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

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

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

• Michael Echols, Founder/CEO, MAX Cybersecurity

  What is your relationship to The Community Foundation?

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

  Why do you think economic justice is important?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  What is your relationship to The Community Foundation?

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

  Why do you think economic justice is important?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Patrice Sulton, Executive Director, DC Justice Lab

  What is your relationship to The Community Foundation?

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

  Why do you think economic justice is important?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Courtney Hall, CEO, Interfaith Works

  What is your relationship to The Community Foundation?

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

  Why do you think economic justice is important?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  What is your relationship to The Community Foundation?

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

  Why do you think economic justice is important?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“If I can do it, you can do it”

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

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

Today, The Community Foundation is excited to announce the launch of Thrive Prince George’s, a two-year, $4 million guaranteed-income pilot that seeks to provide greater economic stability and mobility for families in the region. The program, which is spearheaded by the Greater Washington Community Foundation, Prince George’s County Executive and Council, and the Meyer Foundation, will provide monthly payments of $800 to 50 youth (age 18-24) who have aged out of foster care and 125+ seniors (age 60+) for a 24-month period with no strings attached and no requirements tied to employment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information on how to get involved in Prince George’s County, contact Darcelle Wilson at dwilson@thecommunityfoundation.org

Celebrating Community Leadership in Prince George's County

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Welcoming New Faces to The Community Foundation Family

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

New Members of the Board of Trustees

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

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

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

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

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

Michelle L. Bender, CFP®
President and Senior Advisor

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

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

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

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

New Advisory Board Members-Montgomery County Advisory Board

Ron Franks
Bailey Wealth Advisors 

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

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

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

Mimi Brodsky Kress
Sandy Spring Builders 

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

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

Craig Pernick
Chevy Chase Trust

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

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

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

Gail Wasserman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Diana Leon-Brown
President, Artem Ventures, LLC

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bio Coming Soon!

Julian C. Curry (Bio & Headshot Coming Soon)

New Staff Members

Michelle Castillo, Staff Accountant

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

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

Benton Murphy, Director of Fund Administration & Special Projects

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

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

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

Yasmin Barakat, Executive Assistant

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

Talking Reparations and Growth at the Intersection of Faith and Philanthropy

In June, faith leaders from across the region gathered at Reid Temple AME Church in Glendale, MD for the 2nd Annual Faith & Philanthropy Forum. The event convened faith and philanthropic leaders for an intimate conversation about their work, economic mobility, and the importance of closing our region’s racial wealth gap.

The program was divided into two thought-provoking sessions. The morning session examined how The Community Foundation and faith leaders can better collaborate to advance economic mobility and close the racial wealth gap in the most economically challenged neighborhoods in Prince George’s County. 

“As faith and philanthropy leaders, there are so many intersections in the work that we do,” Tonia Wellons, President & CEO of The Community Foundation shared. “That’s why it’s so important to meet together and talk about where we are.”

“We recognize that we have a stronger ability to make a deeper impact when Faith and Philanthropy are strategically aligned.”

“We have to look at the strengths of the church when it comes to economic mobility,” Rev. Mark Whitlock, Pastor of Reid Temple AME Church shared. “The church has potential for exponential impact – above and beyond its programmatic impact.”

Rev. Mark Whitlock, Pastor of Reid Temple AME Church

Rev. Whitlock and other faith leaders have long been heavily involved in economic mobility initiatives in the region – particularly in Prince George’s County - serving both as advocates and valuable community partners. The morning session offered them a chance to share ideas and insights into how to continue that work.

“As faith leaders, we have a valuable role – not only as leaders; but also as innovators and disruptors in social change,” Ronnie Galvin – an ordained minister and Senior Fellow at The Community Foundation shared, as he outlined some of The Community Foundation’s ongoing and upcoming initiatives for social change.

Faith leaders were then invited to formally submit their ideas for innovative partnerships that could create economic justice in the Prince George’s County.  The Foundation will be receiving these proposals over the summer and will begin vetting them in Fall 2023.

“Think about the ministry and the work that you’re called to – where would you show up within this framework – and how can we work together to take it to the next level? And what would that look like?”

One aspect of that ‘next level’ revolves around a subject that has garnished a lot of local and national attention in recent months – that of reparations.

““Reparations is more than just fixing people’s problems. Reparations is about addressing the behaviors, habits, and systems that caused those problems in the first place.””

— Professor Anthony Cook

“This is an opportunity for us to reframe how people think about reparations,” Sara

Brenner, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Foundation shared in the afternoon session. “We know how important this work is. How can we change hearts and minds and systems to help make it happen?”

Co-hosted by the Jewish Community Foundation, the afternoon session convened Christian and Jewish faith leaders from across the region to help set a baseline understanding of reparative justice through the lens of faith traditions. Professor Anthony Cook, Professor of Law at Georgetown Law and the founder of the Coalition for Racial and Democratic Economy was the keynote speaker.

“Reparations is more than just fixing people’s problems,” Professor Cook explained. “Reparations is about addressing the behaviors, habits, and systems that caused those problems in the first place.”

Professor Cook explained that part of getting to the heart of the issue of reparations requires understanding the difference between restorative justice and reparative justice.

“Restorative justice focuses on restoring something to an earlier or pre-existing condition through compensation and acknowledgement of harm,” Professor Cook said. “Reparative Justice acknowledges that that is just one element in a larger spectrum.”

“We need to ask deeper questions about the system that is producing these results.”

Faith leaders listen as Professor Anthony Cook addresses the Faith & Philanthropy Forum via Zoom.

Professor Cook pointed out that “the charity service model” that has been embraced by faith and philanthropy leaders in decades past has “done Black and Brown communities a great disservice” by falling short of offering them meaningful, system-changing solutions to the issues they face.

He encouraged faith and philanthropy leaders to reexamine their efforts to ensure that “charity approaches to change are short-term, not long-term” and instead invest in bold systemic solutions that build community wealth.

Afterwards, Galvin asked faith leaders to share their thoughts on the discussion and the ways it resonates with the congregations they represent. The responses were overwhelmingly positive.

One pastor explained how they had already mobilized support for H.R. 40 – a bill on national reparations that was re-introduced in Congress in January. Another rabbi outlined how Holocaust survivors in his synagogue had received reparations from Germany, prompting discussions amongst the congregation about how parishioners could mobilize to help their neighbors in the African American community.

“Healing and repair are important aspects of the faith community,” Brenner shared. “For a long time those concepts have been separate from philanthropy.”

“That’s why it’s so important to create this forum where faith and philanthropy can align.”

To conclude the forum, Galvin shared a call to action in the form of a thought-provoking quote from the Civil Rights legend John Lewis, who paraphrased a prominent Jewish leader when he said:

“If not us, then who?”

“If not now, then when?”

Click here to see photos from the 2nd Annual Faith & Philanthropy Forum!

The Power of Faith & Philanthropy

The following article was published for the upcoming edition of PG Suite Magazine.

By Jamie McCrary

Throughout our nation and region, Black and Brown people continue to experience deep racial and economic disparities. This injustice is particularly prevalent in Washington, DC, where White residents have 81 times the amount of wealth as Black people – a disparity exacerbated by the fact that the larger Greater Washington region has one of the highest income gaps in the country.

Prince George’s County, Maryland, is especially vulnerable. The county suffers some of the largest disparities in homeownership and income in the region.

Rev. Ronnie Galvin, Senior Fellow at The Community Foundation leads a discussion about the region’s racial wealth gap

Many local community leaders are seeking new and more focused interventions and collaborations to address these deep disparities. For the Greater Washington Community Foundation, this means forging new partnerships that help advance economic justice in Prince George’s County—efforts guided by the foundation’s vision to close the region’s racial wealth gap by igniting the power of philanthropy. The foundation’s evolving collaboration with faith-based institutions in Prince George’s County is a significant step forward in fulfilling these goals.

“The faith community offers the kind of community building, leadership, and infrastructure necessary to achieve economic justice,” said Rev. Ronnie Galvin, Senior Fellow at The Community Foundation. “Some would argue it's the last type of infrastructure that affords Black people the opportunity to determine their destinies.”

““Faith institutions are among our most vital and proactive partners in our strategic efforts to increase philanthropy and close the racial wealth gap,””

— Tonia Wellons

A Legacy of Social Justice

The faith community has led efforts to advance social and economic justice for well over a century, a legacy that initially inspired The Community Foundation’s collaboration.

This tradition extends back to the Civil War when Black churches offered safe haven stops on the Underground Railroad. Mutual aid societies, which predate traditional philanthropic institutions,also grew out of thechurch experience. These groups provided for the health, education, and training of the community – and their philanthropy continues to this day.

As a majority Black jurisdiction, this legacy is particularly strong in Prince George’s County where faith leaders help drive community development by funding schools, businesses, and social programs – all efforts which help advance residents’ economic mobility.

“Faith institutions are among our most vital and proactive partners in our strategic efforts to increase philanthropy and close the racial wealth gap,” said Tonia Wellons, President & CEO of The Community Foundation.

Last summer, The Community Foundation helped expand this legacy of social justice, officially launching its partnership with the Prince George’s faith community. Dubbed the Faith and Philanthropy Project, the initiative brings together faith leaders from across the county to explore how greater coordination and collaboration can help advance shared goals around philanthropy and community development.

“It’s not a question of whether we should be involved, but how,” said Rev. Kendra Smith, GO Lead of Kingdom Fellowship AME Church and Executive Director of Kingdom Global Community Development Corporation. “And where we can make the greatest impact.”

The Legacy Continues

The “Faith and Philanthropy Project” formalizes both The Community Foundation and the Prince George’s faith community’s continued commitment to improve residents’ quality of lives – and work together to close the racial wealth gap.

In its overarching vision to advance philanthropy and economic justice in the county, the Faith and Philanthropy Project will:

• Increase and leverage resources to achieve greatercommunity impact;

• Improve the prospects for wealth building as a means of closing theracial wealth gap;and

• Amplify thevoices of community residentsto affectchange.

Dr. Bobby Manning, President, Collective Empowerment Group and Senior Pastor Frist Baptist Church of District Heights, gives remarks and opening prayer at the inaugural Faith & Philanthropy Breakfast.

As spiritual, educational, and moral hubs, Galvin emphasizes the unique role the faith community has in amplifying community voices in particular.

“If we are going to close the racial wealth gap and achieve economic justice, the voice of the faith community must be amplified,” Galvin said. “Whether Christianity, Judaism, Islam, or Buddhism, all religions call for the confrontation and transformation of unjust systems that undermine the lives of people and communities.”

When reflecting on the partnership, Dr. Bobby Manning, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of District Heights and leader of the Collective Empowerment Group, a consortium of member churches for economic empowerment and a key partner of the Faith and Philanthropy Project, agreed.

“I see faith-based institutions as general hubs for personal empowerment in our community,” said Dr. Manning. “Our responsibility is not only spiritual empowerment, but economic strength, civic engagement, and caring for the entire well-being of the person.”

Inspiring Public Imagination

As the project evolves, the foundation and its partners are exploring a framework for how to discuss economic justice and build philanthropy. Ultimately, Galvin envisions developing material that houses of worship can use to guide conversations with their congregations and others.

He hopes this approach will provide a cohesive way to talk about economic justice and philanthropy – and inspire social and economic change across the county.

“It’s not just about influencing public opinion; it’s also inspiring public imagination,” Galvin said. “It’s getting people to ask, ‘What does a moral economy really look like, and what will it take to get there?’”

Eventually, Galvin notes more county residents could also be on the frontlines of advocating to change longstanding issues like reparations or employee-owned businesses. He sees the foundation’s new partnerships as only fueling this possibility.

“The church is an amplifier – an invitation mechanism,” Galvin said. “And in some cases when they have the assets, they can also be part of the process to model the economy we want to see. We can't move an agenda like ours, as aspirational as it is, without communities of faith.”

Through the Faith and Philanthropy Project, the foundation aims to continue examining ways to advance economic justice through philanthropy. Disparities may run deep in our region, but The Community Foundation and its faith partners are committed to reimagining a region where we all can prosper and thrive.

Click here to view the original article! For additional information visit the PG Suite Magazine website.

Oh, What a Night! The Community Foundation Hosts 50th Anniversary Celebration of Philanthropy

Terri Lee Freeman is presented with the 2023 Spirit of Philanthropy Award. The award was presented by Charito Kruvant and Kenny Emson, who served as 50th Anniversary Co-Chairs for the event.

On May 3rd, The Community Foundation hosted the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Philanthropy — celebrating 50 Years of History, Hope, and Healing in the Greater Washington region.

The evening began with a special VIP reception, where representatives from the Prince George’s County Government and Montgomery County Government presented The Community Foundation with proclamations, honoring the organization’s legacy and commitment to the region. The Community Foundation was also honored by the recognition of elected officials from DC, Virginia and Maryland — including a special video message from MD-Rep. Jamie Raskin.

After the VIP reception, guests were lead down into the theater by the Eastern Senior High School Blue & White Marching Machine, where they were greeted by the evening’s emcee, NBC4’s Shawn Yancy.

Richard Bynum, Chair of The Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees kicked off the program and introduced Tonia Wellons, President & CEO of The Community Foundation, who delivered some brief remarks.

“Some say the racial wealth gap is too big to be solved, but we believe it’s too urgent to be ignored.”

— Tonia Wellons

In her remarks, Tonia paid homage to the incredible men and women over The Community Foundation’s 50 year legacy — including the late Bob Linowes and the Honorable Wayne Curry. She also expressed her gratitude for how far The Community Foundation has come — and the future it is working towards — closing the racial wealth gap in the Greater Washington region.

Following Tonia’s remarks, the 50th Anniversary Host Committee Co-Chairs, Charito Kruvant and Kenny Emson presented the 2023 Spirit of Philanthropy Award to Terri Lee Freeman.

Terri was the longest-serving and first Black female President and CEO of The Community Foundation from 1996-2014. During her tenure, Terri was recognized by the Washington Business Journal as one of its “Women Who Mean Business” and by Washingtonian Magazine as a “Washingtonian of the Year” and “100 Most Powerful Women of Washington”.

Since leaving The Community Foundation, she has pursued her passion for civil rights and social justice as the former President of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, and now as the Executive Director of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture in Baltimore.

Following a special tribute video, Terri sat down with Shawn Yancy for a brief fireside chat, where they discussed aspects of Terri’s legacy and her aspirations for the future.

Following the fireside chat, guests enjoyed an evening of food, fun, dance and entertainment provided by artists and nonprofit partners from across the region.

A special thank you to Eastern Senior High School, Levine Music, Baila4Life, Sole Defined, Metrostage, Christylez Bacon, and DJ Face for sharing their time and talents with us. It was truly an unforgettable evening!

Click here for a complete recording of the Evening Program. Additional photos from the evening can also be found on our SmugMug Album.

Elected Officials Congratulate The Community Foundation on 50th Anniversary

The Prince George’s County Council represented by Council Member Krystal Oriadha (District 7), presented The Community Foundation with a proclamation in honor of its 50th Anniversary

The Montgomery County Council represented by Council President Evan Glass (At-Large), Council Member Will Jawando (At-Large), and County Executive Marc Elrich, presented The Community Foundation with a proclamation in honor of its 50th Anniversary.

The Community Foundation is proud to collaborate with local elected leaders to promote positive change and build stronger communities in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary, here are just a few of the leaders who send their well wishes to The Community Foundation and it’s supporters:

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser congratulated The Community Foundation on its 50 years of exemplary service to our communities.

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) commends The Community Foundation for it’s contributions to a vast array of important causes in the Washington Metropolitan area.

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) thanks The Community Foundation and its donors for unleashing the power of philanthropy to help “people of all races, places, and identities reach their full potential”

Governor Glen Youngkin (R-VA) commends The Community Foundation for being a beacon of hope for countless members of the community.

Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) issued this US Senate Citation in The Community Foundation’s honor, “with gratitude for its outstanding community investment and civic leadership….as the Washington DC region’s largest local funder”.

Congressional Recognition
Presented by the Honorable Donald S. Beyer Jr. of Virginia in the House of Representatives on the House Floor on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

Mr. Speaker, I, alongside my colleagues, Representative IVEY, Representative HOYER, Representative RASKIN, and Delegate HOLMES NORTON, wish to honor The Greater Washington Community Foundation for 50 years of service in the region. The Greater Washington Community Foundation will commemorate this momentous milestone on May 3, 2023, with philanthropists, nonprofits, businesses, and community members at the Smithsonian’s National Museum for African American History and Culture.

In 1973, a group of prominent business and civic leaders—including Henry ‘‘Hank’’ Strong, Polly Shackleton, Davidson Sommers, Bishop John Walker, and Joseph Whyte—came together to establish a local community foundation to ‘‘promote a permanent source of philanthropic capital for the Washington Metropolitan region.’’

Over time, the Greater Washington Community Foundation has grown to become the largest local funder serving this region, with more than $1.5 billion invested to build equitable, just, and thriving communities in D.C., Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Northern Virginia. Under the leadership of CEO Tonia Wellons, the Greater Washington Community Foundation continues to galvanize philanthropic resources and strategically invest in solutions to a wide range of issues impacting our communities—from education to housing stability, food security, workforce development, and crisis response.

The Greater Washington Community Foundation is now committed to leading our community in a movement that will help increase economic mobility and close our region’s racial wealth gap to create a better future for our region where everyone prospers.

Please join the regional delegation and I in honoring the 50th anniversary of the Greater Washington Community Foundation on May 3, 2023. We urge all the citizens of the greater Washington area to join in celebrating this very special occasion.

Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD 8th District) recorded this message for The Community Foundation's Celebration of Philanthropy, in honor of the organization's 50th Anniversary.

The Community Foundation Partners with Meyer Foundation in Support of Guaranteed Income Pilot in Prince George's County

To pursue our vision for economic justice, the Greater Washington Community Foundation is putting powerful economic strategies to work in the parts of our community experiencing the deepest disparities in homeownership and income.

With over 100 pilots currently operating around the country, guaranteed income programs have proven to be one of the most promising approaches to lift people out of poverty and provide greater economic stability for families.

We are proud to be an early adopter and investor in our region’s guaranteed income movement, with investments in programs in Arlington County (Arlington’s Guarantee), Montgomery County (MoCo Boost), and DC/regional (Let’s Go DMV!).

Now, we are excited to partner with the Meyer Foundation and Prince George’s County government to seed the first guaranteed income program in the county. The Prince George’s County Council recently approved legislation to create the $4 million pilot, which now must go through the budget reconciliation process. The exact details and specific population for this pilot are still being determined, but the program could provide up to $800 per month for 24 months to 200 people -- with no strings attached.

This pilot is being designed to give individuals and families increased flexibility and financial freedom to overcome whatever barriers they may face – whether it is meeting basic needs, paying down a debt, moving into permanent housing, furthering their education to secure a better job, or to stop working a second job and instead be home for more family time.

“The Meyer Foundation is glad to support guaranteed income pilot programs throughout our region, and now in Prince George’s County,” says Meyer Foundation President and CEO George L. Askew, M.D. “Programs like these have roots in the movement for racial justice and have emerged as one of the strongest tools available to us to co-create a future in our region where everyone belongs and thrives. We’re proud to partner with the Greater Washington Community Foundation among our growing list of partners to seed this and other local efforts.”

“Our hope is that these pilot programs will continue to stimulate economic mobility and help close the racial wealth gap in DC, Maryland, and Virginia by providing families with the resources, dignity, and agency to decide what’s best for them,” The Community Foundation President and CEO Tonia Wellons added. “In so doing, we help build consensus and public will to make guaranteed income a publicly funded instrument of community stability and prosperity.”

Read more about the Prince George’s pilot program here:

Washington Post

WTOP

Learn more about our investments in guaranteed income

Sharing the Love in Prince George's County

Earlier this month members of Sharing Prince George’s gathered at the iHOP in Bladensburg, MD to celebrate and recognize the work of nonprofit partners in Prince George’s County.

“It has been such a privilege to learn about your organizations and the incredible work that you do,” Sharing Prince George’s member Rufus Lusk, shared. “Your leadership and dedication to our community is truly inspiring.”

A donor-driven initiative, Sharing Prince George’s has spent the past year meeting with nonprofit organizations across the county. In alignment with The Community Foundation’s Strategic Vision, the group met primarily with organizations focused on the three key intervention areas of the racial wealth gap — Basic Needs, Economic Mobility, and Community Wealth Building. Of those, seven organizations were ultimately selected to receive a total of $200,000 in unrestricted funding.

The initiative also celebrated the second half funding for five organizations who received multi-year grants in 2022.

“The support we received from Sharing Prince George’s last year has allowed us to be more comprehensive in the way we do our work,” George Escobar, Chief of Programs and Services for CASA shared. “With their support, we were able to invest in the infrastructure of our organization in a way that better meets the needs of those we serve.”

The meeting marked the first in-person gathering for Sharing Prince George’s since before pandemic – allowing members and nonprofit leaders valuable opportunities to chat and network over coffee and stacks of iHOP pancakes. This year’s nonprofit partners provide a diverse range of services to the Prince George’s community – from housing rehabilitation and workforce development to promoting the arts and environmental efforts.

“It’s great to connect with so many incredible people,” one leader shared. “We all serve some of the same people in this community, so opportunities like this help open doors for collaborations that can take the work to the next level.”

For more information about Sharing Prince George’s, visit our website or contact Kate Daniels at kdaniels@thecommunityfoundation.org

Faces of Sharing - Getting to Know Sharing Prince George's Member Dr. Marcia Robinson

Dr. Marcia Robinson is the embodiment of ‘Prince George’s Proud’. A resident of Prince George’s County for more than 50 years, Dr. Robinson has spent much of that time in her community – as an entrepreneur and businesswoman, and as a pastor of the church she co-founded with her husband in Clinton, Maryland.

“I work in the community a lot,” Dr. Robinson explained. “I have thoroughly enjoyed it.”

“But working on Sharing Prince George’s has taken things to a whole ‘nother level!”

As a new member of Sharing Prince George’s Dr. Robinson had a chance to experience what she described as ‘collective philanthropy’ for the first time – working side by side with The Community Foundation and other donors to make impactful investments in her community.

“Before Sharing Prince George’s, I never thought of collective community-based giving as something I could do,” Dr. Robinson said. “I knew large companies like MGM could give community-wide, but Sharing Prince George’s allowed me to see how individuals can come together to help the broader community.”

Dr. Robinson added that she especially enjoyed working alongside fellow philanthropists as part of the grantmaking process.

“In Sharing Prince George’s, I got to work with talented professionals – people from all different backgrounds and skillsets – to make a larger, collective impact. I didn’t have to do [grantmaking] by myself; I didn’t need to reinvent the wheel to make a difference in my community. I was part of something bigger giving organizations the resources to help hundreds of families.” 

Dr. Robinson’s expertise as a community leader and an entrepreneur brought a powerful perspective to the grantmaking table – allowing her to connect with many of the nonprofit partners who presented to the committee.

“I loved seeing the enthusiasm that the nonprofits brought – you could feel the passion that they have in working for the betterment of the community,” she explained.

She was especially impressed with nonprofits partners who were focused on financial literacy and empowerment.

“One of the things that I really have a heart for is breaking down the racial divide and legacy wealth,” Dr. Robinson shared. “Giving people the resources, tools, and knowledge to improve their situation. That's really where my heart is.”

“Knowledge – and the application of it – is power.”

“If you give people a foundation and teach them, they can go forth to help improve their circumstances,” she concluded. “That’s what this work is all about: giving people the foundation to springboard to a better life.

Community Foundation's Sharing Community Funds Announce $810,000 in Funding for Regional Nonprofits

The Greater Washington Community Foundation is excited to announce $810,000 in grants awarded through its Sharing Community Funds this past cycle.

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

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

See Below for a complete list of our nonprofit partners for 2023, sorted by category.

Photo Courtesy of Montgomery County Food Council

2023 Sharing Community Fund
Nonprofit Partners - Basic Needs

• Sharing DC Grant Recipients

  Dreaming Out Loud (2022 Multi-Year Grant Recipient) to create economic opportunity for DC’s marginalized communities through creating a healthy, equitable food system by driving a new framework for sustainable economic development for Black and Brown DC residents, food entrepreneurs, and farmers in our region.

  DC Greens to advance health equity and systemic change through advocacy and direct service programs, including Food is Medicine and urban farming.

  DC Kincare Alliance (2023 Multi-Year Grant Recipient) to provide legal, financial, and related services to relative caregivers who step up to at-risk DC children in times of crisis when their parents are not able to care for them.

  Safe Sister Circle to provide holistic, trauma-informed services to Black women and girls from DC Ward’s 7 and 8 who are survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

• Sharing Montgomery Grant Recipients

  AfriThrive to empower African immigrants to grow and share healthy, culturally appropriate produce with residents facing food insecurity.

  Black and Brown Coalition (2022 Multi-Year Grant Recipient) to engage underserved families to advocate for federal, state, and local supports of intensive and research-based academic interventions targeted toward students with the greatest need.

  Care for Your Health for culturally sensitive in-home health care for seniors.

  Community Bridges, Inc to empower girls in elementary, middle and high schools through leadership development, college and career readiness, and family support and mentoring.

  Crittenton Services of Greater Washington to help teenage girls achieve academic and personal success through virtual and school-based cohort programs.

  Crossroads Community Food Network to provide training and support for startup food businesses, healthy eating education, and farmers’ market nutrition incentives at the popular Crossroads Farmers Market.

  Horizons Greater Washington to support students from low-income families with academic, artistic, and athletic activities for nine years, from kindergarten through eighth grade.

  Manna Food Center to work to eliminate hunger through food distribution, healthy eating education, and advocacy.

  Mary's Center for health care, education, social services, and ongoing COVID-19 response that builds a healthier and stronger community.

  Montgomery County Food Council (2022 Multi-Year Grant Recipient) to build a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable local food system. Its leadership helps the many county food providers strategically work together to better serve the 100,000+ residents who do not know where their next meal will come from.

  Montgomery Housing Partnership, Inc (MHP) to develop affordable rental housing and offer Community Life programs that support young children and their families at home, ultimately strengthening neighborhoods.

  National Alliance on Mental Illness of Montgomery County (NAMI MC) to provide comprehensive support, education, advocacy and public awareness to promote recovery for those affected by mental illness.

  Rainbow Community Development Corporation to fund food security relief and other services including eviction and utility cutoff prevention, and temporary shelter, job search and resume assistance.

• Sharing Prince George's Grant Recipients

  Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Prince George’s County (2022 Multi-Year Grant Recipient) to partner with the juvenile court to improve the lives of children living in foster care who have suffered from abuse and neglect. With a strong commitment to diversity, CASA/ Prince George’s County trains and supervises volunteers from the community who advocate for the best interest of children, recognizing and respecting each child’s individual needs. By providing a voice to children in the foster care system, it’s goal is to help children and promote the timely placement of those they serve in safe, permanent homes.

  Community Crisis Services Inc. (2022 Multi-Year Grant Recipient) to provide compassionate crisis support through its hotline, safe-shelter programs and information and referral services.

  Community and Family Youth Services (CAFY) (2022 Multi-Year Grant Recipient) to guide child crime victims in Prince George’s County through the process of testifying in court. CAFY empowers victims and their families to gain the confidence to help hold offenders accountable, restore families and educate the community. They are the designated victim services provider for the four largest law enforcement departments in Prince George’s County. Their mission is “to embrace, educate, and empower those impacted, affected or harmed by crime or trauma on their journey to justice and healing”. All victims are embraced – irrespective of age, gender, religion, ethnic background or sexual orientation.

  Hillside Work Scholarship Connection (2022 Multi-Year Grant Recipient) to provide compassionate crisis support through its hotline, safe-shelter programs and information and referral services.

  Sowing Empowerment & Economic Development (SEED) to provide food, education, and training while promoting self-sufficiency and empowerment directly to low-to-moderate-income families.

Photo Courtesy of CollegeTracks

2023 Sharing Community Fund
Nonprofit Partners - Economic Mobility

• Sharing DC Grant Recipients

  Beloved Community Incubator (2023 Multi-Year Grant Recipient) to help workers create and maintain their own businesses through worker owned cooperatives, collective projects, and business ownership.

  Young Doctors DC to provide mentoring, educational programming, and service-learning opportunities to encourage high school boys in Southeast DC to pursue healthcare careers.

• Sharing Montgomery Grant Recipients

  Career Catchers (2023 Multi-Year Grant Recipient) to provide personalized employment and job skills counseling for low-income and chronically under-employed residents.

  CollegeTracks (2023 Multi-Year Grant Recipient) to improve college access and retention rates for students at risk of not attending college, primarily first-generation, low-income, minority, and immigrant youth.

  Future Link to provide career counseling, mentoring, tutoring, academic advising, scholarships, and internships to help connect disadvantaged youth to post-secondary educational opportunities.

  Generation Hope to mentor and provide scholarships for teen parents pursuing college degrees. It also delivers early childhood resources so scholars’ children begin kindergarten with a strong academic foundation.

  Identity, Inc to serve Latino and other historically underserved youths and their families. Identity helps youths develop social and emotional skills, excel in school, and get ready to enter the workforce.

  Interfaith Works to provide emergency assistance and counseling, vocational services, food distributions, clothing, and shelter for those experiencing homelessness.

  Kingdom Global Community Development Corporation to distribute food, diapers, and COVID-19 support at the East County Services Consolidation Hub, along with other public-private partnerships that address food security, health and wellness, education, employment, and housing.

  Montgomery College Foundation to support the Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES) program that provides underrepresented students with a seamless and supportive pathway to a bachelor’s degree.

  Per Scholas National Capital Region (NCR) to run an intensive technology training course that empowers individuals – especially people of color, women, and young adults – to pursue high-growth tech careers.

  Red Wiggler Community Farm to support on-farm training and education for adults with developmental disabilities. Half of its organic produce is donated to low-income households throughout the county.

  Sheppard Pratt (formerly Family Services) for clinical health services, rehabilitation services, services to children youth and families, and community and family services, such as Linkages to Learning and domestic violence supports.

  The Upcounty Hub to supply families with food, healthcare assistance, and connections to other essential resources, while maintaining their privacy and dignity.

• Sharing Prince George's Grant Recipients

  CASA de Maryland, Inc. (2022 Multi-Year Grant Recipient) to create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in working class and immigrant communities. Their vision is for a future in which immigrants stand in their own power, their families live free from discrimination and fear, and diverse communities thrive as they work with partners to achieve full human rights for all.

  Community Outreach & Development CDC to provide resources that meet the varying needs of households in a compassionate center approach, that focuses on the needs of individual households. Particular focuses of this grant will be to expand partnership with Oxon Hill Elementary School, increase healthy food options and emergency financial support.

  Ivy Community Charities to provide community outreach through education, health, leadership development, cultural arts and economic empowerment. Economic self-sufficiency programs cover financial literacy, budgeting, banking, investing, scholarships, career planning and work transition skills

  Joe's Movement Emporium to offer creative cultural experiences supporting arts education, job training, and building a creative community. Recently, the nonprofit’s work has included establishment of a Suitland location and expansion of their presence in the area.

  The Training Source to provide education, training, and services that promote positive economic mobility for residents. A priority of this grant would be to better meet the demand for services by expanding to serve additional clients.

Photo Courtesy of IMPACT Silver Spring

2023 Sharing Community Fund
Nonprofit Partners -
Individual & Community Wealth Building

• Sharing DC Grant Recipients

  Empower DC (2022 Multi-Year Grant Recipient) to enhance, improve and promote the self-advocacy of low- and moderate-income DC residents through grassroots organizing, popular education style training, leadership development, and member-led campaigns strategically designed to influence pressing social issues impacting our constituency.

  Marshall Heights Community Development Organization to increase economic equity through advancements in homeownership, employment, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and public safety.

• Sharing Montgomery Grant Recipients

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

  IMPACT Silver Spring (2023 Multi-Year Grant Recipient) to fund community-building work for a racially and economically equitable community in which people can take collaborative action to enact lasting change.

  Montgomery Moving Forward to convene leaders from government, business, philanthropy, education, and nonprofits to solve complex problems facing the county. Through capacity building programs, MMF’s leaders advocate around pressing issues of economic opportunity and early childhood education.

  Nonprofit Montgomery to support local organizations with government relations, advocacy, strategic communications, financial management, metrics tracking, and cross-sector problem solving. With this support, grantees of Sharing Montgomery can access personalized support and connections to help deepen their impact.

• Sharing Prince George's Grant Recipients

  Central Kenilworth Avenue Revitalization (CKAR) to implement projects in the Greater Riverdale community, including community and economic development, workforce training, environmental sustainability, business retention, and advocacy efforts. In part, this grant will support a café training program focused on financial stability for participants.

  Housing Initiative Partnership to provide neighborhood revitalization through innovative, green housing development and counseling – including bilingual housing counseling and financial coaching.

Apply Today For the 2023 LEARN Foundation Scholarship

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

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

The fund is now accepting applications for the 2023 awards, which will be awarded in July 2023. The minimum scholarship amount is $1,000. Applicants must be high school seniors residing in the immediate vicinity of FedExField with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA or better. The applications must include a short personal essay, an official transcript, a school letter, and two letters of recommendation.

Completed applications must be submitted by Saturday, May 13, 2023.

For more information please contact The LEARN Foundation at learnfoundation18@gmail.com.

Faces of Philanthropy: Meet The Emerging Leaders Executive Committee

A new year, means there’s new faces on the Emerging Leaders Impact Fund (ELIF) Executive Committee!

ELIF is a diverse group of passionate people who are interested in using the power of philanthropy to make a positive difference in Prince George’s County. The ELIF Executive Committee is made up of strong leaders who are dedicated to inspiring future philanthropists and building coalitions for change in their community.

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Tatiana Paige Altson

(Bio Coming Soon)

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Danita Dyer

Danita C. Dyer resides in Upper Marlboro, MD and has been a PG County resident for the past 9 years. She is very passionate about her community. 

Danita has a background in Public and Community Health and began her career as a Research Intern for the Center of Evaluation, Policy, Research and Prevention at John Hopkins while enrolled as a student at Morgan State University.  She furthered her education by obtaining a Masters’ Degree at Trinity University majoring in Science Administration in Organizational Management and Public and Community Health. After graduation, Danita worked alongside the NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAD) as a Health Analyst/Program Manager with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation. 

Currently, Danita works at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA), where she serves as an Assist Records Liaison Officer (ARLO) between ORA and FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel. As part of that role, Danita serves as the lead POC over the multilayered contract awarded to ORA, ensuring that operations are in compliance with Congressional Mandate.

Danita has also served as the ORA and Baltimore District Office Vice President (VP) for National Treasury Employees Union’s (NTEU) Chapter 282 and services over 5,000 employees. During her over tenure as the elected VP with NTEU’s Chapter 282 she has lobbied on the Hill and fought for employee rights for over 5 years. 

Danita has one daughter (Blair) who is a Freshman at Morgan State University and majors in Entrepreneurship. Danita is also the primary caregiver for her grandparents who were both diagnosed with Dementia over the pandemic.   

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Armaund Hodge

(Photo and Bio Coming Soon)

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Eric Johnston

As someone passionate about political empowerment, and mobilizing people to solve challenging, shared problems, Eric Johnston is currently leaving his mark as the Director of Federal Government Affairs for Marriott International. He leads the global company's federal public policy advocacy efforts, grassroots and grasstops political coordination, and national partnership engagement.

Prior to that, Eric worked with Coca-Cola Consolidated for more than five years. He served as the Director of Government Relations for the Mid-Atlantic region. He was the youngest person and first African American to hold this leadership position in their 117-year history. Before joining the Coca-Cola team, Eric worked seven years as a lobbyist for the multi-client firm, Strategic Solutions Center LLC.

Eric serves his community by contributing to multiple organizations on their Board of Directors. Those organizations include the Virginia Tech Pamplin College of Business, National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics, Maryland Government Relations Association, 100 Black Men of Greater Washington DC, and New Leaders Council. Through these and other organizations, he has been dedicated to civic engagement and empowering young professionals to engage underserved communities.

Eric graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) with a bachelor’s degree in Finance and holds an M.B.A. from Hampton University. He is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and an even prouder husband and father.

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Altmann Pannell

Altmann R. Pannell is a native of Petersburg, Virginia, who earned a B.A. in African American Studies with a focus in Public Policy from the University of Maryland College Park in 2009 and a Masters of Public Administration with a focus in Public Policy from Bowie State University in 2016.

Upon graduation, Altmann worked in the Office of The Honorable Anthony G. Brown, Lieutenant Governor of Maryland and later in the Prince George’s County Council with The Honorable Ingrid M. Turner Esq, and The Honorable Deni Tavares. In March of 2016, Altmann began working in the Non-Profit Sector of the District of Columbia for Food & Friends Inc., as the Manager of Intergovernmental Relations and Public Funding.

In 2019, Altmann left the servicer field and joined the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) as the Director of Government and External Affairs, where he worked tirelessly to bring different perspectives to difficult conversations addressing community policing in America. During his time at IACLEA, he was tasked to lead the COVID-19 Rapid Response Task Force for the nation’s Colleges and Universities at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the early Spring of 2021, Altmann joined Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc., as the Director of Government Relations over the Mid-Atlantic Region, where he currently works.

Altmann is married to his lovely wife Joy, and they reside in Laurel, Maryland, with their Miniature Schnauzer, Vino. Altmann is an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Washington D.C., as well as in his Graduate Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc., serving the greater College Park, MD community.

In addition to serving on the Emerging Leaders Impact Fund Executive Committee, Altmann also serves as the Vice-Chair of the Camping Committee for the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America servicing the youth of the District of Columbia.

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Davion Percy

Davion E. Percy launched Percy Public Affairs, LLC in July of 2020. Prior to launching PPA, Davion worked the Government Relations Practice of Alexander & Cleaver, PA. He started out as a Government Relations Consultant, quickly rising to Vice President of the Government Relations Division.  Prior to joining Alexander & Cleaver, Davion served in Prince George’s County Government for 10 years.  He worked five years in the Department of Environmental Resources (now the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement).

During the last half of the decade he spent with Prince George’s County, Davion served in the office of former County Council Member Karen R. Toles (D-Suitland) as Constituent Services Specialist and Chief of Staff, respectively.  As part of his duties, Davion acted as Council Member Toles’ community representative, liaison to the county’s public safety agencies, and advisor on public safety policy initiatives.  As Chief of Staff, Davion advised Council Member Toles on all policy matters, including zoning issues, and served as her staff liaison to the Health, Education, and Human Services committee, which she chaired.  Additionally, he oversaw the day-to- day functions of the office.

Davion resides in Prince George’s County where he spends his spare time with family and mentoring young men and women through community outreach programs with non-profits.

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Ashley Sharp

Ashley is a Maryland resident and graduate of University of Maryland, College Park. She is CEO of Resurgence Consulting, LLC and President of the Marlboro Pike Partnership, CDC. Her professional career includes Government & Politics working at Local, State and Federal levels of all legislative branches.

Ashley is passionate about community and solving complex social issues for those most in need. In addition to her involvement with ELIF, she’s also a member of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. and the First Baptist Church of Glenarden.

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D’Andre Wilson

D’Andre Wilson is an educator and leader who is passionate about helping others through the gift of education. Having worked in various capacities, Mr. Wilson currently serves as a higher education business operations leader with the primary purpose of helping students achieve their education and career goals.

During his 15+ years in education, D’Andre Wilson has aimed to lead through a Servant Leadership approach. In addition to seeing his students accomplish their career goals, D’Andre says that his greatest professional accomplishments revolve around helping his fellow Colleagues advance into leadership roles. “Real Leaders Create Other Leaders” is a phrase that guides Mr. Wilson daily.

Mr. Wilson has received several accolades and awards throughout his career, but his greatest accomplishment has been being a husband and father to four beautiful children. Mr. Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Hampton University, Masters of Education in Higher Education Administration and is currently pursuing an Education Doctorate from Northeastern University.

Advancing Economic Mobility— and Justice—in Prince George’s

“Despite its designation as one of the wealthiest majority Black jurisdictions in the country, Prince George’s has the lowest household income in the region, a sobering nod to Greater Washington’s significant and historic racial wealth gap.”

By Jamie McCrary - Addressing our region’s economic inequality has become a leading priority for community leaders. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, Greater Washington—home to nine of the 20 wealthiest counties in the U.S.—suffered some of the highest income inequalities in the nation.

Prince George’s County, Maryland, is no exception. Despite its designation as one of the wealthiest majority Black jurisdictions in the country, Prince George’s has the lowest household income in the region, a sobering nod to Greater Washington’s significant and historic racial wealth gap.

Throughout the region, many philanthropic organizations have pivoted their focus to address these stark disparities. For The Community Foundation, this means continuing to partner with local nonprofits driving economic justice—and reimagining the organization’s strategy to build racially equitable, just, and thriving communities where everyone prospers.

“Low-income residents and communities of color have paid dearly due to lack of investment advancing economic justice,” says Darcelle Wilson, Senior Director for Prince George’s County at The Community Foundation. “Every community and person, no matter their socio-economic status, is better off when we take strategic action to close the racial wealth gap.”

A Vision for Equity

In 2021, The Community Foundation finalized its new, 10-year strategic vision to pursue economic justice for Greater Washington

Centered on three core pillars—leading with racial equity and inclusion, aligning its business with its vision, and closing the racial wealth gap—the framework envisions our region as a place where people of all races, places, and identities reach their full potential. “Our region’s biggest challenges stem from economic injustice, the root cause of persistent inequities exacerbated by the pandemic,” says Tonia Wellons, President and CEO of The Community Foundation. “[We] imagine a region that has moved beyond simply surviving to becoming a welcoming and inclusive place where we all prosper.”

In Prince George’s County, The Community Foundation’s pursuit of justice is prescient throughout its programs and partnerships— some longstanding, others newly established.

Through initiatives like Sharing Prince George’s, a program which convenes donors to learn about community needs and invest in promising solutions, or the Equity Fund, which invests in nonprofits working to eliminate disparities, The Community Foundation is turning its vision for equity into action.

In 2021, The Community Foundation’s Prince George’s County office awarded more than $3.8 million in grants to 100+ nonprofits, building on their existing $50 million of investments in nonprofits serving county residents.

Empowering Prince George’s Families and Communities

The organization’s pursuit of economic justice began long before finalizing its equity-driven vision. The Community Foundation has long partnered with organizations in Prince George’s County to fight poverty, unemploy- ment, and other barriers to prosperity for more than 20 years, including Capitol Heights-based nonprofit United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP).

A respite service provider, UCAP serves low- income residents negatively impacted by poverty, homelessness, crime, and other adverse social situations. Through initiatives like the Family Stabilization Program (FSP)—a homelessness shelter transition program that The Community Foundation helped seed in 2013—UCAP is helping empower Prince George’s families toward equitable economic stability.

A 12-24 month program, FSP provides sup- portive case management to families experiencing homelessness in Prince George’s County and transitioning out of UCAP’s shelter. Families are paired with a caseworker to ensure continued access to shelter services and receive a bank account and starter stipend, once they complete a financial literacy class.

“The Community Foundation affords the opportunity to create solutions to our com- munity’s environmental and socioeconomic challenges,” says Rasheeda Jamison, President and CEO of UCAP. “This support has allowed us to grow and expand our reach by making sure programs like FSP meet residents’ needs.”

Since the program’s inception, The Community Foundation has invested in case worker salaries, administrative fees, and stipends, helping assist more than 700 Prince George’s families.

“It’s been phenomenal to see so many people come together to make sure individuals who need help receive services,” Jamison says. “This is the foundation of a strong community.”

Catalyzing Action Through Philanthropy Partnering with high-impact nonprofits like UCAP is just one way the Community Foundation is pursuing justice. The organization is also investing in growing strong philanthropic connections, particularly with younger generations through its Emerging Leaders Impact Fund (ELIF).

ELIF, a giving circle for young philanthropists in Prince George’s County, convenes next gen donors to raise awareness and catalyze action around key societal issues. Members, typically aged 45 and under, pool their resources to invest in programs to advance residents’ economic mobility.

ELIF members also attend a series of learning events throughout the year, helping ensure participants stay attuned to community needs and that they are learning about the fundamentals of effective and strategic giving. “The Emerging Leaders Impact Fund is about the future,” says ELIF chair Davion Percy. “Not only the future of Prince George’s County, but our community’s future leaders.” The first cohort completed their inaugural grant round last fall, investing nearly $12,000 in five Prince George’s County nonprofits combatting chronic absenteeism in schools— a barrier to both educational and economic advancement.

As the Community Foundation continues to pursue its vision for justice, its Prince George’s County team is also driving impact through new partnerships, programs, and investments. Recent partnership initiatives include the County Executive Office’s Hope in Action Anti-Violence Project, a cross-sector violence prevention initiative; and the new Faith and Philanthropy Project, a partnership with the faith community which helps ensure long-term institutional sustainability and impact. Whatever the medium, The Community

Foundation wants to ensure all Prince Georgians are afforded equal economic opportunity—and, in time, the region’s racial wealth gap is a painful reality of the past.

“By widening the pool of economic devel- opment opportunities to a more diverse set of participants, we take steps toward closing the racial wealth gap,”Wellons says. “Together, we can build a more just and equitable community.”

This Article was originally published in the Fall/Holiday 2022 Edition of the Prince George’s Suite Magazine.

Mutual Aid Groups: Preparing for Tomorrow’s Crises by Investing in Today’s Problem Solvers

Ever since early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a tremendous mobilization in the social services sector. Within weeks, nonprofit organizations across the country scrambled to shift their operations to meet community needs – organizing new programs, experimenting with new technologies, and seeking new ways to connect and collaborate with community members.

Yet perhaps the most impressive mobilization has come from a different source – Mutual Aid Networks -- a growing movement of neighbors helping neighbors on a grassroots level.

“Mutual aid is a critical part of our region’s social safety net,” said Tonia Wellons, President and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “When neighbors help neighbors meet their basic needs, it strengthens the whole community’s ability to address current crises – and weather future ones, as they continue along the path to economic progress.”

While the concept of mutual aid has been around for a long time, the pandemic saw a dramatic increase in the organization and mobilization of networks throughout the Greater Washington region. Neighbors mobilized to help each other with issues that ranged from food and transportation needs to utilities assistance.

“The heart of our work is to redistribute wealth and resources to Black communities in DC who are facing rapid displacement,” one organizer with Serve Your City, Ward 6 Mutual Aid shared. “When a community can care for itself from within, leaders are developed, and new power models are created.”

In addition to greatly increasing the efficiency and reach of ongoing relief efforts, these power models can provide vital infrastructure and partnership opportunities for future community-wealth building initiatives.

“Our dream is to create sustainability within Black neighborhoods so that the city's most long-standing residents can maintain homes within thriving communities,” another organizer added. “We are all best served when our community is safe and healthy, and when communities have agency over decision-making.”

Recognizing the critical role of mutual aid networks in responding to current and future crises, the Greater Washington Community Foundation recently awarded $250,000 in grants to help meet the basic needs of low-income residents, bridge diverse communities, support vaccine education/access, strengthen political education and organizing, and more.

These investments also marked a milestone for The Community Foundation as they represent the final grants issued from the organization’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund established at the onset of the pandemic.

“We are grateful for the donors and nonprofit partners who have stood by us and our community during one of the most trying and transformative periods in its history,” Wellons said.

“Though this concludes our immediate crisis response work, we will continue working together with our partners to prepare for future crises and to support pathways to economic mobility so more people can overcome everyday crises that prevent them from thriving in our region.”

Grant Recipients include:

East of the River Mutual Aid (EORMA/Grassroots DC)

To support the work of East of the River Mutual Aid in Wards 7 and 8 to provide residents with basic needs such as groceries, hot meals, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, school supplies, transportation, emergency housing, clothing, baby formula, diapers and more. EORMA will also provide support related to grief/loss, elderly resident support, political education/organizing, and operates a COVID-19 hotline to help neighbors with vaccine education/access.

Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid (SYC/W6MA)

To support the work of Serve Your City/ Ward 6 Mutual Aid Network in Wards 5,6, 7 and 8, including food and supply distribution, providing critical supplies and advocating alongside unhoused neighbors for access to resources, youth education and workforce programs, digital divide program, and political organizing and advocacy.

Silver Spring & Takoma Park Mutual Aid (SSTPMA)

To support mutual aid efforts in the Silver Spring, Takoma Park, and Kensington areas of Montgomery County that includes grocery store gift cards and financial assistance for utility bills. Funding will help expand the capacity of ongoing work as well as assist with the backlog of requests for assistance.

Ward 3 Mutual Aid (W3MA)

To support food assistance programs including buying /delivering groceries to neighbors, grocery gift cards, Ward 3 Food Pantry and household cleaning supplies, and financial assistance to other mutual aid groups in the city. W3MA has an ongoing commitment to providing support to East of The River Mutual Aid and to supporting a hot meal program for low-income people in other wards.

Ward 5 Mutual Aid (W5MA)

To support mutual aid efforts in Ward 5 and help neighbors with basic needs including groceries, personal and household items. W5MA operates a grocery delivery system and supply hub which is staffed by volunteers and has a storehouse of canned/dry food items, some fresh produce, diapers, and clothing. Funding will help meet the consistent inflow of grocery requests, and growing backlog.

The Hope Collective

To support a group of nonprofit organizations in Prince George’s County that utilize their resources collaboratively to provide school-based and community wraparound services in areas where violent crime is an issue. The Hope Collective will support up to 5 nonprofit organizations that will provide youth and their families with mental health, workforce development, after-school programming, and re-entry services specifically to address rising crime and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Honoring Philanthropy in Prince George’s and Montgomery County

This past month, the Greater Washington Community Foundation gathered with donors and partners from across the region to celebrate philanthropy in Prince George’s County and Montgomery County at the 2022 Civic Leadership Awards and the Celebration of Giving. Here are a few highlights from the events:

Igniting the Power of Philanthropy in Prince George’s County
The party started early at the MGM at National Harbor, as friends and supporters of The Community Foundation’s local office in Prince George’s County gathered for the 2022 Civic Leadership Awards. Tracee Wilkins, Prince George’s County Bureau Chief with NBC4, served as master of ceremonies for Prince George’s County’s first major event since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are so excited to be reunited with so many of you in person, after so long,” President and CEO Tonia Wellons shared. “We look forward to sharing a memorable evening with all of you.”

The evening proved to be both memorable and emotionally moving. The program started off with a moving tribute to the first Civic Leadership Award recipient, The Sardelis Family of Sardi’s Pollo A La Brasa. Founded in Prince George’s County, Sardi’s has quickly become a cornerstone of the community – both for the quality of its food, as well as its commitment to give back during the pandemic. The award was accepted by Phil E. Sardelis, whose cousin and co-founder, Phil G. Sardelis tragically passed away last year due to COVID complications.

Mr. Sardelis was followed by the presentation of the second Civic Leadership Award to Rosie Allen-Herring, President & CEO of the United Way of the National Capital Area – a champion for progress in Prince George’s County. Long-time friend Steve Proctor of G.S. Proctor & Associates presented the award via prerecorded message, extolling Rosie’s commitment to family and the region as a whole.

Rosie was followed by the presentation of Nonprofit Leader of the Year Award to Rick & Dawn Collins of the 2nd Lieutenant Richard W. Collins III Foundation. There was scarcely a dry eye in the room, as Dawn Collins tearfully shared how much this recognition meant for their family’s ongoing work against hate crimes – a mission they have undertaken since their son was brutally murdered by a White Nationalist in 2017.

Rick and Dawn were one of four nonprofit leaders nominated for the award. The other three nominees – who were also recognized -- included Lupi Quinteros-Grady of Latin American Youth Center, Deborah Martinez of Mission of Love Charities, and Rob Malone of The Arc Prince George’s County.

After Rick & Dawn, the Corporate Philanthropist of the Year Award was presented to IKEA College Park – in recognition of its investment in the region during the pandemic, when the Swedish-based company invested $1 million to support The Community Foundation’s pandemic response, as a way to “pay it forward” in acknowledgment of the unemployment benefits collected by furloughed employees from Maryland, including the College Park store. The award was accepted by IKEA College Park Market Manager for the DC area, Tony Giacona.

He was followed by the presentation of the Wayne K. Curry Award for Leadership & Public Service to The Honorable Kris Valderrama of Maryland’s 26th District. Named after the first African American to serve as Prince George's County Executive, the Wayne K. Curry Award acknowledges outstanding elected officials who advocate for and champion change in Prince George's County. Kris has served as Maryland's 26th District Delegate since 2006, where she has championed legislation advocating for the rights and needs of Prince George's County's residents in the state of Maryland.

After Kris, Veronica Jeon presented the Chairman’s Award to Prince George’s County Advisory Board Member and Host Committee co-chair Chris Borgal, in recognition of his contributions to The Community Foundation’s efforts in Prince George’s County.

The final award of the evening, the Emerging Leader of the Year Award was presented to John Edward, General Manager of Bond 45. Born in Egypt, John moved to the US to pursue his American Dream in the hospitality industry and provide a better life for his family. His charisma and commitment to quality service has captured the hearts of many in Prince George’s County.

John was one of four Emerging Leaders nominated for the award. The other nominees included Altmann Pannell of Coca-Cola Consolidated, The Honorable Mahasin El Amin, Clerk of Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, and Husein Sharaf of Cloudforce.

Additional information on our honorees – including personalized tribute videos – are available on our website.

Celebrating Giving in Montgomery County

On November 16th, donors and community partners in Montgomery County gathered for the Celebration of Giving, honoring the 2022 Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year, Mimi Brodsky Kress.

A third generation Washingtonian, Mimi Brodsky Kress maintains a deep commitment to her home community of Montgomery County through both her personal philanthropy and as the co-owner of Sandy Spring Builders, where she is one of only a few women builders in the area.

During the program, Mimi joined Bethesda Magazine President Sumindi Peiris onstage for an “Oprah Winfrey”-style interview, where she shared the motivation that compels her to get deeply involved in her community.

“If there’s one thing my parents taught me,” Kress shared, “it was the importance of the Jewish principle of ‘Tikkun Olam’ – that we need to actively engage in action to repair the world.”

Those closest to Mimi know that being actively engaged is something she is very good at. In addition to running a small business, Mimi is volunteers extensively with Habitat for Humanity, leading a group of women called “the Hammer Chicks” who get out into the field and help build affordable homes. Her leadership on the boards of several local charities – including (but not limited to) the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Montgomery County, Jewish Women International, and the Jewish National Fund — has been game-changing, leading to organizational growth and expansion of services to meet increasing demand.

We are grateful to Mimi for allowing us to shine a spotlight on her, knowing her example will inspire many others to give and get involved in our local community.

Additional information about our 2022 Philanthropist of the Year is available in this Bethesda Magazine Article and on our website. You can also view this special tribute video that was debuted at the event.