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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2024: A Year in Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Addressing the Challenges & Opportunities for 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Multi-Generational Challenges of Young Parenting in DC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An Unprecedented Multi-Generational Investment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Strengthening Family Stability and Well-Being for Generations to Come

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Investing In Solutions To Address Housing Instability

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reimagine Work: Aligning Workforce Development within an Economic Justice Framework

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

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

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

Thrive Prince George’s Guaranteed Income Pilot Begins Monthly Payments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Greater Washington Community Foundation Welcomes Sean Morris as New Board Chair

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

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

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

Celebrating Community Impact Through Partnership at the 2024 Annual Meeting

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

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

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

Partnership to End Homelessness Celebrates Five Years of Impact

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

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

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

Investing in Community Safety and Gun Violence Prevention

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Challenges of Black Fatherhood

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

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

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

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

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

The Power of Therapy

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

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

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

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

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

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

— Kimberly Corbin, Greater Washington Urban League

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

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

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

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

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

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

Repairing Harm, Elevating Fatherhood, & Fostering Economic Mobility

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Roadmap For Stronger Families & Communities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Lisa G. McCurdy, Esq.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Supporting Parents & National Service

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Neils Ribeiro-Yomofrio as a member of City Year DC

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

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

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

LIFT as We Climb – A Bridge to Opportunity  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Drives Your Clients' Charitable Giving?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meet Our Honoree

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

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

If you want to join the Professional Advisors Newsletter, please email Yasmine Barakat at ybarakat@thecommunityfoundation.org, and she will add you to the monthly newsletter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 ohsu@thecommunityfoundation.org.

Martha's Table Community Impact Fund: Building Capacity and Community for Ward 8 Nonprofits

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

In 2022, The Community Foundation partnered with Martha’s Table to facilitate their Community Impact Fund, a community-led grant program designed to support and strengthen Ward 8 nonprofits–specifically those who have historically been excluded from institutional philanthropy and whose leadership and staff reflect the demographic composition and lived experiences of the communities they serve.

Josephine Mazyck, Executive Director of FAN DC

 When asked about the biggest challenges facing her organization, Josephine Mazyck, Executive Director of Fihankra Akoma Ntosaso (FAN DC), immediately responded with a single word–“Funding.”

Affectionately known as “Ms. Jojo”, Mazyck has been at the helm of FAN DC– a Ward 8-based nonprofit dedicated to providing positive youth development programs for foster care youth and their families–since 2019. Under her leadership, FAN DC – which celebrates its 20th Anniversary next year– has expanded its services to meet critical community needs, including a community food pantry that serves over 18,000 annual meals and a growing program to support parents and caregivers

However, as most nonprofit leaders know, those growing programs come at a cost – one which usually falls heaviest on the Executive Director.

“Work-life balance can be a struggle,” Mazyck shared. “Even though we’ve been around for twenty years, we’re still a small grassroots organization. That means it falls to me to do a lot of the development and fundraising to keep programs running.”

While Mazyck’s experience may not be unique to many nonprofit leaders, it is acutely felt by those operating in Ward 8–a community that historically has received less investment from institutional and philanthropic partners, while at the same time providing increasingly critical services to thousands of residents.

Community Investment Fund – Building Bridges Through Grant making

“For decades, organizations based in Ward 8 simply haven’t had the same access to traditional funding or support,” Douglas Ireland, Chief Program Officer at Martha’s Table shared.

Established in 1980, Martha’s Table has been working to advance equity in DC for nearly 45 years. In 2018, the organization made the bold decision to relocate from its home on 14th Street, NW to Ward 8.

Shortly after the move–and in the midst of the pandemic–Martha’s Table held listening sessions with more than 1,000 community members to identify their neighbors' needs and center the voices of the community in the organization’s strategic planning.

 “One of the most common themes that was brought up was the need for direct community investments to help grassroots organizations build capacity,” Ireland continued. “There was a lot of uncertainty about the impact that Martha’s Table’s presence in the community would have on their ability to continue to do the work and get the funding they needed. That’s part of the reason why Martha’s Table felt so strongly about the need to establish the Community Impact Fund.”

In 2022, Martha’s Table partnered with The Community Foundation to launch the Community Impact Fund, a grant program to support and strengthen organizations in Ward 8 that have been historically excluded from institutional philanthropy.

Eligible organizations must be based in Ward 8 with an operating budget of under $1 million.

To ensure the grants meet the needs and interests of Ward 8, all applications are reviewed by an independent review committee–facilitated by The Community Foundation–made up of volunteers who live or work in Ward 8.

“Community-based grant making is one of the best ways to connect philanthropy to impact,” shared Ben Murphy, Director of Fund Administration & Special Projects for The Community Foundation. “It’s more than just disbursing funds; it’s a learning process that requires you to listen to recognize community voices and then work together to address community needs.”

“Working with The Community Foundation and the grantees has been truly inspiring,” Charlie Gussom, Director of Community Programs, shared of the process. “We learn so much about our community and its needs each time we meet. Those insights have been critical not only for the grant making, but also as we’ve worked to adapt our programming and services to better meet those needs.”

Since the launch of the Community Impact Fund, Martha’s Table has awarded nearly $1 million in funding to 34 organizations in Ward 8. The fund recently announced its latest round of nonprofit partners.

 The grants have already made a significant impact for nonprofit partners–most of whom have less than five full-time employees and a meager operating budget to support all that they do in the community.

FAN DC’s Community Food Pantry

For nonprofit leaders like Mazyck, the grant allowed her to position her organization for success by investing in much-needed development support.

“Thanks to the Martha’s Table grant, we were able to secure grant-writing support for three months,” Mazyck shared. “Not only did they help us find prospects and write proposals, they helped us create an organizational overview that we could use as a starting template for future funding requests.”

Thanks to the extra development support, Mazyck was also able to spend more time brainstorming and engaging in high-level strategic planning outside of the day-to-day needs–focusing on FAN DC’s sustainability, including its long-term Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and better plan for the future.

“The support means a lot to me,” Mazyck shared. “Having the bandwidth to think about organizational sustainability makes me hopeful that FAN DC can continue to serve Ward 8 for another 20 years and beyond.”

Building Capacity & Community

In addition to providing nonprofit partners with funding, the Community Impact Fund has also provided partners with additional opportunities for training, networking, and collaboration. Last year, Martha’s Table began partnering with the Center for Nonprofit Advancement to help grantee organizations develop best practices in communications and other administrative processes. This year, they are adding initiatives to support the mental and emotional health of nonprofit leaders. They’ve also opened up their headquarters as a venue for partner events and community activities. 

“A lot of organizations in Ward 8 work in silos,” shared Gussom. “Our partnerships through the Community Impact Fund have allowed us to build new relationships across our community, bring people together, and align our services with the work that is already being done.”

A Youth Volunteer with FAN DC gets ready to help out at the Joyful Food Market

Staff Volunteers with Martha’s Table help assemble new furniture for FAN DC’s meeting space

For FAN DC, Martha’s Table has become a valuable partner, providing food and fresh produce for the organization’s busy community pantry and annual Radical Wellness Fair. It’s also provided a great service opportunity for youth to volunteer at Martha’s Table’s Joyful Food Market. Continuing their partnership, earlier this year, Martha’s Table refurbished FAN DC’s meeting space, as part of their annual MLK Day of Service Project– providing a more welcoming atmosphere for foster youth participating in the program.

“Collaborating with Martha’s Table has really helped us so much,” Mazyck shared. “Aside from partnering on programming, we’ve been able to tap into their network and get connected to partnerships and funding opportunities that will help us take our programming to the next level.”

The Community Foundation is proud to support Martha’s Table’s Community Impact Fund. For more information about the fund, visit www.marthastable.org/communityimpactfund

If your organization is interested in giving back to the community through an Impact Fund, contact Benton Murphy, Director of Fund Administration & Special Projects at bmurphy@thecommunityfoundation.org

Greater Washington Community Foundation Celebrates $26 Million Investment in Innovative DC Health Equity Partnerships

The Health Equity Fund at the Greater Washington Community Foundation has announced $25.8 million in multiyear investments in five transformative projects focused on collaborative approaches to increasing economic mobility and wealth building.

The investments will support twelve nonprofit organizations working collaboratively over a multi-year period to advance health equity and create better outcomes for DC residents.

“Investing in bold, disruptive nonprofit innovations is a critical component of the Health Equity Fund,” said Tonia Wellons, President & CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “Our hope is that these strategic investments will provide a blueprint for sustainable systems change across our region as we work with our partners to scale evidence-based strategies that build wealth for people and communities with the greatest economic and health disparities.”

“At CareFirst, we understand that health is shaped by factors outside of clinical settings. That's why we are dedicated to supporting local organizations that are working to reduce health disparities and promote equity," said Brian D. Pieninck, President and CEO of CareFirst. "The Health Equity Fund, in collaboration with the District, exemplifies our commitment to addressing the social drivers of health impacting individuals and communities in Washington, DC. With this latest round of grants, we aim to empower these organizations to continue their essential work, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy life, regardless of their socioeconomic status."

Given that 80 percent of DC’s health outcomes are driven by social, economic, and other factors, compared to just 20 percent by clinical care, the Health Equity Fund adopts an economic mobility frame to address the root causes of health disparities in the District. Its strategy is designed to achieve health equity for all DC residents by addressing the social and structural determinants of health that impact health outcomes including education, employment, income, housing, transportation, nutrition, environmental safety, medical care, culture and recreation, and more.

The $95 million Health Equity Fund is one of the largest philanthropic funds of any kind focused on community-based nonprofits that serve District residents. Since 2022, the Fund has distributed more than $58.9 million with a focus on programs that increase economic mobility and wealth building, advance health advocacy, policy, and systems change initiatives, and support community-based strategies to prevent gun violence and increase public safety.

"This Health Equity Fund award represents an innovative advancement in our mission to foster economic mobility and wealth building. By channeling resources into projects that prioritize these goals, we are directly supporting Mayor Bowser's vision to empower District residents and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed,” said Karima Woods, Commissioner for the DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking.

The projects were reviewed and selected by Community Foundation staff, external reviewers with subject matter expertise, and members of the Health Equity Committee. Two of the projects – Sustainable DC and the NorthStar Institute – received funding starting in July. The selected projects include:

The Pathway to Economic Mobility, Prosperity & FAmily Wellness

DC Action, Early Childhood Innovation Network (ECIN), and CityFirst Bank are partnering to implement a two-generation cash transfer program that will invest in the well-being and economic development of both parents and children in participating families.

The program will provide 100 low-to-moderate income families facing housing insecurity with unconditional monthly cash payments of $1,000 over two years. Each participating parent will also receive $1,000 towards an IRA, an emergency savings account, financial empowerment coaching and savings incentives to help them navigate the financial system and achieve their wealth-building goals.

In addition, each participating child will receive $1,000 towards a DC 529 College Savings Account and an additional $1,000 towards a ROTH IRA. Each family will also receive a $25,000 Children’s Trust Account that can be used to support their children’s future professional, educational, and personal goals.

Lift as we climb

City Year DC and LIFT DC have partnered to provide a robust set of services and supports to create an opportunity pathway for local parents and caregivers participating in AmeriCorps. The project will demonstrate how additional resources in the form of coaching, monetary assistance, and wraparound supports can better retain caregivers in AmeriCorps and support their successful transition out of AmeriCorps into living-wage careers. It will also provide valuable insights that LIFT and City Year will share with AmeriCorps, to make the case for additional investment in parents and caregivers, on a national scale.

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

United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA) and the Greater Washington Urban League have partnered on a 2-year demonstration project that will provide new comprehensive services for 150 DC fathers with child support arrears through the United Way NCA’s Financial Empowerment Center. Program participants will receive ongoing support and resources to regain their financial footing, catch up on child support arrears, build stronger familial bonds, and strengthen social and emotional wellbeing for themselves and their families. The project will also provide data to combat false narratives about the role of Black fathers and provide a blueprint for systemic support structures that can better serve Black men and their families.

Sustainable DC

Washington Area Community Investment Fund and the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing & Economic Development have partnered on a 3-year strategy to help BIPOC and women-owned small businesses grow and build resilience while combating climate change, by participating in the region’s burgeoning green economy. The project will help small businesses implement sustainable practices by offering 1,000 entrepreneurs with access to flexible capital through a mix of grants and loans, capacity building and technical assistance, and one-on-one business advising and group training. Entrepreneurs will participate in new accelerator programs tailored for green economy businesses and designed to connect businesses with sustainability-focused procurement opportunities with DC area anchor institutions.

NorthStar Institute

NorthStar Institute, Academy of Hope, and the LAYC Career Academy have partnered on a 3-year integrated program for 2,500 students who are asset-limited, income-constrained, and also employed (A.L.I.C.E.) to set them on a path to financial independence. The program will offer high-quality education and job training for adult learners to pursue industry credentials and career advancement, combined with courses on Financial Well-Being and Money Management. Participants will receive dedicated access to a wealth advisor and financial planner for expert advice and guidance on homeownership, entrepreneurship, savings, investments, and legacy planning. The program will provide additional cash assistance to ensure participants can achieve their goals of savings, homeownership, business startup or investment capital.

For more information about the Health Equity Fund, visit www.thecommunityfoundation.org/health-equity-fund.

Partnership to End Homelessness Celebrates Five Years of Impact

The Partnership to End Homelessness launched in June 2019 with a bold vision to bring together the public and private sectors to ensure homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring in DC.

We are pleased to report that with your support, Homelessness in DC has decreased by 12 percent since 2020. With your investments, the Partnership has contributed to this progress by funding critical advocacy to secure public funding, supporting our nonprofit partners on the ground, and making strategic investments in systems to make it possible for us to exit more people from homelessness.

However, we know that much more must be done to ensure everyone has housing they can afford. Despite record numbers of people exiting homelessness in recent years, we are seeing a growing number of people seeking help. Nearly 1 in every 120 DC residents experience homelessness on any given night in neighborhoods across the city. 75% of DC’s lowest-income households live in housing they can’t afford. Community members report growing concerns about economic insecurity and income inequality in our region, and the end of pandemic supports mean more people are at risk of housing instability and homelessness.

At its launch, the Partnership set four goals:

1. Increase the supply of affordable housing with a priority on extremely low-income households;

2. Build nonprofit capacity to help single adults, families, and youth exit homelessness as quickly as possible;

3. Change perceptions about homelessness and affordable housing through donor education, community engagement, and advocacy efforts; and

4. Leverage private philanthropy and align with public resources and strategies, leading to more nimble, strategic, and sustained investment in the homeless services system.

The Community Foundation conducted a review of the Partnership this summer to evaluate the impact it has made on our community during its first five years. This included an analysis of our progress against these goals, outcomes, and financial data, and interviews with a cross-section of key community stakeholders in the Partnership, including nonprofit grantees, government leaders, Community Foundation staff, Leadership Council members, and funders. Here are some of our key findings:

• The Partnership has successfully leveraged and aligned nearly $20 million in funding to support its priorities through investments in affordable housing and grantmaking to nonprofits.

• The Partnership has increased the supply of affordable housing in our area, helping to build and preserve 924 homes for low-income individuals and families.

• The Partnership has supported advocacy to increase the supply of affordable housing and provide permanent supportive housing vouchers that helped 3,254 individuals and 1,542 families exit homelessness. Over $1 billion in public investments for homelessness and affordable housing priorities has been made by DC in the last five years. The Partnership participated in advocacy for this funding through grantmaking to local advocacy organizations and through direct advocacy with the Mayor and City Council.

• Our community believes that the Partnership plays a unique and valuable role, and that it could be made even more effective by raising additional funding from foundations, corporations, and individual donors so it can increase its investments in improving local systems and in building and preserving deeply affordable housing. Stakeholders also urged the Partnership to continue to convene private and public sector stakeholders to solve community challenges, and to do more to change the narrative around homelessness.

As the Partnership looks forward to 2025, it will be focusing on funding critical efforts to expedite housing placements for people experiencing chronic homelessness and to improve care coordination between healthcare and homeless services systems.

We invite you to join us by making a contribution to the Partnership to End Homelessness, or by contacting  Jennifer Olney at jolney@thecommunityfoundation.org to learn more about how you can get involved.

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. 

Permanent Supportive Housing -- A Smart Investment Towards Ending Homelessness in DC

Every person deserves the dignity of a home. Yet, DC has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the country, and nearly half of individuals that are unhoused are experiencing “chronic homelessness.” Chronic homelessness is the condition of being homeless for a year or more, or repeatedly, while struggling with a disabling condition such as a serious physical and mental illness.

The Partnership to End Homelessness believes that DC can end chronic homelessness. However, ending chronic homelessness is not possible without a robust homeless service system and providers that can support households experiencing chronic homelessness.

Permanent Supportive Housing - A Solution to Homelessness
The Partnership has invested in multiple projects to advance the work to end chronic homelessness, focusing on Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). PSH is a proven solution that pairs housing with wrap-around services to help those experiencing chronic homelessness not only obtain affordable housing, but also maintain it long-term.

The Partnership has taken an active roll in supporting advocacy efforts to secure historic investments in PSH in the District. Together with our partners DC has secured over 4,000 new PSH vouchers that helped 3,254 individuals and 1,542 families exit homelessness. This funding had a direct impact on the city’s ability to end homelessness and has, in part, led to a 12% decrease in homelessness since 2020.

Investing in Systems Change for Supportive Housing
Securing investment for PSH is only part of the equation. Equally as critical is the need to invest in the housing infrastructure – specifically service providers and advocates who are working to ensure that PSH funding reaches those who need it the most.

To that end, The Partnership has joined with other funders including The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation and The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation to help Permanent Supportive Housing providers improve their systems and processes to access the city’s new expanded Medicaid benefit through the Corporation for Supportive Housing.

During this process, we’ve heard from service providers about some of their most persistent ongoing challenges. These challenges included maintaining quality in service delivery amidst increased administrative responsibility, hiring challenges, lack of training and onboarding for new case managers, and inadequate coordination between service providers. 

Additionally, service providers mentioned how unrealistically heavy caseloads for PSH case managers and staffing retention challenges due to the high burnout rate pose serious obstacles to their organizational stability as they work to support people experiencing chronic homelessness and help them move into available housing.

The Future of PSH

The Partnership to End Homelessness recognizes the importance of continuing to build the capacity of the PSH system and of our PSH providers.

In 2023, DCFPI released a landmark report, funded in part by the Partnership, that outlines specific recommendations for ending chronic homelessness and specifically for strengthening case management. The report’s recommendations – which were informed by frontline providers and people with lived experience of homelessness included the need to speed up the housing process and to strengthen case management services.

In addition to the report, the Partnership has also heard other ideas for innovation through our partnership with the Corporation for Supportive Housing who supported work to expand Medicaid benefits.

Over the next years, the Partnership will continue to bring together PSH providers to identify high impact innovation opportunities and pilot these ideas. By investing in innovative ideas informed by providers, case managers, and people with lived experience, we will identify impactful and scalable opportunities that sustain and accelerate our progress toward ending chronic homelessness in DC.

Learn24 OST Scholarship Program Changes Lives for DC Students

UPDATE 11/26/24: Due to the high volume of responses, we are not able to accept new applications for Year-Long Programs, at this time. The Application for Summer Programming will open on March 1, 2025.

Over the past 3 years, The Community Foundation has been proud to partner with Learn 24 to offer the Learn 24 Out of School Time Youth Scholarship Program. Together we have supported the distribution of nearly $1.4 million in scholarship funding to more than 300 youth for summer and after school programs ranging from tutoring and mentoring to music lessons, dance, and sports.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This year, The Community Foundation and Learn 24 are excited to share the 2024/2025 Scholarship application will include two cycles—Year-Round Programs and Summer Programs. The application form for Summer Programs application will open on March 1st, 2025.

Applicants who are seeking to engage in programs that are concurrent with the DC school year, beginning no earlier than August 26 (first day of school) and ending no later than June 17 (last day of school) are able to apply for the Year-Round scholarships.

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

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

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

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

Application Requirements

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

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

Click here for the link to the Vendor Information Form!

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

If you have questions or are encountering technical difficulties please contact Alex Cahill-Sanidas for support at acahill-sanidas@thecommunityfoundation.org.

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

If you have questions, please contact Yorman De La Rosa at ydelarosa@thecommunityfoundation.org

Greater Washington Community Foundation Announces $10 Million in Grants to Foster Economic Mobility in DC

The Health Equity Fund at the Greater Washington Community Foundation has announced $10 million in multiyear funding to support important projects that foster economic mobility in Washington, DC. The grants will support 40 DC-serving nonprofit organizations – the largest funding cohort supported by the fund since its launch in 2022.

Given that 80 percent of DC’s health outcomes are driven by social, economic, and other factors, compared to just 20 percent by clinical care, the Health Equity Fund adopts an economic mobility frame to address the root causes of health disparities in the District.

Since 2022, the Fund has distributed more than $51.3 million with a focus on programs that increase economic mobility and wealth building, advance health advocacy, policy, and systems change initiatives, and support community-based strategies to prevent gun violence and increase public safety.

“We believe that achieving health equity requires more than improving individual health outcomes and expanding access to services,” said Tonia Wellons, President & CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “We must disrupt the societal factors shaped by centuries of laws, public policies, and practices that have worked together to produce the disparate outcomes we see today.”

“Building an equitable and prosperous Washington, DC means tackling health inequities at their core and creating strong pathways to opportunity so that everyone has a fair shot at leading their healthiest lives,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Our city grows stronger when we partner with organizations that address both immediate needs and long-term growth, and together, we’re ensuring more of our residents have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive for generations to come.”

“The Health Equity Fund's investment in economic mobility and wealth-building initiatives reflects a strategic approach to advance not only health outcomes but also financial stability and opportunity for our residents. This work aligns with DISB’s mission to protect and empower our most vulnerable communities, ensuring they have access to the resources needed for long-term success,” said Karima Woods, Commissioner of the DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB).

A committee composed of Community Foundation staff, community members, and representatives of local foundations and think tanks reviewed proposals from eligible applicants. The 40 selected grant recipients include diverse organizations and projects, including:

• DC Public Education Fund - DCPS and DCPEF are proposing an “Earn While You Learn Model” at DCPS’s Opportunity Academies. This program will support DCPS students who choose to transition to a career after graduation by providing a combination of coaching, skill-building and certification, and direct-to-student cash payments.

• birdSEED – birdSEED will give no-strings attached grants to first time BIPOC homebuyers in Washington, DC.

• My Sister’s Place – Continued funding to provide 30 families with $500/month of guaranteed cash assistance through the RISE Trust program. The program also provides voluntary financial education and workforce development. Clients in the program are individuals and families recovering from domestic violence from underserved communities in DC.

• SpeakOut, Inc - SpeakOut’s Project Amplify is a community-driven workforce development training program that meets the unmet needs of Transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals in the workplace.

• WomenPalante - Women Palante empowers 25 Latina mothers per cohort, aiming to launch at least 10 new local businesses per year.

“Our work at CareFirst has shown that forging intentional pathways to economic mobility is a key driver of improving the social drivers of health, and this fund intends to do just that, creating a thriving and more inclusive economy in the District,” said Brian D. Pieninck, President and CEO of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. “We are committed to doing this important work in partnership with the community organizations that meet individuals where they are so we can connect them to the resources and care they deserve.” 

This latest funding cohort included several returning partners from the inaugural grant round in 2022. Returning partners were asked to share impact from the previous round as part of their application process. A complete list of grant recipients is listed below.

About the Health Equity Fund

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

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

2024 Health Equity Fund Partners (* = Returning Partner)

• AsylumWorks*

• Ayuda, Inc.

• Beloved Community Incubator, Inc*

• birdSEED

• Building Futures

• Calvary Women Services, Inc*

• Capital Youth Empowerment Program*

• Council for Court Excellence*

• DC Affordable Law Firm*

• DC Appleseed  Center for Law & Justice

• DC Central Kitchen Inc*

• DC Jobs with Justice

• DC KinCare Alliance

• DC Public Education Fund

• Emerald Cities Collaborative Inc

• Fair Chance

• First Shift Justice Project*

• Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop*

• Generation Hope*

• Healthy Baby Project, Inc*

• Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive (HIPS)*

• Many Languages One Voice

• Mi Casa My House Inc.

• My Sister’s Place*

• Network for Developing Conscious Communities

• Open City Advocates

• Organizing Neighborhood Equity*

• Rebuilding Together Alexandria

• Rising for Justice*

• ROC-DC

• RUMA Collective

• Sinai Assisted Housing Foundation

• Social Justice Public Charter School, Inc

• SpeakOut, Inc

• The Platform of Hope

• The School Justice Project Inc

• The Young Women’s Project*

• Tzedek DC, Inc*

• WomenPalante

• Yachad, Incorporated*