For Gil and Liz Blankespoor, community has always been more than a place to live—it is a responsibility to invest in the people and possibilities that make Northern Virginia thrive.
As longtime Reston residents, the Blankespoors have spent decades championing the vision that inspired Reston's founding: a community where people of diverse backgrounds could succeed. Their commitment to that vision led them to establish the Reston Scholarship Fund (RSF), which helps qualified South Lakes High School graduates pursue higher education and career training opportunities.
Their work is rooted in a simple but powerful belief. While students from all backgrounds learn and grow together in Reston's public schools, the path after graduation is not always equally accessible. When Reston was founded in 1962, many good-paying jobs did not require a college degree. Today, higher education and workforce training are increasingly essential, even as the costs associated with them continue to rise.
Through the Reston Scholarship Fund, Gil and Liz have helped bridge that gap, ensuring that promising students are not left behind because of financial barriers. For scholarship recipients, the support provides more than funding—it offers encouragement, confidence, and access to opportunities that can change the trajectory of their lives.
As the Blankespoors began thinking about the legacy they wanted to leave for future generations, they took their commitment even further. Through the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, in the spring of 2026 they made a transformational gift of real estate valued at $1.6 million, creating lasting support for the students and community they care about most. This gift will help grow the Reston Scholarship Fund, expanding opportunities for students while also supporting the Community Foundation's work to build a stronger Northern Virginia. Their foresight demonstrates how thoughtful philanthropy can provide resources that continue creating opportunities long into the future.
Today, their vision is entering a new chapter.
For the past decade, the Reston Scholarship Fund has helped students earn college degrees. But Gil and Liz recognize that in today's economy, scholarships alone are no longer enough. A degree remains valuable, but students also need mentors, professional networks, career skills, and real-world experiences to successfully launch their careers.
That's why they are helping lead the Reston Scholarship Fund into a new era through the Career Launch Initiative.
The initiative expands support beyond tuition assistance to help students build the Career Capital needed for long-
term success—the financial, social, and human capital that transforms education into opportunity. In addition to scholarships, scholars can access grants for career-related expenses, connect with mentors and professionals through the Career Connector Program, and gain the guidance and networks that help open doors after graduation.
The philosophy behind the initiative is simple: talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not always evenly distributed. By connecting students with mentors, employers, and community leaders, the Career Launch Initiative helps ensure that graduates not only earn degrees but also build successful and fulfilling careers.
In recognition of their extraordinary contributions to Northern Virginia, Gil and Liz Blankespoor are being honored at the Raise the Region Gala on October 16 with the 2026 Community Leadership Award in the Individual category.
The Blankespoors embody the spirit of community leadership—neighbors helping neighbors and turning personal success into lasting public good. Their generosity has empowered countless students, strengthened the fabric of Reston, and created a model for how philanthropy can transform lives.
Their story is a powerful reminder that the greatest legacies are not measured by what we leave behind, but by the opportunities we create for others.
Inspired by Gil and Liz's Legacy?
Gil and Liz Blankespoor's story demonstrates how thoughtful philanthropy can create opportunity not just today, but for generations to come.
If their example inspires you to think about your own charitable legacy, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Whether you are considering a gift through your estate plan, appreciated stock, retirement assets, or another philanthropic strategy, our team can work alongside you and your professional advisors to align your charitable goals with your financial and estate planning objectives.
We also welcome conversations with attorneys, financial advisors, wealth managers, and estate planning professionals seeking philanthropic solutions for their clients.
To learn more about legacy giving or the Reston Scholarship Fund, contact the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 703-879-7643. Together, we can turn your values into a lasting impact for future generations.
Questions?
