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.
June 9, 2014
Supporting Our Region's Veterans

Commits to multi-year funding collaborative to support coordination of services

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, in partnership with the United Way of the National Capital Area and with the support of Deloitte Consulting, released “Supporting Our Region's Veterans,” a report that assesses the demographics and network of support services available for post-9/11 war veterans, transitioning service members, and military families in the Northern Virginia region. The report is one of a series of publications commissioned by the Community Foundation to inform, inspire meaningful dialogue, and increase philanthropic and public investment surrounding critical community needs. It was developed to gain a more sophisticated, data-driven understanding of support available to Northern Virginia’s veterans, and to provide the Community Foundation, United Way NCA, and other local community-based organizations and philanthropists with the insights needed to strategically target and coordinate grant dollars toward the greatest needs. The full report can be downloaded here.

April 30, 2014
Joining Forces

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, Philanthropic and Nonprofit Leaders Come Together with the White House’s Joining Forces Initiative to launch the Philanthropy-Joining Forces Impact Pledge

Community Foundation for Northern Virginia pledges $100,000 over the next five years

Today, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia is proud to join over 30 philanthropic organizations and corporations to announce pledges totaling more than $170 million over the next five years to support veterans and military families. The Community Foundation’s Military Personnel and Their Families Fund has granted $270,300 since it was established in 2010, and through the Joining Forces Impact Pledge, has committed another $100,000 of support through 2019.

April 24, 2014

Reveals deep philanthropic engagement in the community

In a recent report published by CF Insights, “Benchmarking Beyond Asset Size: 2014 Top 100 Lists,” the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia ranked #85 on the top 100 list of Most Active Grantmakers. This report is based on the most recent Columbus Survey results, which surveyed community foundations across America to help gauge success across several dimensions of grantmaking and community engagement. The survey is available at http://bit.ly/QFlqlt.

April 3, 2014
Crutchfield and Panelists
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia and the Giving Circle of HOPE presented “Do More Than Give: How Donors Maximize Philanthropic Impact,” on Thursday, April 3, 2014. This program was designed to engage donors in the Northern Virginia region in a discussion of catalytic philanthropy – an innovative approach to supporting a cause and making an impact beyond financial support.

March 18, 2014
innovation
On Sunday, I attended a real happening – the inaugural Mini Maker Faire in Northern Virginia at both South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School (because the event was so big). Think of several thousand people at an adult Science Fair and you'd have a pretty good idea of what a Maker Faire is like. I particularly loved the “Blender Bike”

March 4, 2014
Faith Boettger
Growing up in Northern Virginia, my parents consistently reinforced that it was our responsibility and great honor to help others in our community. I have tried to live true to their example, make a difference wherever my travels took me, and pass this lesson along to my own children.

February 11, 2014
Julie
Global nomad is a word that truly describes my formative years. As a proud Navy daughter, we had the privilege of living throughout the US, Japan and the Philippines as I grew up to support my father’s career. When I arrived as a freshman at George Mason University in 1992 I didn’t know a soul. My primary focus was to understand and engage with the local community. Upon graduation, I found a robust job market which embraced my skills. I continued to leverage the idea of community throughout my career. When Greg and I married, we slowly deepened our roots in Northern Virginia. Over the course of the past 20+ years it has been incredibly rewarding to nurture the wonderful relationships this area has to offer.

February 7, 2014
Aging Report
Dean Montgomery of the Health Systems Agency performed the research for the Community Foundation’s report on Aging, released in January 2014. This post is his second about this report.

February 6, 2014
Aging Report
Dean Montgomery of the Health Systems Agency performed the research for the Community Foundation’s report on Aging, released in January 2014. This post is one of two about this report.

February 1, 2014
Casa Chirilagua

Grants Awarded in 2014

Grants of more than $300,000 were issued to 36 local nonprofits in 2014.