Standing at the forefront of one of the most significant financial transitions in history, we are helping our clients navigate the unprecedented wealth transfer of an estimated $84 trillion from baby boomers and the silent generation to their descendants over the next two decades. This historic shift presents a unique opportunity to discuss charitable giving as part of our clients’ long-term plans. As our clients retire and shape their legacies, we encourage them to pay close attention to IRAs and other retirement assets as key components of philanthropy.
In a powerful episode of the We’re Good podcast, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA) takes center stage as a philanthropic changemaker driving meaningful impacts across the region. Host Lee Ann Necessary Brownlee sits down with CFNOVA President & CEO, Renée Byng Yancey and fund partner, Benton Fisher to explore how the Foundation responds to both urgent crises and long-term community needs.
The Community Foundation Invests in the Next Generation of Leaders through Education and Opportunity
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia has awarded over $350,000 in scholarships to more than 100 students for the 2025-2026 school year!
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia welcomes Drew Kolber as our 2025 Summer Intern! She is diving into a dynamic, hands-on experience across marketing, grants, fundraising, and research. From interviewing changemakers and crafting compelling stories to analyzing community data and supporting donor engagement, she will be at the heart of our mission to build a Northern Virginia that works for everyone.
On April 8, 2025, Senior Director of Insight Region®, Denise Bellows, PhD, attended a meeting of the Virginia House of Delegates for the Emergency Committee, established by the Virginia General Assembly, as a response to stay aware of the recent Federal changes. This meeting specifically focused on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions.
by Steve Wittenberg, JD, LL.M, MBA, Director of Legacy Planning, SEI Private Wealth Management
As “goals based” wealth advisors, we have learned over the years that wealth creators possess unique goals and challenges. Most believe that philanthropy is part of their legacy. Passing down values to future generations is important. However, some worry the “good” may conflict with a “selfishly social benefit.” This is the perception that one is giving back for personal attention and accolades. Some believe giving large sums may lead to reduced privacy. Others avoid getting started out of fear of being inefficient or because they struggle with how to measure impact.
Happy Memorial Day from the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia! We honor those who have served our country by reflecting on the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting military personnel and their families. Over 200,000 residents of Northern Virginia are current or former military, including 24,000 on active duty, 18,000 in training for reserves or national guard, and 168,000 veterans. The needs of this population are diverse, as described in our 2014 report on veterans in Northern Virginia. The Community Foundation supports our region’s military and their families through the Military Personnel & Their Families Fund, made possible by generous donors to the Permanent Fund, a perpetual source of community support.
Pictures from Mary Ellen Henderson’s ‘Stress Less Week’
Co-written with Colleen Hoover, School Social Worker at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
2024 Healthy Kids Grantee Makes an Impact
In August 2024, the Community Foundation awarded a grant to the Falls Church Education Foundation to support a new club called Henderson Minds Matter at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. Henderson Minds Matter, is a part of a nationwide student-led movement called Our Minds Matter that is designed to change school culture around mental health.
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia was proud to join philanthropic partners from across the Commonwealth at the 2025 Virginia Funders Network Conference to explore innovative solutions and strategies that support thriving communities.
by Catherine F. Schott Murray, Esq., Odin Feldman Pittleman
Many attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors will share that one of the reasons their clients love working with a community foundation is because the foundation is truly part of the community. Whether a client has established a multi-million dollar field-of-interest fund, an endowed fund or a donor-advised fund to organize thousands of dollars of annual charitable gifts, a client gains full access to a community foundation’s charitable giving expertise and deep knowledge of the needs in the region in which they live or the specific mission and vision they want to support.
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Questions?
