Impact Stories

Growing Philanthropy

May 27, 2026

You’re likely well aware that regularly talking with your clients about charitable giving can strengthen your relationships. That’s not surprising, considering that the topic of philanthropy itself helps uncover values, build trust, and position you as not just an advisor but as a holistic partner. Indeed, recent research shows that 99% of advisors believe these conversations are important and 96% see them as their responsibility, highlighting both the expectation and the opportunity for advisors to engage more deeply.

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May 20, 2026

At the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, we work with business leaders and owners to structure charitable giving plans that support both corporate goals and community impact. Whether your corporate clients give directly to local nonprofits or organize philanthropy through a fund at the Community Foundation, thoughtful planning has always mattered. In 2026, it matters even more.

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May 12, 2026

By Kathleen Lowenthal, Development Officer, CFNOVA

Charitable giving doesn’t have to be tied to a deadline or a particular season. In fact, some of the most meaningful and effective philanthropic decisions happen when donors take a step back to look at the bigger picture: your values, your assets, and the impact you want to make over time. This is especially true in light of recent tax law changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill, which updated several rules related to charitable giving and philanthropy. 

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April 29, 2026
What if you couldn’t tell a doctor what hurts… or understand a note from your child’s teacher?  In this powerful episode of the We’re Good Podcast, host Lee Ann Necessary Brownlee  learns about the largely unknown phenomenon and struggle of linguistic isolation—a reality facing thousands of immigrants across Northern Virginia. Through deeply human stories shared by the Executive Director of the English Empowerment Center, Roopal Mehta Saran and Volunteer Teacher, Kathleen McCleary–this episode reveals what’s truly at stake when language becomes a barrier—not just to communication, but to safety, purpose, and belonging.

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April 29, 2026
What if you couldn’t tell a doctor what hurts… or understand a note from your child’s teacher?  In this powerful episode of the We’re Good Podcast, host Lee Ann Necessary Brownlee  learns about the largely unknown phenomenon and struggle of linguistic isolation—a reality facing thousands of immigrants across Northern Virginia. Through deeply human stories shared by the Executive Director of the English Empowerment Center, Roopal Mehta Saran and Volunteer Teacher, Kathleen McCleary–this episode reveals what’s truly at stake when language becomes a barrier—not just to communication, but to safety, purpose, and belonging.

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April 15, 2026
In this inspiring on-location episode of the We’re Good Podcast, host Lee Ann Necessary Brownlee visits Earth Sangha in Springfield, Virginia to explore why native plants, habitat restoration, and invasive species removalmatter so deeply in Northern Virginia. Executive Director Maddie Bright, longtime volunteer and Master Naturalist Caroline Haynes, and student conservation leader Brooke Ehmann-Jones share how Earth Sangha is helping restore local ecosystems while building a powerful, multigenerational community around environmental stewardship.

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April 15, 2026
In this inspiring on-location episode of the We’re Good Podcast, host Lee Ann Necessary Brownlee visits Earth Sangha in Springfield, Virginia to explore why native plants, habitat restoration, and invasive species removalmatter so deeply in Northern Virginia. Executive Director Maddie Bright, longtime volunteer and Master Naturalist Caroline Haynes, and student conservation leader Brooke Ehmann-Jones share how Earth Sangha is helping restore local ecosystems while building a powerful, multigenerational community around environmental stewardship.

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March 18, 2026

Fairfax, VA (March 18, 2026) – The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia is making more possible for our region by awarding $745,000 in grants to 45 local nonprofit organizations. These grants are funded through the Foundation’s Community Investment Funds (CIF) distributions.

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March 4, 2026
In this moving, deeply human episode of the We’re Good Podcast, presented in partnership with the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia,we step inside a conversation that many families are living—but too few are talking about. Recorded on location in Fairfax, Virginia, this episode centers on Formed Families Forward, a nonprofit born out of love, struggle, and an unshakable belief that no family should have to navigate foster care, adoption, or kinship caregiving alone. 

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March 4, 2026
In this moving, deeply human episode of the We’re Good Podcast, presented in partnership with the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia,we step inside a conversation that many families are living—but too few are talking about. Recorded on location in Fairfax, Virginia, this episode centers on Formed Families Forward, a nonprofit born out of love, struggle, and an unshakable belief that no family should have to navigate foster care, adoption, or kinship caregiving alone. 

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February 26, 2026
The Business Women’s Giving Circle (BWGC), established at the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, announced its 2025 grants—set to make impact in 2026—this past January. One of this year’s grantees is Technology Youth Empowerment. The Community Foundation's Amanda Bomfim, recently sat down with their Founder and CEO, Rida Karim, to discuss how this grant will support and strengthen their work.

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February 4, 2026
In this uplifting episode of the We’re Good Podcast, host Lee Ann Necessary Brownlee spotlights Community Foundation of Northern Virginia grantee, the Shepherd Center of Fairfax-Burke, a vital community organization helping older adults remain independent, connected, and safe. Joined by Shepherd’s Center Executive Director Beth Kilgore-Robinson and longtime volunteer and Board of Directors Vice-Chair Barry Wickersham, this heartfelt and fun conversation explores independence, purpose, human connection, and the quiet power of community-driven care—the kind of good that often goes unseen, but changes lives every day.

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February 4, 2026
In this uplifting episode of the We’re Good Podcast, host Lee Ann Necessary Brownlee spotlights Community Foundation for Northern Virginia 2025 grantee, the Shepherd Center of Fairfax-Burke, a vital community organization helping older adults remain independent, connected, and safe. Joined by Shepherd’s Center Executive Director Beth Kilgore-Robinson and longtime volunteer and Board of Directors Vice-Chair Barry Wickersham, this heartfelt and fun conversation explores independence, purpose, human connection, and the quiet power of community-driven care—the kind of good that often goes unseen, but changes lives every day.

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January 15, 2026

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.”

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January 7, 2026
 In this uplifting episode of the We’re Good Podcast, host Lee Ann Necessary Brownlee spotlights a Community Foundation for Northern Virginia 2025 grantee, Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia— “much more than running” program blends movement with powerful life lessons for 3rd–8th grade girls. Jaimi Taylor and Sammy Carr reveal how the intentionally designed, evidence-based curriculum builds a “Go-To Toolbox” of social-emotional skills—star power, happy pace, breathe-and-reset—that girls carry far beyond the track. With research showing girls’ self-belief dips sharply around age nine, GOTR meets them right then, wrapping goal-setting, empathy, and voice-finding into games, journaling, and team rituals that make character feel fun—and stick.

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January 7, 2026
 In this uplifting episode of the We’re Good Podcast, host Lee Ann Necessary Brownlee spotlights a Community Foundation for Northern Virginia 2025 grantee, Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia— “much more than running” program blends movement with powerful life lessons for 3rd–8th grade girls. Jaimi Taylor and Sammy Carr reveal how the intentionally designed, evidence-based curriculum builds a “Go-To Toolbox” of social-emotional skills—star power, happy pace, breathe-and-reset—that girls carry far beyond the track. With research showing girls’ self-belief dips sharply around age nine, GOTR meets them right then, wrapping goal-setting, empathy, and voice-finding into games, journaling, and team rituals that make character feel fun—and stick.

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January 6, 2026
The Business Women’s Giving Circle (BWGC), established at the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, is proud to award $70,000 in 2025 grants to five outstanding organizations delivering programs to girls and young women that provide STEM exposure and training along with leadership and entrepreneurship skills.

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January 6, 2026

Five Grants Totaling $70,000 for Northern Virginia’s Young Women and Girls

January 6, 2026 (Fairfax, VA) - The Business Women’s Giving Circle (BWGC), established at the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, is proud to award $70,000 in 2025 grants to five outstanding organizations delivering programs to girls and young women that provide STEM exposure and training along with leadership and entrepreneurship skills.

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December 16, 2025

Leesburg, VA (December 16, 2025) – The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties and the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia announce that the Loudoun Impact Fund and Creighton Gives have awarded $246,000 in grants to 29 nonprofit organizations providing services to Loudoun residents in need.

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December 11, 2025
As you guide your charitably inclined clients through year-end planning, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia is happy to help you navigate the unusually time-sensitive opportunities available in 2025. With major charitable deduction changes taking effect in 2026 under the OBBBA, this year presents a critical window for optimizing both tax strategy and philanthropic impact.

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