank hope to monitor the development and behavioral health of participants and their families to see how these investments impact their family stability and well-being. Families will be incentivized to self-report on the status of their economic, behavioral, and social well-being on a quarterly basis throughout the project. These observations -- in addition to any economic and financial outcomes – will provide a comprehensive case study for future initiatives.

“This is about helping young parents achieve the dreams that they have for their families,” Perry added. “To not only realize their hopes and dreams, but to reverse their thinking about what is possible and how much they and their children can accomplish in the years ahead.”

The Community Foundation is proud to partner with DC Action, Early Childhood Innovation Network, and City First Bank on this important project. For more information, visit https://wearedcaction.org/

Community Foundation Announces Major Investment in Maternal Health Center in Ward 7

$250,000 grant to Mamatoto Village will help transform the maternal health landscape for women of color in DC

In celebration of Maternal Health Awareness Day on January 23, the Greater Washington Community Foundation is proud to announce a $250,000 grant from the Developing Families Maternal Health Fund to help Mamatoto Village sustain and expand its maternal health and perinatal workforce training center in the heart of Ward 7.

“As a Ward 7 resident dedicated to advancing health equity for my community, I deeply understand the importance of Mamatoto Village to the maternal health ecosystem,” said Dr. Marla M. Dean, Senior Director for Health Equity at the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “Mamatoto is the only organization of its kind operating East of the River where there are limited maternal health supports and options. The Developing Families Maternal Health Fund’s investment in Mamatoto will have an impact for decades to come.” 

Founded by the legacy organization, the Developing Families Center, the Developing Families Maternal Health Fund is a movement to accelerate maternal health for women of color in the District of Columbia. The Fund is administered by the Greater Washington Community Foundation, which manages the investment strategy portfolio and the grantmaking process. The purpose of the Fund is to memorialize the Developing Families Center’s legacy mission to positively impact maternal health outcomes for women of color within the District of Columbia.

“Our Fund is excited to award this grant to Mamatoto Village, a remarkable organization dedicated to midwifery-driven healthcare, as part of our commitment to addressing and reversing the alarming decline in maternal and infant health outcomes for women of color in the District of Columbia,” said Andrea Miano, Fund Advisor, Developing Families Maternal Health Fund. “Midwives at Mamatoto Village prioritize listening, engaging, and empathizing with the women they serve—values that align closely with Developing Families’ investment priorities. We are committed to listening to and learning from the communities most affected by these disparities, as well as the frontline organizations delivering maternal health services. Guided by evidence and strategic intention, we aim to close the existing gaps and improve outcomes for all.”

Maternal Health Awareness Day is celebrated nationally by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to raise awareness of maternal mortality and educate women, physicians, and families about ways they can protect and care for expectant mothers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries. In Washington, DC, the data reveals an even more stark maternal health crisis – 90% of maternal deaths occur among Black women and more than 70% of maternal deaths occur in Wards 7 and 8.

In response to existing maternal and child health disparities in DC, Mamatoto Village is devoted to serving Black women by bolstering the local perinatal workforce and increasing access to high-quality maternal care. In 11 years of service to the Greater Washington region, Mamatoto Village has developed an interlocking model of community care that has served more than 3,400 women and families, facilitated thousands of births, and trained more than 250 women.

The grant will allow Mamatoto Village to pay off its construction loan and own its building outright – becoming one of the few, Black-led organizations in the District to do so – as part of a planned expansion effort. The new space has already allowed Mamatoto to increase the volume of service delivery, grow its staff, and continue to maintain a 0% maternal mortality rate.

“Ownership matters—it’s the foundation of independence, sustainability, and true liberation. Mamatoto Village is more than a maternal health organization—it’s a transformative movement for equity, empowerment, and better outcomes for Black women and families in the DC community,” said Aza Nedhari, Co-founder and Executive Director of Mamatoto Village. “By centering the needs and voices of Black mothers, we are redefining what it means to uplift a community, one family at a time.”

Learn more about the Developing Families Maternal Health Fund at www.developingfamilies.org.

Investing In Solutions To Address Housing Instability

By Anna Smukowski, Senior Director, Impact Investing, Enterprise Community Loan Fund

In the DC area, a shortage of rental homes that are affordable and available to extremely low-income households is leading to debilitating cost burdens: 75% of extremely low-income households are spending more than 50% of their incomes on rent.

High housing costs are known to create significant financial ripple effects. Cost-burdened residents are often forced to cut back on food and medical care, or even relocate in search of more affordable housing. Further housing instability can also follow when tenants are forced to move multiple times in search of ever cheaper rent, increasing the potential for health risks, particularly among children. 

Crucially, lack of affordable housing also contributes to homelessness: A survey of city government officials found that a lack of affordable housing was the most frequently mentioned cause of homelessness.

To address the challenges of housing scarcity in DC, Enterprise Community Loan Fund, Inc. (ECLF) and the Greater Washington Community Foundation (The Community Foundation) through its Partnership to End Homelessness (The Partnership) have raised $15.2 million through the Enterprise Community Impact Note. Proceeds from sales of the Impact Note are used primarily as capital for loans to community-based, nonprofit, and mission-aligned for-profit, affordable housing, and community and commercial facilities borrowers.

The Partnership, co-launched in 2019 by The Community Foundation and the District of Columbia’s Interagency Council on Homelessness, is dedicated to making homelessness in Washington, DC rare, brief, and nonrecurring. This year, we celebrate the five-year anniversary of The Partnership and its investments in ECLF through the Impact Note that supports critical work in the DC market.

Since 2019, ECLF has provided financing to create or preserve 671 affordable homes in DC –including 359 units serving extremely low-income households, 112 units with supportive services, and 343 units serving senior residents – advancing The Partnership’s goal of addressing the affordable housing shortage and helping create more equitable, just, and thriving communities.

Standout projects include the ground-up construction of Edgewood V, a 151-unit senior housing project in Washington DC’s Ward 5, affordable to individuals up to 50% AMI. ECLF provided a $5.1 million bridge loan to Enterprise Community Development for the Edgewood V project. The design of Edgewood V incorporates features that will extend the time that elderly residents with varying levels of health needs can live independently via accessibility-focused design in all apartments. The project will also meet Enterprise’s Green Communities Standard and will include renewable energy sources onsite in the form of solar panels.

According to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, individuals over the age of 55 are the fastest growing group of people experiencing homelessness – many of them for the first time. While the reasons are complex, an increased risk of poverty is chief among them, as limited fixed incomes pay for less as housing costs skyrocket across the country. This is especially true in DC, where the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute attributes the root cause of homelessness to high housing costs and the structural racism that has created disparities in housing, wealth, incarceration, and health. Further complicating affordable housing access is limited acceptance of permanent supportive housing vouchers at facilities that offer age-appropriate resident services to seniors. Properties like Edgewood V are key to preserving the housing stability of seniors in historically diverse and rapidly gentrifying areas of DC.

Disclaimer: This is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Such an offer is made only by means of a current Prospectus (including any applicable Pricing Supplement) for each of the respective notes. Such offers may be directed only to investors in jurisdictions in which the notes are eligible for sale. Investors are urged to review the current Prospectus before making any investment decision. The securities are unsecured debt securities subject to terms, conditions and risks described in the Prospectus, including the possible loss of the amount invested. Payment is dependent on Enterprise Community Loan Fund’s financial condition at the time payment is due. No state or federal securities regulators have passed on or endorsed the merits of the offering of notes. Any representation to the contrary is unlawful. The notes will not be insured or guaranteed by the FDIC, SIPC, or other governmental agencies.  

The Impact Note is currently not offered in Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Tennessee. 

A Year in Review: Looking Back at the Top Milestones from 2024

2024 was a year full of milestones for The Community Foundation and our community of changemakers – from launching a children’s savings pilot program in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties to unveiling the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights Report, and celebrating new and exciting investments across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Here are some of our most meaningful milestones from 2024.

Celebrating the Spirit of Philanthropy and Alex Orfinger at the National Building Museum

On March 21, The Community Foundation honored Alex Orfinger with the 2024 Spirit of Philanthropy Award, as part of the Celebration of Philanthropy at the National Building Museum. The event raised more than $500,000 towards building a stronger community in the Greater Washington region.

Reimagine Work: Aligning Workforce Development within an Economic Justice Framework

In January, The Community Foundation introduced Reimagine (formerly known as the Greater Washington Workforce Development Collaborative) - a coalition of funders committed to co-creating solutions alongside communities and people to advance systemic economic justice rooted in reimagining, redistributing, and rebalancing work, opportunity, and sustainability.

Greater Washington Community Foundation and PNC Foundation Support Small Businesses in Prince George’s County

In April, The Community Foundation announced the launch of the Prince George’s County Small Business Support Program made possible through funding from the PNC Foundation to support small business infrastructure and development in Prince George’s County. The fund awarded over $330,000 in grants to 17 small businesses along the Purple Line and Blue Line corridors. The grants will enable businesses to harness the economic benefits of development along the transit corridors.

Thrive Prince George’s Guaranteed Income Pilot Begins Monthly Payments

In April, Thrive Prince George’s  - the county’s first-ever guaranteed income pilot program, began monthly cash distributions to 50 youth (age 18-24) who have aged out of foster care and 125 seniors (age 60+) for a 24-month period with no strings attached.

The pilot – which was announced in November 2023 - received a tremendous response with more than 5,500 applications submitted for 175 slots. All applications went through a carefully designed and impartial review process that utilized best practices in applicant selection including weighing essential eligibility criteria and randomization. This process also ensured inclusion of our two special populations - care givers and returning citizens.

In October, The Community Foundation convened guaranteed income advocates from nine different guaranteed income pilots from across the region  - including Thrive Prince George’s - to discuss how to amplify the effects of guaranteed income pilots in the Greater Washington region.

The Community Foundation Launches Brilliant Futures Children’s Savings Pilot at Jackson Road Elementary School and Bradbury Heights Elementary School

In June, The Community Foundation announced the launch of Brilliant Futures, a children’s savings pilot program that will provide kindergarten students at Jackson Road Elementary School and Bradbury Heights Elementary School with up to $1,000 each year from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The Community Foundation has committed to funding the program for two consecutive kindergarten cohorts at each school — specifically the future graduating classes of 2036 and 2037 at Jackson Road Elementary and classes of 2037 and 2038 at Bradbury Heights Elementary schools. The program is expected to enroll up to 400 students and was launched in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools, Prince George’s County Public Schools, and community partners, Parent Encouragement Program and Reid Community Development Corporation.

In October, The Community Foundation was recognized with the Superintendent’s Award of Excellence at the Foundation for PGCPS Hall of Fame Gala in recognition of Brilliant Futures.

Building Towards Belonging: New Voices DMV Report Highlights Critical Needs & Strategic Priorities for the Greater Washington Region

In May, The Community Foundation released the 2024 Voices DMV Community Insights Report, which provided an update on the state of our region, including key regional challenges and insights from a comprehensive survey conducted by The Community Foundation in partnership with Gallup and its Center on Black Voices.

First launched in 2017, VoicesDMV is a community engagement initiative designed to help philanthropy, community leaders, policymakers, and others better understand the diverse experiences of the people who live and work in the Greater Washington region.

In December, the Washington Association of Black Journalists awarded The Community Foundation the 2024 Dr. Sheila Brooks Community Impact Award in recognition of the VoicesDMV initiative and its commitment to amplify the voices and needs of underrepresented communities across the DC metropolitan area.

Greater Washington Community Foundation Welcomes Sean Morris as New Board Chair

In September, The Community Foundation welcomed Seán Morris, Principal with Deloitte Consulting LLP, as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees. Seán succeeded Richard K. Bynum, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer for The PNC Financial Services Group, who has served as Board Chair since September 2022.

The Community Foundation also welcomed Thomas Penny, President of Donohoe Hospitality as a newest member of the Board of Trustees and welcomed Artis Hampshire-Cowan, as a member of The Community Foundation’s Board Emerita.

The Board has been extremely supportive of The Community Foundation’s President & CEO, Tonia Wellons – who has continued to receive well-deserved recognition for her outstanding leadership in the Greater Washington region. This year, Tonia was once again recognized as a member of the Washington Business Journal’s 2024 Power 100 Index. She also joined the Board of Directors for CFLeads – a national network of community foundations committed to community leadership and innovation to build stronger communities.

Celebrating Community Impact Through Partnership at the 2024 Annual Meeting

In October, The Community Foundation gathered with friends and supporters for the 2024 Annual Meeting and public kick-off for Together, We Prosper, a $75 million Campaign for Economic Justice in the Greater Washington region.

The meeting celebrated another year of exciting landmarks. In FY2024, our fundholders disbursed over $87 million to a diverse range of causes across the region.

The evening also included exciting updates on the Together, We Prosper Campaign for Economic Justice, which seeks to mobilize philanthropy to close the racial wealth gap in our region by investing in innovative economic mobility programs to boost wealth building in priority high opportunity neighborhoods.

Partnership to End Homelessness Celebrates Five Years of Impact

This past year, The Community Foundation’s Partnership to End Homelessness celebrated five years of impact.

Since 2020, The Partnership has successfully leveraged more and aligned more than $20 million in funding to support affordable housing and grantmaking to nonprofits, helped to build and preserve 924 homes for low-income families, and supported advocacy efforts that helped 3,254 individuals and 1,542 families exit homelessness.

The Partnership also welcomed five new members to its Leadership Council - a group of committed, private sector individuals representing foundations, housing developers and owners, healthcare institutions, and universities who are dedicated to ending homelessness in DC.

Investing in Community Safety and Gun Violence Prevention

In 2024, The Community Foundation announced its intentions to support the development and funding of a comprehensive strategy to enhance harm reduction efforts in DC to promote community safety and prevent gun violence. The organization awarded $1 million in investments in partnership with DC government agencies, joined the CF Leads Gun Violence Protection Network, and – in partnership with the Public Welfare Foundation - hired a Senior Fellow for Community Safety and Harm Reduction to coordinate further efforts.  

In September, The Community Foundation and Public Welfare Foundation organized the first of several convenings for philanthropic partners, business leaders, city government representatives and advocates for community safety to discuss ways to promote and sustain community safety.

Greater Washington Community Foundation Celebrates $26 million investment in innovative DC Health Equity Partnerships

In 2024, The Community Foundation’s Health Equity Fund announced $25.8 million in multiyear investments in five transformative projects focused on collaborative approaches to increasing economic mobility and wealth building.

Since 2022, the $95 million Health Equity Fund has distributed more than $58.9 million to community-based nonprofits that serve District residents.

In addition to transformative funding, the initiative has also served as a powerful convener for DC’s nonprofit community. In April, The Community Foundation brought together more than 200 changemakers from across the area for the 2024 Health Equity Summit - a day of music, speakers, and deep conversations around the pursuit of health equity, economic justice, and liberation in the Greater Washington region.

In August, in recognition of the Fund’s impact on the region, the Washington Business Journal honored Dr. Marla Dean, Senior Director of the Health Equity Fund, as part of the inaugural 2024 Innovators in Health Care Awards.

2024 Celebration of Giving – Saluting Bob Buchanan, the 2024 Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year

On November 21st, donors and community partners across Montgomery County gathered for the annual Celebration of Giving honoring Bob Buchanan, founder of Buchanan Partners, as the 2024 Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year.

The evening included a special video tribute to Bob, an update from President & CEO Tonia Wellons regarding the Together, We Prosper Campaign for Economic Justice, and a surprise $250,000 Challenge Match from the Honoree himself!

Elevating Black Fatherhood: Creating Brighter Futures for Children, Families, & Communities

Furard Tate, Senior Director of Business Development at the Greater Washington Urban League and co-lead for the new Elevating Black Fatherhood Initiative

Earlier this year, The Community Foundation’s Health Equity Fund announced $25.8 million in multiyear investments in five transformative projects focused on collaborative approaches to increasing economic mobility and wealth building.

We are excited to share with you a special feature on one of these projects – Elevating Black Fatherhood: Creating Brighter Futures for Children, Families, & Communities – a partnership between United Way of the National Capital Area and the Greater Washington Urban League to provide a robust set of services and supports for Black Fathers navigating the child support system.

Furard Tate is a man who wears multiple hats. A proud 3rd generation Washingtonian, Tate is well-known in DC as a seasoned entrepreneur with more than twenty years of experience.

When he’s not advocating for the food services industry as the co-founder of DMV Black Restaurant Week, Tate works tirelessly to impart wisdom to future entrepreneurs through the Greater Washington Urban League’s Entrepreneurship Center.

However, Tate says that the role he cherishes the most doesn’t have anything to do with a commercial kitchen or entrepreneurship. It has everything to do with being a Black Father.

“Being a father is one of the most important roles I have,” Tate said. “My love for my children is part of what drives me to strive for excellence in my professional and personal life.”

“I want to be the best man I can for my children – because I know my two children are better when they have relationships with both their parents in their lives.”

The Challenges of Black Fatherhood

Fatherhood – especially Black fatherhood – has long been subject to scrutiny and even prejudice in modern society as policymakers have increasingly treated Black fathers as an obstacle, rather than an asset to family stability. For example, within the child support program the federal government has implemented harsh punitive policies ranging from garnishing up to two-thirds of noncustodial parents’ wages to suspending drivers’ licenses and incarceration. These policies – coupled with the war on drugs that has largely targeted and incarcerated Black men – have added a new level of stress to an already difficult situation (family separation) –  creating an economic burden that few low-income parents can afford.

“Right now, there are more than 24,000 noncustodial parents living in DC who are in arrears on their child support payments,” shared Rosie Allen-Herring, President & CEO of the United Way of the National Capital Area. “Many of these parents were already living paycheck-to-paycheck before their family separation. Criminalizing them for failing to pay their child support only causes further harm to the families.”

The impact extends far beyond the financial. In public policy, the media, and the legal system – even in traditional family settings -- the stereotype of the “deadbeat dad” has increasingly become associated with the Black father– despite multiple studies proving otherwise.

“The world treats Black men like they are dangerous – that they are a hazard to the mother and must be removed from the family for the safety of the parents,” Kimberly Corbin, Chief Administrative and Financial Officer of the Greater Washington Urban League added. “We have laws that will give mothers all the support that they need – as long as the father isn’t living in the same house.”

“Who told us that Dad’s were optional?”

The Power of Therapy

United Way and the Urban League have been partners since 2020, when United Way NCA tapped the Urban League to operate a Financial Empowerment Center to provide individuals and families in DC with free resources, tools and support needed to improve their financial wellbeing. That lead to the creation of the Urban League’s Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI) – which focuses on financial wellness and entrepreneurship for DC residents through financial training and one-on-one coaching to help community members reach their goals.

However, over the past four years, Corbin says the CFI instructors have increasingly found themselves drawn to an unexpected field – financial therapy.

“People spend their dollars with their heart,” Corbin explained. “We realized that if we could help people understand what ails them, emotionally, we could help them find motivation to become stronger financially.”

The Center began providing participants with access to Financial Therapists who worked with participants to uncover the ‘why’ behind their financial decisions. The result was an outpouring of positive feedback – particularly from Black men.

“What we found was that this process uncovered pain points that many men had suppressed,” Corbin explained. “You can’t heal the heart or the soul with a class or a dollar. What these men needed was therapy and a solid support system.”

“You can’t heal the heart or the soul with a class or a dollar”

— Kimberly Corbin, Greater Washington Urban League

For Tate, the program reminded him of his own personal journey, as he navigated his divorce while still trying to be there as a father for his two children.

“When you say, ‘I do’ with someone; it rings in your head for years,” Tate explained. “Nothing prepares you for the pain that happens in separation; it produces a hurtful fear and activates a survival mode that can bring out the worst in both parents.”

Tate credits his family, including his in-laws, who provided emotional support to him, his former partner and his children throughout their separation. He was also fortunate to have a friend who – as an attorney – was able to help him navigate the child support system so he could provide for his children without suffering financial hardship – a luxury that he now realizes that most Black men in his family situation don’t have.

“The court doesn’t see a man’s desire to be a great father,” Tate recalled. “All they see is another statistic.”

“We often remind the fathers that we work with that their love for their children isn’t predicated on how big their child support payment is. They’re worth more than that.”

“It’s not enough to just throw money at people,” Allen-Herring added. “If we really want to make a difference for Black fathers, we need to provide them with the infrastructure and support they need to succeed.”

Repairing Harm, Elevating Fatherhood, & Fostering Economic Mobility

United Way of the National Capital Area and the Greater Washington Urban League came together to launch Elevating Black Fatherhood - a two-year pilot designed to provide a robust set of services and supports for 150 fathers who reside in DC, are currently earning below DC’s AMI (Average Medium Income), are under a court order to pay custodial support, and are behind in making those payments.

Funded by The Greater Washington Community Foundation’s Health Equity Fund, the pilot will apply a three-pronged approach to support the emotional, structural, and financial development of participants – especially for Black fathers living in DC’s Wards 7 & 8.

In addition to providing participants with up to $2,000 towards their child support payments, the program includes individual and family therapy sessions, providing fathers with access to health services and legal advice, a hotline to call for emergency emotional support, and healing circles so they can be in community with other men going through similar situations.

“Trust building is the bedrock of our community work,” Allen-Herring shared. “By establishing an environment where these fathers feel safe enough to be open and emotionally vulnerable, we are able to more effectively evaluate what their needs are and what resources we need to bring to the table to address those needs.”

Some of those resources include child development classes, parenting mediation, daddy day and visitation support, and mentoring opportunities to help fathers become better parents and co-parents with their former partner.

“Real life isn’t like parenting on TV,” Tate added. “Parenting is sewing a quilt with your former partner that will encompass all that your child needs – you’re still a family, even if you’re not together.”

To help provide that support, United Way and the Urban League have developed partnerships with nationally recognized fatherhood groups including the South Carolina Center for Fathers & Families, Washington DC Concerned Black Men Inc, and the DC Office of the Attorney General’s Fathering Court.

This is in addition to the expertise that United Way and the Urban League already bring to the table through the CFI and the broader Financial Empowerment Center initiative including career advancement and financial empowerment workshops.

The program also includes a savings incentive that encourages fathers to save 5% of their net income – which the initiative will match and apply towards their child support payments (in addition to the $2,000).

“The end goal is to create a self-directed path for fathers to find their full brilliance – whether that be through helping them find emotional stability, start a new business, or just believe in themselves,” Corbin shared. “Once they are able to catch that vision, the money and the financial stability will come – because they’ll finally be in a position to propel themselves to even higher levels of brilliance for themselves and their families.”

A Roadmap For Stronger Families & Communities

While the full impact of this pilot may not be seen for several years, Allen-Herring and Corbin are optimistic that the holistic structure of Elevating Black Fatherhood could have major implications for the region.

The CFI, which will serve as the primary hub for this pilot, houses just one of five Financial Empowerment Centers (FEC) operated by the United Way of the National Capital Area across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

“We want to better support families in a way that not only helps them solve their day-to-day challenges, but that gets to the root causes,” Allen-Herring said. “We hope that this pilot can provide us with the proof of concepts we need to scale this into the day-to-day of our other FECs.”

The pilot could also have a national impact, as both Urban League of Greater Washington and the United Way NCA plan to share findings from the initiative with their broader national networks.

However, all agree that perhaps the greatest impact will be seen in the lives of the future generation – whether or not they are directly related to the participants.

“To get to the wholeness of the father is to get to the wholeness the family,” Corbin concluded. “When you strengthen that family, you strengthen the community and everyone who comes into contact with that father. That is what makes this work transformative.”

The Community Foundation is proud to partner with the United Way of the National Capital Area and Greater Washington Urban League on this important innovative project. For more information, visit https://www.gwul.org/fec

Legacy Planning with Your Family – The Key to a Legacy That Lasts

By Lisa G. McCurdy, Esq.

Financial success does not serve your family if there is no written plan.

Without a guide for the next generation --  a roadmap that is aligned with the principles and values that fuel your legacy, and shares your wisdom for the intended use and benefit of the assets, the likelihood of infighting, loss to unintended beneficiaries, confusion, and failure, are quite high. What you need is an implementable strategy to preserve and distribute wealth to the next generation through appropriately skilled fiduciaries. 

As you plan for getting your affairs in order or updating your plan to make certain it continues to meet your goals, you might ponder the following:

• How can you minimize the risk of family disputes particularly when property is left to a large number of beneficiaries?

• What steps should you take to ensure that your property goes to those intended?

• What steps should you take to protect your interests particularly when there are multiple people in the family who have been given a share of the property?

It all starts with a foundation of sound, family governance. This is facilitated by three key activities. 

First, hold a family meeting, at least annually. The meeting should include multiple generations of the family and, if applicable, multiple arms of the family tree. This gives voice to each of the members of the family and ensures they feel included in decisions. Consider hosting this important discussion during your family reunion or during holiday celebrations, where everyone has already gathered. 

Second, establish a family mantra or mission statement that draws on your collective guiding principles, values, and wisdom. These are at the core of what bonds us as a family. Through this exercise, families become stronger, able to withstand conflict and outside forces, as well as third-party agendas. Remind members of your family that they have more in common than the differences confronting them, enabling them to sustain across the generations. 

Third, prepare your estate plan and determine which type of plan is most appropriate to achieve your goals and those of the family at large. Estate planning and estate administration, collectively, are the linchpin to securing your legacy. When families plan together, the chance of success increases exponentially.

Part of that planning includes making sure you establish the essential, estate documents—a last Will and Testament, Durable Power of Attorney documents, Advance Medical Directive, and in certain circumstances, Guardianship Declaration for minor children. These documents ensure that a system is in place that appoints only trusted agents to manage your affairs and identifies your true and worthy beneficiaries. 

Some may also consider establishing a trust -- which lets you place highly specific conditions on how and when you want your assets distributed. In general, a trust provides greater flexibility and control over how your property and assets are distributed and when.

Trusts can be a powerful tool to help you accomplish a wide range of goals during your lifetime and long after including avoiding probate, maintaining privacy and confidentiality, protecting beneficiaries, providing for children with varied needs, maximizing flexibility, preserving family wealth, promoting family values, and reducing family conflict.

A legacy can come in many forms. It can be financial, institutional, or instructional. No matter what your legacy looks like, hopefully it includes the sharing of values, life lessons, and is educational and empowering.

As you reflect on your legacy, may we all be motivated to be more effective agents for our collective future. May we continue to plant a seed for the generations that come after us. Doing so honors those who have taught us the strategies for survival, resilience, and endurance, while clearing our path for even greater gains. 

Lisa McCurdy is the founder and Managing Partner of The Wealth Counselor LLC and a member of The Community Foundation’s Professional Advisor community. Lisa is passionate about helping her clients achieve true generational, legacy planning. She has significant, personal fiduciary experience as trustee, trust protector and guardian is uniquely capable of assisting clients with their future plans for care and asset management. She has considerable personal business experience and is aware of the ever-pressing day to day business issues that must be balanced with planning for the future. Further, her team partners with a team of Financial Management, Insurance, Tax Planning, and Valuation professionals to help people protect themselves, their families and their legacy.

This post should not be misconstrued as legal advice but intended for Educational Purposes Only. Contact your advisor(s) for advice on your specific circumstances.

2024 Celebration of Giving - Saluting Bob Buchanan 2024 Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year

On November 21st, donors and community partners across Montgomery County gathered for the annual Celebration of Giving honoring Bob Buchanan, founder of Buchanan Partners, as the 2024 Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year.

The celebration came at a busy time for The Community Foundation and its community of givers. Over the past fiscal year, the organization has deployed more than $8 million to nonprofit organizations across Montgomery County- including $450,000 through its Sharing Montgomery initiative.

“The magic of The Community Foundation brings us together to act. We turn to them to help us craft our community impact and do the most good,” shared Robin Meisner Cameron, Vice Chair of The Community Foundation’s Advisory Board in Montgomery County. “Together we are absolutely more than the sum of our parts.”

The Community Foundation also celebrated the launch of Brilliant Futures – a children’s savings pilot program that will provide kindergarten students at two schools with up to $1,000 in savings each year from kindergarten through 12th grade. The innovative pilot launched in June 2024 in partnership with Jackson Road Elementary School and Montgomery County Public Schools.

A live painting of Brilliant Futures participants created by Hiral Joshi, an artist and instructor for VisArts.

Bob and his wife Sharon are long-time champions for VisArts, a nonprofit which acts as a hub for artistic exploration and social impact.

“Making this investment changes how these kids can dream,” shared Alisha Griffey, member of The Community Foundation’s Advisory Board in Montgomery County and advocate for the Brilliant Futures pilot program. “We have a unique opportunity to help build them a better world, to change their trajectory, and to keep them from shrinking who they are due to a lack of financial security.”

“The Community Foundation is putting our money where our ambitions are – creating a more inclusive and prosperous Montgomery County for all,” added Tonia Wellons, President & CEO of The Community Foundation. She then reported on the progress of Together, We Prosper, a $75 million campaign to jump-start The Community Foundation’s vision for economic justice in the Greater Washington Region. She noted this includes funding for initiatives like Brilliant Futures and Guaranteed Income pilots like Montgomery County’s MoCo Boost.  “We invite you to help us finish what we’ve started, by joining our Together, We Prosper Campaign to fully fund Brilliant Futures and other initiatives to ensure that all in our community can thrive.”

Following the update on the Together, We Prosper Campaign, Tonia saluted the evening’s honoree, Bob Buchanan. A third-generation developer and beloved champion of many vital nonprofits serving Montgomery County, Bob is a builder in every sense of the word. Along with his wife, Sharon, and their family, Bob has strategically advanced the arts, education, and organizations building more equitable communities. By combining his generosity, business acumen, and ability to galvanize others behind worthy causes, his philanthropic leadership has touched the lives of thousands of people across our community. 

Through a fireside chat with Shirley Brandman, former Montgomery County Advisory Board Member, Bob shared key values that have helped him along his philanthropic journey including cultivating a love of learning, always seeking to build and strengthen new relationships, setting a place at the table for the nonprofit community, and empowering those who demonstrate personal and organizational integrity to their values.

“We need to work together,” Bob shared. “We need to come together and stand together for acts of kindness and generosity and create a better and more compassionate community for all.”

Bob then surprised the audience – and The Community Foundation staff –by pledging a $250,000 Challenge Match to encourage others to give towards the Together, We Prosper Campaign. (To help us make the match, you can make a gift online today or contact us for other giving options!)

“It is so important that we continue to support our communities – now more than ever.”

On behalf of the thousands of lives touched by his leadership and generosity, we congratulate Bob on being named the 2024 Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year. We know his example will continue to inspire others to discover the powerful difference we each can make when we commit to making our community stronger for all.

Additional information about our 2024 Philanthropist of the Year is available in the Bethesda Magazine Article and in our Celebration program booklet. Click here to see more photos from the 2024 Celebration of Giving!

2024 Philanthropist of the Year, Bob Buchanan with members of his family.

LIFT As We Climb: Supporting Parents & Caregivers in National Service

City Year Member Kelly Romero and her son pose at her graduation from American University

Earlier this year, The Community Foundation’s Health Equity Fund announced $25.8 million in multiyear investments in five transformative projects focused on collaborative approaches to increasing economic mobility and wealth building. We are excited to share with you a special feature on one of these projects - LIFT As We Climb - a partnership between City Year DC and LIFT DC to provide a robust set of services and supports to create an opportunity pathway for local parents and caregivers participating in AmeriCorps.

Not all heroes wear capes. Sometimes they wear red jackets – at least that’s what Kelly Romero feels sometimes, as she sports her ‘City Year’ jacket through the halls of Kelly Miller MS in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of NE DC.

“Everyday I come to school, I get to show up for people,” Romero shares. “I feel like the work that I do is really making a difference – especially for these kids that really need someone who believes in them.”

Romero is one of 140 City Year AmeriCorps members working to support the learning, social, and emotional growth of thousands of kids across DC’s public schools.

While City Year members’ experiences may differ from their peers serving abroad, their impact cannot be understated – especially in communities experiencing high poverty, where schools – and their students – are often underfunded and under resourced. Statistics have shown that City Year’s members have a significant impact on the academic, social, and emotional wellbeing of the students they work with.

“As City Year members, we can support students in a way that a lot of teachers can’t,” Romero shared. “We interact with students and help them create the kind of safe learning environment they need to thrive.”

But Romero is more than just a City Year Member. Romero is also a single mother to her 8-year-old son – an experience that she says has helped her a lot over the course of her experience with City Year DC.

“I became a mom when I was a junior in high school,” Romero recalled. “I was so blessed to have supportive parents and a great community program. They helped me give me the confidence and support I needed to graduate high school and pursue my dreams.” Romero received her Bachelor’s Degree from American University – the first member of her family to do so.

Empowered by her support system, Romero now goes above and beyond to provide that same support for others – starting with her son. While taking classes at American, Romero discovered that her son had a learning disability that impacted his experience at school. She decided to take it upon herself to learn more about how she could create a safe learning environment for him and advocate for his needs.

“Working with my son takes a lot of patience, sometimes,” Romero explained. “He doesn’t always know how to process his feelings – so I work with him to help him identify what he’s feeling and how we can work together to get him to where he needs to be.”

“It’s a big part of why I enjoy what I do as a City Year member,” Romero said. “There’s so many kids out there who don’t have the kind of support system that I have and that I get to provide for my son. Working with City Year, I get to be part of that system and help them grow.”

Supporting Parents & National Service

For Dr. Michael Stevens, Executive Director of City Year DC and Neils Ribeiro-Yemofio, Executive Director of LIFT-DC – individuals like Romero represent a tremendous opportunity – one that could transform the face of National Service organizations across DC and the country.

“There’s something special about an individual who chooses to serve their community --while balancing all the responsibilities that come with serving their child,” Dr. Stevens shared. “There’s nobody more patient than a parent; nobody who is better than working with kids than somebody who takes care of their own. These are individuals who really bring their whole heart – and even their future generations into the work that they do.”

“Some people look at a young parent and see them as a problem,” Ribeiro-Yemofio added. “We see them as the solution.”

Across the region and the nation, the number of individuals involved in volunteerism and national service – both formally and informally – has dropped dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many organizations – including City Year and AmeriCorps – are increasingly looking for innovative solutions to help recruit and retain volunteers – especially for communities of color.

According to the latest AmeriCorps member report, Black AmeriCorps members have the highest early exit/attrition rate (41 percent) compared to other volunteers. Of those who exit, nearly a third of them said they did so out of necessity to take care of family or seek better economic stability.

Dr. Michael Stevens (far left) early on in his career with City Year DC.

Ribeiro-Yemofio and Dr. Stevens have witnessed firsthand the impact that completing a term of national service can have on an individual’s life. As a young man growing up in Alexandria, Ribeiro-Yemofio joined City Year originally with the intention of quitting after just six months to pursue a career in advocacy. However, he quickly realized just how transformative his time at City Year could be. Ten years later, Ribeiro-Yemofio was still working with City Year – this time as an employee – reporting to his former team lead – Dr. Michael Stevens.

Neils Ribeiro-Yomofrio as a member of City Year DC

Now as the Executive Director of LIFT DC –a nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by investing in parents – Ribeiro-Yemofio is excited to partner with Dr. Stevens to create LIFT as We Climb -- an innovative program funded by The Community Foundation’s Health Equity Fund that will support parents and caregivers in national service.

“A lot of City Year members who are parents are unable to finish their service because they don’t have the kind of support structure they need to succeed,” Ribeiro-Yemofio shared.

“LIFT DC not only has the expertise, but also the infrastructure to help members grow and thrive – during their service and beyond.”

LIFT as We Climb – A Bridge to Opportunity  

As part of LIFT as We Climb, City Year Members like Romero will be paired with a LIFT-DC coach who will work with parents to identify and achieve their personal and financial goals. Each member will have access to financial literacy workshops, unrestricted $150 cash payments every three months for the duration of the program, and a $500 cash payment to help their transition after completing their service.

“At LIFT, we have an excellent track record of helping our parents reach economic mobility,” Ribeiro-Yemofio added. “Some have increased their annual household income by an average of $35,664 over the course of their time with us.”

LIFT as We Climb is designed as a two-year program – ensuring that even if parents decide not to pursue careers in national service after completing their year of service, they are still able to receive coaching and support as they transition. Throughout the program, members will have access to group sessions, workshops, and events with other parents to help them continue to grow and expand their networks.

“I would love to see that young parents see City Year – or any type of service organization – as a viable career, or a launch pad into a career of social impact,” Dr. Stevens shared of his aspirations for the project. “Instead of young parents seeing all the reasons why they can’t or shouldn’t serve – we want them to see the benefits and the impact that they can have on future generations.”

Dr. Stevens and Ribeiro-Yemofio say they anticipate the project will not only help with retention rates for existing volunteers, but also recruitment for new volunteers, as well. They plan to use the projects outcomes to make the case for broader support at the national level at their respective organizations and to AmeriCorps. City Year DC and LIFT DC both belong to large, well-established national networks. LIFT as We Climb is the first project of its kind in either network to provide a support system for parents in national service.

“Martin Luther King once said ‘Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve,’” Ribeiro-Yemofio said. “That’s what we hope to do with LIFT as We Climb – provide a support structure so that everyone – including parents – have what they need to serve and become great!”

The Community Foundation is proud to support LIFT as We Climb and its work through the Health Equity Fund.

The Health Equity Fund was created to improve the health outcomes and health equity of DC residents. The fund is governed by a seven-member Health Equity Committee in partnership with the Greater Washington Community Foundation. The seven-member committee includes Nnemdi Elias, MD, MPH; Dr. Tollie Elliott; Wendell L. Johns; Lori Kaplan; Juan M. Jara; Kimberly Harris; and Courtney R. Snowden.

For more information about the Health Equity Fund and available funding opportunities, please visit our website!

What Drives Your Clients' Charitable Giving?

On November 13, more than 50 advisors gathered for The Community Foundation’s Professional Advisors Council Fall Luncheon and participated in an interactive workshop led by Dien Yuen, Founder of Daylight Advisors, which explored the value of culture and how it intersects with planning and charitable giving.

This annual event is the premier opportunity for the region’s leading wealth managers and estate planners to connect and discuss opportunities to help clients maximize their philanthropy. Many thanks to our sponsors, Chevy Chase Trust, Glenmede, Pasternak & Fidis, and Wealthspire Advisors. A very special thank you to the members of our Professional Advisors Council and to Dick Riley and the team at Foley & Lardner LLP for hosting us in their beautiful space.

Created over 15 years ago by Nancy Fax of Pasternak & Fidis and Mary Pat Alcus, the PAC is a collective of professional advisors from some of the top wealth advising and estate planning firms in the DMV region, and its charge is to advocate for The Community Foundation among peers and to provide advice and guidance to staff.

Current Co-Chairs Vernon Holleman, Founder of HOLLEMAN, and Karen Wawrzaszek, Senior Vice President and Regional Director in DC for Northern Trust, view their role as helping fellow professional advisors “maximize their effectiveness in philanthropic planning with their clients, which increases the impact on our community.”

Community Foundation PAC Fall Luncheon-57.jpg

To recognize the impact of our advisory community partners, The Community Foundation was pleased to honor Megan M. Wallace, Esq. with the inaugural Nancy Fax Professional Advisor in Philanthropy Award. The award honors advisors in the region who support The Community Foundation and help to preserve philanthropy in the DMV region.

Megan shared, “Including conversations about philanthropy when discussing estate plans is important because, for many people, a well-rounded legacy goes beyond simply dividing assets—it’s about making a lasting difference. With the Greater Washington Community Foundation as a resource, we’re able to offer clients the unique opportunity to make informed and impactful choices. We provide them with an avenue not only to give but to do so with intention and purpose, creating a legacy that reflects who they are and what they value most.”

Meet Our Honoree

Megan Wallace is the principal and founder of Wallace Law, LLC. She has been an active part of the legal and business community for many years. After clerking for the Michigan Supreme Court, Megan moved to Washington, DC to earn her LL.M. in taxation from the Georgetown University Law Center. She focused her studies on estate planning and business planning. She now applies that knowledge for her clients’ benefit in all areas of her practice. Megan is licensed in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia and practices regularly in all of those jurisdictions.

Megan concentrates her practice in the area of estate planning, trust administration and probate, in which her background in business law and tax law are highly relevant. She derives a great deal of satisfaction from helping to put clients’ minds at ease with a well-crafted estate plan that addresses all of their concerns.

If you want to join the Professional Advisors Newsletter, please email Yasmine Barakat at [email protected], and she will add you to the monthly newsletter.

Dr. George Leventhal & Kaiser Permanente - Tackling the Medical Respite Gap for the Region's Homeless Population

The Community Foundation is excited to continue our Leaders of the Future series, highlighting the work and experiences of incredible individuals and organizations from across our community of philanthropic, community, professional advisor, corporate, and nonprofit partners.

In honor of National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, we’re pleased to feature Dr. George L. Leventhal, Director of Community Health at Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Leventhal is a long-time regional advocate in the fight against homelessness and sits on the Leadership Council of the Partnership to End Homelessness.

Homelessness has been described as a public health crisis. Research done by the National Alliance to End Homelessness found that individuals within the homeless population often experience conditions of diabetes, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS at rates that are three to six times higher than that of the general population. Additional data from the most recent Point in Time Count found that the majority of single adults experiencing homelessness are over the age of 55.

These statistics paint a sobering picture during the warm summer months. However, as winter approaches and the temperatures drop, that picture becomes deadly.

“Homelessness is a public health catastrophe,” shared Dr. George L. Leventhal, Director of Community Health at Kaiser Permanente. “Living unsheltered is terrible for the body. Those that sleep on the street are often unable to get a good night’s rest. That impacts their mental health. They’re also exposed to stress factors which impact their body’s ability to fight infection.”

Dr. Leventhal with members of the Partnership to End Homelessness Leadership Council visit with the staff of Joseph’s House – one of just four medical respite sites located in DC.

Dr. Leventhal has been involved in the regional homelessness sphere for more than two decades, serving on the Montgomery County Council and chairing the Council’s Health & Human Services Committee from 2002 to 2018. He also served on the Council’s Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee and played a key role in the Montgomery County’s efforts to end homelessness in one of Maryland’s most populous counties.

Now as the Director of Community Health at Kaiser Permanente and a member of the Partnership to End Homelessness Leadership Council, Dr. Leventhal is taking aim at another critical issue – Medical Respite Centers.

Along with the Partnership to End Homelessness’ Leadership Council, Kaiser has identified Medical Respite as a key priority in the fight to end homelessness. “Medical respite centers are places where someone who has been discharged from hospital can take time to rest and recover before returning to their everyday routine,” Dr. Leventhal explained. “While most of us can do that at home, those experiencing homelessness don’t have access to that kind of environment – and are more likely to need to go to the emergency room and be readmitted after hospitalization.”

According to the National Institute for Medical Respite Centers, there are only 145 Medical Respite programs across the United States. Of those, only eleven of those are located in the DMV – two in Maryland, five in Virginia, and four in DC.

Medical respite beds at Joseph's House - one of the four locations offering medical respite care for individuals suffering from HIV, cancer, and homelessness in DC.

“The average medical respite center has about 16 beds,” Dr. Leventhal explained. “Considering there are nearly 10,000 people experiencing homelessness in the DMV right now – that’s not even a drop in the bucket.”

For Dr. Leventhal and Kaiser Permanente, the issue is both a public health issue and a public cost issue. Not only are hospital readmittances damaging for a patient’s health – they are also extremely costly for the patient, the hospital, and health care providers. A recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that the average cost of a hospital stay in DC was $3,974 – per day.

“It’s in our best interest as healthcare providers to ensure that everyone has access to the care and services they need to stay healthy,” Dr. Leventhal added. “That’s why Kaiser Permanente is committed to bringing more Respite Centers to the DMV.”

Kaiser Permanente is working with Volunteers of America Chesapeake and Carolinas, along with an advisory board including hospitals, local government, and nonprofit service provides, to open a Medical Respite Center in Prince George’s County. If successful, the center would be the first in the county.

The project - which is still in the early phases of development - could also potentially ease the pressure on service providers in DC, which sometimes provide services for individuals experiencing homelessness coming to the District from neighboring counties.

“One of the biggest obstacles is that there is no clear language in Maryland or DC’s Medicaid regulations that indicates that medical respite services are billable to Medicaid – meaning that charities operating these centers struggle to cover the cost,” Dr. Leventhal shared. “While some things – like PSH (permanent supportive housing) - are clearly defined and covered – medical respite isn’t.”

As Dr. Leventhal and Kaiser Permanente navigate the logistics of this exciting new project, The Partnership to End Homelessness has served as an important resource and facilitator. In November, Dr. Leventhal joined other Leadership Council members for a site visit at Joseph’s House – one of the four locations offering medical respite care for individuals suffering from HIV, cancer, and homelessness in DC.

“The Partnership to End Homelessness is a great way to get connected with the work that is being done to end homelessness in DC,” Dr. Leventhal shared. “It’s encouraging to know that we are all working to make sure everyone has access to the services and care that they need.”

The Community Foundation is proud to partner with Dr. George Leventhal, Kaiser Permanente and other incredible community, corporate and philanthropic leaders on our Partnership to End Homelessness Leadership Council. For more information about how you or your organization can get involved, contact Jennifer Olney, Senior Program Officer for the Partnership to End Homelessness.