ANSER Community Giving Fund honors long-time Board Member

A Legacy of Stewardship Lives On

When ANSER launched their Community Giving Fund in partnership with the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, the goal was clear: to make a meaningful difference in the communities where its employees live and work. For the inaugural grant cycle, ANSER chose to honor one of its own—Tom Apperson, Senior Advisor at Avalon Net Worth, a dedicated Board member who served for more than 20 years and retired this November.

ANSER supported the preservation of Dome Island, a pristine wilderness in Lake George, New York, that Tom's family originally donated to The Nature Conservancy in 1954. Dome Island is one of Lake George’s most ecologically significant areas, protected for scientific and educational purposes for generations to come.

Through the ANSER Community Giving Fund, ANSER donated $10,000 to The Nature Conservancy’s Dome Island Fund, continuing Tom’s legacy of environmental stewardship and reinforcing ANSER’s commitment to giving back beyond its core mission.

“We are deeply grateful for ANSER’s generous gift to the Dome Island Fund,” said Peg Olsen Adirondack director at The Nature Conservancy. “Dome Island is one of Lake George’s most ecologically significant areas, and this contribution helps us preserve its natural state so that it can be used for scientific and educational purposes for generations to come. The Appersons’ legacy of stewardship lives on through this meaningful donation.”

For ANSER, this gift reflects the values that drive its work every day: purposeful action, community support, and a belief in creating lasting impact. With CFNOVA’s guidance, ANSER executed its philanthropic vision thoughtfully and strategically—honoring Tom’s service while strengthening the bond between mission and community.

“People come to work at ANSER for the opportunity to do interesting, purposeful work that makes a profound difference,” said Steve Hopkins, President and CEO at ANSER. “Supporting our clients’ missions is central to what we do every day, and giving back to our communities is equally important. With CFNOVA’s support, we were able to execute the ANSER Community Giving Fund grants process thoughtfully and strategically to benefit our community, honoring Tom’s service through this contribution reflects both values.”

Impact Beyond the Mission

This story is about more than a donation—it’s about how corporate philanthropy can go above and beyond in making more possible for our communities and inspire future generations. Together, ANSER and CFNOVA are proving that when organizations lead with purpose, the ripple effect reaches far beyond the core mission.

To learn more about partnering with the Community Foundation in corporate giving, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..