Best Friends 

For anyone who’s ever had a companion animal – that is, a pet –be it a dog, cat, hamster, even a fish, there’s nothing quite like the human-animal bond. It’s a nearly indescribable feeling, a magic combination of our innate human need to nurture and care for, and our reciprocal need for love that is unconditional. Likewise, domesticated (and, in fact undomesticated) animals need human intervention in order to survive and thrive.

But, as in all things in life, with love comes responsibility. While we treasure our pets, the truth is there are far too many of them for the number of loving homes available. In other cases, animals are treated as mere “property” – objects without emotions or the ability to feel physical pain – and all too often are subject to abuse and neglect. Further, most legislation continues to consider animals as “property” and thus, in all too many cases, abusers receive relatively mild penalties – what some would call “a slap on the wrist,” if you will.

In this issue of Making Connections, we focus on the welfare of companion animals and the work of area nonprofits that come to their aid. In addition, we’ll meet a new Community Foundation donor who has established a fund to champion animal rights, and we’ll share resources on Humane Education and other topics that seek to dignify the human-animal bond.

  

Donors Cheye Calvo and Trinity Tomsic: Healing After Tragedy

Setting up a donor-advised fund is a wonderful way not just to give back but to add meaning to life.-- Cheye Calvo

Cheye Calvo (pictured with wife Trinity Tomsic, along with Chase and Payton) first learned of The Community Foundation through his work as mayor of Berwyn Heights, Maryland—well before the gruesome event he now refers to as “the incident.” Little did he know that years later The Foundation would play an important role in his healing process.

In a widely publicized 2008 event, a Prince George's County SWAT team forced its way into Calvo’s home, shot dead his two black Labrador retrievers, Payton and Chase, and ransacked his belongings as part of a four hour ordeal. The police found nothing to connect Calvo or his family to a box of drugs that they had been tracking and had delivered to his front door. Eventually, a FedEx driver and accomplice were arrested in a drug trafficking scheme. Calvo was cleared of any wrongdoing, but not before the incident drew outrage from his community and around the world. Calvo recently reached an agreement with the county to settle a lawsuit that will include changes to how county law enforcement officers conduct such operations. The changes will affect how and when SWAT teams are deployed and the humane treatment of pets.

With that terrible incident behind him, Calvo continues his work as mayor of Berwyn Heights, an inner-Beltway town located near the University of Maryland. In his day job, he is chief expansion officer of The SEED Foundation where he has “come to appreciate the power of philanthropy as an incubator for good ideas and the role of nonprofits as agents of change.” (The SEED Foundation partners with urban communities to provide innovative educational opportunities that prepare underserved students for success in college and beyond; it was founded by Eric Adler, a member of The Community Foundation Board of Trustees.)

Over time, as Calvo reflected on the notoriety that Payton and Chase received following the 2008 incident, he and wife, Trinity Tomsic, recognized it was possible to bring some good from an otherwise terrible tragedy. They decided to establish a charitable fund at The Community Foundation for Prince George’s County to support causes that promote the welfare and humane treatment of animals.

 

While Calvo and Tomsic have provided the initial funding, they invite others who share their love of animals to contribute to the fund. “After more than two years of dealing with the tragedy and the lawsuit, I was ready for a celebration,” says the four-term mayor. In honor of his 40th birthday this month, he has organized a benefit to raise monies for the new fund. Friends, neighbors, and even strangers from around the country who learned of the family’s tragedy have sent contributions and letters of support. 

In speaking about the role of The Community Foundation, Calvo cites a study that revealed what brings meaning to people’s lives. “One immediately thinks of things like family, children, religion,” Calvo said. “The study disclosed that many respondents said they were happiest when they were engaged with their community. The Community Foundation and this fund are an extension of that thinking. Setting up a donor-advised fund is a wonderful way not just to give back but to add meaning to life.”

Calvo hopes in the near future to work with the Berwyn Heights community to establish a fund at The Community Foundation, just as Greenbelt, Hyattsville and Mount Rainier in Prince George’s County and communities in other parts of the region have done.

To learn more about -- and contribute to -- The Payton and Chase Fund, visit www.paytonandchase.org.

 

In Northern Virginia, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington Provides a Loving Place for Humans and Animals 

We are striving to raise the animal welfare bar in the community, says Neil Trent (left), Director of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, which is located just outside the village of Shirlington. Founded in 1944, the League provides temporary care and refuge for homeless and suffering animals; places animals in loving, responsible homes; provides animal control services to Arlington County; and educates the public, providing a wide variety of community services. Over the past 67 years, the League has gone from a small converted building to a modern shelter. Its humane work has expanded from the care and shelter of needy animals to include a formal humane education program and community services.

The proud guardian of two rescue dogs, Zac and Abby, Trent came to Arlington in September 2010 with a wealth of experience from around the world. He previously served in the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Great Britain, a uniformed corps of inspectors; worked at the Royal SPCA in Australia where he trained other inspectors; and at the World Society for the Protection of Animals, based in Boston. He also started the Humane Society International, the global arm of the Humane Society of the United States. Before arriving in Virginia, Neil ran shelters in California and Colorado. After visiting 100 countries promoting animal protection and welfare and focusing on the domestic shelter industry, he hung up his travel spurs.

There are several ways the Arlington shelter differs from some others in the region, Trent says. For one thing, it has a contract with Arlington County to provide animal control services, which means the organization has a uniformed corps of officers who address such issues as animal cruelty, dangerous animals and animals involved in traffic accidents.

Under Trent’s leadership, the public will see some changes. Already, the organization has built a new lobby area which they call VIP Lounge (as in “very important pet”), for shy or hard- to-adopt animals. For instance, a cat named Baby was recently featured in the lounge; soon after she was adopted after having been at the shelter for 345 days. “We go the extra step,” says Trent.

In 2007, the group began educating the public about pit bulls. A lot of people shy away from pit bulls because of the stigma attached to them. “Most people don’t know that pit bulls make wonderful family pets,” Trent says. “Educational efforts like this one are what Arlington is best known for. We are not afraid to step up and look at challenges in the community.”

For individuals or families who are looking for something other than a cat or dog, Arlington currently has 21 rabbits available for adoption and, at times, small animals including guinea pigs and birds. Whatever the animal, “our goal is to find them a new and forever home,” says Trent.

 

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Washington Animal Rescue League: Bringing People and Animals Together

Many of the people we serve have lost everything. But they don’t have to lose their animals.

-- Washington Animal Rescue League CEO Gary Weitzman, DVM, MPH

Gary Weitzman (left) decided to become a veterinarian when he was six. That is when he first read James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small—the classic book that led him to a Master’s Degree in public health, veterinary school and, ultimately, a private animal hospital in San Francisco. But the job left him empty and longing to work in the nonprofit world, serving clients who had nowhere else to turn.

He found the perfect match across the country. In 2004, he relocated to the Washington region to become Medical Director, and later CEO, of the Washington Animal Rescue League. Weitzman arrived at a time when the organization was experiencing remarkable growth.

Founded in 1914, the League is DC’s oldest animal shelter, dedicated to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals who have nowhere else to go. The League is known not only for its long history, but also for its innovative new shelter, which was designed to promote the physical, emotional, and social healing of animals recovering from past traumas, and for programs that benefit animals and the entire community, regardless of ability to pay. The renovated shelter is “a healing place for animals,” says Weitzman, pointing out that the standards for animal shelters are changing rapidly. Traditionally, he says, shelters were depressing places stray or abandoned animals were taken before being euthanized, “like prisoners on death row.”

In contrast, the renovated building is designed from the animals’ point of view. Steel-bar cages have been replaced with glass enclosed dog dens, cat condos, and puppy pads—a more humane and effective way to shelter homeless animals. Animals enjoy state-of-the-art veterinary care at the on-site medical center. Because it is attractive and filled with healthy, social animals in comfortable living rooms, the League is a more welcoming place for potential adopters.

Weitzman is perhaps most proud of the organization’s safety-net initiative, Project Rescue. “Part of our mission mandates that we ‘strengthen and preserve the human-animal bond by supporting animals in their homes,’” he says. Consequently, the League is responding to the economic crisis with an array of services that provide support for families and individuals who are finding it difficult to care for their pets in these challenging times. Project Rescue includes:

• Comprehensive veterinary services free or at a discounted cost to the pets of low-income people.
• Weekly low-cost vaccination clinics to accommodate the growing demand.
• Free and low-cost spaying and neutering.
• A year-round community pet food and supplies bank supported entirely through private donations.
• Safe Haven Program providing safe and comfortable shelter and medical care to animals belonging to people escaping domestic violence or living in temporary emergency housing. The League also takes in animals whose guardians have no choice but to re-home their pets.
• Free, professional assistance to people who have questions regarding pet care and training. Without this support, many would otherwise surrender their animals.

"Many of the people we serve have lost everything, says Weitzman. But they don’t have to lose their animals. He goes on to share a letter from a recent client: “Thanks for being Apache’s friends. Apache loved coming to the WARL, which says a lot about you. I’m glad it was the League team that took care of him in the end. He was able to receive the same type of love and care he’d known all his life!”

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At mcpaw, a New Home for Homeless Animals

We all look forward to having a new building. It’s good for the animals. -- mcpaw board member Jean Whiddon


As a member of the Leadership Montgomery Class of 2009, Jean Whiddon (pictured below) participated in a community service project at the Montgomery County Humane Society (MCHS). At the time, she had two Labrador retrievers and three cats—all rescue animals. When her commitment ended, she signed up to volunteer in the shelter’s cat room on Sunday afternoons.

“I wanted to understand the organization from the inside out,” says Whiddon, who owns a small marketing and communications firm based in Bethesda. From those weekly visits she “learned much about the whole rescue/adoption/give-up industry,” she says. She also learned that the Rockville building, which is owned by the county, is more than three decades old and very much in need of replacement.

At the final meeting of Leadership Montgomery, each member goes on record about a goal they would like to achieve within the context of the community. Whiddon told the group she wanted to get a new animal shelter built in Montgomery County.

She is well on her way to achieving that goal, as a current board member of a nonprofit called, appropriately,mcpaw (Montgomery County Partners for Animal Well-Being). A $17-19 million Animal Services & Adoption Center has been in the planning for at least a decade with a substantial investment of funding from the Montgomery County government. The County has turned to mcpaw for the additional dollars required to create a facility that can house and care for the County’s homeless or stray animals while they await new homes as well as provide animal care services such as a veterinary clinic for spay/neuter services, rabies shots and other basic preventative pet care.

Rather than dwell on the many reasons the current Rockville-based shelter is outdated, Whiddon points out some of its strengths: “90 to 95 % of the adoptable animals find homes,” she notes. “The staff do a heroic job.”

At the same time, she is quick to point out the outstanding features of the proposed center, which will be located in Gaithersburg at the corner of Muncaster Mill Road and Air Park. For instance, the building will have a state-of-the-art filtration system, which is good for the animals, the staff and visitors. Whiddon dreams of adding a a full-service veterinary clinic but recognizes that would “take the fundraising campaign up a notch.” The need is there, she says.

In the meantime, the Montgomery County Humane Society (MCHS), which currently operates the county animal shelter and is a grantee of The Community Foundation for Montgomery County, is raising funds for its day-to-day operations while mcpaw looks to the future with its capital campaign. “We all look forward to having a new building for the animals,” said Cris Bombaugh, President and CEO of MCHS, which is dedicated to providing care for homeless animals; foster, rescue and adoption services; and humane education for children, youth and adults,  “The county shelter building is 35 years old and is in need of replacement, and we support the efforts of the county, mcpaw, and others in building the new facility.  It's what the animals deserve.”

We’ll have a shovel in the ground within months,  says Whiddon with confidence, adding, We plan to be open by early 2013.

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Area Animal Shelters and Rescue Organizations

While there are many excellent websites that help place specific breeds of dogs, cats and other domestic animals in loving homes, don't forget about your local animal shelter.  Chances are, you'll find a furry face you can't live without.

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
Alexandria, VA
Through adoptions, spay and neuter assistance the League promotes responsible pet care across Northern Virginia. The organization operates the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, an open-admission facility accepting any and all animals surrendered. The League places more than 1,300 companion animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, iguanas, chinchillas and many more, in permanent, loving homes each year. An additional 300 stray pets are reunited with their “parents” through the League each year. 
http://awla.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=home

Animal Welfare League of Arlington
Arlington, VA
Nonprofit humane society that shelters and rehomes animals in Arlington, VA. www.awla.org/index.shtml

Friends of Homeless Animals
Merrifield, VA
A no-kill shelter housing and helping to adopt homeless dogs and cats. The organization serves Norther Virginia and Washington, DC and holds a range of special “adoption days” throughout the year. www.foha.org

Homeless Animals Rescue Team
Fairfax Station, VA
A no-kill animal rescue/support group that shelters and rehomes stray, abused, and unwanted dogs and cats.
www.hart90.com/

Humane Society of Fairfax County
Fairfax, VA
Nonprofit that rescues and protect animals both domestic and wild from abuse, neglect, abandonment, and cruelty. The organization also effectively advocates for legislation and policies that prevent cruelty to animals of all types.
www.hsfc.org/

Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County
Gaithersburg, MD
The League is currently devoted solely to cats, rescuing those at risk of being euthanized, and offering adoption and low-cost spay/neuter programs.
www.awfmc.org

King Street Cats
Alexandria, VA
The only cat-exclusive orphanage in Alexandria, VA, King Street Cats provides abandoned and rescued cats and kittens with a safe and secure temporary home until a permanent, loving home can be found. The organization houses 30 cats on average at its orphanage and does not euthanize due to space or behavioral issues. The organization helps local residents in locating and retrieving lost cats and assists individuals through the cat adoption process. 
http://kingstreetcats.org

Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation
Arlington, VA
Rescues dogs and cats from the threat of euthanasia by area shelters or other at-risk situations. Once rescued, the animals are spayed/neutered and given veterinary care before being adopted. Since 2001, the Foundation has placed more 13,000 dogs and cats.
http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/profile2/lost-dog-and-cat-rescue-foundation

Montgomery County Humane Society
Rockville, MD
Offers a full range of services including foster care, rescue network placements, adoption counseling, behavior seminars, bereavement support, and more.
www.mchumane.org

Montgomery County SPCA
Washington Grove, MD
Focus is on sheltering and adopting cats, with referrals to other area organizations caring for dogs. 
www.mcspa.org

Prince George’s County Animal Management Group
Upper Marlboro, MD
Provides a full-range of services – shelter, adoption, spay/neuter, vaccinations and more. The organizations website features animals currently available for adoption as well as success stories of those who’ve found loving homes. 
www.princegeorgespets4us.com

SPCA of Northern Virginia
Aa volunteer-based, nonprofit established by local citizens to rescue domestic cats and dogs from cruelty, neglect and abandonment. SPCA NOVA is a “no-kill” organization that does not euthanize healthy, adoptable cats and dogs. Cats live in foster homes and dogs are housed either in foster homes or a private kennel until adopted.
http://www.spcanova.org/

SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George’s County
Bowie, MD
Focused on spay/neuter, preventing animal cruelty, and adopting homeless animals. 
www.pgspca.org

Washington Humane Society
Washington, DC
Provides comfort and care to nearly 30,000 animals each year through its broad range of programs and services including sheltering, adoption, spay and neuter, CatNiPP, Humane Law Enforcement, lost and found, human–animal therapy programs and Humane Education
www.washhumane.org

Washington Animal Rescue League
Washington, DC
Rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes animals who have nowhere else to go. Its recently renovated facility is designed to promote the physical, emotional, and social healing of animals recovering from past traumas. 
www.warl.org

 

 

Nonprofits dedicated to companion animal welfare aren’t limited to spay/neuter and adoption services. There are quite a few organizations and websites that produce publications, build advocacy/awareness, and provide Humane Education, designed to strengthen the human-animal bond and fostering respect for animals and their well being.

Adoptapet.com (website)
Adopt-a-Pet.com (formerly 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com) is a nonprofit pet adoption organization that helps shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their homeless pets to adopters for free. Adoptapet.com uses the power of TV, the Internet and a toll-free phone number to connect adopters with shelter pets and help pets go from alone to adopted.  www.adoptapet.com 

Alley Cat Allies
One of the relatively few organizations focused on reducing and protecting feral (“wild”) cat populations. The organization provides resources on establishing trap-spay/neuter-release programs as well as a range of publications, videos, and podcasts on the process as well as advocacy work and Humane Education. www.alleycat.org

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Established as the first organization of its kind in the United States, ASPCA conducts large-scale animal cruelty interventions (such as substandard puppy mills), effectively advocates for animal-friendly education, and provides the public with a wealth of resources, from Humane Education to disaster readiness to grieving and loss of a beloved pet. www.aspca.org

AnimalShelter.org (website)
The AnimalShelter.org web site was created in an effort to place homeless animals throughout the United States. These animals are often located in one of thousands of animal shelters and rescue’s throughout the Country which offer a temporary placement while a loving family is found. At the AnimalShelter.org we provide a database of animals which will allow you to search for your next pet based on animal type, breed, size, gender and location. You can also search through our growing directory which now includes, animal shelters, lost, found or adoptable pets, pet meds, dog parks, and hundreds of frequently asked questions. www.animalshelter.org



American Humane Association
American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. www.americanhumane.org

Arlington Pets (blog)
Insights and advice for pet owners from the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. arlingtonpets.blogspot.com/

Humane Society of the United States
The nation's largest animal protection organization. In addition to investigating animal cruelty, advocating for animal-friendly legislation, operating sanctuaries and mobile veterinary clinics, The Humane Society offers a number of publications s on caring for companion animals. Find them at https://gateway.hsus.org/asopubs/?Audience=2

National Humane Education Society
NHES provides humane education, rescue and relief assistance, and screened adoption services. Through the Humane Education & Advocacy Department, NHES provides educational presentations to all ages and information services to members and the general public. www.nhes.org

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
This organization targets abuse of all animals, from domesticated pets to farm animals to exotic species. Their philosophy is that animals were not created for human consumption or entertainment, and the organization advocates for a vegan/cruelty-free lifestyle. It has proven highly effective in exposing industrial animal cruelty, particularly the fur industry. PETA offers numerous resources, including animal-free recipes, advocacy campaigns, and more. www.peta.org

Petfinder.com (website)
Petfinder is an online, searchable database of animals who need homes. It is also a directory of more than 13,000 animal shelters and adoption organizations across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Organizations maintain their own home pages and available-pet databases. www.petfinder.com

The Shiloh Project Fairfax, VA
Support and Resources for: Teaching juvenile offenders and at-risk youth Compassion, Respect and Responsibility toward animals and others by socializing and interacting with rescued dogs; Promoting the adoption of homeless companion animals; Encouraging healthy and positive human/animal bonds. www.shilohproject.org/Home__Teaching_compassion_to_juvenile_offenders_and_at-risk_youth.html

Washington Humane Society
In addition to providing shelter/adoption/spay-neuter programs, the Society offers human/animal therapy and Humane Education programs. www.washhumane.org

  

  

 

Other Ways to Get Involved

Apart from providing financial support to animal welfare nonprofits, there is much you can do help companion animals in need.

Have your dog or cat spayed/neutered. This is the most important thing you can do to help both your own pet and pet overpopulation. Sterilization not only prevents pregnancy, but greatly reduces the chances of your pet developing tumors and other complications later in life. It also reduces instances of male cats straying from home and female cats going into “heat” during the mating season.

Adopt a homeless pet. Did you know that some 4 million homeless dogs and cats are euthanized each year? Consider opening your home and heart to an animal in need. Visit your local shelters (see listing, this issue) – repeat visits may be necessary until you find your pet of choice – and consult newspaper classified listings. If you’re looking for a particular type of dog or cat, most shelters keep “want lists” and will contact you when one becomes available.

Foster a homeless pet. Want to help, but not ready to adopt? Consider becoming a foster “parent” to a homeless dog or cat from your local shelter. In doing so, you provide the animal with a comfortable, temporary home while the shelter actively works to find it a permanent family.

Volunteer. Many animal shelters depend greatly on volunteers to help keep up with often filled-to-capacity shelters. While the work isn’t always glamorous – such as helping to clean dishes, kennels and cages – it can be very rewarding.

Donate goods. Many shelters publish “want lists” of supplies. The most common items needed are pet food, food and water dishes, blankets and towels, bleach, pet beds, and unused or clean toys. If you have a spare washer/dryer, ask your local shelter if they can use it – these appliances get heavy use in shelters.





Avoid using products tested on animals.  Did you know that some shelters, rather than euthanizing unwanted animals, sell them to laboratories?   Happily, increasingly manufacturers are relying less and less on animal testing, and today there is a full range of effective products not tested on animals.  Look for the "Cruelty-Free" logo, below.  

Be an advocate. Both local and national organizations regularly conduct advocacy campaigns to enact animal-friendly legislation benefiting both companion and other types of animals. Organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States run ongoing campaigns on issues such as puppy mills, pet protection, factory farming, animals in laboratories, equine protection and much more.

 

 

 

The following new Community Foundation funds have been established since January 1, 2011. Welcome to the family!

American Wind Wildlife Institute Fund	Brian K. Betts Foundation
Chancellors Row EYA College Scholarship Fund	Roosevelt High School Fund
Walker Jones Elementary School	Doty Family Foundation
Goldstein Corvasce Family Foundation	Master's Fund
MdBio Foundation Fund	O'Donnell Grreck Family Fund
Payton and Chase Memorial Fund	Timbrel Fund
Charles and Marian Stanton Family Fund

 

Thinking of establishing a fund of your own? Our regional service teams are ready to help you.

In Washington, DC: Bomani Johnson (202) 263-4770 bjohnson@cfncr.org	In Montgomery County, MD: Sally Rudney (301) 588-2544 srudney@cfncr.org
In Prince George’s County, MD: Desiree Griffin-Moore (301) 918-8480 dgriffin@cfncr.org	In Northern Virginia and Out-of-Region: Kenny Emson (202) 263-4779 kemson@cfncr.org

 

April 5: Washington Grantmakers' Philanthropist-to-Philanthropist Luncheon with Dick Snowdon and Elizabeth Snowdon 12:00PM - 2:00PM Capital Grille 5310 Western Avenue Washington, DC Cost: $55 Washington Grantmakers members/$75 non-members; price includes lunch and parking Exclusively for family philanthropists in the DC region, this three-part luncheon series provides participants the opportunity to openly discuss topics of wealth and giving. Each lunch features a conversation with one of the region’s top philanthropists and explores how they have structured their giving to make an impact on issues of importance to them. Patty Alper of the Alper Family Foundation conducts the interview for each gathering. For more information: Katy Moore, moore@washingtongrantmakers.org or (202) 939-3436. The Philanthropist-to-Philanthropist Luncheon series is underwritten by The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region. Note:  Dick Snowdon is a former Community Foundation trustee, and the Hill-Snowdon Foundation is a major underwriter of our education initiatives.  Read our recent interview with Elizabeth Snowdon HERE. April 27: Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington’s 2011 Media Summit 8:30am – 11:15am 1201 15th Street NW Washington, DC This year’s Nonprofit Media Summit will feature one dozen reporters from print, broadcast and online media with break out panels on Education, Health, Arts, and Social Issues. Learn more HERE. Open to Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington members. May 12: The Community Foundation for Prince George’s County’s 2011 Civic Leadership Awards Gala A fun and uplifting evening celebrating living and giving in Prince George's County! Details to come. June 15: Putting Race on the Table:  The 2011 Annual Meeting 6:30pm National Museum of Natural History Washington, DC

Join Our Online Community     In our blog, "Giving It Some Thought," Community Foundation President Terri Lee Freeman and guest bloggers share their perspectives on regional issues and philanthropy. Read it and sign-up for RSS feeds HERE. Become a fan of our Facebook page and stay up-to-date on the latest Community Foundation news!  Find us HERE. Follow us @CommunityFndn and our President, Terri Lee Freeman, @TerriLeeFreeman   Community Foundation Donors: Go Green! Sign Up for E-Statements and Donor Central If you're a Community Foundation donor, you now can receive your quarterly statements electronically.  It's the fast, easy, efficient, and earth-friendly way to keep track of your fund profile.  Registering only takes a minute. Sign up HERE. Sign up for Donor Central!  This free, secure online service lets you recommend grants and check your fund activity 24/7.  Contact Starlet Hunter, Director of Development, at (202) 263-4763 or shunter@cfncr.org.

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About The Community Foundation

Founded in 1973, The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region promotes charitable giving and plays a leading role in finding innovative solutions to the Greater Washington region's most challenging problems. The Foundation is a community of givers – individuals, families and corporations have joined with the Foundation; as a result, the Foundation provides sound management of more than 800 funds and some $360 million in assets. In FY2010, The Community Foundation and its donors awarded some $50 million in grants to nonprofit organizations in the Washington, DC region and beyond. The Foundation has two affiliates – The Community Foundation for Montgomery County and The Community Foundation for The Prince George’s County. For more information, visit www.thecommunityfoundation.org.

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Regional Affiliate – The Community Foundation for Montgomery County
8720 Georgia Avenue, Suite 202 | Silver Spring, MD 20910 | Phone: (301) 588-2544

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Regional Affiliate – The Community Foundation for Prince George's County
8181 Professional Place | Landover, MD 20785 | Phone: (301) 464-6706