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Welcoming New Faces to The Community Foundation

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The Community Foundation is excited to welcome a number of new Board and Team members to The Community Foundation family.

THe community Foundation Board of Trustees

Jill Landefeld, Principal & Portfolio Manager, Brown Advisory

Jill Landefeld specializes in investment management, asset allocation and portfolio construction for a client base that includes foundations, endowments, cultural institutions, trusts, families and private individuals. She has more than 15 years of financial industry expertise, with work experience in four cities and two continents.

Prior to Brown Advisory, Jill was a Vice President at Stifel providing broad investment management services to a selection of institutional and private clients. She joined Stifel in 2015 following its acquisition of Barclays Wealth and Investment Management in the Americas. Prior to her roles in wealth management, Jill provided balance sheet advisory and public sector bond origination services for national treasuries and government agencies with Barclays Investment Bank in London. She also assisted supranational organizations with structuring debut bond transactions in local currencies in frontier markets.

Jill earned a bilingual (English/ Spanish) Masters of Business Administration from IESE Business school in Barcelona, Spain in 2012. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia in 2004.

Jill has lived in Washington DC for many years. She is a current Ambassador and former Board Member for an international charity that works to increase the quality and availability of education for girls in developing countries. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for the DC History Center, which is an educational non-profit that seeks to deepen awareness of our city’s past to connect, empower and inspire.

Montgomery County Advisory Board

Angela Graham, Quality Biological, Inc.

Angela Graham assumed strategic leadership of the Quality Biological, Inc. in 2012, following 15 years of experience in various commercial leadership roles at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma. Returning to her family business, she spearheaded the company’s transformation from a prominent supplier to government and academia into one that also supports the diverse R&D needs of the highly regulated bio-pharmaceutical sector.

As the founder’s daughter, Angela is deeply committed to upholding the core values that have shaped the company into the niche manufacturer it is today in the life sciences. Her expertise lies in business development, leadership, and change management.  Angela is a graduate of the University of Virginia.

Quality Biological, situated within the BioHealth Capital Region in Montgomery County, Maryland, has earned acclaim not only for producing top-quality products but also for fostering a strong commitment to community engagement. Guided by unwavering principles of ethics and integrity, Angela and her team prioritize giving back to the community. They actively support local charities and nurture close industry partnerships.

Angela currently serves on the board of PIC-MC at Montgomery College as well as Montgomery and Prince George’s Hospice. Previous board experience includes the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation and industry group Diversity Alliance for Science.

Carolyn Leonard

Carolyn Leonard, Ph.D, has worked in the field of early childhood mental health and education for over 40 years. She is retired from Montgomery County Public Schools where she worked primarily with the Head Start Program and state funded PreK for under-resourced children and families. As a school psychologist she designed, implemented and evaluated interventions to address factors interfering with students’ learning and school success.  While working as a community psychologist, she was involved with community needs assessment and program planning.  She also had responsibility for assessing the impact of interventions which targeted young children’s development and learning, parenting, and family stability.

In Carolyn’s work with a variety of nonprofit organizations, she has focused on improving the mental health, education and well -being of under-resourced children and families. Addressing needs and access to resources have been goals guiding her work at the individual, program and policy levels.

During her career, Carolyn has served on numerous boards and advisory councils. These have included The Montgomery County Commission for Children and Youth, Early Head Start, Starting Early Starting Smart, Community Kids, the Early Childhood Mental Health Consortium, the National Advisory Council for the School of Education at Johns Hopkins University, Apple Tree Institute for Education and Innovation and The Strathmore Music Center.  While on the board of Strathmore, she chaired the Education Committee, which focused on expanding programs for low-income children and families. Her philanthropy has focused on “giving where you are living” and supporting organizations committed to serving those typically not able to access educational and cultural opportunities.

Carolyn has a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Rutgers University, an MS in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State University, and a BS in Child Development and Family Relations from the University of Connecticut. She is also a Nationally Certified School Psychologist.

Dusty Rood, Rodgers Consulting

Dusty Rood is the President and CEO of Rodgers Consulting, Inc., headquartered in Montgomery County, MD. Founded in 1957, Rodgers Consulting’s mission is to provide industry-leading land use and real estate development consulting services for clients who demonstrate integrity and who recognize the importance of community responsibility, with a commitment to excellence in planning and design.

 In addition to serving as the CEO of Rodgers Consulting, Dusty is engaged in other community affairs. He currently serves on the Leadership Group of Montgomery Moving Forward and the Advisory Board of the Universities at Shady Grove. He is a member and past participant of Leadership Maryland, and he previously served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.

Joan Schaffer

Joan Schaffer  is a proud third-generation native of the DC area, and she has called Montgomery County home for most of her life. After earning her MBA at Georgetown, she held progressively significant roles at Price Waterhouse and Freddie Mac, ultimately serving as Managing Vice President and Business Information Officer at Capital One.

Following an early retirement, Joan turned her focus to providing enhanced opportunities for Montgomery County’s underserved residents. Her efforts included consulting for various local nonprofits, board service, and active participation in the County Council’s Grants Advisory Group. Evolving from this involvement, she accepted the role of Council Grants Manager overseeing the entire grants process and collaborating with the Advisory Group to evaluate up to 400 grant applications each year and recommend appropriate Council funding.

Joan's commitment to our nonprofit sector continues as she provides pro bono consulting and serves on multiple boards within the community. Presently, she lends her expertise to organizations such as the Food Council, MCAEL, the Children’s Opportunity Alliance, and the Imagination Library, underscoring her dedication to serving the diverse needs of Montgomery County's residents. She is especially passionate about providing equitable support and opportunities for all of our county’s children.

Prince George’s County Advisory Board

Keisha Hawkins, MBA, PMP

Keisha Hawkins is a dynamic leader in operations and project management, with a proven track record of over a decade. As the Director of Operations at Wayne Enterprises, she not only leads operational policy implementation and growth directives but also spearheads client support services, showcasing her ability to manage diverse responsibilities and teams.

In addition to her role at Wayne Enterprises, Keisha is the owner-operator of Rita's Water Ice of Oxon Hill. She has previously served as a Program Manager at Cambio Consulting, where she effectively planned, organized, and managed various projects for the USDA’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, enhancing quality control and communications support.

Her extensive background includes significant achievements such as overhauling administrative and operations management at Federal Advisory Partners, leading to increased oversight and efficiency. At Highlight Technologies LLC, she excelled as a Program Analyst III, implementing quality control measures and improving program deliverables' timeliness.

With a strong focus on strategic planning, risk mitigation, and data management, Keisha has consistently demonstrated her ability to handle complex operational overhauls and refine administrative systems. Her expertise spans operational efficiency improvement, resource allocation, and event coordination, making her a valuable asset to any organization.

Keisha holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts and multiple certifications, including a PMP from the Project Management Institute and a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University. She is married and has three children who excel academically and are talented in sports.

Keisha's commitment to community development is a cornerstone of her professional values. Her robust problem-solving capabilities and dedication to enhancing organizational performance align perfectly with the mission of the Greater Washington Community Foundation Prince George’s Board. She eagerly looks forward to contributing to nonprofit initiatives and positively impacting the community.

Aimee Griffin, Esq, Principal Attorney, Life & Legacy Counselors of The Griffin Firm PLLC

Aimee is the principal attorney of Life & Legacy Counselors of The Griffin Firm PLLC, an estate and business succession firm committed to the creation, protection and transfer of wealth serving District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Florida.

Aimee is the Board President and Founder of the Association of Black Estate Planning Professionals, Inc., a collaborative economic empowerment organization with a mission to bridge the racial wealth gap. With a commitment to strategic community economic development for Black people, Aimee serves as Corporate Counsel for the US Black Chambers, National African American Insurance Association, (NAAIA) and the BOW Collective.

Aimee is committed to supporting community growth through education and speaks regularly at national, regional, and local forums to educate other attorneys and the community. Aimee is an adjunct professor at the Western New England University, School of Law, and a monthly contributor to the Washington Informer newspaper. She strongly believes “when we know better, we can do better.”

Aimee has been recognized and received awards by local and regional associations including the Small Business Administration as a Minority Business Champion. Aimee was just awarded the 2024 Women in Business Champion of the Year Award by the DC Chamber of Commerce.

Aimee steadfastly believes we are better together!

The Community Foundation Staff

Mandi Koba, Program Officer, Economic Mobility

Mandi Koba joined the Greater Washington Community Foundation in February 2024 as the Program Officer, Economic Mobility. In her role, Mandi provides management and guidance to programs such as Thrive Prince George’s and Brilliant Futures.

Mandi joins us from Fairfax County, VA where she helped launch their guaranteed income pilot program. Prior to that, she worked at Bread for the City supporting two cash transfer programs: THRIVE East of the River and DC Cares. She also previously worked as a case manager and advocate serving youth and adults across a range of vulnerable circumstances.

Mandi holds a bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies and a Master of Social Work from George Mason University. As lived experience professional, her work is centered in equity, community voice and individual self-determination.

Bridget Hanagan, Senior Manager, Development Operations

Bridget joined The Community Foundation (for the second time) as Senior Manager, Development Operations in May 2024. Bridget’s career in philanthropy started in 2012 when she joined The Community Foundation for the first time as Donor Services Officer supporting the local Mongomery County office in donor support and development, communications, and event planning. For the past 12 years, she has worked closely with families and individuals to develop and execute their charitable giving goals, managed impactful philanthropic partnerships, and built development systems to drive organizational success.

Prior to returning to The Community Foundation, Bridget managed Philanthropic Partnerships for PSI, a global health NGO that makes it easier for all people to lead healthier lives and plan the families they desire. At PSI, Bridget supported Maverick Collective members to engage deeply in the work of PSI through an experiential philanthropy approach that gave members hands-on learning experiences with the projects they funded. She also managed PSI’s relationships and communications with wealth and philanthropic advisors.

Bridget holds a BA from Simmons University in International Relations and Economics with a French minor. A New Englander at heart, she resides in Washington, DC with her fiancé and their rescue dog, Rue. Outside of work, you can find Bridget hiking with Rue, planning her next ski trip, checking off a bucket list travel destination, trying out new recipes, or searching for the best dumpling in the DMV.

Emani Brooks, Summer Intern, Development Team

Emani Brooks is currently a Junior attending Bowie State University majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Upon graduating with her Bachelor's degree, Emani plans to attend Graduate School and get her Master's degree in either Communications or Public Relations and pursue a career in Social Media Management/Marketing. Emani is a previous employee at Bank of America as a Financial Center Intern and also has experience in Social Media Marketing and Journalism. In her pastime, Emani enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends. 

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Greater Washington Community Foundation Launches Children’s Savings Pilot Program to Address Racial Wealth Gap

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The Brilliant Futures program will provide up to $1,000 per year from kindergarten through 12th grade to students at Bradbury Heights and Jackson Road Elementary Schools

The Greater Washington Community Foundation is excited to announce the launch of Brilliant Futures, a children’s savings pilot program that will provide students at two schools with up to $1,000 each year from kindergarten through 12th grade. Upon graduating high school (or equivalent by age 24), the students will be able to put their savings toward ongoing education and training or to pursue other income- or wealth-generating opportunities, such as buying a home or starting a business.

The Community Foundation has partnered with Montgomery County Public Schools and Prince George’s County Public Schools to launch the pilot program for all kindergarteners currently enrolled at Jackson Road Elementary School in the White Oak neighborhood of Silver Spring, MD in Montgomery County and next year’s kindergarteners at Bradbury Heights Elementary School in Capitol Heights, MD in Prince George’s County. 

The Community Foundation has committed to funding the program for two consecutive kindergarten cohorts at each school. The program is expected to enroll up to 400 students. The participant population is 90% Black, Latinx, and Hispanic with all students eligible for free and reduced meal service (FARMS). The schools were selected in alignment with The Community Foundation's strategic focus on high opportunity priority neighborhoods across the region where residents are experiencing the deepest disparities in homeownership, income, and life expectancy, according to several data sources.

“Expanding the possibilities not just for one, but for an entire community of young people can move us toward our vision of narrowing the racial wealth gap in our region,” said Tonia Wellons, president & CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “We are confident that children’s savings will help us reshape how and where resources flow in our communities so that we can build more equitable systems which lead to a more resilient and prosperous region for all.”

The pilot program will be funded using $10 million of contributions raised by The Community Foundation’s “Together, We Prosper Campaign for Economic Justice” and through investments from generous donors. Upon completing high school, the goal is for each student to have access to at least $13,000, plus any investment earnings, that they can use to seed their future aspirations. 

"We are proud to be a part of such a transformative and innovative program that provides an investment that every student in the nation deserves," said Interim Superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools, Dr. Monique Felder. “When these young people graduate high school, they will immediately have a strong cornerstone upon which to build a prosperous life whether they choose to go straight into the workforce, higher education or entrepreneurship."

Researchers for the Annie E. Casey Foundation have found, through economic modeling, that having an asset such as a children’s savings account can close the racial wealth gap in a community by as much as 28%.

“We’ve seen the transformative impacts of well-executed programs that provide savings for young people and adults alike,” said Superintendent Milliard House II from Prince George’s County Public Schools. “We hope that by supporting students with a down payment on life, whether that goes toward funding a college tuition, starting a small business, or buying a house, this program will level the playing field, promoting racial and financial equity in the Greater Washington region.”

“At Jackson Road, we recognize the need to address the whole child—in and out of the classroom,” said Ms. Rosario Paola Velasquez, Principal of Jackson Road Elementary School. “We take a community-centered approach and wrap our arms around this community.”

The Greater Washington Community Foundation will work with the schools as well as with community partners Reid Community Development Corporation in Prince George’s County and Parent Encouragement Program in Montgomery County to manage the program.

To learn more, visit www.thecommunityfoundation.org/brilliant-futures.  

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

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Almost half of DMV residents are struggling or suffering in their overall well-being, according to the latest Voices DMV Community Insights Report.

The report - which was released this week -- provides 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.

“This is not just data for data’s sake,” shared Tonia Wellons, President & CEO of The Community Foundation. “This data is a reflection of what we can do better – what our community requires of us. It provides a roadmap for how we can shift what we’re doing – as funders and as community and nonprofit partners -- to better meet their needs.”

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.

This year’s report marks the third iteration of VoicesDMV. Data from the previous iteration was gathered just weeks prior to the  COVID-19 pandemic that exacerbated pre-existing socio-economic disparities across the region.

Nearly four years later, the latest VoicesDMV Community Insights Report shows that many of those disparities are still prevalent – and in some cases have widened further in the aftermath of the pandemic.

According to the report, at some point during the past year, half of residents in the DMV worried about not being able to pay their rent or mortgage. Meanwhile, among Black and Hispanic residents, more than 1 in 3 have run out of money for food. Click here to view the Full Report

The report surveyed more than 2,800 residents across DC, Maryland, and Virginia – with an oversampling among communities of color across the region, including several neighborhoods identified by The Community Foundation as priority neighborhoods.

“This report is important because we need to make sure we’re all singing from the same sheet of music,” Camille Lloyd, Director of the Gallup Center for Black Voices shared at a launch event for the report. “No matter how well we’re doing as a region, if we don’t understand who’s being impacted negatively – and how they’re being impacted – we won’t know who is being left behind.”

Lloyd provided insights on the survey’s methodology and moderated a panel discussion with members of The Community Foundation’s Community Investment team about key takeaways from the report.

“COVID really changed the conversation about ‘work’ and the employment space as we know it,” Dawnn Leary, Chief Program Officer at The Community Foundation shared. “On a philanthropic level, it’s forced us to re-examine how we invest in workforce development and where.”

According to the latest report, nearly three in four residents described available job opportunities as a barrier to achieving their financial goals. At the same time, residents also identified a number of critical barriers to finding and keeping those jobs including access to public transportation, credit history, and access to childcare.

Leary is the chief facilitator of Reimagine – formerly the Greater Washington Workforce Development Collaborative. The initiative recently shifted its focus following a robust listening and learning discovery process with community members about the needs of the community – many of which were outlined in the report.

“When we talk about impact, we need to get out of the tendency to only focus on programmatic outcomes,” Leary explained, outlining one of the reasons for the shift. “Instead, we need to prioritize how we are responding to the actual needs on the ground.”

Jennifer Olney, Senior Community Investment Officer with the Partnership to End Homelessness shared how her initiative is advocating for more funding to meet one of the most urgent of those needs – access to affordable housing.

Olney shared how the growing number of residents struggling to pay rent has played out across the DMV, as the number of people experiencing homelessness in our region increased by 12% last year. This statistic had actually decreased during the pandemic, but has since reversed course as COVID relief and rental assistance programs expired and more residents find themselves struggling to get by.

“Like many challenges facing our community, homelessness is one issue where the public sector needs to be at the table and make the necessary investments,” Olney shared. “That’s why it’s critical for us to empower community members and those with lived experience and ensure that their voices and advocacy are heard.”

“We need to constantly ask ourselves how are we supporting and investing in the agency of people,” Leary added. “Not just listening to their voices and providing input, but finding ways to step back and let those who are closest to these issues lead.”

“Those who are living these experiences know what the solutions are – what they need is investment and support. They need to be the ones that are engaged in driving change in their community; not just philanthropy.”

“As you read this report, don’t just take it as another input for data,” Leary concluded. “Think about how this insight will change the way you work. How can you use it to change you interact with the community you serve.”

Following the panel discussion with members of the Community Investment team, Duc Luu, Director of Sustainability Initiatives/Journalism at the Knight Foundation moderated a panel discussion that dived deeper into other aspects of the report – specifically those related to the sense of belonging, social connections, and resident voice.

“A sense of belonging is more than just being seen or feeling included,” shared Vanessa Mason, Principal on the Building Cultures of Belonging team at Omidyar Network. “It means having a voice and an opportunity to use it to make demands on the society that they are a part of.”

“Belonging is more than aspirational,” Dr. Wendy Ellis, Director and Founder of the Center for Community Resilience at George Washington University added. “It’s something that is real and is measurable.”

According to Gallup and  the VoicesDMV Community Insights Report, a sense of belonging is the biggest predictor of whether residents are thriving. It also represents one of the biggest areas for improvement for our region – especially as residents look to their future. Just over half of residents expect living conditions in their communities to be ‘about the same’ five years from now, while about one in three expect them to them to be worse.

“We can’t create belonging for anyone else,” Dr. Ellis shared. “We can only create the conditions for belonging. That requires intentionality and investments that foster social cohesion – which over time develops into social capital and hope for a brighter future.”

“I do this work because I believe that belonging cannot happen without power,” Allison Dunn-Almaguer, Executive Director of Washington Interfaith Network shared. “It’s about building agency – bringing people together across, race, religion, sexuality, and ethnicity to promote collective decision-making.”

Following the panel, Darius Graham, Managing Director of Community Investment, expressed The Community Foundation’s commitment to continue to build upon the community insights of the VoicesDMV Report by turning ideas into action. He shared information about the VoicesDMV Fellowship which will facilitate deeper engagement between The Community Foundation, residents, and organizations in priority areas to ensure authentic community voice is at the center of our work.

He also shared information about the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Action Awards. Started in 2020, the Community Action Awards provide microgrants to nonprofits working to make our region more equitable and inclusive by addressing issues and challenges highlighted in the Community Insights report.

Among the past Community Action Award Honorees were Erin McKenney, Executive Director of Just Neighbors and Lauren McDanell, VP of Strategy & Growth at SEED SPOT. Both recipients shared how the Community Action Awards allowed them to build a sense of belonging amongst the communities they serve.

“We hope that you leave this room today with a shared commitment to intentionality,” Tonia Wellons shard in conclusion. “May we glean what we can from this report and interrogate how it plays out in our communities and in the work that we do.”

“If we are to do this work effectively, it is imperative that we adapt to the needs of our community – we cannot keep doing the same things and expect different outcomes.”

“This report is only the beginning of our work – and we have a responsibility to our community to see that it’s carried out.”

Click here to see photos from the VoicesDMV Launch. For more information about VoicesDMV, visit www.voicesdmv.org

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New Community Listening Survey Shows DMV Residents Are Significantly Less Optimistic Now Than They Were in 2020

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Worries about being able to pay rent or a mortgage in the Greater Washington region have soared; fewer residents believe changes where they live will benefit them

A new community listening survey conducted by Gallup in partnership with the Greater Washington Community Foundation shows that DMV residents are now significantly less optimistic about the future of the region than they were in 2020. DMV residents have become less positive in their views about who will benefit from changes in the area, and a staggering 85% of residents believe they have little to no influence on local government decision-making.

The number of residents who expect living conditions in the Greater Washington region to get “better” in the next five years dropped by nearly half, from 29% in 2020 to 16% in 2023, while the number of people who think living conditions will get “worse” in the region has increased from 24% to 32%. In 2020, 27% of respondents said changes in the area would benefit “more people like me,” but this is now down to 19%.

“Our last survey, conducted just before the pandemic, documented wide disparities in income and opportunity that were preventing many residents from accessing the region’s economic growth and prosperity. Today, many of these hardships remain, and have been exacerbated by the health and economic trauma of the past few years,” said Tonia Wellons, President and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “Recognizing the challenges many people face, we’re redoubling our efforts to facilitate deeper engagement with residents and are investing in microgrants for individuals and organizations with ideas for improving neighborhoods to ensure every person has the opportunity to thrive.” 

The Voices of the Community (VoicesDMV): Community Insights survey is one of the only large-scale community listening and engagement tools in the region that seeks to understand how residents are experiencing key quality of life indicators across a wide range of topics: economic opportunity, wellbeing, safety, influence in our democracy, and general perceptions about livability in the region. Through VoicesDMV, The Community Foundation has committed to engaging our community every three years to help keep a finger on the pulse of the community by deeply and authentically listening to the voices, experiences, attitudes, and perceptions of people who are generally not heard from in philanthropy.

This year’s publication reveals that while the DMV is outpacing the growth of other northeast regions, and more than half of residents are thriving, many people still lack access to basic needs. Nearly one in five DMV residents say there were times in the past year when they didn’t have enough money to pay for healthcare or medicine or food for themselves or their family, while 11% say they were unable to provide adequate shelter. Black and Hispanic residents are more likely than other racial subgroups to report struggling to afford basic needs — including more than a third who say there were times in the previous year when they did not have enough money to buy food and more than a quarter who experienced not having enough money for healthcare or medicine.

“Economic precarity has been a consistent theme throughout Gallup’s and the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s research across pre- and post-pandemic measures, revealing inequalities that could persist or even expand if gone unaddressed as the DMV region continues to change,” said Camille Lloyd, Director of the Gallup Center on Black Voices. “These findings demonstrate the need for programs and services that help residents catch up and keep up financially, move up the economic ladder, and ultimately build wealth.”

Additionally, worries about being able to pay rent or a mortgage in the DMV have soared since 2020. The percentage of people who are “very” worried about not being able to pay their rent or mortgage has more than tripled – from 8% in 2020 to 27% in 2023. When asked which amenities are “good” or “excellent” in the region, across all geographies, the availability of affordable and accessible housing was ranked last. 

Results for the survey are based on a mail survey of adults living in Washington, DC, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Arlington County, Alexandria City, Fairfax City, and Falls Church City. Gallup mailed a total of 27,000 surveys, available in both English and Spanish, 2,832 of which were completed between May 5 and June 26, 2023. Previous iterations of the survey were completed in 2017 and 2020.

Along with the release of the new report, The Community Foundation will relaunch its Community Action Awards, a microgrant program for nonprofits, as well as the new VoicesDMV Fellowship, a leadership opportunity for residents. The full report and an online dashboard with further geographic and demographic breakdowns of the VoicesDMV survey data is available at VoicesDMV.org.

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Kicking Off The Conversation on An Agenda for Economic Justice in Prince George's County

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On April 23, The Community Foundation and the Partnership for Prince George's held the first of three convenings around "An Agenda for Economic Justice in Prince George's County". The event brought together community and cross-sector leaders for the purpose of shaping a new narrative focused on economic justice and a vision for shared prosperity in Prince George’s County. 

“Now more than ever, it’s essential that we come together as a community to discuss how we can build the future that we all want for Prince George’s County,” shared Tonia Wellons, President & CEO of The Community Foundation and a long-time resident of Prince George’s County.

Wellons is one of the prominent leaders that make up the Partnership for Prince George’s – a collaboration of philanthropic and corporate funders who are committed to promoting economic justice, economic mobility and more equitable strategic investment in Prince George’s County. The Partnership recently collaborated with PG Suite Magazine to produce a special edition of “Prince George’s County Dialogue – A Conversation and Exchange of Ideas around the Case for Economic Justice in Prince George’s”. The goal of the publication is to grow public will and momentum in the pursuit of economic justice in the county and to spark community conversations that to seed visionary ideas and strategic solutions.

Ronnie Galvin outlines data from the Urban Institute highlighting the disparities in economic investment across the region. Prince George's County receives less than half of the level of investment compared to other jurisdictions.

“Prince George’s County can no longer make the claim of being the highest income and wealthiest African-American majority county in the nation,” Ronnie Galvin, Senior Fellow at The Community Foundation and moderator for the event pointed out. “We’re in a moment of tremendous opportunity where we get to reimagine who we are and who we want to become—with economic justice as our frame. “

“There are many avenues that we can take to achieve economic justice in the County, none perhaps as important though as underinvestment of public and private resources that have contributed to persistent racial investment gap.”

“We’re tired of being ‘by-passed’,” Bishop Anthony Maclin of Sanctuary of Kingdom Square shared, speaking of the disparity and challenges of obtaining economic investment in the county compared to other jurisdictions. “Why can we not have the same opportunity for investment in our community amongst our people?”

“The story of us is the story that we will craft ourselves,” he continued. “Others may think that we are not capable of handling this kind of development, but if we have the same resources that other communities are receiving, we will leave our legacy – not only for ourselves, but for future generations to follow.

“The story of us means we have good jobs, good public schools that everyone wants to send their children to, exceptional medical care, safe communities in affordable homes and opportunities for small businesses,” shared Jennifer Epps, Executive Director of the LIFT Fund. “That should be our story, because that is what we as a county deserve.”

“African Americans and Latinos make up 91% of the population in Prince George’s County,” Former Prince George’s County Councilmember Derrick Leon Davis, shared. “And that number is still going up!”

“As a minority-majority community, there’s so much we can gain if we band together as Black and Brown folks to build a stronger Prince George’s County.”

Participants also heard from Dr. George L. Askew, President & CEO of the Meyer Foundation.

As the former Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health, Human Services, and Education in Prince George’s County and a long-time Prince Georgian, Dr. Askew shared his experience serving in the Alsobrooks administration, watching as county officials fought “tooth and nail” for federal resources necessary to help the county succeed in the aftermath of the pandemic. Dr. Askew shared that leaders in the County all too often were contending with racist undertones and outright structural and systemic racism in pursuit of health and human services resources for the County. 

He also acknowledged the role that philanthropy has played in underinvesting in the county, historically, and shared his commitment to working alongside The Community Foundation and other funders to collaborate to bring Prince George’s forward, as part of The Partnership for Prince George’s.

After Dr. Askew, Ronnie Galvin opened the floor to questions and comments from the audience, which sparked conversation on a range of topics from the importance of a cohesive investment strategy to the need for more investment in nonprofit organizations and reforms to public policy and tax code.

“If you aren’t in the room, you aren’t in the conversation,” Artis Hampshire-Cowan, Advisory Board member for The Community Foundation in Prince George’s County added. “Part of our purpose in having this event is to open a dialogue so that you all can be a part of the conversation.”

“We need this conversation, so we can continue to carry it forward and move this dialogue into action,” Tonia Wellons concluded. “Action that will build a stronger Prince George’s County for everyone.”

The next convening of An Agenda for Economic Justice in Prince George’s County will take place on June 13, 2024 from 10 a.m. to noon. To register for this event, please contact Eliza Tolbert-Howard at [email protected].

For more information, please read the special edition of Prince George’s County Dialogue – A Conversation and Exchange of Ideas around the Case for Economic Justice in Prince George’s.

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Faces of Sharing - Getting to know Sharing Prince George's David & Keisha Hawkins

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“What I love about Sharing Prince George’s is that they are humans in service of humans,” Keisha Hawkins shared when I asked her about her Sharing Prince George’s experience.

“I think sometimes in life, we lose sight of our humanity,” she added. “Sharing Prince George’s helped me see the beauty and humanity in my community.”

As long-time residents of Prince George’s County, Keisha and David Hawkins joined Sharing Prince George’s in 2022 – bringing with them a tremendous amount of energy and experience in community engagement.

“I am the Community, He’s the Foundation,” Keisha said when describing the couple’s approach to giving back. “I’m passionate about getting my feet on the ground and getting involved in the logistics of community work in action. He is great at the critical, work behind-the-scenes like networking and connecting people.”  

David and Keisha met while studying at Howard University. Early on in their relationship, the couple enjoyed making time to get involved in community through volunteer work with organizations like the Red Cross and Capital Area Food Bank, while pursuing their respective careers – David in Banking Investments and Keisha in project management. Both have enjoyed finding ways to leverage those careers to give back to the community they love.

David provides monthly workshops with Medicare to educate people on how to manage their finances and achieve their financial goals, while Keisha is heavily involved with Meadows House Foundation – an organization that teaches aviation to youth through youth empowerment, workforce development, and STEM trainings in College Park. Both share a passion for helping others obtain valuable experiences and perspective beyond their current circumstances– helping them broaden their horizons and access their fullest and brightest potential for their future.

“It bothers us that people are forced into environments and situations where they don’t have the resources to change their circumstances,” the couple shared. “We believe it’s important to step up and be the change we want to see in our community.”

The couple was first introduced to The Community Foundation in 2016 through David’s colleague, Virginia Chueng -- a Trustee on The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors and a former member of the advisory board for The Community Foundation in Montgomery County.

At the time, David was working in Montgomery County and was often asked to attend events for nonprofits doing work in the area, including events for The Community Foundation. However, when he was invited to join Sharing Montgomery in 2019, he quickly realized that the initiative was a whole different story.

“I’d never seen this level of organization and collaboration in grantmaking,” David shared. “I was introduced to so many great organizations through the Sharing initiative that were doing incredible work in the community. It really made me want to be more involved.”

Over time, David realized that what he really wanted was to give back in the community where he and his family live – in Prince George’s County.

“Neither of the banks I work for have a presence in Prince George’s County,” David explained. “So I don’t get as many chances to learn about the people who are doing the work in my own backyard.”

So when David had an opportunity to join Sharing Prince George’s a few years later, he was excited to bring Keisha in on the action. Now in their second year on Sharing Prince George’s, the couple say they have thoroughly enjoyed being able to use their knowledge gained through Sharing Prince George’s to benefit their community.”

“We love contributing to these local organizations, however we can,” David shared. “Just knowing about the work that they do helps us to strengthen our community.”

In addition to making monetary and in-kind donations, David and Keisha have also referred friends and family members to some of the nonprofit partners – allowing them to access much needed services that they otherwise might not have known about.

“Sharing Prince George’s helped me to understand the larger scale impact of philanthropic work through a community lens,” Keisha shared. “It allowed me to interact with people from across my community, coming together to give back to the community they live in.”

“I believe in the ‘community’ part of the ‘The Community Foundation’,” she continued. “Sharing Prince George’s allowed me to see that in action.”

Keisha recently joined the advisory board for The Community Foundation in Prince George’s County, where she says she’s excited to be a force for change and an advocate for change in her community – in addition to continuing her involvement in Sharing Prince George’s with David and many of her fellow advisory board members.

“If you live in Prince George’s County and want to see improvements in your community – this is the organization to be a part of.”

Want to get involved? The Sharing Prince George’s Fund Committee welcomes new members! Contact Eliza Tolbert-Howard ([email protected]) to find out more about how you can be a part of this impactful fund!

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Thrive Prince George’s Guaranteed Income Pilot Begins Monthly Cash Payments

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The pilot will provide $800 per month for 24 months to seniors and youth who have aged out of the foster care system.

The public-private partnership behind Thrive Prince George’s, the county’s first-ever guaranteed income pilot program, are pleased to announce that cash distributions will begin this month as part of a two-year, $4 million pilot that seeks to provide greater economic stability and mobility for families in the region. The program will provide monthly cash payments of $800 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.

“Studies have shown that modest guaranteed basic income pilots can decrease poverty by as much as 40%,” said Tonia Wellons, President and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “We strongly believe that this program will improve the lives of many in Prince George’s County and will reduce the racial wealth gap in a way that makes it viable for the county to consider providing guaranteed basic income for years to come.”

The pilot program application period opened on December 11, 2023, and received over 5,000 inquiries for 175 slots before closing in mid-January 2024. The partners determined eligibility requirements to ensure that limited resources would be directed towards participants residing in high poverty zip codes (according to ACS and Census), representing ALICE households (earning above the Federal Poverty Level but less than the basic cost of living), with preference given to caregivers and returning citizens.

Thrive Prince George’s is funded through a public-private partnership leveraging both public and private philanthropic resources from the Greater Washington Community Foundation, Prince George’s County Executive and County Council, and the Meyer Foundation. 

"This initiative is an innovative example of how we find solutions through public-private partnerships," said Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. "Thanks to this collaborative pilot program, we're weaving a stronger social fabric and helping people improve their quality of life."

While several pilots are currently operating around the region – including in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, DC, and Montgomery County – and the country, this is the first guaranteed income program to exclusively serve residents of Prince George’s County.

“I’ve championed the guaranteed basic income program for years because I know it provides an opportunity to tackle poverty and create better quality of life for our residents,” said County Council Member Krystal Oriadha. “My hope is with more jurisdictions moving to implement programs like this, we will see an investment at the state and federal level that will allow these pilots to become permanent. I am excited about partnering with organizations like the Greater Washington Community Foundation to make this dream a reality.”

Guaranteed income programs have proven to be one of the most promising approaches to increasing financial stability. The positive impact of guaranteed income has been studied for decades, with evidence indicating that monthly cash payments can reduce income volatility and support recipients in attaining full-time employment, greater housing stability, improved health outcomes, and more.

“The Meyer Foundation is glad to partner in the growing local movement for economic justice by investing in efforts that honor the humanity and self-determination of individuals in our region,” said Meyer Foundation President and CEO George L. Askew, MD. “The positive impacts of guaranteed basic income programs like Thrive Prince George’s County have been well researched and ultimately create greater momentum toward the policy and systems change we hope to see throughout Greater Washington and beyond.”

The Community Foundation will administer the pilot program as part of its Together, We Prosper Campaign for Economic Justice, which is focused on investing in economic strategies that will increase economic mobility to help close the region’s racial wealth gap.

It has also partnered with Court Appointed Special Advocate Prince George’s County (CASA) and United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP), two community-based organizations in Prince George’s County that led the recruitment, selection, and onboarding of participants, and are distributing the cash payments.

"One's quality of life should not decline due to the privilege of age. The ability to thrive should also not be contingent upon one's socioeconomic status in their community. UCAP is privileged to have the opportunity to take a role in a pilot program that will immediately and positively impact the life of the participant...THRIVE Prince George's,” said Rasheeda Jamison-Harriott, President & CEO, United Communities Against Poverty, Inc. (UCAP).

“Youth who have experienced foster care are more likely to experience hardships such as unemployment, health issues, increased rates of incarceration, and many become unhoused. Thrive Prince George's allows Court Appointed Special Advocates/CASA to help disrupt cycles of generational poverty, create a continuum of care, and increase the likelihood of long-term stability for young people as they adjust to independence. These are our emerging adults. We want them to know that we see them, and we are honored for the opportunity to stand with an ecosystem of organizations committed to their long-term success,” said Yolanda Johnson, Executive Director, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Prince George's County.

Other program partners include Prince George’s County Department of Social Services; Prince George’s ChangeMakers, an advocate for the adoption of a guaranteed income program in Prince George’s County; and Capital Area Asset Builders, which will offer technical assistance based on its experience operating several similar programs.

The Community Foundation has also partnered with Urban Institute to measure how the economic status of participants improves over time and implement an evaluation program that balances quantitative and qualitative measures that have historically demonstrated client progress and program viability.

For more information about Thrive Prince George’s, visit www.thecommunityfoundation.org/thrive-prince-georges.  

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Community Foundation's Sharing Community Funds Announce $910,000 in Funding for Regional Nonprofits

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The Greater Washington Community Foundation is excited to announce $910,000 in grants awarded through its Sharing Community Funds this past cycle.

The Sharing Community Funds bring together donors who share our passion for building more equitable, just, and thriving communities.  With expert facilitation by Community Foundation staff, donors join together to learn first-hand about the challenges facing our community. Thanks to the generosity of this growing community of givers, together we discover and invest in visionary nonprofits working on the frontlines of our region’s most pressing needs.   

In alignment with our Strategic Vision, the Sharing Community Funds focused on the three intervention areas of the racial wealth gap — Basic Needs, Economic Mobility, and Community Wealth Building.

This year, The Community Foundation also celebrated the launch of a new Sharing Community initiative in Northern Virginia! Click here to Learn more!

See Below for a complete list of our nonprofit partners for 2024, sorted by category.

2024 Sharing Community Fund
Nonprofit Partners- Basic Needs

  • •DC Jobs with Justice engages in systems change advocacy campaigns to meet basic needs like housing stability, minimum wages, cash assistance, and health access.

    •Wendt Center for Loss and Healing provides access to high quality mental healthcare services for low-income and marginalized children, adults, and families.

  • •The UpCounty Hub (2024 Multi-Year) was founded with the philosophy of providing low-income individuals and families with food and other essential social services without barriers, allowing them to maintain their privacy and dignity. Since its founding in 2020, the UpCounty Hub has grown every year, currently feeding approximately 1,100 families a week via drive-thru distributions, home deliveries, and its choice-pantry walk-in services. More recently, its services expanded to include social services, connecting residents to vital resources such as SNAP.

    •AfriThrive empowers African immigrants to grow and share healthy, culturally appropriate produce with residents facing food insecurity. Its training programs help families achieve self-reliance and economic stability.

    •Care for Your Health provides culturally sensitive in-home health care to elders. Patients are served by trained staff from their own community in touch with their circumstances and needs.

    •Community Bridges, Inc empowers girls in elementary, middle, and high schools to discover their unique identity, voice, and potential through leadership development, college and career readiness, and family support and mentoring.

    •Community Farmshare strives to create a local sustainable food system. It supports small scale farmers by purchasing fresh produce for low-income children and residents struggling with diet-related chronic diseases.

    •Crittenton Services of Greater Washington helps teenage girls achieve academic success, make healthy choices, and chart their own bright futures. Its virtual and school-based programs teach teenage girls to value their education, build healthy relationships, speak up for their own needs, and explore paths toward college and careers.

    •Horizons Greater Washington supports students from low-income families for nine years, from kindergarten through eighth grade. The organization works to foster a joyful environment full of academic, artistic, and athletic activities that inspire young minds and build a love of learning.

    •Housing Unlimited provides affordable, independent housing for adults in mental health recovery in Montgomery County. The organization promotes independence and recovery by providing a stable and comfortable home, allowing tenants to focus on becoming valued and integrated members of the community.

    •Kingdom Global Community Development Corporation operates the East County Hub which distributes food, diapers, and COVID-19 support. The organization also has other public-private partnerships that address food security, health and wellness, education, employment, and housing.

    •Manna Food Center works to eliminate hunger through food distribution, healthy eating education, and advocacy. Its extensive network includes supported more than 50,000 participants over the past year, distributing 4.6 million pounds of food.

    •Mary's Center provides health care, education, and social services to build healthier and stronger communities. In response to COVID-19, Mary’s Center worked to prevent the spread of the virus by offering testing and vaccinations to community members through the Greater Washington region.

    •National Alliance on Mental Illness of Montgomery County (NAMI MC) provides comprehensive support, education, advocacy, and public awareness to promote recovery so that individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.

    •Rainbow Community Development Corporation provides food security relief paired with other safety net services including PPE distribution, eviction and utility cutoff prevention, temporary short-term shelter, and job search and resume assistance.

    •Rainbow Place Shelter provides emergency overnight shelter to women during the hypothermia season and assists them as they transition to a better quality of life. Additionally, the organization is working to open a new year-round, LGBTQ-inclusive shelter to provide a safe haven for youth and young adults.

    •Red Wiggler Community Farm provides comprehensive on-farm training and education programs for adults with developmental disabilities. Half of its organic produce is donated to low-income households throughout Montgomery County.

    •Stepping Stones Shelter leverages partnerships to provide food and integrated essential services to low-income community members. Since inception, it has provided emergency shelter to over 1,035 Montgomery County families.

  • Joyful Hands is deeply rooted in the conviction that education, literacy, and access to community resources are foundational pillars of thriving societies. They provide access to essential school supplies and nutritious food for community members.

    Culmore Clinic advances health by bringing community together to provide primary care, health education and disease prevention services at no cost to uninsured neighbors in Fairfax County.

    Loving Hands Touch Ministry addresses immediate community needs while empowering individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency, ensuring access to necessities like food, shelter, healthcare, and education.

    The Growth and Healing HUB grows and nurtures the mental health and well-being of children, youth, young adults, and families. They provide services to anyone residing in the state of Virginia and strive to help all feel safe & supported and receive the help they deserve.

    New Hope Housing provides case management, permanent housing and shelter to support the needs of homeless individuals in Northern Virginia.

    Arm & Arm, Inc provides peer-to-peer mentoring and trauma recovery services to communities across Northern Virginia.

2024 Sharing Community Fund
Nonprofit Partners - Economic Mobility

  • •Byte Back creates opportunities for upward economic mobility by providing computer foundations, certification training and wraparound support to help marginalized adults develop essential digital skills.

    •TRIGGER Project (2024 Multi-Year) partners with the DC Department of Employment Services to provide paid summer jobs and advocacy training for youth who have experienced or are at-risk of experiencing gun violence.

  • •Identity, Inc. (2024 Multi-Year) empowers youth and their families with the social-emotional, academic, workforce, and life skills they need to succeed in the modern world. It operates at schools, in the community, and on playing fields, working to reach Latino and other historically underserved residents. Like family, Identity celebrates victories and offers extra help when something more is needed. Last year alone, Identity reached more than 45,000 Montgomery County residents.

    •Future Link (2024 Multi-Year) seeks to close the opportunity divide for first-generation-to-college, high-potential young adults (ages 18-25) by providing them with the resources, knowledge, skills, and personalized support needed to achieve their education and career goals. Annually, Future Link serves 300 students with transformative services including paid internships, career coaching, mentoring, tutoring, scholarships, and more.

    •Crossroads Community Food Network provides training and support for startup food businesses and healthy eating education to local students and shoppers at Crossroads Farmers Market. Its farmers market nutrition incentives allow federal nutrition benefits recipients to double the value of these benefits spent at the market.

    •Generation Hope provides cohort and one-on-one mentoring support plus scholarships for low-income teen parents pursuing college degrees. It recently added early childhood programming to equip families with the resources necessary for their children to start kindergarten with a strong academic foundation.

    •Housing Initiative Partnership develops innovative affordable housing. In addition, it seeks to revitalizes neighborhoods and equip people to achieve their housing and financial goals through financial coaching and bilingual housing counseling.

    •Interfaith Works provides emergency assistance and counseling, vocational services, food distributions, clothing, and shelter for those experiencing homelessness. With volunteers from 165 faith communities, its integrated prevention, stabilization, and empowerment programs support homeless low-income county residents.

    •Montgomery College Foundation, co-leads the Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES) program in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools and The Universities at Shady Grove. ACES provides individualized academic coaching, scholarship opportunities, and career readiness to underrepresented high school students, for a seamless and supportive pathway to a bachelor’s degree.

  • Future Kings uses education, mentoring, training, practical experiences, and mastery of 21st century technology in order to create a pipeline of young men from underserved communities who excel in STEM related careers and positively influence their communities.

    Hardemon Dynasty, Inc provides affordable housing for young adults aging out of foster care and offer sufficient support during their transition to independence.

  • •Life After Release (LAR) is a women-led organization focused on building a post-conviction movement, identifying challenges and creating solutions for formerly incarcerated federal/state prisoners, bailed-out moms, and mothers of youth offenders and juvenile lifers. The organization work is grounded in a vision of self-determination for directly impacted communities and partners with Howard Law and other legal services to advocate for their legal empowerment.

    •Hillside Childrens Foundation provides essential mentoring programs for middle school and high school students. The programs are designed to provide students a path to economic mobility through college preparation and job readiness programs.

    •HomeFreeUSA (2024 Multi-Year) is a fast track to homeownership program that helps renters prepare for mortgage approval and homeownership. The program provides one-on-one guidance, housing counseling, and financial planning to help low-income individuals on the path to homeownership.

    •Leep to College Foundation helps at-risk youth by providing academic support, financial education and year-round formal and informal learning experiences to students in Prince Geoge’s County public schools. The program works with students starting in the 7th/8th grade and works with them until they graduate high school and beyond.

2024 Sharing Community Fund Nonprofit Partners - Individual & Community Wealth Building

  • •Women Palante (2024 Multi-Year) empowers Latina women through a holistic approach to entrepreneurship that supports business creation, mental health, legal and financial orientation.

    •Gatebridge Community (2024 Multi-Year) is on a mission to transform low-wealth communities by fostering a culture of cooperative ownership to build wealth and create sustainable neighborhoods. The organization is partnering with the Coalition for Racial Equity (CREDE) and the National Coop Grocery to launch a network of five worker and consumer owned co-op grocery stores in the DMV – including two serving communities in Ward 7 & 8.

  • •Capital Area Asset Building Corporation provides financial literacy and matched savings programs, enabling low-income residents to become financially stable and pursue their dreams.

    •Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland provides home preservation and homeownership programs that help low-income families live a more stable, self-reliant life. Its staff, homeowners, and volunteers have completed nearly 850 projects since its inception.

    •Montgomery Moving Forward is a collective impact initiative which convenes leaders from government, business, philanthropy, education, and nonprofits to solve complex problems facing the county. As a capacity building partner, Sharing Montgomery’s grant empowers MMF’s nonprofit leaders to advocate around pressing issues that affect their clients, especially around challenges related to economic opportunity and early childhood education.

    •Nonprofit Montgomery supports local organizations around government relations, advocacy, strategic communications, financial management, metrics tracking, and cross-sector problem solving. As a capacity building partner, Sharing Montgomery’s support will enable our direct-service grantees to receive the personalized support and connections that will help them deepen their impact.

  • •Gatebridge Community is on a mission to transform low-wealth communities by fostering a culture of cooperative ownership to build wealth and create sustainable neighborhoods. The organization is partnering with the Coalition for Racial Equity (CREDE) and the National Coop Grocery to launch a network of five worker and consumer owned co-op grocery stores in the DMV – including one in Prince George’s County.

    •Seed Spot (2024 Multi-Year) is on a mission to educate, accelerate, and invest in diverse entrepreneurs who are creating solutions to social problems. The program provides entrepreneurs with mentors and an intensive 10-week impact accelerator designed to help them raise capital to start their business.

    •Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) promotes equity and economic opportunity in underserved neighborhoods in the DMV by providing access to capital products, services ,and capacity-building technical assistance for low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs.

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Greater Washington Community Foundation Receives $500,000 PNC Foundation Grant to Support Small Businesses in Prince George's County

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Eligible Small Businesses Along Blue and Purple Line Corridors Can Apply for Grants up to $20,000

The Greater Washington Community Foundation announced the launch of the Prince George’s County Small Business Support Program made possible through $500,000 in funding from the PNC Foundation to support small business infrastructure and development in Prince George’s County.

Managed by The Community Foundation, the program will provide grants and technical assistance to small businesses operating along the Blue and Purple Line corridors providing greater opportunities to harness the economic benefits of development in the area. The program, which was designed in conjunction with several leading business groups in the county, including LISC, Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, Purple Line Coalition, Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation, FSC First and Bowie BIC, supports the growth and sustainability of small businesses as key employers and economic drivers in the county. The program will serve an area that is home to a number of BIPOC-owned small businesses, and it aligns with The Community Foundation’s ongoing efforts to foster economic mobility and community wealth building with a goal of helping to close the region’s racial wealth gap.

“Ninety-five percent of all businesses in Prince George’s County are small businesses and they contribute nearly half of all jobs in the county,” said Tonia Wellons, president and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “We are proud to work with the PNC Foundation to enhance small business infrastructure and connect business capital to the region’s economic anchors to help address persistent racial wealth disparities and set a new paradigm for economic development in Prince George’s County.”

Small businesses along the Purple Line and Blue Line corridors in Prince George’s County face significant challenges while these transformational infrastructure projects are under development. Due to disruptions caused by construction, as well as the ongoing effects of the pandemic, small businesses require increased access to resources and support for operational costs, technical upgrades, and other assistance to retain and grow their customer base and workforce.  

“Our grant to the Greater Washington Community Foundation is a reflection of our shared focus on making an impact on the communities where we live and work,” said D. Jermaine Johnson, PNC regional president of Greater Washington and Virginia. “Delivering our resources in support of this program will have significant impact for our region’s small businesses. It will enable entrepreneurs to further realize their vision and strengthen economic vitality in Prince George’s County.”

The PNC Foundation grant is in line with similar support for small businesses in other markets in which the bank operates designed to provide deep technical assistance and micro equity funding.

Eligible small businesses may apply for up to $20,000 in grants between April 15 – May 13 2024. Selected program participants can apply the grant funding to help cover operational costs (payroll, rent, utilities, etc.), technology, marketing, capital improvements, relocation services and technical assistance to build business capacity for sustainability and strategic growth.

This program will specifically target small businesses that employ 10 or fewer employees and have been in operation for more than 3 years out of a location within the target corridors in Prince George’s County. Applicants will need to demonstrate financial need, sustainability and growth potential, potential to create jobs and/or stimulate economic growth, community impact and business regulatory compliance.

For more information on eligibility and to complete an application, https://www.thecommunityfoundation.org/for-nonprofits.

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Greater Washington Community Foundation

For over 50 years, the Greater Washington Community Foundation has ignited the power of philanthropy to respond to critical community needs and build a thriving region where every person prospers. A galvanizing force for economic justice, The Community Foundation partners with generous individuals, families, and businesses, making it easy and effective for our donors to identify impactful nonprofits and support the greater good in the communities we call home. As the region’s largest local funder, the Greater Washington Community Foundation has invested nearly $1.7 billion in building equitable, just, and thriving communities across DC, Montgomery County, Northern Virginia, and Prince George’s County. To learn more, visit thecommunityfoundation.org.

PNC Foundation

The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group (www.pnc.com), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through PNC Grow Up Great®, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.

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Leaders of the Future: Female Leaders Inspiring Inclusion

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In 2024, The Community Foundation is highlighting 'Leaders of the Future' - individuals and organizations who inspire us to look towards a brighter future for Greater Washington.

This month, in honor of International Women’s Day, we are highlighting incredible female leaders in our community that understand, advocate for, and inspire inclusion by promoting a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.

Our theme for March, ‘Inspire Inclusion’, coincides with the Annual theme of International Women’s Day 2024 and reflects The Community Foundation’s aspirations, as outlined in our most recent 2023 Annual Meeting.

  • 1) What is your relationship to The Community Foundation?

    Yachad is a nonprofit partner with The Community Foudation’s Health Equity Fund

    2) “When we inspire others to understand and value inclusion, we forge a better world” – How does inspiring inclusion impact your community and the work that you do? Please include 1-2 brief examples of how you or your organization promote and inspire inclusion.

    Having a place to call home is the foundation for a good life and, for that matter, a better world. Inclusive communities are places that have achieved economic and racial equity. Owning a decent and safe home helps to ensure long-term well-being and financial security. Yachad’s home remediation work guarantees that lower-income Black and Brown homeowners, many of them female-headed households, have the ability to remain in their homes and their neighborhoods for years to come. We work to see that these families are not displaced as a result of gentrification but can benefit from new investments into their communities. After all, they deserve the same opportunity to strengthen their own and their families’ financial footing that so many other Americans enjoy.

    3) What does it mean to you to be a female leader? Why do you feel it’s important to understand, advocate for, and inspire inclusion – especially for future female leaders?

    As the Executive Director of Yachad, I engage in our work through my lived experience of a working mother with three children who understands the need for a functional home. I understand that if the roof leaks, the toilets don’t flush and I can’t make dinner for my family, I also can’t do my work that helps to pay the bills. We need more female leaders who understand the many roles we must play. That means it is important to include women with varied life experiences to share their concerns and their life stories so they can advocate for truly inclusive policies and ways to be in the world.

    4) In your opinion, what are the best ways to promote a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment?

    As the “Golden Rule” states, if we truly (with my emphasis added) treat others in a manner that we want to be treated, then we are beginning to empower and create a sense of belonging for others. For example, everyone deserves a decent place to live – let’s start with that. If we equitably provide opportunities for everyone to live in good housing in welcoming communities, we provide a sense of relevance and belonging. With that sense of belonging, people feel empowered to take on greater challenges – to make the world a better place.

    5) When you imagine ‘a better world’ inspired by inclusion, what does that look like?

    A better world looks like some of Yachad’s homeowners who are proud of their homes, who are friendly with their neighbors and looking forward to inviting friends and family over for Sunday dinners. And who have a home that can nurture their own personal growth and that of their children.

  • 1) What is your relationship to The Community Foundation?

    My Sister’s Place is a nonprofit partner through The Community Foundation’s Health Equity Fund.

    2) “When we inspire others to understand and value inclusion, we forge a better world” – How does inspiring inclusion impact your community and the work that you do? Please include 1-2 brief examples of how you or your organization promote and inspire inclusion.

    We deliver services in a manner that recognizes the structural barriers discourage full inclusion in our community. Our Cash Transfer program and our transitional housing programs allow the clients we serve to have a stable foundation from where they can better address other needs that can lead them to self-sufficiency and full inclusion in our community.

    3) What does it mean to you to be a female leader? Why do you feel it’s important to understand, advocate for, and inspire inclusion – especially for future female leaders?

    There are barriers and advantages to being a female leader. While female leaders need to work harder to be heard, we also are often nurturers and empathetic and have characteristics that allow us to excel in advocating and inspire inclusion. Inclusion often equates with success, financial and otherwise.

    4) In your opinion, what are the best ways to promote a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment?

    The best way to promote belonging, relevance and empowerment is to see others who look like us in the place we want to belong, in places of empowerment and relevance.

    5) When you imagine ‘a better world’ inspired by inclusion, what does that look like?

    Inclusion would mean better representation of a diverse population in all areas, particularly in places of power and wealth.

  • 1) What is your relationship to The Community Foundation?

    The Community Foundation has been a wonderful partner to Crittenton Services of Greater Washington, and has funded some of our programs.

    2) ”When we inspire others to understand and value inclusion, we forge a better world” – How does inspiring inclusion impact your community and the work that you do? Please include 1-2 brief examples of how you or your organization promote and inspire inclusion.

    So often, we think “inclusion” means that everyone has a voice. But that’s not enough. We need to not only have a seat at the table while decisions are made, but we also need to hear from one another.

    Years ago, we asked our Crittenton girls what they wanted from their community. The overwhelming answer was that they wanted to be heard. In response, we established our annual Talk With a Teen Girl High Tea to connect girls with community leaders so they could share their stories, concerns, and hopes with others. Over the years our girls have talked about a range of issues, including the problem with being judged by their appearance, the importance of supporting other girls, the need to address mental health challenges, and their frustration when they see the inequitable distribution of resources in our region. At the Tea, our girls literally have a seat at the table and have the opportunity to be heard.

    Another way to foster inclusion is to tear down the real and imagined barriers that separate us. My mission in life through my work with girls and women is to ensure that we leave the door open for generations to follow which we've obtained via mentoring, shadowing, and a host of other ways.

    3) What does it mean to you to be a female leader? Why do you feel it’s important to understand, advocate for, and inspire inclusion – especially for future female leaders?

    Being a female leader means that we have the ability and responsibility to set the standard for other aspiring women, while encouraging them to reach their full potential. Rising to the ranks of CEO is no small feat. I found that my journey led to many pathways that I didn’t need to take, yet made me stronger, nonetheless. As a leader, it is my responsibility to share my experiences to help others along the way, and to be an example of a woman of integrity who advocates fiercely for others.

    4) In your opinion, what are the best ways to promote a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment?

    The best way to promote a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment is to celebrate the different things that communities bring to the table. We all have different perspectives, and talents. We all have something to give, and it’s up to leaders to show that we value everyone’s contribution.

    5) When you imagine ‘a better world’ inspired by inclusion, what does that look like?

    As a mother, and an advocate for women and girls, a better world is a world with less worry. Of course, we’ll always worry! But in an ideal world, all mothers—all parents—will worry about the everyday challenges that every child faces as they grow into the young men and women they’re meant to be. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream that “…the whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” Inclusion is absolutely necessary to keep that dream alive.

  • 1) What is your relationship to The Community Foundation?

    I serve on the Executive Board of the Prince George’s County Emerging Leaders Impact Fund (ELIF)

    2) “When we inspire others to understand and value inclusion, we forge a better world” – How does inspiring inclusion impact your community and the work that you do? Please include 1-2 brief examples of how you or your organization promote and inspire inclusion.

    The very nature of the work that we do at the Marlboro Pike Partnership requires intentional coordination and inclusivity in order to achieve what we believe to be success. Our mission and strategic plan to revitalize the Marlboro Pike corridor requires vision that rooted in data but inspired by community. We are a collective of leaders committed to service at the grassroots level by empowering the community through education, outreach and engagement while simultaneously working with government agencies and private organizations to truly bring about change to the Marlboro Pike corridor. We view success as revitalization with community flavor and buy-in.

    3) What does it mean to you to be a female leader? Why do you feel it’s important to understand, advocate for, and inspire inclusion – especially for future female leaders?

    Through my experience, I’ve learned about many women pioneers throughout our history (some of which I’ve had the pleasure to work with), who often not only break through glass ceilings, but set a standard. As a minority woman in public service, we are often the backbone to a finished product left unseen.

    However, in the current international and political climate, the human race cannot afford to let women continue to blend into the background as hidden figures. Women have been and will continue to be not only innovators, entrepreneurs, scientists, doctors, lawmakers, negotiators and executives, but we are also mothers, sisters, daughters and mentors.

    To future female leaders, I offer two of my favorite quotes. The first is from Bessie Coleman, “Tell them that as soon as I can walk, I’m going to fly.” The second is an old Latin proverb, “They tried to bury us. They didn’t know we were seeds.”

    4) In your opinion, what are the best ways to promote a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment?

    Creating a space where respectful and open interactions can occur with consideration to small yet meaningful details to reduce barriers and increase understanding without judgement or misinformation.

    5) When you imagine ‘a better world’ inspired by inclusion, what does that look like?

    Every person having consideration for their neighbor and as a result strengthening the interconnectedness and overall safety of “the village”

  • 1) What is your relationship to The Community Foundation?

    Care for Your Health, Inc is a nonprofit partner with The Community Foundation through the Sharing Montgomery Initiative.

    2) “When we inspire others to understand and value inclusion, we forge a better world” – How does inspiring inclusion impact your community and the work that you do? Please include 1-2 brief examples of how you or your organization promote and inspire inclusion.

    Inspiring others to understand and value inclusion is indeed a powerful catalyst for positive change in the world. When we recognize and respect the diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences that each person brings to the table. When people feel included, they are more likely to contribute their unique talents and perspectives, leading to more effective problem-solving and decision-making processes. We have designed Care for Your Health, inc to allow its staff to thrive and bring the best they have to offer forward. Ultimately, by inspiring others to embrace inclusion, we not only create a more equitable and just society but also pave the way for a better world where diversity is celebrated and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

    3) What does it mean to you to be a female leader? Why do you feel it’s important to understand, advocate for, and inspire inclusion – especially for future female leaders?

    Being a female leader allows me to leverage my strengths, experiences, and perspectives to inspire and drive positive change within organizations and communities, through my work at Care for Your Health. However, my role as a female leader goes beyond the impact my organization had in the community but it is also a source of inspiration to the women that see themselves reflected in my work.

    My role as a female leader provides a role model for aspiring leaders, particularly for other women and girls and brings a diverse perspective, viewpoints, experiences, and approaches to the leadership role. It also promotes a more fair and equitable world where people can lead if they have the talent to do so, regardless of gender. I hope that my striving for excellence also addresses stereotype regarding female leaders that will ultimately bring down systemic barriers and promote a more just and equitable society for all. Overall, my I envision my role as a female leader beyond the mere gender representation, but as a tool to harness the full potential of talent and diversity to create stronger, more resilient organizations and communities.

    4) In your opinion, what are the best ways to promote a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment?

    Fostering belonging, relevance and empowerment is not a one time project but a way to understand, organizations, the community and the world as a whole. This requires building an environment where people's voices are heard and people are encouraged to express themselves, where people are provided opportunities to engage and thrive, where each individual contribution is acknowledged and appreciated, where everyone can grow and develop their full potential and ultimately where people are happy.

    5) When you imagine ‘a better world’ inspired by inclusion, what does that look like?

    A better world is a world where everyone has access to their human rights. This is a world where everyone can enjoy their inherent rights, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. This is a world where everyone has the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, the right to health, food and a roof over their head and their right to self-determination. We have plenty to do to get there, but this vision of a better world inspires me to get up every morning and put my best foot forward

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Apply Today for the 2024 LEARN Foundation Scholarship

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The Landover Educational Athletic Recreational Nonprofit (LEARN) was established in 1996 to support education programs for Prince George's County youth residing in the vicinity of FedEx Field stadium. Since its inception, the LEARN Foundation has awarded close to $1 million in scholarships and grants to Prince George’s County students and community organizations.  Embedded in the foundation’s mission is the belief that the future is now, and that through partnerships and collaboration young people residing in the targeted areas can benefit through post-secondary education opportunities. 

In 2002, the LEARN Foundation became a component fund of the Greater Washington Community Foundation. Since that time, hundreds of students have benefited from scholarship awards toward college and other career preparation opportunities.

The fund is now accepting applications for the 2024 awards, which will be awarded in July 2024. The minimum scholarship amount is $1,000. Applicants must be high school seniors residing in the immediate vicinity of FedExField with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA or better. The applications must include a short personal essay, an official transcript, a school letter, and two letters of recommendation.

Completed applications must be submitted by Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

For more information please contact The LEARN Foundation at [email protected].

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An Agenda for Economic Justice in Prince George's County

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The Greater Washington Community Foundation has been working with a coalition of foundation peers - The Partnership for Prince George’s — towards the purpose of dramatically increasing philanthropic investment in Prince George’s County.

We have partnered with Prince George’s Suite Magazine to produce a special edition magazine on economic justice in Prince George’s County. Below is an excerpt from the opening statement, An Agenda for Economic Justice in Prince George’s County

Closing the Racial Wealth Gap

Having just celebrated what would have been Dr. King’s 95th birthday, we once again remember him as one of this nation’s most courageous truth-tellers. The words he spoke are as true today as they were when he first penned them just a year before his assassination in 1968. He invited the nation to incisively see the precarity of its place in history, as the country wrestled at the intersection of war, poverty, and persistent racism. His warning and his appeal to our higher morality and deepest ambitions were summed up in the choice that he puts before us:

“Chaos or Community.”

What Dr. King saw in his time; we see now in our own time. Prince George’s County is in a moment where we must reckon with hard truths, courageously wrestle with difficult choices, and reimagine and pursue exciting possibilities that lead us to new reality of shared prosperity and economic justice in the county.

“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now.”
— Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?

“Prince George’s Proud”

There is much about the county that supports the pride we feel.

We’re passionate about education with a 2-year college, Prince George’s Community College, and five 4-year colleges/universities including the University of Maryland, the state’s flagship campus and one of the nation’s preeminent public research universities, and Bowie State University, Maryland’s first historically black public university.

The county plays host to numerous federal agencies including Joint Base Andrews, NASA Goddard Space Center, and headquarters to both the Census Bureau and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services agencies. And we await the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s impending move.

We are a regional entertainment, leisure-time destination- home to MGM National Harbor, National Resort & Convention Center, FedEx Field and the Washington Commanders. We are also known to have a vibrant and diverse faith community that includes 12 predominantly African American “mega churches” (greater than 2,000 congregants) that draw the faithful from around Maryland and neighboring states.

We can boast a first in Maryland history when in 2018 the county elected its first woman and first African American woman to the office of county executive. And just last year, Prince George’s County was instrumental in voting in the state’s first African American governor. 

We are home to nearly 1M residents with over 14,500 businesses -- 400 of them employ 100 or more workers, helping to establish record low levels of unemployment.

Yes, we are “Prince George’s Proud” yet understand there is much work to be done so that all our neighbors and friends can realize their full potential and greatest aspirations.

We are a County at a Crossroads of Opportunity

While Prince George’s continues to be one of the wealthiest Black Counties in the country, there remain pockets of residents faced with significant social, economic, and health challenges. The 2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the reality of historical and structural racism revealed the precarity of our collective socio-economic circumstances and revealed gaps across key quality of life indicators including family savings, home equity, life-expectancy, the overall health of our populace. Recovery from these losses in Prince George’s County has been slow.

We contend that these are signals that invite us to name and transform the deeper historical, institutional, and systemic realities that come with being a majority Black—and increasingly Latino County in the nation’s capital region.

Following Dr. King’s admonition, we reject the idea of chaos. We choose community! We contend that this is a moment when we must turn to each other and work together to build an even stronger Prince George’s County for everyone.

As we take steps toward strengthening our philanthropic partnership we commit to engage in disruptive and innovative actions that we hope will inspire even greater partnerships, collective action, more investment into community-based organizations, places, and people, who are struggling the most. Our initial areas of focus include:

  1. Framing a New Narrative. Shaping and amplifying a new narrative in Prince George’s County that is grounded in the lived experiences and deepest aspirations of all our people. This narrative will honor those whose sacrifice and ideas gave rise to the Prince George’s that we know, love, and support today, challenge the status quo, speak to who we are and who we want to be and inspire us all to act in the best interests of each other and a future where we can all prosper together.

  2. Centering People and Neighborhoods. As we pursue an agenda for Economic Justice in Prince George’s County, we believe that by centering the leadership and ambitions of the most economically isolated people in the county and focusing our change efforts in the places where they live, we will create the kind of catalytic change that will benefit all of us and shatter the barriers that reinforce isolation. In other words, when those who are struggling the most do better and thrive—we all do better and thrive.

  3. Exponentially Increasing Public, Private, and Philanthropic Capital. We are committing more philanthropic presence and dollars to help grow and advance Economic Justice work in Prince George’s County. We intend to marshal financial and social capital of resources from among our six organizations to leverage a broad range of additional capital resources—to include new sources of public and private funding, cross- sector partnerships, a strong nonprofit sector, growing influence, and an aligned public will—all in pursuit of an economically just future in Prince George’s County.

  4. Field Building and Capacity. Growing the field of support systems and networks is key. We will identify and resource a cohort of nonprofits and individual leaders working on economic justice initiatives.

  5. Creating Disruptive Innovations and Interventions. We will seek to pool and align funding that supports disruptive and innovative pilots that can move the county toward an economically just future.

  6. Impact for True Change. Consistent investment and efforts in the areas described above can only lead to success creating a county report card that will significantly mark our progress toward a truer economically just Prince George’s County.

A Bias for Action?

“Why should there be hunger and privation in any land, in any city, at any table, when man has the resources and the scientific know-how to provide all mankind with the necessities of life?” - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?

As Dr. King put the choice of Chaos or Community in front of us, he also offered a potential solution -- guaranteed income—an approach where people receive regular cash payments to help them meet their basic needs.

In the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, many local governments and philanthropic entities have answered Dr. King’s call – launching more than 100 guaranteed income pilots in communities across the country.

With initial investments from the Community Foundation and Meyer Foundation, the Partnership for Prince George’s is proud to have designed and launched a pilot—Thrive Prince George’s—in partnership with the Prince George’s County Council and the County Executive. Over the next two years, this initiative will provide monthly payments of $800 to a group of low-income seniors and youth who have aged out of the foster care system. Our goal is to demonstrate that guaranteed income, as a strategy to support economic mobility, is one of the most promising approaches to lift people out of poverty and provide greater economic stability for families.

Our commitment to action has instigated several other initiatives that will move us toward becoming a more economically just Prince George’s County. We look forward to sharing more information in the coming months.

We must reflect, discern, choose, and act with courage, resolve, and expediency. We are partnering with Prince George’s Suite Magazine to circulate a special edition dedicated to “An Agenda for Economic Justice in Prince George’s County.” We look forward to sharing and discussing this content, as we build momentum and alignment around this collective work.

Join us as we work to build a stronger Prince George’s County for everyone!

 

Greater Washington Community Foundation,
Tonia Wellons, President & CEO       

Bank of America Foundation
Derrick Perkins, Market Executive

if, A Foundation for Radical Possibility                       
Hanh Le, Co-CEO                                                                  

if, A Foundation for Radical Possibility    
Temi F. Bennett, Esq., Co-CEO

Cllctivly                                                                                    
Jayme Wooten, Founder & CEO 

Meyer Foundation
George L. Askew, M.D., President & CEO

United Way of the National Capital Area
Ian Gordon, Vice President Community Impact & Engagement

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Please direct inquiries to Darcelle Wilson, Greater Washington Community Foundation, Senior Director, Prince George’s County at [email protected].

Click here to read the original article, as published in PG Suite Magazine.

The Community Foundation is also excited to host a series of three conversations around Economic Justice in Prince George’s County. The first conversation will take place on Wendesday, March 27, 2024 from 10-11:30 a.m. Click here to register to join!

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Board Member Spotlight: Michael A. Echols, Advisory Board Chair for The Community Foundation in Prince George's County

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In December 2023, Michael A. Echols (Mike) was elected as the new Advisory Board Chair for The Community Foundation in Prince George’s County. As part of our series on Leaders of the Future, we asked Mike to share his insights on Black Leaders in the Push for Economic Justice.

Why do you think economic justice is important?

Economic justice stands as the lynchpin of an equitable society, providing the necessary foundation upon which all other facets of social justice can thrive. It serves as the cornerstone of hope, instilling in individuals the belief that their efforts and contributions will be met with fair and just outcomes. Whether one is laboring through two jobs or pursuing an entrepreneurial endeavor, it is in the pursuit of alignment with a system that recognizes and rewards diligence and innovation. Without economic justice, the promise of opportunity and upward mobility remains elusive, perpetuating cycles of inequality and disenfranchisement. Therefore, ensuring economic justice is not merely a matter of fairness, but a fundamental prerequisite for fostering a society where every individual can fulfill their potential and contribute meaningfully to the collective well-being.

What does economic justice look like? Please describe how you or your organization promote or cultivate economic justice?

Economic justice encompasses a multifaceted approach aimed at ensuring fair and equitable distribution of resources, opportunities, and benefits within society. It involves addressing systemic inequalities and barriers to economic participation, as well as promoting policies and practices that empower marginalized communities and promote economic well-being for all. I consider myself a pioneering figure in attempting to assure equal opportunities field of cybersecurity, I seek economic justice for the community and the nation through advocacy and actions. I understand that economic disparities can significantly impact communities, particularly those historically marginalized or underrepresented in the technology sector. Access to the Internet, to training and employment opportunities are critical for fair representation. This is important as everything will be digitized in our near future. Therefore, my efforts center on actively working to dismantle barriers to entry in the cybersecurity field, advocating for increased access to education, training, and job opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds. My' efforts extend beyond individual empowerment to systemic change. I collaborate with government agencies, educational institutions, and industry partners to develop initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the cybersecurity workforce. By advocating for policies that prioritize economic justice, such as equitable hiring practices and investment in underserved communities, I aim to create a more inclusive and resilient economy that benefits everyone. Furthermore, I recognize the interconnectedness of economic justice with other forms of social justice. So, I actively support initiatives that address systemic issues such as racial inequality, gender discrimination, and socioeconomic disparities, recognizing that these factors intersect and compound to perpetuate economic injustice.

What does it mean to be a Black leader or to promote and cultivate Black leadership?

Fostering Black leadership involves actively addressing systemic barriers and structural inequalities that impede the advancement of Black individuals into leadership roles. The next "team" should not run into the same barriers and wall. This is done by This advocating for policies and practices that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, while also challenging systemic racism. By making my back available to carry others who will move far beyond where my years will take the community we are carrying on a tradition started during the days of slavery. By advocating for social justice reforms and creating more equitable opportunities for leadership and success within the Black community and society at large, we can do more than just cultivate leaders. rather, we can thrust them forward and allow the choice of paths. My conditions now will not be the ones faced by the tip of the spear five years from now. Empowering the next generation to be impactful means providing the tools and letting them use what is in the tool bag in a manner appropriate to the positive change and progress.

When you reflect on Black History in the Greater Washington region, what does the next chapter of Black History look like to you?

The forthcoming chapter of Black history in the Greater Washington region embodies a narrative of hope, progress, and collective action towards a more inclusive and equitable society. It envisions a future where the legacy of resilience and triumph among Black communities continues to inspire generations, fostering increased representation, equity, and justice across all facets of life. The question is how do we empower the next generation to roll forward with minimal speedbumps in their path? And, what tools do we need to provide them enabling an ability to smoothly overcome challenges we are sure they will face? The next chapter of Black history will involve the dismantling of systemic racism and the implementation of policies that promote social justice and equity for all. Success will be measured by the achievement of objectives. One of them is that Black individuals are not only recognized for their contributions to the region's history, but also for their ongoing leadership in shaping its future.

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Leaders of the Future: Black Leaders in the Push for Economic Justice

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In 2024, The Community Foundation is highlighting 'Leaders of the Future' - individuals and organizations who inspire us to look towards a brighter future for Greater Washington.

To kick off our "Leaders of the Future" campaign , we invited incredible Black leaders from across the region to share their experiences, including their insights into the movement for socio-economic justice.

  • What is your relationship to The Community Foundation?

    I am the incoming Chair of the Prince George's County Community Foundation.

    Why do you think economic justice is important?

    Economic justice stands as the lynchpin of an equitable society, providing the necessary foundation upon which all other facets of social justice can thrive. It serves as the cornerstone of hope, instilling in individuals the belief that their efforts and contributions will be met with fair and just outcomes. Whether one is laboring through two jobs or pursuing an entrepreneurial endeavor, it is in the pursuit of alignment with a system that recognizes and rewards diligence and innovation. Without economic justice, the promise of opportunity and upward mobility remains elusive, perpetuating cycles of inequality and disenfranchisement. Therefore, ensuring economic justice is not merely a matter of fairness, but a fundamental prerequisite for fostering a society where every individual can fulfill their potential and contribute meaningfully to the collective well-being.

    What does economic justice look like? Please describe how you or your organization promote or cultivate economic justice?

    Economic justice encompasses a multifaceted approach aimed at ensuring fair and equitable distribution of resources, opportunities, and benefits within society. It involves addressing systemic inequalities and barriers to economic participation, as well as promoting policies and practices that empower marginalized communities and promote economic well-being for all.

    I consider myself a pioneering figure in attempting to assure equal opportunities field of cybersecurity, I seek economic justice for the community and the nation through advocacy and actions. I understand that economic disparities can significantly impact communities, particularly those historically marginalized or underrepresented in the technology sector. Access to the Internet, to training and employment opportunities are critical for fair representation. This is important as everything will be digitized in our near future. Therefore, my efforts center on actively working to dismantle barriers to entry in the cybersecurity field, advocating for increased access to education, training, and job opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

    My efforts extend beyond individual empowerment to systemic change. I collaborate with government agencies, educational institutions, and industry partners to develop initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the cybersecurity workforce. By advocating for policies that prioritize economic justice, such as equitable hiring practices and investment in underserved communities, I aim to create a more inclusive and resilient economy that benefits everyone.

    Furthermore, I recognize the interconnectedness of economic justice with other forms of social justice. So, I actively support initiatives that address systemic issues such as racial inequality, gender discrimination, and socioeconomic disparities, recognizing that these factors intersect and compound to perpetuate economic injustice.

    What does it mean to be a Black leader or to promote and cultivate Black leadership?

    Fostering Black leadership involves actively addressing systemic barriers and structural inequalities that impede the advancement of Black individuals into leadership roles. The next "team" should not run into the same barriers and wall. This is done by This advocating for policies and practices that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, while also challenging systemic racism. By making my back available to carry others who will move far beyond where my years will take the community we are carrying on a tradition started during the days of slavery.

    By advocating for social justice reforms and creating more equitable opportunities for leadership and success within the Black community and society at large, we can do more than just cultivate leaders. rather, we can thrust them forward and allow the choice of paths. My conditions now will not be the ones faced by the tip of the spear five years from now. Empowering the next generation to be impactful means providing the tools and letting them use what is in the tool bag in a manner appropriate to the positive change and progress.

    When you reflect on Black History in the Greater Washington region, what does the next chapter of Black History look like to you?

    The forthcoming chapter of Black history in the Greater Washington region embodies a narrative of hope, progress, and collective action towards a more inclusive and equitable society. It envisions a future where the legacy of resilience and triumph among Black communities continues to inspire generations, fostering increased representation, equity, and justice across all facets of life.

    The question is how do we empower the next generation to roll forward with minimal speedbumps in their path? And, what tools do we need to provide them enabling an ability to smoothly overcome challenges we are sure they will face?

    The next chapter of Black history will involve the dismantling of systemic racism and the implementation of policies that promote social justice and equity for all. Success will be measured by the achievement of objectives. One of them is that Black individuals are not only recognized for their contributions to the region's history, but also for their ongoing leadership in shaping its future.

  • What is your relationship to The Community Foundation?

    The Community Foundation was one of the first organizations to fund us - we have had a successful partnership with them for over 5 years.

    Why do you think economic justice is important?

    The main reason is because when you look at the inequality around society, most of the problems are within the top 1%. The scales are so unbalanced that greed, dysfunction, and power imbalances in society become cyclical, fueling one another. We've forgotten about the "my brother's keeper" mentality.

    What does economic justice look like? Please describe how you or your organization promote or cultivate economic justice?

    Economic justice looks like a fairer justice system for returning citizens by meeting all of their needs and giving them the opportunity to succeed so that we might help them see a path for themselves outside of the criminal legal space on their own, without the shackles of supervision or monitoring. It looks like pouring resources into people and removing barriers to their success and wellbeing.

    What does it mean to be a Black leader or to promote and cultivate Black leadership?

    Black Leadership is about owning up to past wrongs, enduring a slow ground-up approach, being a sacrificial lamb, practicing the principles of integrity, truth, and love. Leading by example without the celebrity and understanding that we have to be the change we want to see, with patience and tolerance.

    When you reflect on Black History in the Greater Washington region, what does the next chapter of Black History look like to you?

    Enduring strength, youth leadership, supporting and encouraging our black men. Building community and promoting a restorative justice model.

  • What is your relationship to The Community Foundation?

    DC Justice Lab is lucky to have been included in two important grant-making programs from the foundation. When we were first getting up and running, we received funds to help with our operational costs and capacity building. Last year, we were selected as part of its groundbreaking deep investment into local policy advocacy and systems change, under the Health Equity Fund.

    Why do you think economic justice is important?

    People who live in Georgetown live an average of 27 years longer than people who live in Anacostia. Many of the social determinants of health are impacted by seismic income and wealth disparities in our city.

    What does economic justice look like? Please describe how you or your organization promote or cultivate economic justice?

    DC Justice Lab is promoting economic justice by combatting the criminalization of poverty and fighting for reparations for Black Washingtonians.

    What does it mean to be a Black leader or to promote and cultivate Black leadership?

    Finding new strategies for civic participation and political education has been the most rewarding part of our recent work. We are investing in Black-led organizations through our Policy Training Academy, preparing future movement lawyers through our DC Justice Fellow program and Policy Advocacy Competition, and teaching community members how to change systems through our DC Justice Library. We know that positioning people to step into and fully express their own power is more transformative than anything we could do alone.

    When you reflect on Black History in the Greater Washington region, what does the next chapter of Black History look like to you?

    The next chapter of Black History looks like Black Unity. After two generations of dividing our communities based on poverty and subjugating people who have been system-involved, it is time for a unified pro-Black movement for changing and dismantling institutions that harm us.

  • What is your relationship to The Community Foundation?

    Interfaith Works (IW) and the Greater Washington Community Foundation serve as strategic partners. Primarily, the Community Foundation supports our emergency financial assistance program, Connections. Additionally, IW and The Community Foundation are co-hosting a Faith and Philanthropy forum on February 27, with a specific focus on economic justice in Montgomery County.

    Why do you think economic justice is important?

    Economic equity ensures that our neighbors in Montgomery County have an opportunity to earn a livable wage sufficient to live without public assistance like rental subsidies, SNAP, or other government cash assistance.

    What does economic justice look like? Please describe how you or your organization promote or cultivate economic justice?

    Interfaith Works has been serving people who experience poverty for 52 years. Last year, we served 35,000 Montgomery County residents. Our programs are centered around removing systemic and economic barriers that prevent residents from achieving stability and thriving. Sadly, there are deeper systemic challenges that must also be addressed. In Montgomery County, one must earn $35/hr to afford an average two-bedroom apartment. This is out of reach for many in Montgomery County, where the minimum hourly wage is $16.70. This disparity explains the surge in demand that Interfaith Works has seen for our shelter, supportive housing, food and clothing distribution, emergency financial assistance, and job placement services.

    While our programs have been expanded significantly to meet the demand, the need continues to grow. At the macro level, IW hosts forums on critical issues like homelessness, affordable housing, and food insecurity. We also routinely engage with elected officials and business leaders to ensure they remain aware of the difficulties faced by our clients. Through these efforts, we help ensure that the community remains engaged with solutions to the challenges affecting our neighbors.

    Recently, Interfaith Works launched a collaboration with a data analysis firm to understand better the conditions in our community that cause the continued need for our services. While we do not yet have firm answers, we are certain that solutions will center around economic justice.

    What does it mean to be a Black leader or to promote and cultivate Black leadership?

    I have the privilege of leading Interfaith Works, a 190-person nonprofit organization that serves 35,000 people each year who experience poverty. In Montgomery County, Black people disproportionately experience poverty, relative to the population size. As CEO, I work with our dedicated team to ensure that these services reach the people with the greatest need and that clients are treated in an equitable and dignified manner. I also support Black leaders in the County as Board Treasurer for The Montgomery County Black Collective. The Collective creates space for underrepresented businesses to access resources that have long been unavailable to the Black community – a barrier that has prevented many from achieving economic security.

    When you reflect on Black History in the Greater Washington region, what does the next chapter of Black History look like to you?

    In the wake of recent stories about workplace racism, I am concerned that some Black professionals may avoid leadership opportunities for fear of being mistreated. This trepidation is legitimate. Unfortunately, when Black leaders are missing from the table, they cannot influence decisions and their unique viewpoints are not represented. This has a direct effect on the broader Black community and can affect how information and resources are distributed.

    For the next chapter of Black History to be bright, businesses in the Greater Washington community must double down on efforts to create nurturing work environments. It is also crucial that we lead the way in addressing workplace maltreatment, which is experienced by too many Black employees. Taking these steps will help ensure that our community is enhanced for everyone.

  • What is your relationship to The Community Foundation?

    The BBC is a recipient of funding from the Community Foundation to support our mission of addressing systemic barriers in public education.

    Why do you think economic justice is important?

    Economic Justice empowers marginalized people and communities to be self reliant and productive participants that creates social mobility, independence and prosperity across generations.

    What does economic justice look like? Please describe how you or your organization promote or cultivate economic justice?

    Education is proven enabler of social mobility and economic prosperity, so our focus has been on dismantling systemic barriers in public education that limit access to resources and opportunities for Black, Brown, and students from low income families.

    What does it mean to be a Black leader or to promote and cultivate Black leadership?

    Effective Black leadership is fully cognizant of the diverse historical, cultural, and social fabric that makes up Black communities, and the many racially motivated challenges we’re still facing. However, building relationships to forge new pathways and create mutually beneficial solutions with other communities is critical to making progress.

    When you reflect on Black History in the Greater Washington region, what does the next chapter of Black History look like to you?

    I believe we are at a critical inflection point. Our traditional Black institutions have been weakened, and the community values that protected and helped us make progress together for generations are waning. The trajectory of next chapters of Black History will depend on how effectively we collaborate with like-minded people, especially in ensuring our children have access to a high-quality education that prepares them to compete globally and build economic justice and prosperity for our communities.

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birdSEED Foundation: Planting Seeds of Hope for Black First-Time Homeowners

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birdSEED recipient Tiffany (Coco) Brown, at her new home in Prince George’s County.

For years, Tiffany (Coco) Brown had dreamed of accomplishing something that no one else in her family had ever done before – purchasing a house that she could call home.

“I wanted someplace where my family could gather and be together,” Coco shared. “Someplace safe that we could call ‘ours’.”

Like many Black families in the Greater Washington region, as a child Coco’s parents could only afford to rent their home in Washington, DC. As economic conditions in the housing market turned, Coco remembers moving several times over the course of her childhood, leaving behind friends and childhood memories as the family sought out a new place to live.

“Growing up, I knew I wanted to live in my own house,” Coco shared. “I just wasn’t sure where to start.”

In 2021, Coco decided to pursue her dream of becoming a homeowner. But while navigating the world of real estate can be complicated for just about anybody, studies show that it has been historically – even deliberately – complex for people of color.

According to a recent study by the National Association of Realtors, only 44% of Black Americans are homeowners – compared to 73% of White Americans. The disparity, which is built on a foundation of decades of redlining and discriminatory lending practices, represents the largest racial homeownership gap in the past decade.

“There’s not very many things out there for people who look like me,” she added. “When it comes to buying a house, we don’t have the resources or the information to get the help we need.”

Over the course of her housing search, Coco went through four different realtors, mountains of paperwork, and dozens of house tours. She also enrolled in several programs designed to help first-time homebuyers – which she soon discovered involved even more paperwork and strict eligibility requirements.

“Pack your patience,” she recalled of her experience. “It’s a lot.”

That was when she heard about the Housing Justice & Down Payment Assistance Program at the birdSEED Foundation – a non-profit organization born from a collaboration between Flock DC – which provided the initial funding to seed the program - and the Greater Washington Community Foundation. The program provides grants of $5,000 - $15,000 to Black & Brown first-time homebuyers with no strings attached.

“This is our work to do – helping those who have been historically disadvantaged to purchase homes,” shared lisa wise, CEO of Flock DC and founder of birdSEED.

birdSEED is boldly branded as a ‘housing justice’ initiative – a starting point for reparations from an industry that has played a major role in the creation of the racial wealth gap.

“Homeownership is one of the most effective ways that Americans build intergenerational wealth,” Darius Graham, Managing Director of Community Investment at The Community Foundation stated. “And even though equal access to housing is a civil right enshrined in our nation’s laws, systemic racism within housing institutions have kept communities of color from accessing it for far too long.”­

“[birdSEED] isn’t about philanthropy,” wise added. “It’s about wealth creation; it’s about transferring and building wealth – and creating a model for the rest of the business community that we hope others will follow.”

birdSEED was designed to take away as many barriers for Black and Brown homebuyers to receive support, as possible. The application process is kept intentionally simple and is open year-round, with grants awarded twice a year by a panel of volunteer advisory board members. Once awarded, grant recipients have 120 days to close on a home and release the funds, which are managed by The Community Foundation.

“We are laser focused on making no strings attached down payment grants,” Leslie Case, Executive Director of birdSEED added. “If we can focus more on the giving and less on the accountability, we believe we can give more and have a bigger impact.”

Since its launch in September 2020, birdSEED has awarded 41 provisional grants to help Black and Brown first-time homebuyers – including Coco -- get one step closer to their dream of home ownership.

“birdSEED was a lifesaver,” Coco said. “Without them, I don’t think I would have gone to closing.”

Coco submitted her birdSEED application in September 2022—and within a month was awarded a $10,000 provisional grant. Five months later, Coco closed on her dream home in Hillcrest Heights in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

“The fact that [the homebuying search] is over, is such a stress reliever,” Coco shared, as she approaches her one-year anniversary of homeownership. “To be able to spend holidays, birthdays, and game nights in my own space with the ones I love is a wonderful experience.”

While wise, Case, and The Community Foundation celebrate the success of birdSEED, we also acknowledge how much work remains to be done to close the racial homeownership gap. Of the 41 provisional grants awarded to Black and Brown first-time homebuyers through birdSEED, some of them have still been unable to close on a house – a humbling testament to the many challenges that first-time homebuyers of color must overcome on the road to homeownership.

Despite the challenges, wise and Coco say that birdSEED provides a beacon of hope that they hope will continue to spread to more members of the Greater Washington community.  

“A lot of people ask what they can do – especially when confronted with big issues like the racial wealth gap,” wise said. “You can start with this –a down payment towards building a more equitable community. It may seem like a small step – but it’s a huge step in the right direction.”

One evidence of that hope came from Coco, who when asked what advice she had for fellow aspiring homeowners, simply stated the following:

“If I can do it, you can do it”

The Community Foundation is proud to award the birdSEED Foundation with a $100,000 grant to support homeownership for residents of Prince George’s County and Montgomery County. The investment is part of our Together, We Prosper campaign investment strategy to close the racial wealth gap in the Greater Washington region. For more information, visit our website or contact [email protected]

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Prince George’s County Launches its First-Ever Guaranteed Income Program

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Today, The Community Foundation is excited to announce the launch of Thrive Prince George’s, a two-year, $4 million guaranteed-income pilot that seeks to provide greater economic stability and mobility for families in the region. The program, which is spearheaded by the Greater Washington Community Foundation, Prince George’s County Executive and Council, and the Meyer Foundation, will provide monthly payments of $800 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 and no requirements tied to employment.

“Studies have shown that modest guaranteed basic income pilots can decrease poverty by as much as 40%,” said Tonia Wellons, President and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “We strongly believe that this program will improve the lives of many in Prince George’s County and will reduce the racial wealth gap in a way that makes it viable for the county to consider providing guaranteed basic income for years to come.” 

While several pilots are currently operating around the region – including in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, DC, and Montgomery County – this is the first guaranteed income program to exclusively serve residents of Prince George’s County. The $4 million pilot is funded using both public and private philanthropic resources, with participating partners each contributing $1 million to the program.

"This initiative is an innovative example of how we find solutions through public-private partnerships," said Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. "Thanks to this collaborative pilot program, we're weaving a stronger social fabric and empowering people to pursue their aspirations with dignity and resilience."

Guaranteed income programs have proven to be one of the most promising approaches to increasing financial stability. The positive impact of guaranteed income has been studied for decades, with evidence indicating that monthly cash payments can reduce income volatility and support recipients in attaining full-time employment, greater housing stability, improved health outcomes, and more

“I’ve championed the guaranteed basic income program for years because I know it provides an opportunity to tackle poverty and create better quality of life for our residents,” said County Council Member Krystal Oriadha. “My hope is with more jurisdictions moving to implement programs like this, we will see an investment at the state and federal level that will allow these pilots to become permanent. I am excited about partnering with organizations like the Greater Washington Community Foundation to make this dream a reality.”

The Community Foundation will administer the pilot program as part of its Together, We Prosper Campaign for Economic Justice, which is focused on investing in economic strategies that will increase economic mobility to help close the region’s racial wealth gap.

 
 
 
 

It has also partnered with Court Appointed Special Advocate Prince George’s County (CASA) and United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP), two community-based organizations in Prince George’s County that will lead the recruitment, selection, and onboarding of participants, distribute cash payments, and provide optional benefits counseling to ensure existing safety net services are not compromised by participation in this income-boosting pilot. Other partners include Prince George’s County Department of Social Services, which provides stable environments for at-risk children and adults, Prince George’s ChangeMakers, who has long advocated for the adoption of a guaranteed income program in Prince George’s County, and Capital Area Asset Builders, who works to create opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals in the region.

“The Meyer Foundation has enthusiastically supported a growing number of guaranteed basic income pilots in our region,” said George L. Askew, MD, President and CEO of the Meyer Foundation. “Pilot programs like this one are consistent with our mission to pursue and invest in solutions that build an equitable Greater Washington community. We’re proud to be supporting this work in Prince George’s County – an area that has experienced continued growth, but where support for residents facing the most significant social, economic, and health challenges remains critical. These public-private partnerships help bring economic justice closer to reality.” 

The Community Foundation will measure how the economic status of participants improves over time and plans to design and implement an evaluation program that balances quantitative and qualitative measures that have historically demonstrated client progress and program viability. For more information about Thrive Prince George’s, visit www.thecommunityfoundation.org/thrive-prince-georges

For those interested in supporting Thrive Prince George’s and other Guaranteed Income Initiatives in our region, click here!

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Celebrating 25 Years of Philanthropy in Prince George's County at the Civic Leadership Awards

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On October 19th, friends and supporters of The Community Foundation in Prince George’s County gathered at MGM National Harbor to honor outstanding Civic Leadership and celebrate 25 Years of The Community Foundation in Prince George’s County.

“The theme for tonight is ‘Imagine’,” President & CEO Tonia Wellons shared. “As we celebrate 25 years in Prince George’s County, may we look forward to the next 25 years with a vision for what is truly possible.”

The Community Foundation in Prince George’s County has been extremely busy over the past year, from exciting collaborations between Faith & Philanthropy to supporting innovative investments in affordable housing and pioneering plans to launch the first Guaranteed Income program in Prince George’s County.

“Since 1998, The Community Foundation has invested more than $65 million in Prince George’s County,” Darcelle Wilson, Senior Director of The Community Foundation’s Prince George’s County Office shared. “Tonight, we not only celebrate that legacy, but also the lives of the many incredible leaders who are helping us to build a more prosperous community for everyone who calls Prince George’s home.”

The first leader to be recognized was Dr. Darryll Pines, President of the University Maryland and this year’s 2023 Civic Leadership Award Recipient. Dr. Pines has been a champion for education in Prince George’s County. Click here for Dr. Pines Award Tribute Video

As a new President during the pandemic, Dr. Pines developed a partnership between the University and Prince George’s County Public Schools to help provide continuing math education for high school students during the pandemic. His efforts to develop partnerships and collaborations not only helped students acquire valuable life skills, but also helped them imagine what is possible. This past fall, the University of Maryland enrolled more Prince Georgians in their incoming class than at any point in the history of the university, including more than half of the salutatorians or valedictorians in PGCPS – all graduates of UMD’s math partnership.

“All institutions have a responsibility to reach out beyond their walls and build up the communities in which they live,” Dr. Pines shared. “At the University of Maryland, we are invested in making higher education accessible for everyone – especially in Prince George’s County.”

Dr. Pines was followed by William M. (Bill) Shipp, Esq, Partner of O’Malley, Miles, Nyland & Gilmore who received the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award. A longtime resident of Prince George’s County, Shipp has spent much of his career facilitating the development and growth of Prince George’s County including projects such as National Harbor, IKEA, Bowie Town Center, and others. Click here for Bill Shipp’s Tribute Video.

In addition to serving as former chair of the Board of the Prince George’s County affiliate of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, Shipp served extensively with the late Prince George’s County Executive Wayne Curry, who recruited him to serve on the Prince George’s County Housing Authority, among other important county projects. He also supported a number of causes locally, including support for cancer survivors and swim instruction and camp scholarships for minority youth.

“It’s always been important to me to give back to the community where I live and where I raise my family,” Shipp shared.

Shipp was followed by Prince George’s County Advisory Board Member, Dave Ianucchi, who presented the Corporate Philanthropist of the Year Award to Melonie Ducre Johnson, on behalf of MGM National Harbor. Click here for the MGM National Harbor Tribute Video

MGM National Harbor is one of the largest employers in Prince George’s County, with more than 3,200 employees – nearly half of whom are Prince George’s County residents. Since coming to the Prince George’s County in 2016, MGM has invested heavily in workforce development, including partnering with Prince George’s Community College for their Hospitality, Tourism, Culinary Arts and Dealer School – helping residents acquire the skills to obtain better paying jobs.

“Our mission is to be a great neighbor, not just a good neighbor,” Johnson shared. “At MGM National Harbor, we believe in investing in our people and investing in this community.”

At this point, Tiffany Turner, Executive Director of Nonprofit Prince George’s County came forward to announce the winner of the Nonprofit Leader of the Year Award – Cheryl Petty Garnette, Executive Director of Ivy Community Charities of Prince Geroge’s County.

Ivy Community Charities of Prince George’s County supports youth and families residing in Prince George’s County, Maryland, with educational, cultural, and health-related resources to enhance the economic condition of citizens. One of their most exciting programs is the Ivy VINE or Village Incubator for Nonprofit Excellence, which provides training, networking, and facility support for emerging nonprofits.

As Executive Director, Garnette has been instrumental in the creation and implementation of the Ivy VINE. In addition to her leadership at Ivy Community Charities, Garnette also serves on the Board of Nonprofit Prince George’s County.

Garnette was one of four nonprofit leaders nominated for this year’s award, including Lisa Butler McDougal, Executive Director of Sowing Empowerment & Economic Development (SEED), Sandy Washington, Executive Director of Community Outreach & Development Corp (CDC), and Maryann Dillon, Executive Director of Housing Initiative Partnership (HIP). Click here to meet all the nominees. The winner was selected via text-to-vote by members of the Prince George’s County community.

The final award of the evening, the 2023 Emerging Leader of the Year Award went to Charnell Ferguson, Director of Constituent Services for the Office of At-Large Councilmember Mel Franklin.

Ferguson is a powerful activist and voice for change in her community. A member of the Prince George’s County Social Innovation Fund Forty Under 40 cohort for 2019, Ferguson helped re-establish the NAACP at Bowie State University and been actively involved in local government for several years. She also is the founder of the Diamond Foundation Inc, a nonprofit geared to help the community and build self-esteem in youth while raising awareness of mental health.

Ferguson was one of four emerging leaders nominated for this year’s award, including Jonathan Harris, Founder of Million Paths Foundation, Inc, Vince Harrington, Executive Director of the Maryland Democratic Party, and Albert T. Lewis, Principal of Largo High School. Click here to meet all the nominees!

“Thanks to all of you for your contributions to our county,” shared Darcelle Wilson, Senior Director of The Community Foundation’s Prince George’s County office. “As we close out this celebration, may we continue to work together to create a community where everyone thrives.”

Click here for more photos from the 2023 Civic Leadership Awards. We also express special thanks to our Sponsors for making this event possible!

For more information on how to get involved in Prince George’s County, contact Darcelle Wilson at [email protected]

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Celebrating Community Leadership in Prince George's County

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This month, The Community Foundation recognized outstanding community leaders in Prince George’s County ahead of the Civic Leadership Awards at MGM National Harbor on October 19. The award ceremony marks the 25th anniversary of The Community Foundation in Prince George’s County.

“As a Prince George’s County resident, I am personally grateful for your consistent efforts to strengthen our community,” President & CEO Tonia Wellons shared at a Nonprofit Breakfast hosted at the Employ Prince George’s Headquarters in Largo.

“As a Community Foundation, our work could not happen without you. You all make us Prince George’s Proud.

That feeling is one that, many nonprofit leaders say, is mutual.

“We are ambassadors of the work that you do,” shared one nonprofit leader. “When the pandemic hit, The Community Foundation was there. They asked what we needed. They asked what our constituents needed. They took the time to listen to us – and from what I can see, they heard us.”

“We don’t do this for the recognition; we do this for the community,” another leader shared. “So for The Community Foundation to put in the time and effort to create this space for nonprofit leaders to network and be recognized by the broader community, is pretty special.”

While all of our nonprofit partners do incredible work, The Community Foundation has nominated the following individuals for the 2023 Nonprofit Leader of the Year Award – in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Prince George’s County:

  • Lisa Butler McDougal, Executive Director of Sowing Empowerment & Economic Development (SEED)

  • Sandy Washington, Executive Director of Community Outreach & Development Corp (CDC)

  • Cheryl Petty Garnette, Executive Director of Ivy Community Charities of Prince George’s County

  • Maryann Dillon, Executive Director of Housing Initiative Partnership (HIP)

Voting for the 2023 Nonprofit Leader of the Year Award is now open. Community members are encouraged to text ‘MCDOUGAL’, ‘WASHINGTON’, ‘GARNETTE’, or ‘DILLON’ to 240-830-8131 (in all Capital Letters) to cast their vote. The winner will be announced at the Civic Leadership Awards on October 19th and recognized alongside her fellow nominees.

“Our theme for the Civic Leadership Awards this year is ‘Imagine’,” Darcelle Wilson, Senior Director of The Community Foundation in Prince George’s County shared. “As we celebrate our first 25 years, we are so grateful for incredible partners who help us ‘imagine’ what is possible for the next 25 years – and beyond!”

From Left to Right: Marcus Braxton (Chief Operating Officer), Darcelle Wilson (Senior Director), Jonathan Harris (2023 ELOY Nominee), and Charnell Ferguson (2023 ELOY Nominee)

The Community Foundation also celebrated members of the Emerging Leaders Impact Fund – a group of young professionals who mobilize the power of philanthropy to make a positive difference in Prince George’s County.

“The Emerging Leaders Impact Fund is about the future,” ELIF Chair Davion Percy shares. “It’s about looking at how we set up future generations to learn about philanthropy and how they can give back to their community.”

Four Emerging Leaders were nominated for the 2023 Emerging Leader of the Year Award – in recognition of their leadership and contributions to Prince George’s County.

  • Vince Harrington, Executive Director of the Maryland Democratic Party

  • Albert T. Lewis, Principal of Largo High School

  • Jonathan Harris, Founder of Million Paths Foundation, Inc

  • Charnell Ferguson, Director of Constituent Services, Office of At-Large Councilmember Mel Franklin

The winner of the 2023 Emerging Leader Award will also be announced at the Civic Leadership Awards on October 19th.

Launched in 2020, ELIF’s goal is to help young professionals realize the positive impact that they can have in Prince George’s County. Each year, members come together to network and pool their resources and expertise to address key community needs. In 2022, the ELIF cohort focused on economic justice and closing the racial wealth gap.

ELIF Nonprofit Partner Lisa Rowe (Founder & CEO of LEEP to College Foundation), shares the impact that ELIF’s funding has had on young people in Prince George’s County.

“Closing the racial wealth gap starts with our young people,” Lisa Rowe, Founder and CEO of LEEP to College Foundation – a nonprofit dedicated to helping Prince George’s County youth achieve academic and economic success shared. Rowe shared how ELIF’s funding allowed the organization to partner with Ally Financial to pilot an entrepreneurship institute to help high school students learn how to start their own businesses.

“I’m so grateful to be a part of this amazing program,” one ELIF nominee shared. “Being here with so many incredible leaders, doing incredible things – all of us are here because of people who helped us pave this road to success. Now we get to come together to create an avenue for others in Prince George’s County.”

Click here for more photos from the ELIF Event and the Nonprofit Breakfast! For more information about ELIF, visit our website or contact Eliza Tolbert-Howard at [email protected]

Don’t forget to get your tickets for the Civic Leadership Awards – October 19th at MGM National Harbor! Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Visit our website for more information!

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Let's Talk Endowments - Helping Nonprofits Invest for the Future

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Earlier this month, The Community Foundation hosted a group of nonprofit leaders to talk about how to help nonprofit organizations prepare for their financial future through an endowment.

“For years, we at The Community Foundation have talked about what it would look to design a product that would allow nonprofits to coinvest in their future,” President and CEO Tonia Wellons shared with the group.

“Through this nonprofit endowment product, we’re excited to provide our partners with the infrastructure and investment support to sustain their mission and organization for years to come.”

An endowed fund is invested for long-term capital growth – rather than going directly towards a specific program. This allows the fund to accrue value over time, while a predetermined portion is set aside each year for distribution. Depending on market performance, these distributions have the potential to exceed the original value of the gift – providing the organization with a steady, reliable stream of income, as well as a nest egg that can be accessed in case of emergencies.

“At The Community Foundation, we want to make it easier for our nonprofit partners to provide for their long-term financial stability,” Tiffanie Purvis, General Counsel and Senior Philanthropic Advisor said.

The Community Foundation’s nonprofit endowment fund is designed to eliminate many of the traditional barriers that can prevent nonprofits from setting up an endowment - including limited investment expertise or capacity. Endowments set up through The Community Foundation are managed by our professional investment team – allowing nonprofits the freedom to focus on their mission rather than their long-term financial investments. Endowments have a $25,000 minimum and can be set up as a permanent long-term endowment or a quasi-endowment with an option to withdraw under limited circumstances).

The Community Foundation also provides services including planned giving expertise to help donors understand the value of an endowment over a short-term gift.

“Donors love creating endowments,” Rebecca Rothey, Senior Advisor explained. “However, sometimes they need a little more help before they grasp the concept.”

Participants heard from Mike DiMarco, Executive Director of Horizons Greater Washington, which recently set up an endowment fund with The Community Foundation in preparation for its 25th Anniversary coming up in 2025.

“For us, at Horizons, we make a long-term commitment to our students. We need sustainable long-term funding that’s there in perpetuity,” DiMarco shared. “Being able to budget the steady income from an endowment not only puts us in a stronger position in the long-term but also in the short-term as we’re able to get annual returns on that endowment.”

“Throughout the process, the Greater Washington Community Foundation was really helpful and patiently answering our questions and helping us understand the benefits and implications of starting this endowment account.”

“As we enter 2025, celebrating our 25th Anniversary, we look forward to taking this opportunity to grow the endowment and solidify Horizons’ future going forward.”

The discussion about endowments comes at a time when large bequests from donors to nonprofit organizations is on the rise. According to the latest Giving USA Report, the number of bequests from wills and living trusts increased by 2.3% in 2022 for a total of $45.6 billion dollars.

“There’s a temptation with surprise bequests to put it directly into the operating budget – put it straight into the community all at once,” Mary Pat Alcus, a financial planner and experienced nonprofit board member shared. “But if you and your board have the discipline to put that money in an endowment, you not only provide for the longevity of your organization – you also provide an easy answer to what can sometimes be a contentious question - ‘what do we do with this money?’”

“It’s about planning for the future,” Wellons concluded. “It’s about having the foresight to let your money work for you, while you continue to work for the community.”

The Community Foundation’s team stands ready and eager to help our nonprofit partners achieve their long-term investment goals. For more information about our nonprofit endowment services, visit our website for details or contact Tiffanie Purvis at [email protected].

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Welcoming New Faces to The Community Foundation Family

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We’re excited to welcome a new group of changemakers to The Community Foundation family – including new Trustees, Advisory Board members, and staff.

New Members of the Board of Trustees

Quanda M. Allen, CAP®
Senior Vice President
Senior Director of Integrated Relationship Management

Quanda M. Allen leads the corporate strategy that drives cross line of business referrals for wealth and insurance at Truist Bank, a top 10 U.S. institution with nearly 60,000 teammates and $548 billion in assets as of September 2022.

Prior to this role, Quanda was the Client and Advisor Experience Leader for the Specialty Wealth team which includes the Foundations and Endowments, Sports and Entertainment, Medical, Legal, Corporate Trust and Escrow and International divisions. As a key business partner, she drove revenue growth and brand awareness through integrated marketing and communications strategy, insightful thought leadership and differentiated client experiences.

Quanda is the founder and creative force behind the content marketing and thought leadership strategy for the Foundations and Endowments Specialty Practice. Under her executive leadership and oversight, the Practice refined its value proposition, rebranded all its marketing material, deployed an innovative online platform and developed more than 100 unique pieces of proprietary thought leadership content – several of which she authored. Her philosophy to wealth management marketing is rooted in delivering content-driven value in an efficient and effective manner while equipping advisors to build trust through deep personal relationships.

Quanda is an active Washington, DC community leader who serves on the board of Sitar Arts Center’s Executive, Investment and Capital Campaign committees. As a former board member, she was a founding co-chair of National Capital Area Boy Scouts of America’s ScoutReach program which is designed to bring scouting to inner city youth. Quanda’s community engagement has been recognized by Outstanding Atlanta (2009) and SunTrust Bank’s Presidential Volunteer Award program (2015-2018). She is a member of the 2020 class of Leadership Greater Washington and a 2024 Executive MBA candidate at the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business.

Michelle L. Bender, CFP®
President and Senior Advisor

Michelle grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and moved to the Washington, DC area shortly after college. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM and brings over 25 years of solid financial and asset management experience to Potomac Financial Consultants, LLC. During Michelle’s career she has held positions at Arthur Andersen, Private Wealth Advisors, and several other financial and asset management firms, including Potomac Financial Consultants, LLC.

She is a graduate of Seton Hill University with dual degrees in Accounting and Human Resource Management. Michelle achieved the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM designation through the College of Financial Planning. She is actively involved in the financial services industry, is a member of the Financial Planning Association, and is actively involved in the Million Dollar Round Table.  She volunteers her time with the MDRT Foundation in various roles each year.  Michelle is a Registered Representative of Kestra Advisory Services. She is currently a member of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce and Poolesville Chamber of Commerce, as well as a past president of Women Business Owners of Montgomery County.

In Michelle’s spare time, she spends time with her husband and twin children shuffling them between sporting events, as well as she enjoys time on her peloton or running in road races.

The Community Foundation would like to thank John Devine and Dr. Rayshawn Ray for their service on the Board of Trustees. John Devine joined the Board of Trustees in 2017, serving on the Board’s Executive Committee as Treasurer of the Board. Dr. Rayshawn Ray joined the Board of Trustees in 2020, and was a featured panelist at the 2022 Celebration of Philanthropy.

New Advisory Board Members-Montgomery County Advisory Board

Ron Franks
Bailey Wealth Advisors 

As Director of Operations at Bailey Wealth Advisors, Ron Franks is responsible for achieving maximum operational efficiency throughout the firm contributing to an exceptional client experience. Ron’s responsibilities include the review and assessment of current and future organizational structure, business succession planning, estate planning, portfolio advisory support as well as ensuring operational systems support current and future firm growth.

With over 10 years of experience in the legal and securities industry, Ron brings a depth of knowledge in areas of estate planning, securities, and regulatory compliance.  Ron holds a law degree from the University of Miami and bachelor’s from the University of Kansas.

In addition to his responsibilities, Ron maintains active presence in the local community. Ron has served as the vice chairman of the Mid-County Citizen’s Advisory Board (MCCAB) and as a member of the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Board (WUDAC).  Ron was also a member of County Executive Marc Erich’s Transition Team and is active with the Montgomery County Democratic party.

Mimi Brodsky Kress
Sandy Spring Builders 

Mimi Brodsky Kress got her start in the building industry after graduating from Colby College.  Her dad, builder Albert Brodsky, encouraged her to pursue an apprenticeship program which helped Mimi discover her love for the field, as she quickly rose in the ranks to become assistant superintendent.  After working for several companies, Mimi teamed up with her friend, Phil Leibovitz, to launch her own company, Sandy Spring Builders, which creates custom homes throughout the region.  One of the few women in the industry, Mimi often credits her mother for being her role model and demonstrating what a strong, independent woman can accomplish.  With her signature “take-charge” attitude, Mimi is the heart of the company’s philanthropic leadership, ensuring the team leverages its resources to strengthen the local community which has fostered its success.

A third generation Washingtonian, Mimi and her husband Michael instill the importance of giving back to their two children, Jenna and Max. Mimi is involved with several local charities, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Montgomery County (NAMI-MC) and Habitat for Humanity Metro Washington. She was honored as the Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year in 2022.

Craig Pernick
Chevy Chase Trust

As Senior Managing Director and Head of Fixed Income, Craig Pernick manages the fixed income investment strategies for Chevy Chase Trust and provides wealth management advice. Additionally, Craig oversees the trading of tax exempt and taxable fixed income assets. Craig has special knowledge of municipal and corporate bond trading and analysis with more than three decades in investment management.

Prior to joining Chevy Chase Trust in 2008, Craig managed fixed income portfolios at Asset Management Inc., an independent investment management company where he worked for six years. Craig also worked for sixteen years in institutional fixed income sales and trading with R.W. Corby and Co. and Artemis Capital.

Craig earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Business Administration from Wayne State University. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Montgomery County, Maryland Public Schools Retirement System Trust and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust and is on the Investment Committees of the Greater Washington Community Foundation and The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad. Craig has also been an emergency medical technician volunteer with the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad for 19 years. A 33-year resident of Montgomery County, Craig has been married to his wife Denise for 38 years, and they have two adult children who attended Montgomery County Public Schools.

Gail Wasserman

Gail Wasserman is recently retired from AstraZeneca/MedImmune, where she was Senior Vice President of Biopharmaceutical Development leading the global organization responsible for biologics product development.  Prior to joining AstraZeneca/MedImmune, Gail was engaged in natural products isolation and biopharmaceutical process development at GlaxoSmithKline.  Gail holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Montclair State University and received a MS in biochemistry and a PhD in chemistry from The Pennsylvania State University.

She is the incoming chair of the board of the Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology at Montgomery College. Gail previously served as a member of the Visiting Committee for Advanced Technology for the National Institute for Standards and Technology, and the Biopharmaceutical Innovation Board of the University of Delaware.  She received the Outstanding Science Alumni Award and the Alumni Fellow Award from The Pennsylvania State University and was named as a PharmaVOICE 100 most inspiring leader in the life-sciences industry.

New Advisory Board Members-Prince George’s County Advisory Board

Michael A. Echols CISSP, MBA
Board Member University of Maryland Smith School
Board Member Hispanic Heritage Foundation
Board Member IACI – Kennedy Space Center
Community Foundation – Prince Georges County Advisory

Michael A. Echols (Mike), is CEO of Max Cybersecurity LLC, located in Washington DC. He previously spent 10 years in critical infrastructure protection and cybersecurity leadership at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Mike led several White House national security and stakeholder engagement risk initiatives. In 2015, Mike was the point-person for the rollout of President Obama’s Executive Order 13691 on Cyber Threat Information Sharing. While at DHS he also Chaired interagency committees related to GPS, convergence, risk management, cyber risk in government contracting, and assessed the cybersecurity of the nation’s small businesses.

Mike was Chairman of the Communications Sector where he led national risk assessment efforts across wireline, wireless, cable, broadcast and satellite. Mike was also the Designated Federal Official for the President’s NSTAC – 30 CEO level members from Defense, IT and Comm Sector companies making recommendations to the President. Mike Chaired the Network Security Information Exchange consisting of cybersecurity experts from Canada, UK, Australia, Canada and the U.S. He also served as the U.S. Representative to the NATO CCPC in Brussels. Mike led classified and unclassified information sharing programs with corporate member’s revenues accounting for 10-15% of U.S. GDP.

Mike is now an international speaker on national resilience and has authored four Forbes online articles on Smart technology. He was featured on a PBS cybersecurity special called “Roadtrip Nation.” Mike is a magazine columnist and 2020 book Author.

His company, Max Cybersecurity, is focused on building a national culture of cybersecurity and national resilience. His clients include the US Army Corps of Engineers, DHS, critical infrastructure entities, and the Walmart.

Mike is a graduate of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative – Harvard Kennedy School of Public Health and cohort of the Federal Executive Institute. He holds a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Science in Biotechnology, a Graduate Certificate in Technology Management from University of Maryland University College. His Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is from the University of Maryland. Mike was the UMUC Distinguished Alumni in 2018.

Diana Leon-Brown
President, Artem Ventures, LLC

Diana Leon Brown has delivered exceptional and measurable public-private partnership results for over 25 years. She previously served as the Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Prince George’s County Executive’s Office and currently serves as Principal for Artem Ventures, LLC. 

Diana’s seasoned knowledge and relationships in the Federal, Maryland State and Local governments allow her to navigate economic development by identifying public and private strategic benefits and outcomes. Known as a compelling communicator and storyteller she is highly sought after for keynote speaking engagements and panel discussions.

Dedicated to her mantra. “Do Good, While Doing Well,” Diana cultivates national and global leadership opportunities, exploring ways for businesses, nonprofits and rising leaders to build generational legacy. Over the last 20 years, Diana has been committed to cultivating the next generation of leaders. She has served on numerous boards and chaired several executive, business and governance committees.

Diana’s national track record is juxtaposed by her extensive global cross-sector leadership roles. As Executive Director of the Artem Leadership Institute, she developed high-level international programs and events with the United Nations, Organization of American States, and the Women’s Global Initiative in Africa and Dubai.

Ms. Brown also had the honor of serving as the appointed political liaison on behalf of the Haitian Diaspora Federation for the Obama Administration’s Office of Public Engagement created to develop partnerships in response to the Haitian Earthquake of 2010. Her efforts raised over 40 million dollars in aid and investments.

Dannielle Glaros
Assistant VP & Chief of Staff of Administration, University of Maryland

Bio Coming Soon!

Julian C. Curry (Bio & Headshot Coming Soon)

New Staff Members

Michelle Castillo, Staff Accountant

Michelle joined the Greater Washington Community Foundation in May 2023 as the Staff Accountant. In her role, Michelle provides support to accounting, grants, accounts payable and financial reporting, working closely with the Controller and Director of Finance.

Michelle joins us from the Carlyle Group where she worked for five and a half years. She is originally from Suriname, a small country in South America. Her native language is Dutch.


Benton Murphy, Director of Fund Administration & Special Projects

Benton currently serves as Director of Fund Administration and Special Projects at The Greater Washington Community Foundation. In this role, provides overall fund administration and impact measurement functions, enhances the organization’s fundholder engagement work through effective data segmentation, and supports the overall business operations of the organization. Benton has nearly 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, originally coming to the Community Foundation in January 2004. Prior to his current role, Benton served as Senior Program Officer as well as Interim Vice President for Community Investment where he focused on projects addressing racial and social justice, workforce development, and education. Benton holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from The George Washington University and an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington, Seattle.

Eliza Tolbert-Howard, Development Officer, Prince George’s County

Eliza is a California native who joined the Greater Washington Community Foundation in May 2023 as a Development Officer. Her current role on the Prince George's County team includes Development, Donor Services, Marketing, Communications, and Event Planning. Before joining the Community Foundation, Eliza spent four years working in nonprofit spaces. She holds an undergraduate degree in Communications from California State University, Fullerton. Eliza is passionate about access and equality for women, minorities, and low-income individuals. In her free time, she enjoys the arts and personal development.

Yasmin Barakat, Executive Assistant

Yasmine joined The Community Foundation in June 2023. As the Executive Assistant, she provides high-level administrative support to the Executive Office. Yasmine has six years of experience in the administrative and legal field bringing a diverse skillset. Throughout her career, she’s worked on various projects, including high-risk immigration cases to help clients obtain their citizenship. A lover of animals, nature, and spending time with her family, Yasmine is thrilled to be joining The Community Foundation team and to leverage its individual strengths to make a significant impact.