Planting Seeds for Prosperity: Sharing Montgomery Explores Strategies to Advance Food Security for All

As Thanksgiving approaches, many in our community continue to struggle to put food on the table. According to the USDA, 13.5 percent of households in America struggled with hunger during 2023. For households in the DMV, that same statistic is closer to 37 percent – this from the latest Hunger Report released by the Capital Area Food Bank.

To confront this issue locally, The Community Foundation recently brought together passionate donors, partners, and nonprofit leaders to explore how we can ecologically sustain our local environment while fostering healthy, thriving communities for all.

Anna Hargrave, The Community Foundation’s Executive Director for Montgomery County, kicked off the lunch by acknowledging the Montgomery County Advisory Board and donors who fueled our Food for Montgomery campaign to address the spike in food insecurity caused by the pandemic.

“COVID challenged us to stretch our imaginations about what’s possible, forge new partnerships, and find bold, creative solutions,” Hargrave noted as she praised the frontline nonprofit partners who deployed Food for Montgomery’s $2.6 million in grants to bring relief to thousands.  “Now we must ask, how do we build on that incredible work to create a truly equitable, sustainable and resilient food system for all?”

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AfriThrive: Poolsville FarmAugust 25th 2024©Rebecca Drobis All Rights Reserved

Nanya Chiejine, Executive Director, and Allison Schnitzer, Food Access Initiatives Director, at the Montgomery County Food Council provided an overview of the county’s food system and the landscape of need today.

Chiejine and Schnitzer shared how even after the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity continues to be a major concern across the region and the country. Even as COVID cases have declined and unemployment has inched towards pre-pandemic levels, food insecurity has dramatically increased in recent years – both nationally and locally -- as inflation and the rollback of COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts have left many families struggling to put food on the table.

In Montgomery County, the Hunger Report found that food insecurity increased from 27% in 2023, to 34% in 2024 -- a sobering statistic for over 300,000 residents who live just at or below the County’s self-sufficiency standard – the amount of income needed to cover the cost for basic needs. Many of these individuals earn too much to qualify for federal nutrition benefit programs, but too little to consistently make ends meet. 

Chiejine and Schnitzer were followed by two panels featuring Truphena Choti of AfriThrive and Jennifer Freeman of Community FarmShare who illuminated the connection between fresh food and health, and Lauren Goldberg of Crossroads Community Food Network and Woody Woodroof of the Red Wiggler Community Farm who discussed opportunities to leverage farms to advance economic mobility.

Here are some takeaways from the conversation:

• Fresh local produce is better for people and the planet. Our partners from AfriThrive and Community FarmShare have seen firsthand how increased access to fresh foods helps improve both mental and physical health, in addition to decreasing risks for diet-related illnesses such as hypertension and heart disease. 

• Access to land is a major barrier to expansion of these highly effective strategies.  Given that the majority of small farm owners are over the age of 65, philanthropy and government need to work together to create greater access to the next generation of farmers.

•   In order to be truly viable as a solution to food insecurity, organizations must incorporate both biodiversity for sustainability and culturally specific foods to meet the needs of our diverse populations.  

• When it comes to defining success, funders need to adapt a holistic perspective, rather than relying on limited/simplistic output numbers to determine success.  For example, there are many highly nutritious greens and herbs which are key to preparing traditional dishes from other countries.  However, funders that are only impressed by the total pounds of food distributed will overlook the importance of these vitally important veggies that do not weigh much.  Therefore, funders should consider both overall quality and the quantity of production as well as depth of community partners.

• Like agriculture itself, growth in the food industry requires time, patience, and continual cultivation – especially for young farmers and food entrepreneurs. Many of them work full-time jobs outside of their farming and lack the capital to invest in their businesses.

• Combating food insecurity strengthens the local economy as every $1 in SNAP benefits generates as much as $1.80 in local economic activity. Montgomery County has the largest "SNAP Gap" in Maryland - residents who are eligible but not enrolled due to numerous barriers and the complexity of the enrollment process. Closing the "SNAP Gap" will maximize federal dollars to support both the food security of our residents and the health of our local economy. 

“The Community Foundation is committed to working to ensure that everyone in our community has access to healthy and nutritious food,” reflected Hargrave at the end of the event. “We are grateful to all our donors and partners for your continued support and efforts as we work to ensure a future where no one goes hungry and everyone can prosper.”

To learn more about upcoming in-person and virtual visits plus other learning opportunities, contact Olivia Hsu at [email protected].

Stronger Together - Our Commitment To Greater Washington

This week, we reaffirm our commitment to the values that have guided the Greater Washington Community Foundation for over 50 years as we work to strengthen our region. Our work has endured through many changes in political leadership, and each transition brings its own impact to our community. In these times, we stay true to our purpose— to build racially equitable, just, and thriving communities so that people of all races, places, and identities can reach their full potential.

As your community foundation, we believe in the power of community and stand in solidarity with our partners working to help the most vulnerable or marginalized among us. We reaffirm our commitment to actively listening to our community to ensure their needs and experiences guide our work. We pledge to actively deploy our resources, voice, and efforts to build a stronger, more inclusive, and resilient region where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Washington, DC, is not only the capital of our democracy but also a vibrant community of individuals dedicated to strengthening our shared future. By working together, we have the power and the potential for creating deeper, more lasting impact toward achieving economic justice and prosperity for all. 

Unlocking the Power of Guaranteed Income in the DMV

Earlier this month, The Community Foundation gathered with guaranteed income advocates from across the region to discuss how to amplify the effects of guaranteed income pilots in the Greater Washington region.

“At The Community Foundation, we believe that guaranteed income is one of the best ways that we can combat poverty with dignity” The Community Foundation’s President & CEO Tonia Wellons shared. “That’s why we’re so excited to convene so many incredible changemakers in this space and discuss how we can continue this work in our region!”

The meeting brought together representatives from nine different guaranteed income across DC, Maryland, and Virginia, including Bread for the City’s Cash Rx, Arlington Community Foundation’s Arlington’s Guarantee, City of Alexandria’s ARISE, iF, a Foundation for Radical Possibility’s Let’s GO DMV!, My Sister’s Place’s RISE Trust, Fairfax County Economic Mobility Pilot, Montgomery County’s MoCoBoost, Mothers Outreach Network’s MotherUp, and The Community Foundation’s Thrive Prince George’s.

A graphic captured by Belinda Jackson at Picture it Possible, showcases the various guaranteed income pilots that attended the convening.

“We’ve seen the impact that guaranteed income has had across the country,” shared Mandi Koba, Program Officer for Economic Mobility at The Community Foundation. “Now we have a chance to explore the impact that it has had – and will hopefully continue to have in the DMV!”

Nationally, there are more than 150 guaranteed income pilots that are currently active or recently concluded – including at least 12 different pilots in Greater Washington region.

Mary Bogle, Principal Research Associate at the Urban Institute provides an overview of guaranteed income pilots across the country.

During the event, representatives had the chance to network with peers from across the region and share best practices. They also heard a presentation from Mary Bogle, Principal Research Associate at the Urban Institute about guaranteed income pilot best practices and trends, nationally. Bogle and her team at Urban have provided research and evaluation for guaranteed income pilots across the country and the region.

“The socioeconomic impact of guaranteed income is clearly positive,” Bogle shared. “What we need is to continue to research and advocate for more funding so we can discover the scope and scale of that impact for our community.”

After Bogle’s presentation, representatives were divided into break-out groups to discuss various themes relative to guaranteed income work including Narrative Building, How to go from Pilot to Policy, and ‘Failing Forward: Best Practices for Project Implementation.

A graphic captured by Belinda Jackson at Picture it Possible, highlights the main takeaways discussed in each of the various break-out groups.

In the “Failing Forward” group, participants talked about the importance of working with funders to build relationships of trust in order to communicate outcomes and impact within a realistic, holistic lens – but also to be innovative in the types of outcomes they measure – outcomes like improved mental health or increased time spent with children that may fall outside traditional benchmarks for programmatic success

Meanwhile, the Narrative Building group discussed the importance of storytelling and narrative building in painting an accurate picture of the impact of guaranteed income initiatives.

“Welfare queens, ‘Pulling yourself up by your bootstraps’ – there are so many negative narratives out there that don’t accurately represent the realities faced by those we serve,” shared one representative. “As we work with our participants to empower them to share their own stories, we are able to elevate narratives of dignity and community that are the backbone of this work.”

Finally, the pilot to policy group discussed ways to leverage narrative building and evaluation findings to plan for the future – by advocating for funding and policy to continue their efforts at scale.

Across the board, partners expressed the need to continue to collaborate across jurisdictions to share information, combat false narratives, and continue to advocate for funding and support across the region.

“Collaboration and partnership is the key to bringing about lasting and sustainable change,” Wellons added. “We look forward to continuing to partner with all of you, as we work together to promote economic mobility in the Greater Washington region.”

The Community Foundation is committed to continuing to invest in, advocate for, and support the progression of guaranteed income pilot programs across the Greater Washington region. For more information, visit https://www.thecommunityfoundation.org/guaranteed-income

Announcing the 2024 David Bradt Nonprofit Leadership Award Winners

As nonprofit leaders in Greater Washington, Rachna Singal Krishnan, Hugo Mogollon, and Tiffany Williams are invested in improving and advancing their organizations—and themselves. This year, we’re excited to announce them as our fifth annual David Bradt Nonprofit Leadership Awardees. Krishnan, CEO & Executive Director of The Women’s Center, Mogollon, Executive Director of FRESHFARM, and Williams, CEO of Martha’s Table, will each receive up to $15,000 to attend an intensive executive training program of their choice.

Launched in 2017 as a salute to former trustee David Bradt and his many years of service to our community, the David Bradt Nonprofit Education Fund supports senior level nonprofit leaders in advancing their careers and leadership skills. Local business leader Alex Orfinger and Diane Tipton, David’s wife, established the Fund to surprise and honor David. 

Tonia Wellons, President and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, extends her congratulations to this year’s class:

“Congratulations to the 2024 awardees!  We are thankful for all you have done and will continue to do to strengthen our community. The Community Foundation is so pleased to support investments in exceptional nonprofit leaders and support the Fund’s impact in our region.  Our thanks to David for the inspiration, and to Diane and Alex for creating such a wonderful way in which to honor him.” 

Read on to meet these inspiring local leaders.  

Rachna Singal Krishnan, CEO and Executive Director at The Women's Center since 2020, leads a dedicated team to significantly improve the mental health and well-being of all members of the community through counselling, education and support - regardless of ability to pay. During her leadership, The Women's Center successfully developed and implemented its first strategic plan that focused on creating a diverse workforce, aligning programs to meet the specific needs in our community, building a sound financial foundation, and evolving infrastructure and operations for sustainability and growth.  Rachna received the 2021 Northern Virginia Leadership COVID19 Hero Award from Leadership Fairfax and The Women's Center received an award from the Human Services Alliance of Greater Prince William. Rachna earned her MBA and BS in Economics from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania where she graduated with honors. She plans to use the award to attend Harvard Business School's Program on Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management. 

Hugo Mogollon is the Executive Director of FRESHFARM, a nonprofit improving food access in the DC Metro Area while creating opportunities for farmers in the mid-Atlantic region. He is a results-oriented leader with 15 years of management experience in multicultural settings. Under his leadership, FRESHFARM has become the country's third-largest network of farmers markets. He also developed an innovative low-infrastructure food distribution model connecting underserved communities to locally grown food, generating significant revenue for family farms. He holds a Master’s degree in Natural Resources and Leadership for Sustainability from Virginia Tech and has completed executive programs at Stanford University Graduate School of Business and Northwestern, Kellogg. Hugo proudly serves on the FARM Policy Committee at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and has held various board leadership positions in regional and national food system organizations. Hugo plans to use the award to attend Kellogg’s executive program on Driving Organizational Change.

Tiffany Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Martha’s Table, is a visionary advocate and community champion with more than 25 years of experience as an education and nonprofit leader. A seasoned strategist, Tiffany has spent her career working to advance equitable and inclusive solutions for communities that have been historically underserved and is driven by the belief that every Washingtonian deserves the opportunity to thrive. Since 2017, Williams has held multiple leadership positions at Martha’s Table, including as Chief Program Officer, where she directed and designed the organization’s expanded offerings. Previously, Williams was Director of Healthy Start Education and Assistant Head of School at the National Child Research Center (NCRC). Originally from Harlem, NY, Tiffany has made DC her home and dedicated her career to community service. Her educational journey includes a Master’s in Organization Development from American University, a BA in Psychology from Lincoln University, PA, and a certification as a coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Tiffany plans to use the award to participate in Leadership Greater Washington’s Signature Program Class of 2025.

Brilliant Futures Principal Recognized as 2024 Bethesda Magazine Women Who Inspire

On August 28, Bethesda Magazine announced the 2024 Women Who Inspire Recipients - six women who are making change in Montgomery County and beyond.

The Following is an excerpt from the Bethesda Magazine profile written on Rosario ‘Paola’ Velasquez, Principal of Jackson Road Elementary School and a key figure behind The Community Foundation’s Brilliant Futures program which launched this past Summer.

Authorship Credit - Amy Halpern, Bethesda Magazine

As soon as Paola Velasquez opens the classroom door, a swarm of kindergartners drape their arms around her in a tight embrace. Little girls with box braids and pigtails, little boys with cornrows and close-cropped Afros—some with shy smiles, others with excited laughs—they quickly pile on, and the hug circle around their principal grows bigger and bigger. The same thing happens in nearly every classroom she enters.

It’s been five years since Velasquez, 44, took over the reins of Jackson Road Elementary School in Silver Spring’s White Oak neighborhood. It’s a Title 1 school with a minority population of more than 95%, where more than 75% of the students qualify for free meals. She started in the role only months before the pandemic hit. Since she’s been at the helm, the school rose from a 3-star rating to a 4-star, according to the Maryland State Department of Education, making it one of only four Title 1 elementary schools in the county (out of 40, according to Velasquez) to earn a 4-star rating for the 2022-23 school year, the most current rating year available. “Many schools throughout the state decreased a star, but we increased,” she says. 

The school now offers free evening English language classes for parents and guardians (along with free child care); a soccer program; two private-practice therapists who administer one-on-one mental health services to students at no charge; a dentist who cleans students’ teeth for free; and an optometrist who provides complimentary vision checks and eyeglasses, says Chris Callisto, Jackson Road’s Community School Liaison.

During the 2023-24 school year, Jackson Road opened a food pantry, and it began sending bags of food home on Fridays to 80 families. “When you are a child … and your basic needs aren’t being met because of poverty, you’re not thinking so much about going to college … you’re more worried about getting something to eat or clothing or making sure that you’re not going to be homeless,” Velasquez says.

Velasquez knows what it’s like to grow up poor in Montgomery County. She came here from Peru with her parents and three brothers when she was 8. All six lived in the basement of a relative’s house in Germantown while her dad worked as a janitor and painter, and her mom cleaned houses. Her parents saved enough money to move into an apartment, and eventually to buy a small home in Germantown.

When Velasquez graduated from Seneca Valley High School in Germantown in 1998, she watched as other students went off to college. She hadn’t been instructed how to sign up for SATs, fill out college applications or plan for her future. Instead, she took a job as an aide at a day care center, saved money to buy a car, then to pay for classes at Montgomery College, and then to earn her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at the University of Maryland, College Park…..

…….“Sometimes, you know, we have kids who … are having a hard time, they’re going through … a crisis, basically [and] it can take … hours out of my day for me to talk to that child,” Velasquez says. “They’re not ready to learn.”

But her goal is to keep them learning and all the while feeling confident and supported. After all, she says, “they’re going to be the ones who are going to be leading us in the future.”…..

Click here to read the full article.

To learn more about Brilliant Futures and how you can get involved, visit https://www.togetherweprosperdmv.org/brilliant-futures

Patrice Brickman – Empowering Entrepreneurs by Bridging the Investment Gap

From left to right - Tonia Wellons, Patrice Brickman, Leah Brickman, and Anna Hargrave enjoy each other’s company at a July 2024 Table Talk gathering with donors and friends in Montgomery County.

For Patrice Brickman, giving back to the community has always been about more than just signing a check – it’s about working to make a difference.

“It’s not enough for us to simply throw money at something,” Patrice shared. “We need to be intentional and purposeful about investing in initiatives that will build community and change people’s lives.” 

As a long-time resident of Montgomery County, Patrice has been involved with The Community Foundation for more than a decade. In 2012, Patrice was honored as the Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year and joined The Community Foundation’s Montgomery County Advisory Board in 2017. Later, she was among the earliest investors in The Community Foundation’s impact investment offering through Partnership to End Homelessness. She also served on the boards of a host of local nonprofit organizations including the Washington Area Women’s Foundation, Children’s National Hospital Foundation, Halcyon, and Ascend at the Aspen Institute.

At a recent Table Talks luncheon event, part of a new series of small group conversations for Community Foundation donors to break bread while building common purpose, Patrice and her daughter Leah shared how they have shifted their philanthropic strategy in recent years to harness both their investments and grants toward achieving their goal of greater equity and opportunities. Patrice shared that arguably the family’s biggest impact has been felt not in the board room but within the world of venture capital and entrepreneurship.

Tackling the Gender & Racial Investment Gap

Patrice was first exposed to the world of venture capital in 1998, when her family business took on their first private equity partners. Over the next few years, she witnessed firsthand how fundamental venture capital is to helping any business scale and grow. 

Inspired by this experience, she decided to start her own venture capital firm and set out to learn more about the field – enrolling in prestigious Executive programs at Stanford and Harvard University. However, upon arriving for her classes, she quickly noticed something about the diversity -or lack thereof – within the classroom.

“Out of 100 participants in the program, only nine of us were women,” Patrice remembered. “I realized that if there were this few females in the classroom, there probably weren’t a lot of them getting funded either.”

The racial and gender gaps in the venture capitalist field are among the starkest in the country. Just 18% of venture capitalists are female. Less than 5% are Black or Latino.

At the same time, female entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color receive very little venture capital funding – less than 3% of all venture capital funding goes to female entrepreneurs – and just 1% for Black entrepreneurs – compared to their primarily white, male counterparts (76% of funding in 2023).

Recognizing the need for more equitable capital investment, in 2015, Patrice launched Inspire Capital LLC, a capital investment firm with the mission of investing in predominantly women and minority-led businesses and became a co-founder of WE Capital – which focuses exclusively investing on women-led startups.

Unlocking the Power of Donor-advised funds

Moved by the murder of George Floyd in 2020, Patrice and her team felt a strong urge to find ways take their work to the next level.

“We needed a new avenue to shift the financial meter and invest more significant resources into communities of color,” Patrice shared. “After some research, we realized that donor-advised funds represented a huge opportunity.”

Donor-advised funds (DAFs) represent a large percentage of private philanthropic capital in the United States – roughly $229 billion in 2022. In 2022, DAFs accounted for $52.16 billion in grantmaking to nonprofit organizations across the country. Patrice wanted to find a way to leverage the remaining $177 billion to help entrepreneurs.

In January 2024, Patrice and her daughter Leah launched Inspire Access, a nonprofit that invests philanthropic dollars to funds and companies led by female and diverse founders.

As a 501(c)(3), Inspire Access is eligible to receive contributions from DAF’s and invest them directly in start-ups led by women and entrepreneurs of color. After a certain period of time, any returns made on the investment are reinvested in the original DAF – allowing the fund to continue operating and generating capital to support even more entrepreneurs.

“We’re trying to get people thinking about the possibilities,” Leah shared. “Both in the philanthropic world and in the business world – we need to reimagine what is possible by making the most of the tools we already have.”

Within a few short months, the nonprofit has already gotten off to a great start – investing in exciting environmental impact projects like Everybody Water and Bold Reuse, and Black-led venture capital projects like the Black Star Fund.

In addition to providing their founders with access to DAF capital, Patrice and Leah say they also strive to be a network builder for entrepreneurs.

“We want to be more of a connector than a provider,” Patrice and Leah explained. “Whether it be financial capital, business relations, or community connections -- our goal is to connect our founders to the resources they need to succeed.”

For more information on how to make an investment through your donor-advised fund at The Community Foundation, visit Inspire Access or contact our Donor Services team at [email protected]

Welcoming New Faces to The Community Foundation

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. 

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

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. 

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"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.  

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

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

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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.”

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“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

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

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.

Faces of Sharing - Getting to Know Sharing Montgomery's Ana Morales

Ana Morales has been a proud member of Sharing Montgomery for the past three years – including serving as Chair/Co-Chair of the committee for the past two years.

“I love learning about the needs in our county and admire the incredible efforts of so many people and organizations in our community who are dedicated to addressing them,” Morales shared of her experience. 

For Morales, Sharing Montgomery’s work has also been a way to grow closer to a community she knows and loves.  Born in Guatemala, she immigrated to the United States at the age of 9 and has called Montgomery County home for most of her life. She attended Montgomery County Public Schools and vividly recalls taking ESOL classes in elementary school at a time when the county’s immigrant community was growing rapidly.

Morales now serves as Senior Vice President and Director of Treasury Management at Founders Bank.  She started her banking career in Embassy and International Banking but has predominantly focused on Commercial Banking within local community banks.

Morales says that while her career provided her with opportunities to participate in fundraisers and events for various nonprofits – including serving on the board of several influential nonprofit organizations -- Morales felt like she was not getting the complete picture.

“I think it’s easy for many of us to stay within our bubbles and not know what’s going on outside of the world that we live in,” Morales shared. “I’ve always wanted to learn about the county I’ve lived in for so long and better understand what some of the challenges are, so I can better support the people who are in support of those in need.”

Ana at an event for NAMI-Montgomery County, where she serves on the Board of Directors.

That’s when her friend Steve Hull, a long-time supporter and member of The Community Foundation Advisory Board in Montgomery County invited her to learn more about The Community Foundation and the Sharing Montgomery initiative.

The invitation came about a year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic – a critical time for nonprofits which continued to struggle to meet growing needs across our region.

“I was really impressed with The Community Foundation’s response and involvement during and following the COVID pandemic,” Morales shared. “It was inspiring to watch them build bridges between nonprofits and empower these organizations to mobilize and meet needs in the community – putting all the pieces together to build people up.”

Morales joined both the Montgomery County Advisory Board and Sharing Montgomery Grants Committee in 2021. She quickly gained an appreciation of The Community Foundation’s vision to close the racial wealth gap.

“As an immigrant working in the banking industry, I really connect to the importance of promoting economic mobility,” Morales shared. “Through The Community Foundation and the Sharing Montgomery initiative, I’ve been able to see how my contributions can play a role in that.”

On one occasion, Morales recalls being introduced to a nonprofit partner which works to help Latino and immigrant students in Mongomery County maximize their potential.

“The more I heard about the work they do and attended their events through Sharing, the more I could see my experience mirrored in the kids they serve,” Morales shared. “I know what it’s like to be a young person in a foreign place and all the challenges that come with it. Seeing them helped me realize that I could do more for my community.”

Morales went on to join the board of directors of that Sharing Montgomery grantee organization, while continuing her leadership work of inspiring more people to give and join in the Sharing Montgomery learning journey. 

Ana with team members from The Community Foundation in Montgomery County after announcing the Sharing Montgomery 2023 cohort of nonprofit partners.

“Sharing Montgomery is a place where you can see all of the various needs that there are in a county that many consider to be very affluent,” Morales shared. “I love that Sharing Montgomery is a platform for us to have a candid look at our county’s needs and challenges in an organized, methodical, and analytical way while focusing on the mission of empowering local nonprofits to do more.”

In addition to her board involvement, Morales says that being a part of Sharing Montgomery has inspired her to be more intentional in her personal philanthropy of giving back to her community, making it a bigger part of her long-term plans and life-goals.

“No matter what touches your heart, The Community Foundation will guide you to find not only the right causes and organizations to support, but also the right ways that you can support them and make a difference in your community.”

Want to get involved? The Sharing Montgomery Fund Committee welcomes new members. Contact Olivia Hsu ([email protected])  to find out more about how you can be a part of this impactful fund!

Learning Together: Launching the Community Impact Forum Series

On April 18, The Community Foundation kicked off our Community Impact Forum series at Imagination Stage in downtown Bethesda. The event (formerly known as the Funder roundtable) is set to be the first in series of Impact Forums that The Community Foundation will host across our region to bring together fundholders, board members, corporate funders, and leaders from local private foundations.

The events – which have a strict no-solicitation policy – are designed to help participants learn more about the region and exchange ideas with other people who share a passion for strengthening the local community. 

“The Impact Forum is designed to bring us together to better understand the needs we’re experiencing in communities, look at the lessons we’ve learned from the past, and discuss the strategies we can collaborate on to solve for the future,” shared Tonia Wellons, President & CEO of The Community Foundation.

Following the warm welcome from our CEO, guests heard from Darius Graham, Managing Director of Community Investment at The Community Foundation about the soon-to-be-released VoicesDMV Community Insights report.

The VoicesDMV Community Insights report is part of a comprehensive civic engagement initiative originally launched by The Community Foundation in 2017. This year, The Community Foundation has partnered with Gallup to conduct a regional survey to uncover how residents are doing, what challenges they are facing, what their hopes and dreams for the future are, and how they view important issues.

“Effective community work starts with hearing the voices within our community,” Graham explained as he shared some exclusive findings from the report. “That’s why we are excited to share this critical resource with all of you. Together, we can use these findings to not only drive future dialogue, but also future investments.”

To learn more, be sure to register for VoicesDMV’s official release event on Tuesday, May 21 at 10 a.m. More information about the event is available on our website.

Following the presentation, Anna Hargrave, Executive Director for Montgomery County, moderated a conversation with Alan Berube, Interim Vice President and Director of Brookings Metro and co-author of the book Confronting Suburban Poverty in America.

“We are at a point in this country where poverty is more pervasive in the suburbs than it is in big cities,” Berube shared when asked to respond to insights from the VoicesDMV report. “When we talk about how we address poverty in suburbs – like Montgomery County – we have to talk about the systemic barriers that are contributing to it.”

Berube explained that most suburban communities in America were not originally designed with the infrastructure necessary to serve families living below the federal poverty line.

As more families from diverse racial and socio-economic backgrounds have migrated to the suburbs in recent decades, many jurisdictions have been struggled to develop systems such as public transportation systems, scalable wrap-around services, and other basic aspects of anti-poverty infrastructure that are often more readily accessible in larger cities.

“The pandemic magnified these needs all around the country but especially in the suburbs,” Berube outlined. “The number of people living below the Federal Poverty Line in the suburbs is now three times higher than those living in larger cities.”

“Fortunately, many community foundations have played a huge role at stepping in and mobilizing to meet those needs.”

Berube applauded the Greater Washington Community Foundation for collaborating with local leadership to establish community partnerships that have allowed nonprofits to expand into Montgomery County, begin to address some of these infrastructure gaps, and push for systemic change that will help the entire community. He encouraged donors and community leaders to continue to seek out and fund organizations – especially smaller community-led nonprofits -- that see and treat the “whole family”, as opposed to solving for isolated issues.

Attendees left the event feeling energized to continue the conversation and work together to address our community’s most pressing needs.

If you’d like to learn more about future convenings, please contact Anna Hargrave at [email protected].

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

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

• Sharing DC

  •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.

• Sharing Montgomery

  •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.

• Sharing Northern Virginia

  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

• Sharing DC

  •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.

• Sharing Montgomery

  •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.

• Sharing Northern Virginia

  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.

• Sharing Prince George's

  •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

• Sharing DC

  •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.

• Sharing Montgomery

  •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.

• Sharing Prince George's

  •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.

Leaders of the Future: Nonprofit Partners with the Sharing Community Funds

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, we are highlighting incredible leaders that strengthen and empower our community through our Sharing Community initiatives. The Sharing Community Initiative facilitates connections between donors and nonprofits to build more equitable, just, and thriving communities.

Part of that initiative includes awarding intentional, multi-year grants designed to empower our nonprofit partners and the communities they serve. Below are just a few responses from some of our multi-year nonprofit partners about the critical work they are doing in our communities!

• DC Kincare Alliance

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  DC KinCare Alliance serves all of the neighborhoods in DC, but primarily Wards 5, 7, and 8.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization

  Founded in 2017, DC KinCare Alliance is a legal services organization whose mission is to support the legal, financial, and related service needs of relative caregivers (primarily Black women) who step up to raise at-risk DC children in times of crisis when the children’s parents are unable to care for them due to mental health and substance use disorders, incarceration, death, abuse and neglect, and/or deportation.

  How has funding from a Sharing Community Initiative impacted the work you do? Feel free to share any brief examples of projects or outcomes you've seen over the past year.

  The Sharing DC Community Initiative helped DC KinCare Alliance (DCKC) serve 182 relative caregiver clients, raising 240 DC children in 319 legal matters in 2023—surpassing our goals by 21% for relative caregivers served and 42% for legal matters provided. The Initiative also made it possible for DCKC to hire a DC relative caregiver (who is a former client and current member of our Community Board) as our first Paralegal and Client Intake Manager. Finally, the Initiative helped DCKC to commence an adoption pilot (PROJECT ADOPT), to help grandparents and caregivers adopt the children they care for.

  For those receiving Sharing Community funding for the first-time, what excites you the most about receiving support through the Sharing Community initiative?

  As a small and relatively new organization, we were especially excited to receive support from the Sharing DC Community Initiative. It is a testament to the reach of our organization in the broader DC community for the Initiative to identify us as a potential partner and then determine us worthy of multi-year funding.

  As a nonprofit leader in our community, what are your dreams or aspirations for the future?

  I dream of a future where all DC children can live in safe and stable homes free from abuse, neglect, poverty, racism, violence, and fear. I dream of a future where government systems are set up to help families achieve success and where all families, including kinship families, are recognized and treated with dignity and respect.

• The T.R.I.G.G.E.R. Project

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  We serve youth citywide, in the District of Columbia.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization

  The True Reasons I Grabbed the Gun Evolved from Risks Project prevents the spread of the gun violence disease in Washington, D.C. through the intersectionality of Public Health and Positive Youth Development. We are prevention - the absence and proactive state of the gun violence.

  How has funding from a Sharing Community Initiative impacted the work you do? Feel free to share any brief examples of projects or outcomes you've seen over the past year.

  We look forward to joining the Sharing Community Initiative and the safe space it will provide to grow and strategically connect to like-hearted organizations for the economic mobility and health equity of our youth and families that we serve. We also look forward to educating the community on our Public Health approach as gun violence prevention can be used as a catalyst for to shape proactive policy, practice, and structures to eliminate many, if not all, of our deepest disparities.

  For those receiving Sharing Community funding for the first-time, what excites you the most about receiving support through the Sharing Community initiative?

  In terms of funding, The T.R.I.G.G.E.R. Project has operated inadequately since being founded. It is hard for people to believe our financial struggles because of our widespread impact yet, up until receiving Sharing Community funding, we have only been able to secure funding for events or programs. We are most excited to receive our FIRST multiyear investment in providing flexible general operating support for our organization!

  As a nonprofit leader in our community, what are your dreams or aspirations for the future?

  We envision a world free from the disease of gun violence! This vision with the support of Sharing Community equates to the social change I know is possible. With my experiencing an epidemic of youth violence and gun violence, many programs and initiatives are reactionary and lack efforts and funding structures that address root causes and chronic disparities. I aim to trail blaze a sense of value and funding structure for primary prevention programming and policy that will prevent future gun violence.

• GateBridge Community

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Primarily, Wards 7 & 8 in Washington DC, Prince George’s County, along the Blue Line Corridor, and East Montgomery County.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization

  At GateBridge, we're on a mission to transform low-wealth communities by fostering a culture of cooperative ownership to build wealth and create sustainable neighborhoods where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. GateBridge serves as an accelerator of community wealth building ventures, raising patient capital and providing a range of technical supports for cooperative initiatives that feature ownership and control by workers, consumers, producers, and residents of local communities.

  How has funding from a Sharing Community Initiative impacted the work you do? Feel free to share any brief examples of projects or outcomes you've seen over the past year.

  The first community wealth building project supported by the GateBridge Community Accelerator is the launch of five worker and resident owned grocery stores, the first two of which will be in Wards 7 and 8 of the District. Sharing Community funding will 1) bolster the community education and engagement essential to recruiting the consumers needed to sustain the store 2) secure the market feasibility studies needed to determine the best trade areas to locate the stores and 3) retain the legal, accounting, and technical support needed to assure project stability and sustainability

  For those receiving Sharing Community funding for the first-time, what excites you the most about receiving support through the Sharing Community initiative?

  Greater Washington Community Foundation is an established and well respected institution known for its commitment to community wellbeing in the Washington DC area. Community Wealth Building is a long and arduous journey, and success substantially depends on anchor institution partnerships like the Community Foundation. My hope is that the Foundation will increasingly see GateBridge Community as a trusted partner in this important work over the coming years. I see this funding opportunity as the beginning of that journey toward trust and committed partnership.

  As a nonprofit leader in our community, what are your dreams or aspirations for the future?

  A community where race and place no longer predict wealth and wellbeing and where every neighborhood has the physical, social, and civic infrastructure to promote human flourishing. White household median wealth in the DMV is 81 times that of Black household median wealth. GateBridge Community will work to close this racial wealth gap by scaling business enterprises that generate and maintain wealth in divested communities rather extracting it to build the wealth of other communities. Rosie’s Grocery is our first initiative. It will not be our last.

• CareerCatchers

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  In 2023, we worked with 960 clients, the highest number the organization has served in a given year. Currently, almost 70% of our clientele resides in the most underserved Montgomery County zip codes. Additionally, we also serve clients in Prince George’s County and DC Wards 7 & 8.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization

  Our mission is to provide personalized job-skills counseling, promote participation in work skills and training programs, foster self-esteem, and empower individuals. We aim to help clients transition out of poverty by utilizing counseling, individualized training, community and employer partnerships, helping find alternatives to minimum-wage, dead-end jobs. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of our vision, programs, and mission.

  How has funding from a Sharing Community Initiative impacted the work you do? Feel free to share any brief examples of projects or outcomes you've seen over the past year.

  In 2023, the funding we received from Sharing Montgomery allowed us to expand our basic skills classes in several ways. We have been able to offer more classes to our clients on topics such as social media networking and small business promotion, greatly increasing the opportunities available to our clients. Additionally, we were able to increase the number of partners presenting at our weekly virtual workshops, allowing our clients to learn about new career paths and resources. These feats culminated in CareerCatchers first ever in-person Empowerment event in October of 2023: Family Fun Day. Our Family Fun Day allowed our clients the opportunity to engage with our staff and partners, promote their small businesses, and learn more about food security. We hope to continue expanding our training offerings with the continued support of the GWCF.

  As a nonprofit leader in our community, what are your dreams or aspirations for the future?

  As the needs of our community grow, we intend to grow to meet them. In 2023, we were able to serve over 950 clients, and hope to serve over 1,000 in the years to come. Additionally, we plan to extend our job retention services. We approach our clients with a respect for not only their immediate goals, but also their long term goals of career success and financial sustainability. We have seen great success for clients who have received job retention services for one year, and would like to continue expanding those services to clients for two years post-employment. Finally, engaging our partners and volunteers to continue expanding our training offerings allows our clients to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of professional development. Continuing our outreach to new partners provides our clients with new avenues to pursue their goals.

• IMPACT Silver Spring

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  The Montgomery County residents supported by IMPACT are mostly low-income and BIPOC, with many programs and activities in Spanish- and Amharic-speaking immigrant communities. Many IMPACT offerings, including virtual events, are publicized countywide, and we have participants from all areas of the county, but most of our in-person community work is currently done in the neighborhoods of Long Branch, Wheaton, Glenmont, Fairland, and most recently, Gaithersburg.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization

  Our mission is to advance racial equity and justice in Montgomery County by working for change at 3 levels: changing hearts and minds at the individual level; building grassroots power and community connections at the neighborhood level; and changing the greater systems, structures, and policies that continue to generate inequitable outcomes for communities of color.

  How has funding from a Sharing Community Initiative impacted the work you do? Feel free to share any brief examples of projects or outcomes you've seen over the past year.

  Sharing Montgomery funding continues to support Impact’s work of promoting economic mobility and wealth building within BIPOC, immigrant, and low-income communities. Most of this work is done via our Community Trade Academy (CTA). The CTA takes a three-pronged approach to economic empowerment by: 1. offering vocational training to adult students (mostly immigrant women) in skills such as piñata or jewelry making; 2. teaching the basic skills of running a small business; and 3. providing markets where students gain real world experience as microentrepreneurs. Most recently, we worked with partners to host outdoor Holiday Markets (December 16 and 23, 2023) and Valentine’s Day Markets (February 10 and 11, 2024). Depending on the day, between 3 and 18 microentrepreneurs participated, selling between $50 and $700 worth of merchandise. We never charge vendor fees for participating in markets because those fees are often cost prohibitive. While we know classroom learning is important, we also know it is not enough. The experience of setting up, running, and breaking down these markets provides budding entrepreneurs with the crucial know-how and confidence that can only be gained experientially. Sharing Montgomery funding has been critical to paying for supplies and technical assistance needed for CTA events like these markets.

  As a nonprofit leader in our community, what are your dreams or aspirations for the future?

  An important element of the Community Trade Academy is that it is neighborhood-based. We launched our pilot academy in the Silver Spring community of Wheaton. We want to launch future academies in Gaithersburg and East County, tailored to the interests and cultures in those neighborhoods. Additionally, classes in the pilot academy were all taught in Spanish. We would like to replicate the model in other communities and offer it to English-speaking immigrants. Additionally, in the near future, we hope to introduce solidarity economy (an economy that prioritizes people and the planet) concepts such as sustainability and worker cooperation as part of our CTA curriculum.

• Montgomery county food council

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  All communities in Montgomery County, MD

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization

  The mission of the Montgomery County Food Council (MCFC) is to bring together a diverse representation of stakeholders in a public-private partnership to improve the environmental, economic, social and nutritional health of Montgomery County, Maryland through the creation of a robust and sustainable local food system.

  How has funding from a Sharing Community Initiative impacted the work you do? Feel free to share any brief examples of projects or outcomes you've seen over the past year.

  The grant supported MCFC’s food security program in increasing outreach and collaboration among food assistance providers who are serving the County’s food insecure residents. MCFC co-implemented a Farm to Food Bank Program, which provided technical assistance and collaboration between 37 local farms in 2022 and 2023 to support a sustained and resilient local food supply and provide more nutritious and culturally diverse produce to residents who experience hunger. In FY 2023, over 191,212 lbs of fresh, locally grown produce was purchased or donated to over 54 food assistance providers.

  As a nonprofit leader in our community, what are your dreams or aspirations for the future?

  As the only non-profit organization convening all sectors of the food system within Montgomery County, and connecting various initiatives to partners throughout the region, MCFC hopes to build the capacity of our partners implement the County’s Strategic Plan to End Childhood Hunger. In addition, we hope to be more instrumental in transforming our public schools by supporting MCPS to embed wellness plans (or policies) that nurture the development of “food curious” children through the farm to school initiative.

• Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity & Excellence

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  The BBC serves Black, Brown, and low-income communities in Montgomery County, MD.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization

  The Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence unites these traditionally marginalized communities to demand an education system that serves all students equitably. The BBC takes aim at dismantling systemic barriers that have underserved and limited the success of Black, Brown, and students from low-income families and fights for equitable access to the resources needed to thrive.

  How has funding from a Sharing Community Initiative impacted the work you do? Feel free to share any brief examples of projects or outcomes you've seen over the past year.

  "Having a multiyear grant allows the Coalition to take on issues that require sustained advocacy” explained Byron Johns, co-founder. In 2023, the BBC galvanized the Black and Brown communities around literacy inequity. Nearly 60% of Black and over 70% of Latino fifth-grade students are not reading at grade level. And their parents are often unaware. In November, the BBC brought together over 800 Black, Brown and low-income caregivers to demand that schools "Get Reading Right, Now!". Building on our 2022 advocacy for greater investment in literacy and math, the BBC is now leading the charge for an “early alert system” -- an easy-to-understand communication to parents when their students miss milestones –and for the development of individualized success plans to ensure that these students catch up and keep up. “We need the voices of our entire community to make literacy a priority” said Diego Uriburu, co-founder.

  As a nonprofit leader in our community, what are your dreams or aspirations for the future?

  The BBC envisions a future where Black, Brown, and low-income students who attend Montgomery County Public Schools have equitable access to resources and supports that will ensure the greatest opportunities for success in their educations, careers, and lives.

• CollegeTracks

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  5 MCPS High Schools in Montgomery County, based in Gaithersburg, Wheaton, Silver Spring, Burtonsville, and Bethesda.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization

  The mission of CollegeTracks is to empower first-generation-to-college students and students from low-income and immigrant households in Montgomery County, Maryland by helping them bridge systemic opportunity gaps with enough support to get to and through postsecondary education and on a career pathway. We envision a future in which every student who graduates from high school in Montgomery County, Maryland has equitable access to their chosen career pathway.

  How has funding from a Sharing Community Initiative impacted the work you do? Feel free to share any brief examples of projects or outcomes you've seen over the past year.

  Sharing Montgomery funding has helped open doors to new partnerships and funding relationships, has helped validate our approach in our community, and has brought us new donors, volunteers, and partners. This has been critical as we have expanded to meet rising demand, and prepared to grow across Montgomery County. For example, CollegeTracks' program enrollment rose by 22% last year, exceeding our pre-pandemic high by 9%, which put a great deal of stress on our program and infrastructure. Thanks to stable, yet flexible funding like Sharing Montgomery, we were able to stregmthen our program and meet our high programmatic goals, even while serving these expanded numbers.

  For those receiving Sharing Community funding for the first-time, what excites you the most about receiving support through the Sharing Community initiative?

  The most exciting part of receiving our first multi-year Sharing Montgomery award has been the realization that the people in our community who are paying the closest attention to work like ours thought of our program as highly effective, and worthy of this investment and recognition. We have worked hard to build a program model that gets results, and the fact that the people who know our work and community best agree is a tremendous boost to our team.

  As a nonprofit leader in our community, what are your dreams or aspirations for the future?

  At CollegeTracks, we dream of a future for Montgomery County where every student truly has the opportunity and support that they need to thrive. We are a highly educated and wealthy County, and we have access to proven solutions to the problems that we face. We just need to decide not to accept the status quo, and make these solutions happen.

• Beloved Community Incubator

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Beloved Community Incubator is a regional solidarity economy movement organization and lender. We engage in worker justice campaigns, mostly in Washington, DC, and offer a unique combination of cooperative incubation, lending, technical assistance, and mutual aid to create just and equitable democratic workplaces across our entire region.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization

  Beloved Community Incubator is a solidarity economy movement organization, incubator, lender, and worker self-directed non-profit in Washington, DC. BCI focuses on building a regional solidarity economy that centers people, especially poor and working-class workers and people of color, over profit. We provide incubation for worker-owned cooperatives, as well as back end support for cooperatives through the BCI Network. We offer non-extractive lending to local cooperatives through the DC Solidarity Economy Loan Fund, and organize for worker power and collective control of resources in DC through community organizing, broad-based campaigns, and mutual aid.

  How has funding from a Sharing Community Initiative impacted the work you do? Feel free to share any brief examples of projects or outcomes you've seen over the past year.

  We secured the passage of the Street Vendor Advancement Act of 2023 which: decriminalized street vending without a license and removed criminal background checks, reduced fees for obtaining a vending license, created a micro-enterprise home kitchen license, which allows food entrepreneurs across the city to create home based catering businesses , and created a vending zone in Mount Pleasant/Columbia Heights, allowing a higher concentration of vendors per block. In February of this year, we launched the BCI Street Vendor License Fund. This $125,000 fund will cover eligible costs and fees associated with accessing licenses and inspections for almost 100 vendors. Our vision for growing the regional solidarity economy is coming to fruition! The DC Solidarity Economy Loan Fund held its official launch event and has received approval for 3 additional loans – totaling $922,500 dollars. Two of the loans were to a small tech cooperative for equipment and a line of credit. The most significant loan is to Community Purchasing Alliance (CPA). CPA organizes institutions to engage in collective purchasing of contracts. Purchasing programs include janitorial, HVAC, trash removal, security, and solar. Our partnership positions BCI to proposition current vendors to use worker-ownership as a succession plan, incubate cooperatives in the sectors of their current purchasing programs, and connect cooperatives that already exist (in cleaning, food service, and landscaping) to larger contracts.

  For those receiving Sharing Community funding for the first-time, what excites you the most about receiving support through the Sharing Community initiative?

  What is most exciting to me is knowing that the Sharing DC Committee really understands and believes in our vision. We realize that our organizing model as a solidarity economy organization is unique. Our power building strategy is through institution building (through cooperatives) and membership, but also includes a programmatic and technical assistance component. Our work with “high touch” cooperatives is essentially base building with poor and working class BIPOC workers in order to build a coop from the ground up. There is more and more research that traditional workforce development and job training programs don't guarantee jobs or increased income. By developing and supporting worker-owned cooperatives, creating market access for local BIPOC-owned cooperatives, and using DC SELF to invest an additional 1 million dollars in local cooperatives over the next 2 years, we are working to close the racial wealth gap. The funding from Sharing DC committee means they believe in our vision too.

  As a nonprofit leader in our community, what are your dreams or aspirations for the future?

  Last summer, the local coop ecosystem came together to vision what's possible and shape our work for the future. Their collective vision included affordable care cooperatives (childcare, home health care, elder care), bookkeeping and legal cooperatives, coop grocery stores, and collectively owned spaces for artists and food businesses. BCI is always dreaming about more community control over resources in our community -- think grocery stores, workplaces, land, banks, housing, and more!

Pursuing Pathways from Poverty to Prosperity in East County

Members of The Community Foundation’s Montgomery County Advisory Board, staff, and donors recently visited with local leaders in Montgomery County’s East-County region to discuss how philanthropy can help communities forge pathways to prosperity.

“Effective philanthropy requires us to step outside and really connect,” Anna Hargrave, Executive Director for The Community Foundation in Montgomery County, shared. “That is why we are excited to be here in East-County to spend time with some of our incredible nonprofit and school leaders.”

The group met in the library of Jackson Road Elementary School, located in the White Oak neighborhood of Silver Spring, Maryland. Visitors first heard from the Principal, Rosario Velasquez.

“At Jackson Road, we recognize the need to address the whole child – in and out of the classroom,” Principal Velasquez shared. “The only way we can do that is by taking a community-centered approach and wrapping our arms around this community.”

Situated in a highly diverse area, Jackson Road’s student body is predominantly Black (47%) and Latino (39%)– including a sizeable immigrant population. At the same time, more than 75 percent of students qualify for Free and Reduced Priced Meals– a humbling statistic that underlines how poverty often becomes highly concentrated in neighborhoods throughout our region.

Jackson Road’s Community School Liaison, Chris Callisto, explained how federal Title I funding supports additional reading and math focus teachers, reduced class sizes (18:1 student teacher ratio), summer enrichment, and other academic resources.  Coupled with Community School dollars from the State of Maryland, the school also offers health, mental health, and social supports for children and their families, including a food pantry sustained by Capital Area Food Bank and the Manna Food Center.

To gain a deeper understanding of the work outside of the school’s walls, guests then heard from a panel of nonprofit leaders working to help people meet their basic needs, pursue opportunities for economic mobility, and build the assets needed to thrive: Identity, Inc, Career Catchers, IMPACT Silver Spring, and Achieving College Excellence & Success (ACES), a collaboration led by Montgomery College, MCPS, and the Universities at Shady Grove.

As the panelists introduced themselves and their organizations, they illuminated the myriad ways they had to reinvent their work in response to the influx of people seeking help in recent years.  Panelists also reflected—in some cases on their own lived experience—on the challenges which can hinder people from achieving stability, such as rising rent, food insecurity, barriers to mental health support, and hurdles in finding affordable childcare. 

“We must protect those who might otherwise have fallen through the cracks,” Andres Maldonado, Deputy Director at ACES shared. “This is not a one-organization job. It requires us to collaborate – to really think outside the box and our organizations to find the innovative solutions that this community deserves.”

While the four organizations’ missions are quite different, guests were impressed by how they all share a commitment to fostering collaborations anchored in the community -- creating spaces where residents are empowered to not to merely benefit from, but also to participate in and lead efforts to address their community’s needs.

“No one knows better what it is this community needs then the community members themselves,” shared Carolyn Camacho, Program Director at Identity. “The more we can work to empower community members and strengthen our framework of community relationships, the more successful our work will be in the long run.”

Anna Hargrave concluded the program with words of thanks, “to our Board and Sharing Montgomery donors whose generosity enables us to strategically invest in our community.  And to our incredible school and nonprofit partners for the work you do every day!  We are grateful for your inspiring vision, leadership, and steadfast commitment which convert our donations into relief, helping people create greater stability and shared prosperity.” 

This event was part of The Community Foundation’s Sharing Montgomery initiative – connecting philanthropically-minded individuals with visionary nonprofits working on the frontlines of our community’s most pressing needs.

For more information on how to get involved with Sharing Montgomery, contact Anna Hargrave at [email protected]

Leaders of the Future: Female Leaders Inspiring Inclusion

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.

• Audrey Lyon, Executive Director, Yachad DC

  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.

• Mercedes Lamp, Executive Director, My Sister's Place

  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.

• LaTara Harris, CEO, Crittenton Services of Greater Washington

  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.

• Ashley Sharp, Marlboro Pike Partnership

  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”

• Anna Maria Izquierdo-Porrera, MD, PhD, Executive Director, Care for Your Health, Inc.

  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

Leaders of the Future Spotlight: AfriThrive CEO, Dr. Truphena Choti-Empowering Communities of the African Diaspora

AfriThrive Founder & CEO, Dr. Truphena Choti

When Dr. Truphena Choti moved to Montgomery County with her family, she could not have imagined that 20 years later she would be leading an organization feeding 20,000 people a year.

“I had a career in international development, helping communities around the globe – but I felt strongly that my community – here in Maryland -- needed my help, just as much.”

Born in rural Southeastern Kenya to a large family, Dr. Choti was raised by a single mother who inspired her to work hard and pursue her dreams. After marrying her husband, Charles Choti – a future professor of Kenyan History and Politics – the couple moved to the United States to raise their three children and continue their educations and future careers – Prof. Choti’s in academia and Dr. Choti’s in International Education & Development.

“International Development work is very demanding, rewarding work,” Dr. Choti shared. “It can be quite heavy, but it can impact thousands of lives for the better.”

Strengthening Africa – At Home & Abroad

After getting her PhD in International Education Policy at the University of Maryland, Dr. Choti spent more than a decade with organizations like the National Education Association and Nascent Solutions, designing programs to improve the quality of life for millions living in poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa including a school meals program, a community gardening program, and various initiatives to promote women’s education.  

While Dr. Choti worked tirelessly for international communities abroad, she also carved out time for the growing international community in her backyard – particularly the African immigrant community.

The Greater Washington Region is home to more than 260,000 Black and African migrants – the third largest concentration of Black migrants in the country – a community which is growing rapidly. In Maryland, alone, the number of African immigrants has increased more than 42% over the past decade – with large populations coming from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.

While many migrants (like Dr. Choti’s family), are able to adjust to life in a new country, the vast majority face severe economic, social, and cultural barriers.

“Many migrants come to this country with credentials – they were lawyers and teachers in their home country,” Dr. Choti shared. “But because their credentials aren’t recognized in this country, they are unable to enter a job at a level they deserve. They’re forced to work 2-3 low-entry jobs just to make rent – placing undue burden on themselves and their families.

Other migrants come from rural farming communities, similar to where Dr. Choti grew up – but lack the resources and land access to put their skills to work due to economic and educational barriers.

Dr. Choti with her husband Prof. Charles Choti (left)

Dr. Choti became an early advocate for the local African community while serving on the PTA at her children’s school, witnessing firsthand the challenges that migrant parents face. She started her work in a place near and dear to her heart – in the garden.

“I started gardening as a way to reconnect with my roots,” Dr. Choti shared. “My family didn’t like processed or canned food. We missed fresh produce from my home in Kenya -- Okra, Sweet Potatoes, Kale. It was easier to grow it myself, than to try and find it in the store.”

As the garden grew, Dr. Choti sought out opportunities to share the fruits of her labors with her community. She shared with her neighbors and made produce deliveries to newly arrived refugee families. As word spread and interest grew alongside the vegetables, Dr. Choti began researching how she could more sustainably bring culturally appropriate food to her community.

“I felt that this is where my calling is,” Dr. Choti shared. “Responding to the call of my community.”

In 2019, she founded AfriThrive and began broader efforts to support a growing refugee community in nearby Riverdale Park (Prince George’s County) – all this, while still working a fulltime job in International Development. That would soon change, though -- as within a year the region (and the globe) were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Growing Through the Pandemic

Like many communities, the pandemic had severe economic and health impacts for the Black immigrant community – most notably, food insecurity. Dr. Choti says that cultural barriers in the food system presented a particular challenge. She shared one anecdote of a migrant mother who spent a night in the Emergency Room after accidently cutting herself while trying to open a can of ravioli received from a food pantry. The underlying cause was simple but striking -- the woman had never prepared canned food before – she didn’t own a can opener.

An AfriThrive food distribution in Prince George's County

As food insecurity increased, demand for AfriThrive’s services grew exponentially. Dr. Choti and a team of volunteers quickly mobilized to increase access to culturally appropriate foods and fresh produce. They partnered with DC Central Kitchen to organize weekly food distributions at a local church in Aspen Hill. Within months, the distributions expanded to locations in Gaithersburg and Baltimore, with additional partnerships with 4P Foods and Manna Food Center. By 2022, the organization had distributed more than 1 million pounds of food.

At the same time, AfriThrive sought ways to connect more migrants with the resources to grow their own food. They worked with Montgomery Parks through the Community Gardens program to connect and rent garden plots to migrant families to grow cultural vegetables and herbs.

Dr. Choti and members of the AfriThrive team at the Cultural Farm in Poolesville, MD

In 2022, AfriThrive partnered with Montgomery Countryside Alliance’s Landlink program to help connect more migrants with farming opportunities. Through this program, they were able to secure a 2-acre Cultural Farm in Poolesville, MD to grow more culturally appropriate fresh produce – thanks to a grant through The Community Foundation’s Food for Montgomery partnership.

Continued funding through Sharing Montgomery has allowed AfriThrive to continue to expand its operations and productivity. To date, the Farm has produced more than 30,000 pounds of indigenous African vegetables that have been distributed to the community.

“We are so grateful to Sharing Montgomery,” Dr. Choti shared. “Not only for the funding that has allowed us to continue our work, but also for the partnerships that it has allowed us to build within our community.”

Participants in AfriThrive’s Balozi Advocacy Program

Becoming ‘Balozi’

While Dr. Choti loves the work being done in the garden, she also recognizes the need for outside work –particularly in the advocacy space.

“Policy matters,” Dr. Choti exclaimed. “Unless we address the root causes of food insecurity, the cycle of struggle will continue to spin.”

AfriThrive recently launched an initiative called the Balozi Advocacy Program. Taken from the Swahili word for ‘Ambassador’, the Balozi program is a nine-month course designed to train youth and adults to become policy advocates for their communities.

“We give them space to write their own stories of experiences with the system,” Dr. Choti explained. “From settling in the US to dealing with food insecurity. Then we give them a knowledge of how to navigate the system so they can advocate for their needs.”

Dr. Choti says she hopes the program will empower communities of the African Diaspora to access the information and resources they need to thrive.

“If you have a dream, act on it,” Dr. Choti encouraged future Black leaders. “Don’t wait!”

“There’s no better time to get started than right now. Your community needs you!”

The Community Foundation is proud to partner with AfriThrive through our Food for Montgomery and Sharing Montgomery initiatives to empower communities of the African diaspora in our region. For more information about these initiatives, visit our website. For more information about AfriThrive, visit www.afrithrive.org  

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

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.

• Michael Echols, Founder/CEO, MAX Cybersecurity

  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.

• Courtney Stewart, founder/CEO, The National Re-entry Network for Returning Citizens

  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.

• Patrice Sulton, Executive Director, DC Justice Lab

  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.

• Courtney Hall, CEO, Interfaith Works

  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.

• Byron Johns, Co-Founder, Black & Brown Coalition for Educational Equity & Excellence

  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.

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

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 Nest DC (formerly known as 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 Nest 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]

2024 Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year Award Nominations Now Open!

Left to Right: Mary Pat Alcus (2023 Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year) and Tonia Wellons (President/CEO) at the Celebration of Giving.

The Community Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year Award!

The Philanthropist of the Year will be recognized at the 2024 Celebration of Giving later this fall. Read on for more information!

Nomination guidelines

Purpose: To honor an individual who has made a positive impact in our community through giving, and whose philanthropic leadership sets an inspiring example for us all. 

Nomination Process

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

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

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

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

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

Eligibility Criteria: 

All nominees must:

• Be a resident of Montgomery County

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

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

• Encourage/motivate others to become philanthropic

Please Note: We encourage nominators to give special emphasis to any extraordinary giving and/or leadership over the past few years which helped your organization adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and/or advance work related to racial equity and inclusion.  Please know, the level of charitable dollars given is secondary to its impact and potential to inspire others to follow suit. Creative approaches to philanthropy are welcome!  Nominees may be of any age.

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

DEADLINE: THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2024

The nomination form, letter, and any additional attachments must be submitted via email with subject line “Philanthropist of the Year 2024 – Name of Nominee” by close of business on Thursday, March 7, 2024 to:

Olivia Hsu

Development Associate, Montgomery County

[email protected]

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

Questions: Contact Olivia Hsu at [email protected].