This month, The Community Foundation recognized outstanding community leaders in Prince George’s County ahead of the Civic Leadership Awards at MGM National Harbor on October 19. The award ceremony marks the 25th anniversary of The Community Foundation in Prince George’s County.
“As a Prince George’s County resident, I am personally grateful for your consistent efforts to strengthen our community,” President & CEO Tonia Wellons shared at a Nonprofit Breakfast hosted at the Employ Prince George’s Headquarters in Largo.
“As a Community Foundation, our work could not happen without you. You all make us Prince George’s Proud.
That feeling is one that, many nonprofit leaders say, is mutual.
“We are ambassadors of the work that you do,” shared one nonprofit leader. “When the pandemic hit, The Community Foundation was there. They asked what we needed. They asked what our constituents needed. They took the time to listen to us – and from what I can see, they heard us.”
“We don’t do this for the recognition; we do this for the community,” another leader shared. “So for The Community Foundation to put in the time and effort to create this space for nonprofit leaders to network and be recognized by the broader community, is pretty special.”
While all of our nonprofit partners do incredible work, The Community Foundation has nominated the following individuals for the 2023 Nonprofit Leader of the Year Award – in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Prince George’s County:
Lisa Butler McDougal, Executive Director of Sowing Empowerment & Economic Development (SEED)
Sandy Washington, Executive Director of Community Outreach & Development Corp (CDC)
Cheryl Petty Garnette, Executive Director of Ivy Community Charities of Prince George’s County
Maryann Dillon, Executive Director of Housing Initiative Partnership (HIP)
Voting for the 2023 Nonprofit Leader of the Year Award is now open. Community members are encouraged to text ‘MCDOUGAL’, ‘WASHINGTON’, ‘GARNETTE’, or ‘DILLON’ to 240-830-8131 (in all Capital Letters) to cast their vote. The winner will be announced at the Civic Leadership Awards on October 19th and recognized alongside her fellow nominees.
“Our theme for the Civic Leadership Awards this year is ‘Imagine’,” Darcelle Wilson, Senior Director of The Community Foundation in Prince George’s County shared. “As we celebrate our first 25 years, we are so grateful for incredible partners who help us ‘imagine’ what is possible for the next 25 years – and beyond!”
From Left to Right: Marcus Braxton (Chief Operating Officer), Darcelle Wilson (Senior Director), Jonathan Harris (2023 ELOY Nominee), and Charnell Ferguson (2023 ELOY Nominee)
The Community Foundation also celebrated members of the Emerging Leaders Impact Fund – a group of young professionals who mobilize the power of philanthropy to make a positive difference in Prince George’s County.
“The Emerging Leaders Impact Fund is about the future,” ELIF Chair Davion Percy shares. “It’s about looking at how we set up future generations to learn about philanthropy and how they can give back to their community.”
Four Emerging Leaders were nominated for the 2023 Emerging Leader of the Year Award – in recognition of their leadership and contributions to Prince George’s County.
Vince Harrington, Executive Director of the Maryland Democratic Party
Albert T. Lewis, Principal of Largo High School
Jonathan Harris, Founder of Million Paths Foundation, Inc
Charnell Ferguson, Director of Constituent Services, Office of At-Large Councilmember Mel Franklin
The winner of the 2023 Emerging Leader Award will also be announced at the Civic Leadership Awards on October 19th.
Launched in 2020, ELIF’s goal is to help young professionals realize the positive impact that they can have in Prince George’s County. Each year, members come together to network and pool their resources and expertise to address key community needs. In 2022, the ELIF cohort focused on economic justice and closing the racial wealth gap.
ELIF Nonprofit Partner Lisa Rowe (Founder & CEO of LEEP to College Foundation), shares the impact that ELIF’s funding has had on young people in Prince George’s County.
“Closing the racial wealth gap starts with our young people,” Lisa Rowe, Founder and CEO of LEEP to College Foundation – a nonprofit dedicated to helping Prince George’s County youth achieve academic and economic success shared. Rowe shared how ELIF’s funding allowed the organization to partner with Ally Financial to pilot an entrepreneurship institute to help high school students learn how to start their own businesses.
“I’m so grateful to be a part of this amazing program,” one ELIF nominee shared. “Being here with so many incredible leaders, doing incredible things – all of us are here because of people who helped us pave this road to success. Now we get to come together to create an avenue for others in Prince George’s County.”
Click here for more photos from the ELIF Event and the Nonprofit Breakfast! For more information about ELIF, visit our website or contact Eliza Tolbert-Howard at etolbert-howard@thecommunityfoundation.org
Don’t forget to get your tickets for the Civic Leadership Awards – October 19th at MGM National Harbor! Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Visit our website for more information!