By Nikki Macdonald, CFP®
Women are a powerful and growing force in philanthropy. They increasingly direct household giving, control more wealth than previous generations, and often give differently—prioritizing mission alignment, measurable outcomes, and family involvement. At the same time, charitable dollars nationally are becoming more concentrated among mega‑donors, underscoring the importance of thoughtful strategies for donors at every income level. The following is meant to help women of all economic backgrounds translate their values into action while making every dollar, financially and philanthropically, work harder.
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia is making more possible for our region by awarding $745,000 in grants to 45 local nonprofit organizations, strengthening the services and supports that help Northern Virginia thrive.
Funded through the Foundation’s 2026 Community Investment Funds (CIF) distributions, these grants reflect one of the most direct and impactful ways the Community Foundation responds to the region’s most pressing needs. Each organization received either $15,000 or $30,000, flexible awards designed to bolster essential operations and programming.
Effective December 24, 2025, the U.S. Postal Service has changed how it defines the official postmark date, which could impact the timing of when checks mailed to nonprofits “count” for IRS charitable deduction purposes. All of this adds up to an important opportunity to remind clients about the benefits of giving to their favorite charities in ways other than writing a check.
These tips from Merrill can help you pursue your goals and make the most of your financial plan.
You are doing all the right things, contributing to a 401(k), saving for your kids’ college, using debt strategically and more. But have you pulled all those pieces together into a real financial plan? One that considers unexpected life events, taxes, inflation and changing market conditions? One that projects the likelihood that you will reach your goals and suggests adjustments to help you overcome hurdles along the way?
The Community Foundation’s Resilient Communications: Cutting Through the Noise During Challenging Times webinar, offered through the Beyond the Grant series, was a great learning experience for 43 nonprofit leaders, seeking to strengthen their missions through more intentional storytelling and messaging. Participants learned that organizations that consistently prioritized effective communication and emotionally resonant stories were better equipped to deliver on their missions, inspire donors, and offer hope during challenging moments.
Sue Aft was known for her kindness, compassion, and unwavering commitment to helping others. Those who knew her saw firsthand the way she reached out to people in need and made them feel valued.
Her husband, Rabbi Bruce Aft, is determined to ensure that Sue’s impact continues long after her passing. “Sue’s legacy is her kindness and willingness to reach out to her students wherever they were and help them with whatever their needs were at any given time.”
Questions?
Questions?
