The legacy of Amy Takayama-Perez is characterized by a commitment to educational opportunity, equal access, and inclusivity. According to her best friend Julie Simmons, Amy wanted to “build a longer table and make room for diverse perspectives at the table,” a goal she pursued for 23 years as the Dean of Admissions at George Mason University. Yet Amy’s time was cut tragically short when she passed away last year following a courageous battle against triple-negative breast cancer.
Nevertheless, Julie and the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia team carry on Amy’s torch through the Amy Takayama-Perez Fund for George Mason University and its scholarship programs. Here, we survey Julie’s philanthropic career with the Community Foundation and why she started a fund in memory of her best friend.
A retired IT professional turned philanthropist, Meera Pillai is an influential figure in Northern Virginia nonprofit circles who has become prominent through board membership and outreach. She left a lucrative IT career to pursue philanthropy, which she felt was her life's purpose. Since then, Meera has served as Board Chair of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of DC, a member of the Board of the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, and a member of the Board of Educate Fairfax.
As a second-generation Indian-American, Meera appreciates the value of paying it forward, as such opportunities enabled her family’s pursuit and achievement of the American Dream. Indeed, Meera was pivotal in the recent launch of The Scholarship Fund for Northern Virginia, which supports local students pursuing higher education at a Virginia public college.
by Rich Harpe, Principal CPA at Matthews, Carter & Boyce, P.C.
In the digital age, clients often ignore—or even resent—forms and paperwork that aren’t yet online. But don’t let your clients fall into the trap of omitting critical assets from their estate and financial plans. Indeed, clients may forget to mention or outright neglect beneficiary designations on life insurance policies and retirement plan documents.
On June 1 and 2, Creighton Farms launched its annual Creighton Gives program with musical performances, games, and treats from local BBQ and ice cream vendors. This sunny, two-day event was the perfect backdrop for Creighton Farms friends and families to learn about the member-driven philanthropic initiative, which aims to strengthen the Northern Virginia community.
On June 11, 2024, Amazon announced it would replenish its Housing Equity Fund with an additional $1.4 billion, dedicating substantial resources to affordable housing in Arlington, VA, near its HQ2. The initial investment of $2.2 billion—devoted to Nashville, Seattle, and the DMV—took only 4 years to allocate, of which $1.1 billion was dedicated to boosting affordable housing across the Metro D.C. area. Such significant investments from the private sector are crucial, particularly since the government’s limited resources alone struggle to meet the demand for affordable housing.
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia has awarded $506,600 in scholarships for the 2024-2025 school year to 114 students pursuing higher education. This substantial financial support encapsulates our 35 Community Foundation scholarship funds launched by individual donors over the years wishing to make a difference for students in Northern Virginia and beyond. Together, these efforts reflect the Foundation’s commitment to fostering educational opportunities and supportive legacies throughout the region.
The hardships of those who flee their homes due to war, persecution, or natural disasters aren’t over when they arrive in an asylum country. Integrating into a new culture presents an array of novel (yet still demanding) challenges and obstacles. With that in mind, the Community Foundation team established the Afghan Relief and Resettlement Fund in 2021 to help the thousands of asylum seekers resettling in Northern Virginia.
As a professional advisor, guiding your client through the sale of their business marks a pivotal moment. Transitioning from managing and growing a business to strategizing the optimal use of the proceeds can be complex. Your client's focus shifts from day-to-day operations to long-term financial planning, and your role becomes crucial in this journey.
Throughout their business journey, your client likely relied on a robust team of professionals, including a banker, financial advisor, attorney, and CPA. Now, as they contemplate selling their business, this team will be instrumental in navigating the sale process and advising on managing the influx of capital they will receive. This might include planning for a well-deserved vacation and making sound investments to grow their wealth without starting a new business venture.
In your discussions, you might consider advising your client on diversifying their financial investments, ensuring their deposits are secure, and potentially paying off any outstanding debts. Additionally, establishing a donor-advised fund could be a valuable recommendation. This strategy not only allows them to spread goodwill but also offers potential tax advantages.
A lifetime of generosity can ignite a legacy of philanthropy. Brian Vogel is a perfect example, so much so that—to honor him—the Brian N. Vogel Positive Change Fund with the Community Foundation’s Family Giving Program was created. This was established by Brian's trusted, loving, inspirational, and once-in-his-lifetime significant other Cathy Tran, Principal and Senior Client Advisor at Bessemer Trust. Community members can remember Brian and support those in need by donating to a charity through this fund.
Collective action ushers in community-wide impacts. This principle underlies the Virginia Funders Network (VFN), a statewide association of 130+ philanthropy organizations seeking to address the region’s most urgent needs. At the beginning of May, the VFN held its 3rd annual conference in Richmond, a sold-out event that drew over 300 members of the Commonwealth’s philanthropic community. The Community Foundation’s Sari Raskin, Vice President of Grants and Community Leadership, and Renée Byng Yancey, President and CEO, had the opportunity to attend the event. There, they learned about the issues Virginians face and the innovative programs emerging to address those issues.
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