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.

The Faces of Health Equity: Meet Our Nonprofit Partners

On June 13, The Community Foundation announced $12. 5 million in Health Equity Fund grants to 14 DC-based nonprofits working on health advocacy, policy, and systems change initiatives that address the social and structural determinants of health.

We invited our partners to highlight their experiences working to address the social and structural determinants of health in the Greater Washington region.

• THE NATIONAL REENTRY NETWORK FOR RETURNING CITIZENS

  1. Briefly describe the community your organization represents (and/or the issue(s) you advocate for), and/or the policy and systems you seek to change.

  We represent the criminal legal community in regards to incarcerated individuals and returning citizens coming back into our community. The issues that we advocate for are eliminating barriers to reentry, record sealing, expungement, and relief from fines/fees/restitution. We seek to change hiring practices that exclude returning citizens.

  2. What do you find most meaningful about the work that you do? What are you most proud of?

  The thing we find most meaningful about the work we do is evening the playing field, educating the public, and changing the criminal legal system. We are more proud of our longevity and being a one-stop-shop in terms of resources for returning citizens. We are proud to be a source of evidence of the success possible for returning citizens, and demonstrate the outcomes possible for people in the criminal legal system who are given an opportunity to thrive.

  3. As a nonprofit partner, briefly describe how you plan to utilize funding to support your work?

  We will be using funding to support our personnel and expand our programming. We will be hiring a community organizer and program manager, and will also utilize funding to cover training costs, event planning, meeting costs, program supplies, outreach and campaign materials, and to conduct evaluation of our work.

  4. What do you wish that more people understood about the community you represent?

  We want people to understand that we have to stop throwing people away, as if they were human waste. We want them to understand that we need to take a closer look at the impact of the criminal legal system and its collateral consequences. If we do that, we will see that it is necessary to move in a different direction and to invest in supporting communities, families, and returning citizens.

  80% or more of people incarcerated are there for a non-violent crime. We can't incarcerate our way out of this. We have to address trauma, mental health, and underserved communities. Taking time to understand and acquire this knowledge will allow us to come up with effective alternatives and solutions.

• DC FISCAL POLICY INSTITUTE

  1. Briefly describe the community your organization represents (and/or the issue(s) you advocate for), and/or the policy and systems you seek to change.

  DCFPI serves as central resource to advocates and community members, providing research, analysis, and strategy to inform just policy solutions and reform inequitable systems. We take aim at the compounding effects of structural racism, which have led to vast racial and ethnic inequities in education, housing, employment, income, wealth, and health, privileging white residents while leaving Black and non-Black residents of color more likely to struggle to get by and care for their children. We strive to root out anti-Blackness, promote economic mobility, and repair racist harms that set the conditions for consistently poorer economic and health outcomes for Black and brown communities.

  2. What do you find most meaningful about the work that you do? What are you most proud of?

  DCFPI leverages its analytic, programmatic, and legislative expertise for collaborative campaigns, helping to design both policy and strategy. DCFPI utilizes the power of progressive policy to support the economic liberation of Black and brown people in the District. We are most proud of our 22-year track record that has lifted up and protected economically struggling DC families.

  3. As a nonprofit partner, briefly describe how you plan to utilize funding to support your work?

  DCFPI, in collaboration with partners rooted in impacted communities, will pursue two critical areas of policy change: Establishing Guarantees for A Liberation Economy and Building Black Wealth. We will develop a pilot jobs guarantee for young workers, pursue a child tax credit and expansion of guaranteed basic income pilots, and spearhead a campaign for a more racially just tax code that pays for targeted investments that reduce Black debt, increase access to Black homeownership, and provide capital to support Black entrepreneurship.

  4. What do you wish that more people understood about the community you represent?

  The District is home to incredible prosperity that is not equitably shared. Despite high incomes and high-paying jobs, too many residents—disproportionately Black and Latinx people—struggle to pay for basics or access good jobs. More than 100,000 DC residents live in poverty, the lion’s share being women and people of color. Centuries-long oppression of Black people through enslavement, segregation, and Jim Crow legislation has led to vast racial and ethnic inequities in education, housing, employment, income, and wealth creation. The legacy of these inequities and long-standing divestment from communities of color carries racial and economic exclusion forward today. However, before us stands a great opportunity to foster change that creates healthy, thriving communities where everyone has the nurture, sustenance, and safety every person inherently deserves.

  5. What do you wish that more people understood about the issue(s) you seek to change?

  The power of tax justice as racial and economic justice. As a tool for liberation, tax policy should take aim at the anti-Blackness embedded within our tax systems by raising taxes on the predominantly white, wealthy households that have been economically privileged through the historic and ongoing oppression of Black and brown people. The revenue raised would be dedicated to public investments that predominantly aid Black households that are struggling to get by and are systematically denied, over generations, the fruits of their labor.

• MOTHERS OUTREACH NETWORK

  1. Briefly describe the community your organization represents (and/or the issue(s) you advocate for), and/or the policy and systems you seek to change.

  MON supports the inclusion and empowerment of Black mothers in the struggle for family preservation and advocates for the transformation of government income and child welfare laws, policies and practices from punitive to empowering. Our primary initiatives seek to empower Black families by working to enact publicly funded guaranteed income programs for low-income mothers, advocating for existing social safety net programs such as the 2021 Child Tax Credit, and transforming the $200 million DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) family regulation and foster system budget.

  2. What do you find most meaningful about the work that you do? What are you most proud of?

  Some of the most meaningful work that we do at MON involves working directly with Black mothers through programs such as our Legal Tax Clinic and our guaranteed income pilot program, Mother Up. This program is a cash transfer initiative for no- and low- income Black mothers in Washington, D.C. who are involved with the child welfare system. We plan to explore whether extra cash can cut family involvement with the child welfare system and to achieve narrative change that can transform policy in this field. We seek to ultimately enroll 100 mothers or more, in total in this: for 3 years, 50 mothers receiving $500 a month and an additional 50 mothers survey incentive stipends.

  3. As a nonprofit partner, briefly describe how you plan to utilize funding to support your work?

  We will utilize funding to support our guaranteed income program. These funds will provide for the following: mothers in our program receiving $500 a month; mothers in the control group receiving $40 a month; benefits counseling for the mothers; and hold harmless payments for the mothers to offset any benefit reductions.

  4. What do you wish that more people understood about the community you represent?

  Black families in Washington, DC suffer over-involvement in the intersecting paradigms of racialized poverty and its poverty-driven government family regulation. Our goal is to transform the family regulation system to prioritize Black family economic security, racial equity, and family preservation.

  5. What do you wish that more people understood about the issue(s) you seek to change?

  Our work confronts the child welfare system's role in failing to address Black family poverty and the system's policies that traumatize and rip apart Black families. Studies have demonstrated that alleviating poverty reduces reports of abuse and neglect, or child maltreatment. Our goal with the Mother Up program is to explore whether extra cash can cut family involvement with the child welfare system and to achieve narrative change that can transform policy in this field.

• COUNCIL FOR COURT EXCELLENCE

  1. Briefly describe the community your organization represents (and/or the issue(s) you advocate for), and/or the policy and systems you seek to change.

  The Council for Court Excellence (CCE) brings together an interdisciplinary group of D.C. residents, advocates, and members of the legal and business communities to collaborate and advance equity-focused changes to D.C. criminal and civil laws, regulations, court practices, and agency policies. Our work seeks to help D.C. residents who interact with the legal system, especially justice involved and impacted individuals.

  Throughout D.C.’s legal system, people of color are disproportionately impacted. While Black people make up 47% of D.C.’s population, they make up 86% of the people arrested, 90% of the people jailed, and 95% of the people in prison.

  2. What do you find most meaningful about the work that you do? What are you most proud of?

  CCE’s work has resulted in fewer D.C. children being funneled into the school-to-prison pipeline, fewer people in our community facing incarceration, and a decrease in the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction in the District. We are proud to increase awareness and thoughtfulness around justice system issues and spur a spirit of change to engage more people in the community who care about these issues, broadening the pool of those who are aware, engaged, and fighting for equity.

  3. As a nonprofit partner, briefly describe how you plan to utilize funding to support your work?

  CCE will utilize our model of interdisciplinary alliance to develop and implement strategic advocacy campaigns. We will convene partners and impacted people, conduct research, and collect data and feedback to ensure our priorities are community guided. CCE will develop policy reform campaigns from start to finish, and conduct activities to cultivate community and grassroots advocacy. Finally, we will educate the public on our campaigns, put public pressure on policymakers to enact reforms, and sustain community mobilization.

  4. What do you wish that more people understood about the community you represent?

  One in seven adults in the District has a publicly available criminal record. The impacts of D.C.’s criminal legal system are not felt by all D.C. residents equally. Roughly 90% of people incarcerated at the D.C. Department of Corrections were Black, despite Black people making up a little less than half of D.C.’s population. Racial disparities persist in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), with Black people accounting for 95% of people incarcerated in the BOP for a D.C. Code offense.

  Legal system or court involvement – whether as a person who has faced a criminal charge or incarceration, as a victim of crime, or even as a litigant in a civil matter – can have dramatic impacts on a person’s well-being. Decisions made by judges, police, caseworkers, and others with power in the legal system can change a person’s life in positive and negative ways – which means it is vital that D.C.’s laws and policies are equitable, healing-focused, and anti-racist.

  5. What do you wish that more people understood about the issue(s) you seek to change?

  It is important for people to know that the lack of statehood significantly affects D.C.’s criminal legal system and presents challenges in the pursuit of community-led justice.

  In D.C., the federal government plays several important roles in the local administration of justice but has no accountability to District residents. Presently, people convicted of D.C. offenses are sent to federal prisons, local Courts are funded by the federal government, and adults are prosecuted by federal prosecutors, among other powers.

• DC JUSTICE LAB

  1. Briefly describe the community your organization represents (and/or the issue(s) you advocate for), and/or the policy and systems you seek to change.

  DC Justice Lab is a team of law and policy experts researching, organizing, and advocating for large-scale changes to the District of Columbia’s criminal legal system. We develop smarter safety solutions that are evidence-driven, community-rooted, and racially just. We aim to fully transform the District’s approach to public safety and make it a national leader in justice reform.

  2. What do you find most meaningful about the work that you do? What are you most proud of?

  The most meaningful aspect of our work is the ability to change the way people think about who we punish, how we punish, and why we punish. Helping Black people thrive is why we’re here – and reforming the criminal legal system is how we do it. We’re most proud of how we do the work. We lead with integrity and justice, engaging with and understanding the needs of the community where we live and work; forging strong connections; and prioritizing community-centered approaches to reform.

  3. As a nonprofit partner, briefly describe how you plan to utilize funding to support your work?

  As a proud Black- and woman-led organization, we plan to utilize funding to not only grow our impact, but the impact of other pro-Black organizations who are working to effect policy change, training the next generation of local advocates on the District's lawmaking process. Leveraging and lifting each other requires an intensive effort – including multi-day workshops that provide support, resources, and strategies that work to make the collective more effective in less time.

  4. What do you wish that more people understood about the community you represent?

  Almost 90% of arrests in the District disproportionately target Black residents, and over 90% of those who are sentenced are also Black. Year after year, research has consistently shown that marginalized communities facing poverty, substance abuse issues, and high crime rates are disproportionately impacted by the consequences of the criminal legal system.

  Despite this evidence, our country and local leaders continue to prioritize tough-on-crime laws and policies that have fueled mass incarceration and worsened the conditions of our Black and brown communities. This is why we advocate for lawmakers to implement solutions that address the root causes of crime and violence, while reducing our nation's excessive reliance on police, prosecutors, and prisons in order to promote safety and freedom for all.

  5. What do you wish that more people understood about the issue(s) you seek to change?

  We wish more people understood that mass criminalization actually causes more crime, making us all less safe. Not only does it perpetuate poverty, but it breaks apart (and breaks down) families who create thriving communities with generational wealth.

• LA CLINICA DEL PUEBLO

  1. Briefly describe (in 2-3 sentences) the community your organization represents (and/or the issue(s) you advocate for), and/or the policy and systems you seek to change.

  La Clínica del Pueblo represents the low-income, Limited English Proficient, immigrant, Latinx communities in Washington, DC, facing health inequities and healthcare access barriers. We advocate for policy changes and system transformation to address these issues, including eliminating exclusionary policies, guaranteeing Medicaid-level coverage, and ensuring linguistically and culturally appropriate service provision.

  2. What do you find most meaningful about the work that you do? What are you most proud of?

  Through our advocacy efforts, such as involvement in passing the DC Language Access Act, we have played a pivotal role in ensuring equal access and participation in public services for individuals with limited English proficiency. Our contributions to establishing the DC Healthcare Alliance Program and, more recently, simplifying its recertification process have also been sources of pride. This program, available to all residents regardless of immigration status, has reduced disparities and expanded access to healthcare for marginalized groups.

  La Clínica's ability to effect positive change through advocacy efforts demonstrates our dedication to creating a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system, making a meaningful impact on the lives of low-income immigrant communities in the region.

  3. As a nonprofit partner, briefly describe how you plan to utilize funding to support your work?

  We plan to utilize the funding to expanding our advocacy campaigns to raise community awareness and engage policymakers, enhancing our community mapping efforts to better understand the needs of low-income immigrant communities, and strengthening our partnerships and coalitions to drive systemic change. The funding will enable us to allocate resources for capacity building, staff training, communication strategies, and community engagement initiatives to advance our mission of improving healthcare access and addressing health inequities.

  4. What do you wish that more people understood about the community you represent?

  One thing we wish more people understood about the community we represent, with a specific focus on health access as a human right, is that healthcare is essential for everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic background, immigration status, or language proficiency. Access to healthcare is not just a privilege but a fundamental human right. Low-income immigrant communities, who often face additional barriers to accessing healthcare, deserve equitable and dignified care.

  Recognizing health access as a human right means understanding that everyone deserves equal opportunities to lead healthy lives, and it requires addressing systemic inequalities and ensuring that healthcare services are accessible, culturally competent, and affordable for all.

  5. What do you wish that more people understood about the issue(s) you seek to change?

  We wish more people understood the intersectionality and complexity of the barriers faced by low-income immigrant communities in accessing healthcare. It is crucial to recognize that these barriers extend beyond immigration status and language proficiency. Systemic racism, social determinants of health, limited financial resources, and cultural differences contribute to health disparities.

  By understanding the multifaceted nature of these challenges, we can develop comprehensive solutions that address the underlying structural and systemic issues. It is essential to move beyond simplistic narratives and stereotypes and instead embrace a holistic perspective considering the interconnected factors impacting healthcare access for marginalized communities.

• WHITMAN-WALKER INSTITUTE

  1. Briefly describe the community your organization represents (and/or the issue(s) you advocate for), and/or the policy and systems you seek to change.

  Whitman-Walker envisions a society where all people are seen for who they are, treated with dignity and respect, and afforded equal opportunity to health and wellbeing. The Whitman-Walker Institute combines clinical and public health research, public policy advocacy, and professional and community education, with the goal of expanding the body of knowledge and science needed to advance health and wellness, particularly for sexual and gender diverse communities.

  2. What do you find most meaningful about the work that you do? What are you most proud of?

  For almost fifty years, Whitman-Walker has been woven into the fabric of DC’s diverse community as a first responder and trusted resource for those living with and affected by HIV; a leader in LGBTQ care and advocacy; a research center working to discover breakthroughs in HIV treatment and prevention science; a fierce advocate for health equity and inclusion; and one of DC’s dependable healthcare partners throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

  3. As a nonprofit partner, briefly describe how you plan to utilize funding to support your work?

  As a nonprofit, grant funding is pivotal to expanding our capacity to advocate, research, and educate about the health needs of LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV. Funding supports our research into the bio-psycho-social drivers of ill health and the interventions to address these causes. Grant funding supports the many services we provide that are not covered by insurance.

  4. What do you wish that more people understood about the community you represent?

  As a community health center embedded in Washington, DC, I wish more people understood that DC is more than just nation’s capital, but it is home to a vibrant and thriving community. Far too often our community is used as a political tool, and this is disrespectful to the families that live and work in the District.

  5. What do you wish that more people understood about the issue(s) you seek to change?

  WWI leverages the expertise across Whitman-Walker’s family of affiliates to advocate for structural interventions in local, regional, and federal law and policy. Much of our advocacy works to address the social determinants of health for our patient population.

• BLACK WOMEN THRIVING EAST OF THE RIVER

  1. Briefly describe the community your organization represents (and/or the issue(s) you advocate for), and/or the policy and systems you seek to change.

  Black Women Thriving East of the River (BWTEotR) collaborates with Black women who live and lead organizational change in Wards 7&8. Together, we advocate for health and economic justice for Black women and their families and the collective wellbeing of Black people living east of the river. The systems we seek to disrupt and improve are the workforce development and healthcare systems in order to improve key social determinants of health for Black women in our community.

  2. What do you find most meaningful about the work that you do? What are you most proud of?

  We are most proud of working in authentic partnership with the community. BWTEotR works directly with community residents and leaders of Wards 7 & 8 who coalesced in pursuit of innovative solutions to the health and economic crises prevalent within the community. We continue to embrace an inclusive approach for engaging the community and reflecting its voice, that intentionally avoids employing tokenism and instead implements ongoing engagement to mitigate intractable issues.

  3. As a nonprofit partner, briefly describe how you plan to utilize funding to support your work?

  Black Women Thriving East of the River will use data, training, and advocacy to disrupt and create change in workforce development systems impacting Black women living East of the River. Our initiative will develop employer assessment tools and implement Employer Best Practices Thought Leader Forums, workgroups, and conferences. We will disseminate best practice employer tools and strategies for driving equity, inclusion, and sustainability in hiring and retention practices — better positioning Black women East of the River to acquire and maintain employment in health-related careers.

  4. What do you wish that more people understood about the community you represent?

  There are many well-known challenges in our community. The way to solve them is by listening to those who are experiencing them daily. Our community is full of caring, insightful and brilliant experts. Let’s look to them first and often to inform strategies, programs and policies for lasting change.

  5. What do you wish that more people understood about the issue(s) you seek to change?

  We wish that more people understood the magnitude of health disparities that Black women face, and that these disparities are a direct result of structural racism embedded in our healthcare, workforce, and other systems.

• MANY LANGUAGES ONE VOICE

  1. Briefly describe the community your organization represents (and/or the issue(s) you advocate for), and/or the policy and systems you seek to change.

  Many Languages One Voice (MLOV) is a Washington, DC-based movement organization, empowering immigrant and refugee communities of color with the tools to promote their own liberation. Our mission is to foster leadership and greater civic participation of immigrants and refugees who do not speak English as a primary language.

  2. What do you find most meaningful about the work that you do? What are you most proud of?

  We believe an actively engaged community that challenges existing inequities by dominant power is key to achieving systemic change. We are most proud of the leadership our community members display everyday for themselves and their communities.

  3. As a nonprofit partner, briefly describe how you plan to utilize funding to support your work?

  Through this project, we aim to contribute to greater health equity for all DC residents. With support from this grant, our BIPOC-immigrant-led community leadership development, power building, and advocacy will strengthen and advance language justice in DC, and consequently will promote improved health outcomes.

  4. What do you wish that more people understood about the issue(s) you seek to change?

  As an immigrant and refugee organization, MLOV sees the day-to-day realities of health inequity and how various social factors contribute to creating and compounding barriers to health. Despite the 2004 Language Access Act being on the books, our DC immigrant neighbors continue to face language barriers in accessing services from DC government agencies, which negatively impacts numerous social determinants of health. Data collected by MLOV and our partners demonstrate that immigrants who do not speak English as a primary language are more likely to face barriers to healthcare, affordable and safe housing, and job security.

• Tzedek DC

  1.Briefly describe the community your organization represents (and/or the issue(s) you advocate for), and/or the policy and systems you seek to change.

  Tzedek DC’s systemic Advocacy Reform program attacks at scale the structural economic underpinnings of health equity. We seek to reform debt-related laws in DC that in effect criminalize poverty, impose disproportionate burdens on Black and Latino residents and, by perpetuating DC’s vast racial wealth gaps, pose formidable roadblocks to health equity.

  2. What do you find most meaningful about the work that you do? What are you most proud of?

  The magic happens in the moments when our work both impacts the present and future of a community member's life and makes them feel heard, respected, and valued.

  3. As a nonprofit partner, briefly describe how you plan to utilize funding to support your work?

  Tzedek DC will use funds from this partnership to hire staff and consultants to build organizational capacity to mount winning advocacy campaigns that will increase wealth and health equity. We will expand our Policy, Organizing, and Communications capacity in this way.

  4. What do you wish that more people understood about the community you represent?

  Poverty is not a crime. DC residents are hard-working, passionate people of many wonderfully diverse backgrounds and all deserve full economic citizenship.

  5. What do you wish that more people understood about the issue(s) you seek to change?

  Systemic racism has produced a legacy that includes massive racial wealth gaps and a system of private debt collection and public fines and fees debt collection that has a disparate impact on Brown and Black residents. Our choices about allocating resources and changing the rules need to account for these realities. This approach can lift up the entire community.

• Emerald Cities Collaborative

  1. Briefly describe the community your organization represents (and/or the issue(s) you advocate for), and/or the policy and systems you seek to change.

  ECC works with community organizations, government, the private sector, and directly with small, minority and women-owned firms to ensure that BIPOC and other underrepresented businesses/contractors benefit from major investments in clean energy. In addition to planning and technical assistance to improve public procurement systems, ECC offers training, coaching and support services so that these firms are committed to ECC’s high-road mission to strengthen the environment, economy and equity, especially within low-income communities of color.

  2. What do you find most meaningful about the work that you do? What are you most proud of?

  ECC has a 13-year track record helping city officials develop and implement economic inclusion policies, including community workforce and community benefit agreements in a range of green energy and infrastructure projects. This system-level work includes developing implementation tools to ensure public investments benefit communities most in need, such as establishing hiring/contracting targets by demographic groups, contractors’ selection criteria and requirements for solicitations/bid documents, and monitoring and evaluation tracking and reportings.

  3. As a nonprofit partner, briefly describe how you plan to utilize funding to support your work?

  The “BEPS BIPOC Contractor Incubator” will engage contractors to work on projects to improve building energy performance of affordable housing, public housing and community buildings in disadvantaged communities in Washington DC. Contractors will be recruited from across Washington, DC with particular focus on Wards 5, 7, and 8. Contractors will receive training on business opportunities and follow up support for their businesses.

  4. What do you wish that more people understood about the community you represent?

  ECC’s focus on community contractors addresses both wealth and income inequality. Our labor market study revealed that neither minority businesses nor workers are well-represented in the emerging green economy in DC or elsewhere. A focused attention on increasing access for small, minority businesses, however, is foundational to inter-generational wealth generation. Moreover, research shows that minority businesses offer the most accessible and effective pipeline to job opportunities for minority workers.

  5. What do you wish that more people understood about the issue(s) you seek to change?

  America’s economy was specifically designed for inequality. Low-income and communities of color are burdened by a legacy of discrimination with respect to access to home and home improvement loans, business loans and investments, job opportunities in high wage and unionized jobs, as well as business and hiring networks. The negative impacts are clear: poor health, poor housing conditions, rent burdens, utility burdens, income and wealth disparities, to name a few. America’s transition to a new ‘green economy’ to green our communities and our buildings provide a new opportunity to get it right.

• DC Reentry Housing Alliance

  1) Briefly describe the community your organization represents (and/or the issue(s) you advocate for), and/or the policy and systems you seek to change.

  The DC Reentry Housing Alliance is a collective of local reentry and housing leaders who are dedicated to addressing the ongoing housing challenges experienced by individuals returning from incarceration in the District of Columbia. They represent and advocate for the needs and rights of returning citizens, aiming to improve their access to safe, affordable, and supportive housing options. The alliance seeks to bring about policy and system changes that will result in a significant increase of at least 500 new housing units dedicated to DC returning citizens by 2025. By prioritizing the voices of those directly affected and collaborating with housing providers, service providers, and advocates, the alliance aims to enhance housing options, support services, and opportunities for successful reentry and community integration.

  2. What do you find most meaningful about the work that you do? What are you most proud of?

  At the DC Reentry Housing Alliance, we are most proud of centering the expertise of reentry leaders with lived experiences. By engaging the public, influencing advocacy, and prioritizing the needs of men and women returning from incarceration in Washington, DC, we strive to propose innovative solutions for improved opportunity, access, and equity. Our Advisory Council guides our strategy and approach, ensuring that we amplify the voices of those closest to the challenges and foster meaningful change for individuals transitioning back into the community.

  3. As a nonprofit partner, briefly describe how you plan to utilize funding to support your work?

  As a collective impact initiative, we utilize funding to drive community empowerment and foster collaboration. Together, we will catalyze the creation of 500+ new supportive housing units by 2025, establish a stakeholder community dedicated to our mission, build sustainable infrastructure, and launch a compelling public campaign. Through data-driven efforts, community summits, a returning citizen advisory group, and advocacy activities, we will create transformative change and ensure the housing and economic mobility of returning citizens. Your support is instrumental in our collective journey towards a more inclusive and thriving society.

  4. What do you wish that more people understood about the community you represent?

  It is essential for people to understand the challenges and needs of individuals returning from incarceration. Incarceration forces individuals to make drastic adjustments for survival, and upon release, the struggle to reintegrate becomes apparent. The lack of support and government assistance, particularly in areas such as housing and employment, creates significant barriers for successful transition. There is an urgent need to address the disregard and stigma faced by justice involved individuals, and by providing proper safety nets and assistance, we can witness the transformative potential and achievements of these individuals in our society.

  5. What do you wish that more people understood about the issue(s) you seek to change?

  • Engaging relevant stakeholders is crucial: Advocacy led by individuals with lived experience, along with collaboration with state and government officials, is necessary to secure funding, policy changes, and insights for effective reentry programs.

  • Sustained support is crucial during the reintegration process: Reintegrating into society takes time and assistance, and simply releasing individuals without support can lead to setbacks and challenges.

  • Wrap-around services are vital: Comprehensive support services, including housing, employment assistance, mental health support, substance abuse treatment, education, and counseling, are essential for successful reentry.

  • Programs should prioritize asking individuals about their needs: Instead of assuming what people need, actively listening and empowering individuals with lived experience to lead ensures that support aligns with their actual needs.

  • Rehabilitation benefits individuals and society: By investing in rehabilitation programs, formerly incarcerated individuals have the opportunity to positively contribute to the economy, support their families, and participate actively in their communities.

• Fair Budget Coalition

  The mission of the Fair Budget Coalition (FBC) is to advocate for budget and public policy initiatives that address systemic social, racial, and economic inequality in the District of Columbia.

  More Information Coming Soon!

• Empower DC

  The mission of Empower DC is to build the power of DC residents through resident-led community organizing to advance racial, economic, and environmental justice.

  More Information Coming Soon!

Having Pride in Planning Your Legacy

by Lawrence S. Jacobs, Esq.

Trying to celebrate Pride Month despite the avalanche of bad news has me thinking about estate planning and why it's so important - especially for non-traditional families.  The traditional family dynamic has changed drastically over the past few decades. We're now seeing more non-traditional families - single parents, same-sex couples, blended families, etc. As a result, estate planning has become more important than ever for LGBTQ+ families, unmarried couples, or couples who have children from previous relationships, and parents with stepchildren.

It's so essential for non-traditional families to have a well-thought-out estate plan, including a Will and maybe a trust.  Confusion arises because of what happens if you die without a valid Will.  In that case, your legally-married spouse is at the top of the list to receive your assets, but only if they survive you.  If you are single or in a relationship with someone who is not your legal spouse or if your spouse is not alive and you don’t have children, then your parents, siblings or even cousins are generally the next in line. But the good news is that if you create a valid Will, you get to write your own rules. Members of your family only get what you want them to have – if you want them to have anything at all.

A lot of people feel that it is their familial duty to pass assets on to the next generation or to siblings. You certainly can, but it is rarely a requirement unless you have minor children.  Many of my clients think about naming their nieces and nephews as beneficiaries.  Yet you have many meaningful options that go beyond enriching those young people who might stand to inherit significant assets from their parents or grandparents.

I pose a simple question: what is it that you worked your whole life to accomplish when you die?  Of course, the answer is rarely simple.  I challenge you to add up all your assets, including life insurance policies and retirement accounts and to pretend that all that money is in your checking account.  Let’s say that number is $2 million.  Then write 10 pretend checks of $200,000 each and imagine what would happen if you handed one to each of your family members.  Hopefully, the money would achieve something incredibly meaningful to you and to your recipients.

But you might want to consider what that same amount of money would accomplish if it was given to a cause that is meaningful to you, perhaps gay rights, a scholarship at your alma mater, the environment, the performing arts, animal welfare, or many others – including The Community Foundation!  In reality, your assets could be enough to change the world and allow you to leave a truly meaningful legacy. 

I realize that all this is deeply personal and do not intend to make light of the serious choices involved.  However, many people do not think through the consequences and alternatives of simply telling their lawyer to draft a Will “that divides my assets among my family when I die.”  And you may relate to the alternatives more happily than to the people who share your genes, while making the DMV a better place.

Lawrence (Larry) has helped more than a thousand couples and singles in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area protect their assets and loved ones through carefully-crafted estate planning strategies and documents. He has been a vocal advocate for the LGBT community in Maryland for nearly 30 years.  Larry is a shareholder at McMillan Metro, P.C. and has practiced law for 48 years.  He is admitted to the bars of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.  

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

Greater Washington Community Foundation Announces $12.5M in Health Advocacy, Policy, and Systems Change Support

The Greater Washington Community Foundation celebrated $12.5 million in Health Equity Fund grants to 14 DC-based nonprofits working on health advocacy, policy, and systems change initiatives. This marks the largest single grant round in The Community Foundation’s 50-year history.

The historic investment comes from the $95 million Health Equity Fund (HEF) -- designed to address the social and structural determinants of health and to help achieve health equity for DC residents. It is one of the largest philanthropic funds of any kind focused on community-based nonprofits that serve District residents.

“We know that 80% of DC’s health outcomes are driven by social, structural, and economic factors, with clinical care accounting for only 20%,” said Tonia Wellons, President & CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “Health and wealth are inextricably linked – which is why we are confident that activating resources to change systems and policies as well as to increase economic mobility will be instrumental in improving health outcomes for District of Columbia residents.”

“In this round, we are investing in organizations who seek to change structural determinants of health over the long-term,” said Dr. Nnemdi Elias, Chair of the Health Equity Committee. “We recognize this mandate requires deep investment and collaboration, which is why our partners will also work together to share best practices and leverage their collective strengths as we build a healthier future for DC’s residents.”

Some of these investments include

• Black Women Thriving East of the River will support data, training, advocacy, and education to better position Black women living east of the Anacostia River to acquire and maintain employment in health-related careers.

• Emerald Cities Collaborative Inc. will develop a Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) economic inclusion initiative to create local-level business opportunities aligned with city-wide diversity and inclusion goals, and will strengthen the capacity of DC’s BIPOC contractors to execute and bid on BEPS project opportunities.

• La Clinica del Pueblo will support efforts to challenge citizenship as a determinant of social and legal belonging through advocacy work that addresses the health coverage exclusion of noncitizens and supports equal access to high-quality care, regardless of status.

• The National Reentry Network for Returning Citizens will lead four years of advocacy to enact change through the Black-led #SafeAndFreeDC legislative policy agenda, which addresses health, economic, and racial equity through transformation of the criminal legal system.

• Whitman-Walker Institute will work with community organizations and District residents to develop a partnership framework that increases cross-sectoral collaboration in policy and advocacy efforts, which will then be used to develop a Queer and Trans Agenda for Racial and Economic Justice.

Additional grantees include: Council for Court Excellence; DC Fiscal Policy Institute; DC Justice Lab; DC Reentry Housing Alliance; Empower DC; Fair Budget Coalition; Many Languages One Voice; Mothers Outreach Network; and Tzedek DC.

Meet our Health Equity Nonprofit Partners!

Wellons and representatives from the DC Health Equity Committee, DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking, and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield celebrated with the nonprofit organizations at a special welcome breakfast.

“Today represents the single most important philanthropic investment – not only in the history of The Community Foundation, but also in the history of Washington DC,” Commissioner Karima Woods with the DC Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking. “With this investment in policy, advocacy, and systems change, we champion the HOPE (hope, opportunity, prosperity, and equity) you will bring to the District.”

“The Health Equity Fund is an unprecedented, community-focused philanthropic endeavor, and this grant round mirrors the extraordinary nature of the fund with specific focus on programs that will create lasting structural and policy changes for our DC community,” said Brian D. Pieninck, President and CEO of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst). “We applaud the tireless efforts of the organizations selected as we work together to find ways to reduce the effects that social and structural determinants have on health outcomes. We are confident these organizations will help to change the economic, social and policy systems that often create and reinforce persistent health inequities in the District.”

With this exciting investment also came a call to action.

“We’re asking you to work together, as a cohort,” Juan Jara, a member of the Health Equity Committee explained. ““Your work – and the issues that your organizations address – are all interconnected. The more we can collaborate and work together, the better off we’re going to be as a community.”

The Community Foundation and its partners didn’t waste any time – launching straight into their second IDEA Summit immediately following the welcome breakfast. The event allowed partners to not only network, but also to ‘co-design success’ – working together to identify the outcomes, actions, and impact that they hope to see over the next few years. The summit was facilitated by a team from the American Institutes for Research (AIR), which serves as the evaluation partner for the Health Equity Fund.

“This is a quality group,” shared one leader. “Everyone in this room has a drive and a passion to make a huge difference for this community.”

Pride at the End of the Rainbow: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Identity and Intersectionality

In celebration of Pride Month, The Community Foundation invited some of our nonprofit partners to highlight their experiences working with the Greater Washington region’s LGBTQ+ community.

La Clinica Del Pueblo

1) Briefly describe the mission of your organization and the services you provide to the LGBTQ+ community in the Greater Washington region.

La Clínica del Pueblo's mission is to build a healthy Latinx community through culturally appropriate health services, with a focus on those most in need. La Clínica was founded in 1983 to address the emerging health needs of DC's Central American immigrant population. Today, it serves the Latinx community in the Greater Washington region, providing linguistically and culturally appropriate, as well as LGBTQ+-friendly, health services.

The Empodérate Program, specifically designed for LGBTQ+ Latinx youth, has been a part of La Clínica's services since 2006. It operates two drop-in safe spaces in the region, one in Washington, DC and another in Prince George's County, MD. The program focuses on culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV prevention services. Annually, the Empodérate Program serves approximately 2,350 MSM (men who have sex with men) members of the Latinx community.

2)  What do you find most meaningful about the work that you do with the LBTQ+ community in the Greater Washington area? What are you most ‘proud’ of?

In addition to providing essential healthcare services, we recognize the importance of representation and visibility. One of the aspects we are most proud of is providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals within the Latinx community, advocating for their rights, and actively participating in events like the DC Pride parade. We understand the unique challenges and barriers they may face, such as cultural stigma and language barriers, and strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where they can access the healthcare services they need. By doing so, we contribute to a more inclusive society where all individuals, regardless of their cultural background or sexual orientation, can live with dignity and access the healthcare services they deserve.

3) As a nonprofit partner, tell us about how funding that you’ve received from The Community Foundation  has helped you achieve your goals?

The funding we have received has been instrumental in expanding our programs, enhancing our service delivery, and improving health outcomes for the Latinx LGBTQ+ community in the Greater Washington area.

4) What do you wish that more people understood about the LGBTQ+ community?

People must understand the intersectionality and unique struggles experienced by low-income, immigrant, Limited English Proficient (LEP), LGBTQ+ Latinx individuals.

Low-income members of this community often confront multiple barriers to accessing healthcare, housing, education, and employment opportunities. Discrimination and systemic inequalities exacerbate their challenges, making achieving economic stability and social well-being even more difficult. Furthermore, being an immigrant and identifying as LGBTQ+ introduces additional hurdles. Immigrants within the LGBTQ+ Latinx community may face discrimination, prejudice, and even legal challenges related to their immigration status.

Addressing these intersectional challenges requires a comprehensive and inclusive approach. It involves creating safe spaces that embrace diverse identities and experiences within the LGBTQ+ Latinx community. It also necessitates developing tailored programs and services that account for economic disparities, immigration concerns, language access, and cultural sensitivity. This entails advocating for policies that address systemic inequalities, promoting cultural competency training for service providers, and supporting initiatives that uplift and empower LGBTQ+ Latinx individuals in low-income and immigrant communities.

The Equality Chamber Foundation

1) Briefly describe the mission of your organization and the services you provide to the LGBTQ+ community in the Greater Washington region.

The Equality Chamber Foundation (ecf) was founded in 2019 to create a united community. United by a common purpose to enhance our community’s culture, evolve its economy, and create safe spaces for the entrepreneurial spirit to thrive.

We are an essential conduit between community, culture, and enterprise. We help our community do more, be more, and grow more, so that they may continue to enrich our LGBTQIA+ family and evolve our community to meet their economic potential.

2) What do you find most meaningful about the work that you do with the LBTQ+ community in the Greater Washington area? What are you most ‘proud’ of?

All of the work we do is for the LGBTQ+ and allied community. Through our work we are able to help individuals, business leaders, business owners, and the community as a whole grow.

3) As a nonprofit partner, tell us about how funding that you’ve received from The Community Foundation has helped you achieve your goals?

The funding we have received has provided us with a vehicle to do safe space training for employers.

4) What do you wish that more people understood about the LGBTQ+ community?

The LGBTQ+ community is the most intersectional community - you can be a member of any other identity or affiliation and also be LGBTQ+

Whitman-Walker institute

1) Briefly describe the mission of your organization and the services you provide to the LGBTQ+ community in the Greater Washington region.

Whitman-Walker Institute expands the body of knowledge and science needed to strengthen our foundation of care, advocacy, research, and education. Through our work, we empower all people to live healthy, love openly, and achieve equity and belonging. Today, Whitman-Walker Health lives out its mission statement by offering affirming, community-based health and wellness services to all with a special expertise in LGBTQ+ and HIV care. WWH has the expertise to address numerous health disparities, including providing services to the largest cohorts of transgender and gender expansive patients in the country.

2) What do you find most meaningful about the work that you do with the LBTQ+ community in the Greater Washington area? What are you most ‘proud’ of?

For almost fifty years, Whitman-Walker has been woven into the fabric of DC’s diverse community as a first responder and trusted resource for those living with and affected by HIV; a leader in LGBTQ+ care and advocacy; a research center working to discover breakthroughs in HIV treatment and prevention science; a fierce advocate for health equity and inclusion; and one of DC’s dependable healthcare partners throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

3) As a nonprofit partner, tell us about how funding that you’ve received from The Community Foundation has helped you achieve your goals?

As a nonprofit, grant funding is pivotal to expanding our capacity to advocate, research, and educate about the health needs of LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV. Funding supports our research into the bio-psycho-social drivers of ill health and the interventions to address these causes! Grant funding supports the many services we provide that are not covered by medical insurance.

4) What do you wish that more people understood about the LGBTQ+ community?

While LGBTQ+ people are subject to the bias and stereotypes that permeate our culture, the LGBTQ+ community is an invitation to questioning many of these assumptions that are woven into the fabric of our society. Liberation from sexual norms and gender roles provides us with an insight into how we can build a more expansive and inclusive society where more people can flourish. This process is fun and exciting!

AsylumWorks

1)  Briefly describe the mission of your organization and the services you provide to the LGBTQ+ community in the Greater Washington region.

Founded in 2016, AsylumWorks is a regional 501(c)3 nonprofit created with the awareness that asylum seekers and other immigrants seeking safety from violence often arrive in the United States with many needs but few resources.

Rebuilding one’s social support network is an important component of feeling at home in a new place. Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers are not always welcomed by members of their diaspora when they arrive in the U.S. To address this need, AsylumWorks formed PRISM (Pride Refugee & Immigrant Support Meet-Up) to build an alternative inclusive, safe, and affirming peer community for LGBTQ+ refugees, asylum seekers, and other immigrants seeking safety from violence. PRISM works to foster spaces in which LGBTQ+ immigrants feel comfortable being themselves and can also participate in community-building activities that expand their social support in a new country and support their mental health and well-being via a facilitator-led psychosocial peer support group.

2) What do you find most meaningful about the work that you do with the LBTQ+ community in the Greater Washington area? What are you most ‘proud’ of?

PRISM is open to all AsylumWorks clients who identify as LGBTQ+, including alumni, waitlisted clients, along with other local LGBTQ+ asylum seekers who reside in DC, Maryland, or Virginia. This impact is far-reaching and enables group members to connect with the greater DMV community, as well as fellow group members. With each new member, our PRISM group inches closer to our vision of community-based support group where members with shared identities connect, grow, and support each other.

3) As a nonprofit partner, tell us about how funding that you’ve received from The Community Foundation has helped you achieve your goals?

The funding that we have received has made it possible to offer metro cards to PRISM group members to remove the cost barrier for attendees to move around the city, especially for our monthly dinners and in-person Pride Month events, such as tie dye t-shirt making and marching in the DC Pride Parade. An attendee reflects: “Hi! I want to thank you again. The metro card is helping me a lot. I started meeting the [immigration] lawyers and I am using it to go to school like to keep my visa status active till I submit my asylum applications. Thank you so much.”

4) What do you wish that more people understood about the LGBTQ+ community?

A person fighting to explore their identity is so brave. In addition to the complexity of navigating their identity, LGBTQ+ asylum seekers face significant challenges to overcome in new cultural, linguistic, and societal contexts as they seek to navigate complex immigration systems. There are innumerable barriers, and everyone has their own unique journey.

Bringing it All Home: How DC Can Become the First Major City to End Chronic Homelessness

Last month, The Partnership to End Homelessness hosted a special donor webinar to discuss a landmark report on chronic homelessness in DC.

The report by the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI), “Bringing it All Home: How DC Can Become the 1st Major City to End Chronic Homelessness and Provide Higher-Quality Services” outlines a series of recommendations to DC policymakers and funders. The report also answers the ongoing question about the cost of ending chronic homelessness.

“The mission to end homelessness and create safe and affordable housing in our nation's capital for extremely low-income households has never been more important -- or more achievable,” shared The Community Foundation’s President and CEO Tonia Wellons. The Partnership to End Homelessness partnered with The William S. Abell Foundation to co-fund the report.

“[Ending chronic homelessness] is not only a moral imperative; it’s also a matter of racial justice,” DCFPI Executive Director Erica Williams shared. “Nearly 83% of individuals experiencing homelessness in the District are Black – even though Black residents make up just 44% of the District’s population and 73% of those living below the poverty line. Historic and current day racism are what got us to this result.” 

The recommendations come after DCFPI hosted a series of focus groups with experts, including case managers and individuals with lived-in experience with the Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) system. DCFPI also conducted a thorough analysis of DC homelessness data, including the annual Point in Time surveys.

DCFPI outlines Chronic Homelessness Funding into three primary categories: Tenant Vouchers & Services, Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) or Site-Based Funding, and Stipend Incentives for Providers and Case Managers. Of the three, PSH represents the biggest need for investment.

DCFPI outlines some of the average expenses in each category.

In addition to the budgetary recommendations, the report also outlined a series of five systemic changes where public and private funding is needed. These recommendations include speeding up the PSH leasing process, strengthening case management, improving and clarifying the rules of site-based PSH, addressing behavioral health needs, preventing homelessness, and better meeting the needs of the aging population.

When asked about some of the biggest challenges, Kate Coventry, DCFPI’s Deputy Director of Legislative Strategy who authored the report, pointed to inefficiencies in the PSH system and the alarming increase in the number of seniors experiencing homelessness.

Of 1,924 PSH vouchers made available in FY22, only 427 – just 22 percent -- were used to house individuals. The delays in implementing vouchers – which originate from a number of factors, including unwieldy application requirements and case manager shortages - can sometimes prove fatal; especially for seniors experiencing homelessness. Seniors account for nearly 40 percent of the region’s single adult homeless population.

Point-in-Time Counts for the Greater Washington Region by age demographic (Credit: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments)

“We need to figure out why older people are experiencing homelessness more – and how we can better serve them within the PSH system,” Coventry explained. “Our shelter system is not designed to meet the safety and needs of older people. That’s why we need to prioritize getting them into stable, affordable housing.”

“Homelessness is not a lake; it’s a river,” Coventry added. “People are becoming homeless and exiting homelessness all the time – as providers, our objective is to keep people moving along their housing journey, while at the same time advocating to address the challenges that brought them here in the first place.”

Coventry was joined on the webinar by Rachelle Ellison, a Senior Mentor Advisor with the People for Fairness Coalition who participated in a focus group behind the report. When asked how philanthropy should get involved, Ellison emphasized the need to continue to fund service providers and advocacy efforts -especially those that are led by people with lived experience.

“What we need are more passionate people doing this work,” added Rachelle Ellison, Senior Mentor Advisor with the People for Fairness Coalition. “We need more case managers – and we need to re-examine the requirements to become a case manager so that more people with lived experience can become involved in the work.”

“The Partnership to End Homelessness recognizes the importance of building the capacity of the PSH system and of our PSH providers,” said Silvana Straw, Senior Community Investment Officer and Philanthropic Advisor with The Partnership to End Homelessness. “Together with our donors and investors, we continue to invest in the construction of more PSH housing units, and in the capacity of PSH providers to bill Medicaid and leverage ongoing federal funding.”

“The Partnership to End Homelessness is also committed to funding our advocacy partners who are leading this work around policy and practice change,” Jennifer Olney, Senior Community Investment Officer with the Partnership to End Homelessness added. “Without the public funding that they continue to fight for, much of this work would not be possible.”

“We look forward to continuing our investment in the capacity of PSH providers and building a more just, equitable system. Together, we look forward to helping DC become the first major city to end chronic homelessness.”  

For more information on how you can get involved, contact Jennifer Olney at jolney@thecommunityfoundation.org or Silvana Straw at sstraw@thecommunityfoundation.org or visit our website to learn more about The Partnership to End Homelessness.

Peace for DC: Hope for Reducing Gun Violence in the District

By Amy L. Walter

My husband Chuck and I opened our donor-advised fund with The Community Foundation in 2020. At the time, we were eager to learn from The Community Foundation’s insight into local organizations and how they contribute to racial and economic equity. We initially focused on affordable housing and wealth building, which we viewed as foundational to people’s financial and overall well-being. We also participated in The Community Foundation’s Sharing DC program.

In the summer of 2021, our lives, and consequently the focus of our philanthropy, changed. During an after-dinner stroll in DC with our dear, longtime friends, Jerry Black and Cathy Feingold, gunshots rang out, and Jerry was struck and killed.

Cathy, in the midst of this unimaginable loss, focused attention on the gun violence so prevalent in many areas of our city and region. Gun violence in DC and other cities is a devasting problem. Homicides in the District nearly doubled in the four years leading to 2021. In recent years, an increasing number of gun violence victims have been children.

Cathy decided to establish a memorial fund for Jerry benefitting The TraRon Center, an organization providing art therapy and counseling to children affected by gun violence in Ward 8. The culturally responsive services The TraRon Center lovingly provides and the safe, healing space it creates have a demonstrable impact on children’s levels of PTSD.

Inspired by Cathy, I began learning about gun violence – from reading the research to attending panels to meeting with leaders of grassroots organizations. I met regularly with the founders of The TraRon Center and Guns Down Friday – an organization founded by Jawanna Hardy, one of The Community Foundation’s Black Voices for Black Justice DMV Fellows.

Here are some of the things that I learned:

• Research from around the country shows that community gun violence is a solvable problem. DC is learning from what works and targeting proven interventions toward the small number of people most likely to commit gun violence.

• ·Solving this problem is as much about racial equity and economic mobility as about safety and well-being. Black people are disproportionately the victims of gun violence in urban areas, and the communities affected by gun violence face significant adverse economic and educational consequences.

• In DC, there is momentum on this issue. For many years, community-based organizations (CBOs) with deep knowledge of the people and communities most affected have been working tirelessly to address this problem. More recently, the media are shining a spotlight on it, residents are demanding action, and the DC government is allocating greater resources to those doing this critical work.

This research led me to the Peace for DC Fund – a component fund at The Community Foundation that is playing a leading role in moving the District forward. Since its founding in 2021, Peace for DC has brought together CBOs, researchers, and the government to collaborate in solving the problem of gun violence. It has educated the public on proven solutions and supported the development of the District’s Gun Violence Reduction Strategic Plan. It has delivered financial and technical support to CBOs closest to the ground – all with the goal of reducing homicides in DC by 60 percent over five years.

In 2022, Peace for DC took the important step of launching the DC Peace Academy, grounded in the best practice of providing high-quality training to Community Violence Intervention (CVI) workers. These CVI workers put themselves at risk by connecting with the hardest-to-reach individuals, who are most likely to commit gun violence, so they choose another path. The Peace Academy gives CVI workers affiliated with different organizations the chance to learn from and support one another. In December 2022, Chuck and I were fortunate to attend the DC Peace Academy’s second cohort graduation ceremony, which we found deeply moving and inspiring.

Based on our strong belief in Peace for DC, Chuck and I have made a five-year financial commitment to support the powerful work they do. By contributing to Peace for DC, we not only help to heal and support people affected by gun violence; we help prevent gun violence-related deaths from ever occurring – a prospect that gives us hope for a safer future. We encourage you to learn more about Peace for DC’s visionary work in moving toward a District free from gun violence.

Amy L. Walter is an education professional with 20 years of experience combining classroom teaching, policy work, and nonprofit strategic planning and investment, in the U.S. and overseas. She and her husband, Chuck Szymanski, live in Washington, DC with their teenage daughter. For more information about the Peace for DC Fund, visit https://www.peacefordc.org/

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.

Let's Talk Taxes: Insights from The Federal Budget for Donors to Consider

It’s that time of year again, when lawmakers on Capitol Hill convene to discuss the FY24 Federal Budget - a topic which (for better or worse) impacts many who live, work, and thrive in our region.

However, it’s what got passed in last year’s budget that some donors may want to pay closer attention to.

In August 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which included nearly $80 Billion in funding for the Internal Revenue Service over the next 10 years.

Last month, the IRS Commissioner released the agency’s operating plan, outlining how the new funding would be allocated. The 150-page plan covering 2023 - 2031 speaks primarily to five areas of priority spending:

• $47.4 billion to increase tax compliance among wealthy taxpayers and businesses.

• $12.4 billion for technology enhancements.

• $8.2 billion to recruit and retain a highly skilled, diverse workforce.

• $7.5 billion targeting taxpayer service improvements.

• $3.9 billion for cybersecurity.

Significant operational efficiencies are anticipated, and the heightened compliance efforts will generally apply to taxpayers making more than $400,000 annually. What’s raising eyebrows is that high-income earners and thus, donors to charity—and the financial professionals who serve them—should likely expect more in terms of attention, oversight, and audits. 

According to the plan, “segments of taxpayers with complex issues and complex returns where audit rates are minimal today, such as those related to large partnerships, large corporations, and high-income and high-wealth individuals,” will be areas of focus. 

The new-hire ramp up and technology implementation will take some time, per experts, with some believing that 2022 tax returns will be less subject to scrutiny than those in future years. But, the agency also has a three-year window to initiate an audit, giving it time to look back. 

Of specific importance to the charitable community is Objective 3, Initiative 4 (PDF page 66 of the plan), which states: “The IRS will increase enforcement activities to help ensure tax compliance of high-income and high-wealth individuals.” 

Increasing right along with the enhanced scrutiny is the need for solid charitable planning advice. The community foundation is an ideal partner, offering secure and efficient vehicles for charitable giving—including the precise tax documentation and compliance that the IRS expects. 

Indeed, a silver lining for advisors and those who work with The Community Foundation may be that the added potential IRS oversight plays to The Community Foundation’s strengths. By offering donors fully-vetted grantee organizations, plus gift execution, documentation and compliance services, those who’ve established donor-advised, field-of-interest, designated, or other funds at the community foundation can rest more easily knowing that their philanthropy is being handled as intended and able to withstand questioning, whether they are funding their contributions with Qualified Charitable Distributions, highly-appreciated stock, or complex assets such as closely-held businesses and real estate.

The Community Foundation stands ready to help donors and financial advisors unlock the power of philanthropy by providing the tools and expertise to help them achieve their philanthropic goals.

For more information, visit our website or contact our General Counsel & Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Tiffany Purvis at tpurvis@thecommunityfoundation.org

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.

In Pursuit of Economic Justice Recap: How Children’s Trust Accounts Provide Hope for the Future

On April 19, The Community Foundation hosted a panel of national leaders for a discussion about how investments in Children’s Trust Accounts create a brighter future for communities. The event was part of the “In Pursuit of Economic Justice” Webinar Series –designed to bring together experts to explore innovative approaches to closing the racial wealth gap.

“We want young people to be able start their lives with the flexibility to pursue their dreams in any direction that they want to go,” shared The Community Foundation's Anna Hargrave. “By expanding the possibilities for an entire group of children, we can help forward our vision of closing the racial wealth gap across the Greater Washington region.”

“When you think about poverty, you often focus on income,” Dr. William Elliott a leading researcher and professor at the University of Michigan shared. “But income is dealing with the symptoms of poverty instead of the root cause of poverty. Poor people don't just have a lack of income; what they have is a lack of opportunity.”

“Children’s Trust Accounts are not just about money; it's about making sure that future generations are in a position to access the resources they need to be successful.”

Child Wealth Building Programs (such as a “Child Savings Accounts”, “Baby Bonds” or “Children’s Trust Accounts”) are growing increasingly popular in the philanthropic and public sectors. A private or public funder provides seed money to open a savings account for kindergarteners, which accrues value until the student graduates high school and can be used for different purposes.

In the case of Child Savings Accounts, funding is often restricted towards post-secondary education or  training through a 529 state college savings plan. A Children’s Trust Account allows funding to go towards a wider range of wealth building opportunities, including trade school, homeownership, or entrepreneurship. The Community Foundation intends to launch a Children’s Trust Account pilot program at two elementary schools in Prince George’s County and Montgomery County sometime in the next year.

Dr. Elliott is the founding director of the Center of Assets, Education, and Inclusion, and recently authored a comprehensive report “Unleashing the Power of Children’s Savings Accounts (CSAs): Doorway to Multiple Streams of Assets”. The report outlines some of the biggest outcomes from child wealth building programs, including what Dr. Elliott calls “tangible hope.”

A mother participating in NYC Kids Rise's Child Wealth Building Program shares the impact the program has had on her son's learning.

“When you give a kid an asset, you're allowing them to begin to purchase some part of their future self,” Dr. Elliott explained. “It's a very valuable thing. It's concrete. It's not just ‘I hope one day they go to college.’ You’re giving them real, tangible assets so they can plan for their future in a way that they’ve never been able to do before."

“All of a sudden, college is possible; not just in a wishful thinking kind of way, but in a tangible, near-future, kind of way.”

“It's not just about having an asset accumulate and be able to gain on that early investment,” Leila Bozorg, Chief of Strategy and Policy at NYC Kids Rise added. “It's about the narratives that a kid is hearing from an early age and those expectations of success and support to meet those expectations.”

NYC Kids Rise started out in 2017 as a pilot program in New York City’s School District 30 (about 3,500 kindergartners). Six years later, the program has expanded city-wide – thanks to a partnership with New York City Public Schools – making it the largest such program in the country. Champions of the project included Maryland Governor Wes Moore, then CEO of Robin Hood, which invested more than $1 million towards the initiative.

Governor Wes Moore (then CEO of Robin Hood) talks about the importance of Child Wealth Building Programs.

While the financial partnership with New York City Public Schools has been a huge benefit to NYC Kids Rise, Leila says that it’s the existing infrastructure provided by the school system that has opened new windows of opportunity for students.

“What we've tried to do is not just build a vehicle for asset accumulation; we’ve engaged the entire ecosystem that impacts the long-term success of a child,” Bozorg explained. “We know that each part of that ecosystem can impact a child's economic opportunities in the future.”

NYC Kids Rise works with the school system to develop financial education curriculums for the classroom that can be personalized to each child – allowing them to develop financial literacy skills in real-time. They also provide workshops and resources for parents so they can create their own savings account – building the foundation of a culture of saving for the entire family that Dr. Elliott says is important to strengthen and encourage.

“Because of these programs, families are starting to have active conversations about their kids’ futures, well in advance – they’re catching a glimpse of a financial future that they didn’t have the capacity or resources to see before. Over time, they begin to develop and adopt long-term habits for financial success.”

Community Leader Claudia Coger talks about their community investment in the NYC Kids Rise community scholarship program.

When asked about secrets to success, Bozorg added that community involvement is key. Early on, NYC Kids Rise set up community scholarships – allowing anchor institutions and community groups to make direct contributions to child wealth building programs rather than contributing through more traditional scholarship programs. Dr. Elliott noted that this format allows funders to have a greater impact on students, since their investment multiplies the impact of the child’s savings account.

“Any investment can make a difference in a child’s life,” Bozorg said. “But we’ve found that the real growth happens when communities and community partners take the lead in committing to a generation’s future.”

When asked about lessons learned from such a program, Bozorg had just one word to say: “Patience.”

“These are long-term, legacy-changing programs that can have major impacts on institutions and on people's lives. That change isn't going to happen overnight.”

“We're trying to change minds and cultures around saving,” Dr. Elliott added. “It's one thing to have this platform and provide this resource; it's another to help them access it and see the value in it.”

That being said, both were highly optimistic about the prospects for The Community Foundation to launch a Children’s Trust Account pilot program.

“I think your program will be a good marker,” Dr. Elliott remarked. “Not only for the Greater Washington Region, but for the whole country to better understand what happens when we make larger investments in our children’s future over time.”

Click here to view a recording “In Pursuit of Economic Justice: A Primer on Children’s Trust Accounts. For additional information on Children’s Trust Accounts and other economic mobility initiatives, visit www.thecommunityfoundation.org/strategic-plan.

Faces from the Past: Looking Back at The Community Foundation Founders

As we enter the 50th Anniversary of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, we’ve taken a moment to look back at the incredible people behind the founding of our organization, including members of our very first Board of Directors.

We are excited to share their stories with you, as we continue to learn more about their legacy, their leadership, and the impact they have had on the Greater Washington Region!

Founding Board Member Marie Barksdale (far Right) with Civil Rights Activist Dorothy Height (far left).

Marie C. Barksdale moved to DC in 1961 as the Executive Director of Howard University’s Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. A member of the NAACP, the National Council of Negro Women, and Alpha Kappa Alpha's American Council on Human Rights, Barksdale was a powerful advocate of the Civil Rights Movement. In the summer of 1964, she joined Wednesdays in Mississippi (WIMS), a movement dedicated to strengthening interracial solidarity and support for Black women in the South. She continued her advocacy for social and economic justice as a member of the Johnson Administration's Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) and the Women in Community Service Initiative.

Marie was also deeply involved in community development efforts in the Greater Washington region. In 1973, she was among the first stakeholders engaged in conversations surrounding the forming of a “Community Foundation for Greater Washington”. Later that year, she joined the Board of Directors, where she would serve for at least the next decade.

In 1983, she became the first Executive Director of Young Audiences, Arts for Learning DC- a nonprofit providing arts education services to DC children. She remained heavily involved with the organization until her death in 2003.

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Marvin Bordelon (then Msgr Marvin Bordelon) moved to Washington in 1967. A Catholic Priest with nearly two decades of service to congregations in Shreveport, LA, Marvin joined the US Catholic Conference (USCC) as their director of the Division of World Justice and Peace. During his time in Washington, he was appointed as the US delegate to UNESCO.

In December 1972, Marvin resigned from the priesthood to become a consultant with the Council on Foundations in New York, with the purpose of “working on the establishment of a Community Foundation for Greater Washington”.

On May 10, 1973, Marvin gathered with fifteen prominent Washingtonians at the Federal City Club to discuss the founding of a Community Foundation of Greater Washington. Shortly thereafter, the Board of Directors was organized and Marvin became the first President of the Community Foundation of Greater Washington. He would lead The Community Foundation for a number of years before passing the baton to Lawrence S. Stinchcomb sometime around 1978. Marvin passed away at his home in Rockville, MD in 2009.

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Peggy Cooper Cafritz came to DC in 1964, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement to attend George Washington University – an institution which was still largely segregated at the time. By her senior year, she had organized a black student union and become a driving force towards the integration of the school’s fraternities and sororities. In 1968, she co-founded what would become the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. In the 1970s, she became the youngest fellow of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and served on the committee that created the University of the District of Columbia.

In 1981, Peggy married Conrad Cafritz, becoming part of one of the most prominent mixed-race couples in Washington. She became one of the region’s leading supporters of the arts – particularly African-American art and was a founding member of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. In 1973, she joined the Board of Directors of the newly organized “Community Foundation for Greater Washington,” where she would serve for at least the next decade. She was instrumental in cultivating the relationship between the fledgling Community Foundation and The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, which continues to this day.

In 2000, she was elected President of the DC Board of Education – a position she would hold for the next six years. Peggy Cooper Cafritz passed away in 2018, at the age of 70.

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Nancy “Bitsy” Folger came to Washington in 1958 as the daughter of Neil McElroy, Secretary of Defense in the Eisenhower Administration. She got a teaching job in Montgomery County and joined the Junior League. While there, she joined forces with DC leaders like John W. Hechinger in advocating for DC Home Rule. She was one of the first Board Chairs of the Black Student Fund, a nonprofit founded in 1964 to support Black students and the integration of schools. Bitsy quickly gained a reputation as a prodigious fundraiser. She would go on to serve as Chair of the White House Endowment Fund and a member of the White House Historical Association.

In 1973, Bitsy was among the first stakeholders engaged in conversations surrounding the forming of a “Community Foundation for Greater Washington”. Later that year, she joined the Board of Directors, where she would serve for at least a decade. After the terrorist attacks on 9/11, Bitsy rejoined the Board of Directors, serving from 2003-2007. She is currently a fundholder at the Greater Washington Community Foundation.

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Maceo W. Hubbard was one of the first Blacks to graduate from Harvard Law School in 1926. Hubbard moved to Washington in 1942 to work as a lawyer on the Committee on Fair Employment Practices, a committee established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to prevent racial discrimination in the War Industries.

After the war, Maceo joined the Department of Justice, where he was an adviser in the civil rights division. Maceo helped developed policies and legislation related to school desegregation that became part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Maceo was heavily involved with the National Capital Area United Way (today the United Way of the National Capital Area), serving as one of the first presidents of the organization in 1975 – just a year after the chapter’s founding. He also served as president of the board, chairman of the trustees assembly, and treasurer for the organization.

In 1973, Maceo joined the Board of Directors for the newly formed “Community Foundation of Greater Washington” – a position he would hold for nearly a decade. His involvement on the board would be critical to establishing The Community Foundation’s relationship with the National Capital Area United Way, which continues to this day. Maceo passed away at his home in Chevy Chase in July 1991.

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Polly Shackleton moved to DC in 1939 to work on President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s third Presidential Campaign. After settling in Ward 3, she became heavily involved in politics after the war, becoming a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1956. In the 1960s she served alongside future DC Mayor Walter Washington on The Committee for a More Beautiful Capital, set up by First Lady Lady Bird Johnson.

Polly was a strong advocate for DC Home Rule. When President Johnson expanded the appointed form of DC government from a single commissioner to three in 1967, Polly was named to the council. In 1974, she won a seat on the first elected council, a position she would hold until her retirement in 1986.

Polly was among the first stakeholders engaged in conversations surrounding the forming of a “Community Foundation for Greater Washington”. Later that year, she joined the Board of Directors. Polly passed away in July 1997.

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Davidson Sommers came to Washington as the General Counsel for the World Bank in 1949. He later transitioned to the International Finance Corp, a World Bank affiliate, where he would stay until 1960, retiring as VP of the organization.

In 1951, Davidson was approached by Eugene Meyer about becoming President of a family foundation he had established six years earlier. He served as President of the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation until 1975, helping the organization grow from disbursing $70,000 in grants annually to disbursing $879,000 in 1974.

In 1972, Davidson was one of the first stakeholders engaged in conversations surrounding the forming of a “Community Foundation for Greater Washington”. In 1973, he was appointed to serve as the organization’s first Chairman of the Board of Directors. Davidson passed away in December 2000.

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Henry “Hank” Strong was born and raised in Washington, DC. His great-grandmother, Hattie M. Strong, was the wife of the co-founder and president of Eastman Kodak Company. She established the Hattie M. Strong Foundation in 1928, which Hank would later lead as President and CEO.

Hank served in the Navy during WWII. After the war, he joined the Foreign Service, stepping down in 1967 to take over leadership of his family’s foundation. Under Hank’s leadership, the Hattie M. Strong Foundation began a new focus on investing in the Greater Washington region. They invested extensively in neighborhoods impacted by the 1968 Race Riots and transitioned scholarship programs to support more local students.

In 1973, Hank joined the Board of Directors for the newly formed “Community Foundation for Greater Washington” – a position he would hold for more than two decades. He was heavily involved in the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers (WRAG), and mobilized the Hattie M. Strong Foundation to respond to community needs. Hank passed away in March 2007.

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Bishop John T. Walker was the first African-American to attend the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA. He began his ministry in the Greater Washington region in 1966, at the only integrated Episcopal Church in DC, serving some of the city's most economically challenged neighborhoods.

In 1973, he joined the Board of Directors for the newly formed "Community Foundation for Greater Washington," lending his support to setting up a new avenue for philanthropy in the region.

In 1977, he became the first African-American diocesan bishop for the Diocese of Washington (only the second African-American Bishop in the nation). He also served as the President of the Board of Directors of Africare -- an aid organization focused on community development in Sub-Saharan Africa -- from 1975 until his death in 1989. He was a close friend of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and a vocal opponent of the apartheid regime.

In honor of his legacy, the Episcopal Diocese of Washington organized The Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys in 2006 to address the serious educational challenges facing African American boys in the low-income communities east of the Anacostia River.

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Joseph L Whyte moved to Washington in 1946 to join American Security Bank, where he would work until 1978, retiring as the bank’s Vice Chairman. A WWII Navy Veteran, Whyte held a law degree from George Washington University, a graduate degree in Banking from Rutgers, and was a member of the Georgetown University Law Center faculty. He participated extensively in higher education fundraising and in 1965 was tapped to chair American University’s fifth annual sustaining fund drive.

In 1973, Joseph was one of the first stakeholders engaged in conversations surrounding the forming of a “Community Foundation for Greater Washington”. He played a critical role in securing support from local banks for the young foundation. Later that year, Joseph was named as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of Directors, where he served for a number of years. Joseph passed away in January 2000.

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 Montgomery Member, Gene Sachs

Gene Sachs is no stranger to The Community Foundation. A lifetime Montgomery County resident, successful corporate real estate advisor and alumni of the Leadership Greater Washington program, Gene joined The Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees in 2008. During his time on the Board, Gene would serve as Vice Chair, helping to expand The Community Foundation’s footprint in the Greater Washington region.

“My wife and I are firm believers in The Community Foundation,” Gene shared. “The impact that they make – and continue to make in the region, is truly phenomenal.”

However, it wasn’t until Gene stepped down from Board of Trustees and joined the Montgomery County advisory board that Gene was able to experience Sharing Montgomery.

“I wanted to understand more about what was going on at the grassroots level, here in Montgomery County,” Gene explained. “I wanted to know what was happening in on the grass roots level in places like Takoma Park and Wheaton – to really understand what was happening in the fabric of my outside of my bubble in Bethesda.”

On his first Sharing Montgomery site visit, Gene went to Wheaton HS, where he was introduced to a nonprofit working to help high school students from low-income neighborhoods prepare for college.

“I was just blown away by the work they were doing,” Gene remembered. “I immediately realized that I wanted to get more involved, however I could help them grow their mission and expand their reach.” Within a few years, Gene would join their Board of Directors.

Now in his third stint on the Sharing Montgomery Committee, Gene says he still enjoys every minute of it.

“I love hearing the passion from each of the presenters during our site visits – learning about the evolution of how they got to where they are now. I come away so inspired and humbled by the amount of work they are doing to change lives.”

Gene also shared how much he enjoyed seeing how Sharing Montgomery gave donors and partners a chance to network and collaborate at in-person site visits.

“A lot of times – after our in-person site visits – we’d get a lot of feedback from partners about how much they appreciated getting to see what other organizations are doing. Even though they sometimes work in the same field, just being able to hear what others are doing was enough to start a dialogue for potential partnerships.”

“Whether you’re a partner or a donor, Sharing Montgomery is a springboard for changemakers – convening outstanding leaders in the community and providing a better understanding of the transformative work being done in Montgomery County.”

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.

Faces of Sharing - Getting to Know Sharing DC Member Maggie Prieto

First-time Sharing DC members Maggie Prieto and her husband Mark Michael started their Donor-Advised Fund with The Community Foundation this past year.

“The Community Foundation really fit with our giving philosophy,” Maggie explained. “We were impressed with how purposeful and in sync they were with our philanthropic values.”

A former Civil Rights Disabilities Lawyer with the US Department of Justice, Maggie has been heavily involved in the DC nonprofit scene for several decades – generously donating money, time, and professional expertise to champion the cause of changemakers in the region. In addition to working at organizations like The National Council de La Raza (now known as UnidosUS) and Ayuda, Maggie has served on the boards of the Latin American Youth Center, Mary’s Center, and the Rosemount Center.

So when Maggie and Mark were invited to join Sharing DC, they were intrigued at the possibility of learning more about the evolution of a field they know so well.

Mark is an entrepreneur; a political science major who moved to DC from California with the idea of starting an up-scale catering company. Years later, Maggie and Mark say they have a deep appreciation for young entrepreneurs – especially in the social impact space.

“Part of why we joined Sharing DC was to learn more about ‘social impact entrepreneurs’ – smaller organizations with new and exciting ideas about how to make an impact in DC. We wanted to learn more about the work they’re doing and how it aligns with the organizations we already support.”

Maggie and Mark also enjoyed meeting and working with fellow philanthropists from a variety of different backgrounds and experiences.

“It is so important in philanthropy to have a diversity of voices at the table,” Maggie explained. “Diversity allows you to have a deeper and richer understanding of what’s possible and the resources, tools, and ideas that are required to do the work.”

As a daughter of immigrants who worked extensively with immigrant populations over her professional career, Maggie was able to bring a unique perspective to the group that helped inform the grantmaking process. She was also able to make a small personal grant to one of the applicants that didn’t receive funding.

“I think informed philanthropy is much more effective philanthropy. When you meet the leaders of an organization, learn about their mission, what drives them and the impact they’re having – you are empowered to do so much more compared to simply giving to an organization because a close friend recommended it to you.”

“If you’re committed to making your community better through philanthropy, Sharing DC gives you a great opportunity to gain invaluable insight and connect with other folks who are doing the same thing.”

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.

EMCEE ANNOUNCED FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF PHILANTHROPY ON MAY 3!

Shawn Yancy is an Emmy award winning broadcast journalist. She anchors the 5pm and 11pm and weekday newscasts at NBC4 in Washington, DC. Prior to joining NBC4, Shawn worked at FOX 5 News DC for 19 years; and served as a primary weekday anchor for 17 years. Her 2nd day on the job in DC became her first big story: the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

Shawn’s 25+ years as broadcast journalist have allowed her to share and tell meaningful and impactful stories about the people and community she serves. Her experience has earned her a number of prestigious journalism awards including: the Edward R. Murrow Award for an investigative series at the National Institutes of Health.

Shawn is an advocate of giving back. In 2010, Shawn founded Girls’ Night Out by Shawn Yancy Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving and empowering the lives of women and children in need. Shawn has served on a the board of directors for A Wider Circle, Dress For Success DC and The St. Ann’s Center for Children Youth & Families. Along with her fellow DC newswomen, Shawn helps spearhead an annual breast cancer fundraiser for local cancer charities serving the underserved.

Shawn is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and a professional artist with clients nationwide. 

In her spare time, Shawn loves to read, travel and spend time with her husband and sons. She also loves really spicy food, sushi, and jelly belly sours… but not necessarily in that order.

Shawn and her husband have 3 wonderful sons, a daughter in-love, 2 dogs and live in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Her favorite saying is: “If the dream is big enough, the facts don’t count”. It’s a phrase her mother has been instilling in her for as long as she can remember. It’s a reminder that all things are possible with God’s help.