Impact Stories

President and CEO, Renée Byng Yancey, was featured on the November 21 episode of Give Better Get Better as part of their CEO Series. In this conversation with host, Josh Dukelow, Renée discussed the critical role of the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA)—and how we’re working to maximize charitable impact during a time of unprecedented need.

When federal funding shifts, the ripple effects are immediate.   Individuals and families feel it in closed parks, scaled back after-school and Head-Start programs, and food banks and pantries stretched thin. These services often mark the line between stability and crisis for members of the community and the nonprofit organizations serving community needs across the Northern Virginia region.  

At the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, we asked: How are nonprofits in Northern Virginia weathering this storm? What can we do – as funders, donors and partners –  to help?

(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.

Fairfax, VA (October 23, 2025) – The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia hosted the 2025 Raise the Region Gala, its annual premier event, on October 17 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. Hundreds of local philanthropists, changemakers, and supporters gathered to celebrate regional impact and help build a Northern Virginia that works for everyone. The room was filled with individuals and families deeply committed to meeting the current and future needs of our region.

Every year, Community Foundation Week illuminates the vital role community foundations play in strengthening the places we call home. Uniquely positioned to understand and respond to our local community needs, community foundations serve as connectors, conveners, and catalysts for change.

Fairfax, VA (September 30, 2025) – The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia’s data research center, Insight Region®, proudly presents: The State of Nonprofits in Northern Virginia.The report highlights critical research that underscores both the immense value and the growing vulnerability of Northern Virginia’s nonprofit sector. This report helps readers understand the critical role nonprofits play in Northern Virginia’s economy.

Northern Virginia’s Nonprofit Sector: Essential, Evolving, and Under Pressure

Northern Virginia’s nonprofit sector is more than a network of service providers—it is a cornerstone of the region’s economic and social infrastructure. These organizations create jobs, drive innovation, and deliver critical services that support upward mobility, community well-being, and regional resilience. In fact, the sector generates more than $1.6 billion in annual economic activity, underscoring its vital role in the region’s economy.

Fairfax, VA (September 17, 2025) – The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia will honor Warren M. Thompson, Founder and Chairman of Thompson Hospitality at the 2025 Raise the Region Gala, the Foundation’s premier annual event celebrating community leadership and philanthropic impact.

In a powerful new collaboration, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA) and the We’re Good Podcast have joined forces to amplify the voices of changemakers across the region. This partnership is more than a media initiative—it’s a celebration of the everyday brilliance of individuals and organizations working to build a more inclusive, compassionate, and resilient Northern Virginia.

In a powerful new collaboration, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA) and the We’re Good Podcast have joined forces to amplify the voices of changemakers across the region. This partnership is more than a media initiative—it’s a celebration of the everyday brilliance of individuals and organizations working to build a more inclusive, compassionate, and resilient Northern Virginia.

Fairfax, VA (August 13, 2025) – The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA) and We’re Good Podcast have teamed up to amplify community stories. This partnership celebrates the everyday brilliance of individuals and organizations working to create a more positive world—perfectly aligning We're Good’s storytelling vision with the Community Foundation’s mission to build a Northern Virginia that works for everyone.

In a powerful episode of the We’re Good podcast, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA) takes center stage as a philanthropic changemaker driving meaningful impacts across the region. Host Lee Ann Necessary Brownlee sits down with CFNOVA President & CEO, Renée Byng Yancey and fund partner, Benton Fisher to explore how the Foundation responds to both urgent crises and long-term community needs.

In a powerful episode of the We’re Good podcast, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA) takes center stage as a philanthropic changemaker driving meaningful impacts across the region. Host Lee Ann Necessary Brownlee sits down with CFNOVA President & CEO, Renée Byng Yancey and fund partner, Benton Fisher to explore how the Foundation responds to both urgent crises and long-term community needs.

Fairfax, VA (March 26, 2025) – The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA) convened hundreds of leaders, community members, and changemakers for its annual Shape of the Region conference, an essential gathering focused on the pressing challenges and opportunities shaping the region’s future. This year’s event focused on youth well-being, addressing issues like bullying, school safety, substance abuse, and mental health access.

On Tuesday, March 4th, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia reached out to our 2025 discretionary grant applicants and sent them a Pulse Survey regarding federal funding impacts. Out of the 225 organizations that received the request, 113 completed the survey. Of those that responded, about 53 receive federal funding and 60 do not. For the organizations that DO receive federal funding, the range is 1% to 95% of their overall budget. The key takeaways we learned from those who receive federal funding are that:

January 31, 2025 (Greater Washington Area) - Several of the region’s leading community foundations have partnered to launch the DCA Together Relief Fund, a crisis support fund for Flight 5342 and Army Black Hawk Families, in conjunction with the Wichita Foundation. Managed by the Greater Washington Community Foundation, the fund will provide aid to impacted families, first responders, and nonprofit organizations to support the immediate and basic needs, recovery, and healing of impacted families and communities.