Impact Stories

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.”

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.

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.

Fairfax, VA (December 10, 2025) – The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA) serves as the charitable giving partner to ANSER, a mission-driven organization that provides solutions to advance national security, through the newly established ANSER Community Giving Fund. This corporate donor advised fund reflects ANSER’s commitment to supporting the communities where its employees live and work, alongside its dedication to meaningful, purpose-driven work that makes a profound difference to the nation and the world.

Donor-advised funds (DAFs) have become one of the most popular tools for managing charitable giving. Yet many clients—and even some advisors—don’t realize they can access a more personal, connected version of this tool through their local Community Foundation.

Are you an attorney, CPA, or financial advisor with charitably inclined clients—but unsure how to start the conversation? You're not alone.
Many professionals find it challenging to recognize charitable intent and even more difficult to navigate those discussions without a clear framework.

To help, we’re sharing a hypothetical case example with practical tips to show how these conversations can unfold and lead to meaningful outcomes.

As attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors, you are well aware that the last couple months of the year are very busy with clients’ tax planning! It’s also a busy time for charitable giving. A whopping 40 percent of online giving happens in December (Neon One, September 2025). The Community Foundation team is honored to work closely with you and your clients on year-end giving strategies. Here are seven reminders to keep in mind as you work with clients in the busy weeks ahead. 

(Pictured above, from left to right: Amy Wells Mackay, Truist Wealth; Renée Byng Yancey, CFNOVA; Mike Frost, Truist Wealth; Sarah Dovere, National Center for Family Philanthropy; Chris Komosa, Truist Wealth)

At a time when the philanthropic landscape is shifting, CFNOVA and Truist brought together a dynamic panel of experts to explore how donors can make the most of their giving in 2025 and beyond. The conversation was rich with insights, strategy, and heart — all centered on one key theme: giving with purpose in a changing world.

Faith Boettger’s path to collective philanthropy began with her passion for making a meaningful impact in her local community and involvement with the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia. 

When CFNOVA launched the Business Women’s Giving Circle, the idea of collective giving (also referred to as giving circles) appealed to Faith as a way to meet like-minded women and invest in programs to support girls and women’s success.   Recognizing that her own path faced discouragement in high school about pursuing a math-based career, the idea of inspiring and encouraging others to overcome obstacles was appealing.  As a founding member and the first Chair of CFNOVA’s Business Women’s Giving Circle (BWGC), Faith encouraged the group’s members to make a difference for girls and young women throughout Northern Virginia by applying their collective strength to support STEM programs over the past ten years.