Impact Stories

Advancing Equity in Northern Virginia

Learn about our impact on the local community and beyond. Since its inception in 1978, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $90 million in cumulative grants and scholarships. Here’s how we are putting philanthropy to work.

If you would like to contribute to an impact story please contact Tara Nadel, Vice President of Marketing and Events.
September 16, 2015
Capital Area Food Bank

J.O.Y. Charitable Fund Grants $32,000 to Capital Area Food Bank's Family Market Program

The J.O.Y. Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia made a grant of $32,000 to fully support the Capital Area Food Bank’s (CAFB) Family Market Program at Manassas Park High School for the 2015-2016 school year. This grant will provide 6,000 pounds of food to over 200 families 9 times per year, in a community where 51% are on free and reduced lunches through the school.

August 1, 2015
Healthy Kids Grants Winners

For the 2015-2016 School Year

The Community Foundation is pleased to announce the 2015 Healthy Kids Grants supporting school and community based programs in Northern Virginia that either encourage more activity or encourage better nutrition for students during the 2015-2016 School Year.

July 1, 2015
2015 Scholarship Award Winners
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia was pleased to award $234,600 in scholarships to 79 students in June 2015. Congratulations to all the scholarship award winners!

June 15, 2015
Beatriz McNelly2Beatriz McNelly recently opened a donor advised fund at the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia – The Caimi-Markis Family Fund provides direct grants to nonprofits, schools and faith based institutions serving women, children, families, economically disadvantaged populations, poverty relief, education, health and community improvement.

We asked her about why she chose to open a fund with us here at the Community Foundation.

May 7, 2015
Chairman’s Breakfast

Community Foundation's 2015 Annual Meeting a Success!

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia presented its inaugural Chairman’s Breakfast on Thursday, May 7, 2015 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Gannett headquarters in McLean, Virginia to celebrate the impact of its work in the Northern Virginia community and to inspire donors to think about their philanthropy in new and innovative ways. The program included a presentation of the Chairman’s Awards to outstanding individuals and community partners whose commitment to meeting community needs has significantly helped further the Community Foundation’s mission. It also included a keynote presentation by James Quigley, CEO of Canvas and co-founder of Refraction, the fast-growing co-working experiment in Reston, on the intersection of philanthropy and innovation.

April 28, 2015
Spark

Makes $25,000 Grant to Prince William County Public Schools

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia recently made a challenge grant of $25,000 to SPARK, the Education Foundation of Prince William County Public Schools, to support its new Cyber Security Program at Potomac High School. The program is designed to train students and guide them toward a number of industry-recognized certifications.

April 20, 2015
BurmestersRaymond and Jessica Burmester are donor advisors at the Community Foundation. We asked the Burmesters to share their story about why they opened a fund here.

February 1, 2015
Community Investment Fund 2015 Grants

Grants Awarded in 2015

Grants of more than $375,000 were issued to 39 local nonprofits in 2015.

January 29, 2015
GOOD BUSINESS

Celebrates Corporate Philanthropy in Northern Virginia

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia released a new publication today to celebrate the impact of corporate giving in Northern Virginia.  GOOD BUSINESS features stories of local businesses, big and small, that play a key role in the community through philanthropy and volunteerism.   This is the inaugural edition of a bi-annual publication designed to inform, inspire, and help spark a community dialogue on the future of corporate philanthropy in Northern Virginia.  The full publication can be downloaded here.

January 20, 2015
Mason Innovation Lab
Jade Garrett developed a startup company at the Mason Innovation Lab in George Mason University’s School of Business.  The Community Foundation’s Innovation Fund supported the launch of this program with a $25,000 grant in 2013.