“We believed the best way to honor our beloved son, Will, and allow the light of his beautiful spirit to shine on was to start a scholarship in his name. With the wonderful guidance and support from CFNOVA, we were able to accomplish this most meaningful tribute. Providing the opportunity for other deserving young people, who had overcome significant adversity, to pursue a better and brighter future through higher education seemed a most fitting legacy. From the awarding of the very first scholarship nineteen years ago to 67 scholarships later, we continue to passionately embrace the sentiment expressed by Marian Wright Edelman: “Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.” – Louise Foreman.
Christie Dondero Bettwy, Executive Director of Rock Recovery, recently joined the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia to share powerful insights into the evolving mental health landscape in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia is announcing a generous $500,000 gift to its Environment Fund, bringing the total fund balance to $1.5 million. This milestone reflects a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and long-term investment in the health and sustainability of our region.
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia has awarded $17,750 to ten schools in Northern Virginia through the 2025 Healthy Kids Grants. This year’s Healthy Kids Grant recipients include returning grantees who expressed a need for continued support. While not all of last year’s grantees requested renewed funding, each submission was carefully reviewed by a dedicated committee. The selected organizations reflect thoughtful consideration and alignment with the program’s goals.
Featured in the Community Foundation's Webinar, Navigating the New Landscape: What the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" Means for Philanthropy and Planning
As the dust settles on the latest tax legislation, financial advisors and donors alike are beginning to unpack its implications. Devin Johnson, CPA, CFP® a seasoned tax strategist, recently shed light on how the bill reshapes charitable giving and tax planning for millions of Americans.
When Kathleen first stepped into nonprofit fundraising and development, she knew she would become passionate about the causes, but was surprised that her real passion came from talking with donors and connecting them to the causes they cared about. During a stint in a non-donor-facing role, she discovered she missed the calls with donors, and the creative energy of connecting with supporters. “Hearing what inspires them, what challenges them to achieve, and working with them as partners toward those goals—it’s energizing,” she says. “That’s what I missed most.”
Against a backdrop of ongoing economic and legislative shifts, you’ll want to tap every tool at your disposal to advise your philanthropic clients. Indeed, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is motivating many attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors to zero in on charitable planning techniques that can deliver tax benefits and achieve the community impact that’s so important to their clients.
In a powerful new collaboration, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA) and the We’re Good Podcast have joined forces to amplify the voices of changemakers across the region. This partnership is more than a media initiative—it’s a celebration of the everyday brilliance of individuals and organizations working to build a more inclusive, compassionate, and resilient Northern Virginia.
In a recent conversation with the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, Marla Lahat, Executive Director of Home Care Partners, opened up about the organization’s journey—highlighting both the triumphs and challenges of serving aging adults and their families. As a 2025 Aging Fund grantee, Home Care Partners has expanded its services to include new language classes, helping bridge communication gaps and better serve a diverse community.
August is National Make-A-Will Month, which means it’s the perfect time to review estate plans with your clients. As you meet with your clients to update wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations, remember that the team at the Community Foundation is here to help ensure that your client’s philanthropic intentions are well-documented and structured in the most effective ways, both from a tax perspective and through the lens of community impact.
Questions?
Questions?
