Last Friday evening we came together for the Community Foundation’s 2023 Raise the Region Gala to celebrate our home, Northern Virginia, and the change-makers in it who never fail to help meet the region’s challenges and expand its opportunities. Our theme for the event was renewal, as every community, and everything in it, must be continuously renewed and reimagined.
It was a large gathering of friends and supporters to say the least. More than 850 guests joined us in-person and online. Thanks to your enormous generosity, $770,000 was raised to help advance social and economic mobility, racial justice and equity, inclusive systems of economic growth, and community resilience.
During the program, we highlighted the impact of two initiatives the Community Foundation supported this past year: The Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP)
and the WISH Center
The event also recognized Sumeet Shrivastava with the 2023 Community Leadership Award. This honor, which has been awarded continuously since 1983, recognizes true leaders across our region – people who have been disproportionately impactful with their time, treasure, and talent. Sumeet’s authentic engagement with so many critical organizations across the region made him an inspiring choice. Enjoy a video we shared in tribute to Sumeet's impact throughout the region:
Photos are in! Thanks to our photographer, Monique Michael, we are happy to share with you the photos from the event. Feel free to download photos you'd like to keep or share using the code 3353.
Thank you to our event sponsors, our Board of Directors, our Gala Committee, our auction donors, and the entire Community Foundation staff for and dedication. A special thanks to Anne Altman and Arun Gupta, the evening's co-chairs.
And thanks to each and every person who joined us this year. Your support will help the Community Foundation continue its commitment to building community resilience, promoting economic mobility, advancing racial justice and equity, and encouraging an inclusive prosperity for all.
Your support, participation, and active engagement in our community helps make this possible, and we are grateful.
Sincerely,
Eileen M. Ellsworth
President and CEO
Community Foundation for Northern Virginia
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