Raise the Region Gala
The Raise the Region Gala is the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia’s flagship annual event, celebrating philanthropy and regional impact. For over a decade, it has brought together community leaders, businesses, and donors to support critical initiatives addressing equity, resilience, and opportunity in Northern Virginia. The 2023 Raise the Region Gala, held on October 13, was a night of celebration, renewal, and commitment to Northern Virginia’s growth. Over 850 guests attended the event, raising $770,000 to support social mobility, racial justice, economic inclusion, and community resilience. The evening spotlighted two key initiatives: The Virginia Mental Health Access Program and the WISH Center. The Community Leadership Award was presented to Sumeet Shrivastava for his impactful contributions across the region. This year’s gala was an incredible success, thanks to the generosity of attendees, sponsors, and volunteers. The event was led by co-chairs Anne Altman and Arun Gupta, with contributions from the gala committee and Community Foundation staff. The funds raised will continue to advance the Foundation’s mission to foster a thriving, inclusive Northern Virginia.
2024 Shape of the Region Conference
The Shape of the Region Conference is the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia’s annual forum for exploring key issues affecting the region, fostering dialogue, and inspiring solutions. Bringing together diverse partners and voices, the event addresses topics like equity, social mobility, and community resilience to spark action and collaboration. The 2024 Shape of the Region Conference, hosted by the Community Foundation on February 9, focused on the critical issue of social trust and community healing. In collaboration with 19 regional partners, the event addressed the decline in Americans' trust in each other and institutions, with keynote speaker David Brooks emphasizing the importance of rebuilding connections. Insights from local and national data presented by Denise Bellows of Insight Region® showed that Northern Virginia is experiencing a similar erosion of trust, with only a third of residents considering their neighbors trustworthy. The conference panel, in partnership with the Aspen Institute's WEAVE: The Social Fabric Project, explored ways communities can rebuild trust and foster social healing. As attendees learned, individuals who serve and build their communities tend to feel happier and more connected. The Community Foundation also encouraged continued engagement through its 2024 Elevate NOVA Book Circle, which is centered around David Brooks' book How to Know a Person. This event was made possible by a broad group of community partners and sponsors, all committed to restoring trust and unity in the region.
Other Celebrations
December 2023 – Holiday Party and Celebration of Eileen Ellsworth, pictured with current and past board members
April 2024 – Community Impact Celebration
June 2024 Scholar Impact Celebration
2023 Community Leadership Award winner, Sumeet Shrivastava, President and CEO of Unissant
“The beauty of previous winners and future honorees is that they have paved their own pathways. There is no equal or unequal impact. Be prepared to impact more lives. I see this as a launchpad to realize that you have the capacity and capability to do more."READ MORE
