The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, the leader in philanthropy in the region today announced its Innovation Fund has awarded $75,000 in grants ranging from $20,000 to $30,000 to three local foundations.
The Innovation Fund uses a venture philanthropy model of grant making in which donors to the Innovation Fund, in partnership with the Community Foundation board and staff, find investment opportunities in Northern Virginia that help:
- Diversify the local economy
- Launch the very first cybersecurity course of study in our local high schools
- Level the playing field for disadvantaged youth
- Promote grassroots innovation
“Through our Innovation Fund we’re able to provide much-needed resources to organizations working to bring fresh innovative ideas and solutions to our community,” said Sari Raskin, Vice President of Grants and Community Leadership at the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia. “This year’s grant recipients displayed creativity and innovative thought that aligns with one of our corps missions to seed innovation in the region."
“With the investment from the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Mason began exploring the Business of Well-Being in earnest during Spring 2020,” said David J. Miller, Ph.D., Executive Director Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, George Mason University.
Here’s a list of this year’s grantees:
Democracy Collaborative, $20,000
The Democracy Collaborative is a non-profit think tank and research center founded at the University of Maryland in 2000. It is based in Washington, D.C. and Cleveland, Ohio and researches strategies to address income inequality, and to contribute to community wealth building and environmental and social sustainability.
Northern Virginia Community College Education Foundation, $30,000
Northern Virginia Community College is the largest institution of higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia and one of America's largest community colleges. NOVA enrolls more than 75,000 students at its six campuses and through NOVA Online. For more information visit: www.nvcc.edu.
George Mason University Foundation, Inc., $25,000
George Mason University Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that receives, manages, invests, and administers private gifts, including endowment and real property, made in support of George Mason University.
Established in 2012, the Innovation Fund became a component fund of the Permanent Fund for Northern Virginia in 2016 when community donors contributed $500,000 to create an endowment that will forever allow this fund to seed innovation throughout the region.
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