The small but mighty team behind Joyful Hands - a first-time nonprofit partner with Sharing NoVA that works to provide education, literacy and access to community resources in the Richmond Highway Corridor.
For Yolonda Earl-Thompson, making a difference in the community has always started in one place – in the community.
“Community-led efforts are important because they bring humanity and trust into the change that the community seeks,” Earl-Thompson shared.
“When change happens from within the community, it is a seed planted that takes root and encourages future community members to value and evolve the work.”
Currently the founder and Executive Director of mental health advocacy nonprofit, LAZERA Ministries, Earl-Thompson has more than a decade of experience in community-based advocacy and nonprofit work in the Richmond Highway Corridor in Southeast Fairfax County – one of the priority neighborhoods identified by The Community Foundation in its 10 Year Strategic Plan.
So when The Community Foundation decided to launch its Sharing Northern Virginia initiative, this past year, they asked Earl-Thompson to help facilitate -- ensuring that the new initiative would have the greatest possible impact on communities in Northern Virginia.
“Sharing Community Funds are designed to connect donors to the organizations that are doing the most good in their community – no matter how big or small they are,” shared Benton Murphy, Director of Fund Administration and Special Projects at The Community Foundation.
First launched in Montgomery County and later in neighboring DC & Prince George’s County, The Community Foundation’s Sharing Community Funds are designed to bring together donors who share passion for building more equitable, just, and thriving communities.
A community event with Loving Hands Touch Ministry, Inc, a nonprofit partners with the new Sharing Northern Virginia initiative that provides essential human services to underserved communities.
Facilitated by The Community Foundation’s staff and partners like Earl-Thompson, Sharing donors learn first-hand about the challenges facing their specific community. Together, they meet with and make impactful grants to visionary nonprofits working on the frontlines of our region’s most pressing needs.
Across the region, the initiatives have already had a tremendous impact -- distributing more than $2.7 million to dozens of nonprofit organizations in DC, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County since 2022 alone.
For the inaugural launch of Sharing Northern Virginia, The Community Foundation convened a small group of community leaders and professional advisors like Lindsay Shetterly to be a part of this exciting initiative. Shetterly is a wealth advisor who works with clients to help them maximize the impact of their charitable giving.
“Through the Sharing NoVA program, I learned from local leaders about the diversity and depth of needs in our community,” Shetterly explained. “While many of these organizations are young and still building their foundations, their work is incredibly meaningful and crucial to many. They are changing lives.”
“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of this initiative. I am now more aware of how I can support and serve the organizations that are bridging the gaps, creating pathways for success, and inspiring people to make their dreams a reality.”
Working with Earl-Thompson, the Sharing Northern Virginia committee met with several nonprofit organizations based in The Community Foundation’s priority neighborhoods in Richmond Highway and Bailey’s Crossroads. Committee members learned about the history of the communities, as well as ongoing issues of food insecurity, accessibility of transportation and educational opportunities, and other pressing community issues that nonprofits are working tirelessly to meet in their communities.
“It’s important that we take the time to not only meet the people doing the work, but also to understand the community where the work is being done,” Earl-Thompson shared. “The better we can understand the community, the more impactful our investments can be.”
Hardemon Dynasty, Inc a nonprofit partners with the Sharing Northern Virginia initiative that provides affordable housing and wrap-around services to young adults aging out of foster care.
At the end of the process, the Sharing Northern Virginia Committee awarded a total of $100,000 in multi-year funding to eight different nonprofit organizations. The grants were awarded towards general operating costs – allowing organizations to invest in their infrastructure and sustainability. What is especially exciting is that many of these organizations were receiving a grant from The Community Foundation for the very first time.
“What makes Sharing Funds unique is that we have an opportunity to fund organizations that haven’t yet received the funding or recognition that they deserve,” Benton added. “A lot of them are younger, innovative organizations that are doing incredible work, but don’t have the capacity, staffing or connections to go after big grants or media opportunities.”
Organizations like Joyful Hands – a small nonprofit that has been providing access to school supplies and nutritious food to over 300 school-age children in the Richmond Highway corridor.
“We are incredibly enthusiastic about the opportunity to increase our service capacity in our community,” Founder Elizabeth T. Rainey shared. “This multi-year funding will help us expand our reach, deepen our impact, and enhance our community programs.”
The Community Foundation plans to use the multi-year funding as a platform to create a cohort with the eight nonprofit partners – allowing them to learn from each other and collaborate in order to have an even greater impact on the community. The cohort will also provide a forum for The Community Foundation and future Sharing Northern Virginia committees to learn more about community needs and discuss ways to make more innovative and impactful investments in future funding rounds.
Click here to Meet the 2024 Sharing Northern Virginia Nonprofit Partners!
Want to get involved in Sharing Northern Virginia and find ways to make meaningful investments in your community?
New committee members are always welcome! Contact Benton Murphy at [email protected]