A message From Our President and CEO
From Crisis to Recovery: A Pivotal Year
Over the past year, we have all been impacted in some way by COVID-19. Although our experiences may be different, our community came together -– as neighbors helping neighbors -– to support each other through this crisis.
It’s times like these when community foundations like ours are positioned to respond quickly to urgent needs. Since March 2020, we have mobilized over $40 million in community support to help our neighbors facing hardship. Thanks to the incredible donors, nonprofit partners, and community leaders who stepped up to meet this challenge, our collective response demonstrated the power of our community and what we can accomplish together.
Now our region faces an incredible opportunity, one that requires us to think beyond simply returning to the way things were before the pandemic. We know that our neighbors who faced inequities prior to the crisis were hit disproportionately hard. This moment in time calls for us to chart a new course for a more equitable and brighter future for our region. But it will take all of us working together to realize our shared vision for a Greater Washington where everyone can thrive.
That’s why the Greater Washington Community Foundation exists. For nearly five decades, The Community Foundation has worked to bring people and resources together, channel ideas into action, and invest in solutions. And the work to protect and support our community is more important now than ever.
This report features the impact that The Community Foundation, our donors, and partners have had on this region from April 2020 – March 2021, and beyond. These stories highlight the importance of your support, and how it enables us to be responsive to all kinds of situations, represent a cross-section of communities across the region, and channel the lived experiences of the people who need our help the most.
Thank you to those who have supported and partnered with The Community Foundation on our mission to Build Thriving Communities and create a more equitable and just Greater Washington region. Our work continues and we are glad you have joined us.
Sincerely,
Tonia Wellons
President and CEO
GROWING GIVING FOR THE REGION
By mobilizing philanthropy for this community, we provide a stable funding source to respond to today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges.
Our Collective Giving Made an Enormous Impact on Our Region
Partnering with Donors and Nonprofits to Create Lasting Impact
56 new giving funds
established by generous individuals, families, businesses, and civic groups
7,054 grants
administered to 3,690 organizations
104 students received over $558,000
in scholarship awards to achieve their academic goals
Exploring Issues that Matter to Our Community
Our Social Justice Town Hall Series launched on Juneteenth and covered topics including policing reform, educational equity, housing justice, LGBTQ+ employment, food security, and employment and entrepreneurship.
The Children’s Opportunity Fund celebrated Read Across America Day in Montgomery County with a virtual panel that examined the role that schools, the community, and families play in promoting the joy of reading.
PGC Leads brought together Prince George’s County residents, nonprofits, and civic and business leaders to discuss solutions for eliminating the racial wealth gap and increasing economic mobility in the county.
Celebrating Our Community and Its Champions
In May 2021, we held a virtual celebration honoring the people and partners who stepped up in exceptional ways to help our region navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis.
Last fall, we held a series of virtual convenings to celebrate the cooperative spirit of our donors and partners in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and the collective impact of our work.
Building A Lasting Legacy for Greater Washington
Establishing a legacy with the Greater Washington Community Foundation is an excellent way to create lasting impact that benefits both current and future generations. Our Legacy Donors are generous individuals and families who have chosen to support the causes that matter to them through gifts that are planned today and will be realized beyond their lifetimes.
Ann Manheimer’s legacy provides a way for people to prepare for service-oriented work that will meet future societal needs. Her inspiration grew from her career at the US Department of Education, volunteer work with seniors and animal rescue, and travel to places of both great natural beauty and stunning man-made art.
She shared, “I wish to leave a legacy that encourages future generations to give service to others using their talent and passions for animals, arts and the environment so that others might enjoy long lives of joy and independence in a safe and lovely world.”
Ann has chosen The Community Foundation to carry out this sweeping vision with confidence that her wishes will be carefully carried out for generations to come.
Mobilizing PHILANTHROPY
Through our community leadership and impact funds, we address critical challenges facing our communities and invest in nonprofits making a real difference.
Supporting Our Community Through the COVID-19 Crisis
Our Regional Response to COVID-19
In March 2020, we teamed up with nearly 50 corporate and foundation partners to establish and lead the regional COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. This coordinated rapid-response effort helped stabilize hundreds of nonprofit partners providing emergency food, shelter, medical care, help with remote learning, cash assistance, and other critical support. From the beginning, we focused on meeting the urgent needs of communities hit hardest by the pandemic and economic crisis, including Black and Latinx communities, older adults, excluded workers, and people experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or wage loss. Over a thousand generous individuals and families, foundations, and corporations stepped up to support this relief and recovery effort, with gifts ranging from $5 to $1 million.
$11 million
in community support mobilized for our region
1,500
generous donors
250,000
people received support
57%
of nonprofits partners are led by people of color
#Makeadifference impact story series:
Housing and homelessness | Medical Care | Food Security | Workforce | Education
Partnering for Greater Impact
Throughout this crisis, The Community Foundation also collaborated with families, businesses, and local governments to launch 10 additional local and regional COVID-19 response initiatives — which led to another $30 million in aligned giving
Ensuring Equitable Access to Learning in Montgomery County
In partnership with County government and local partners, our Children’s Opportunity Fund launched the Educational Enrichment & Equity Hubs program to provide critical educational, emotional, and social support during virtual learning to over 1,500 students at 70 sites throughout the county.
Improving Food Security in Montgomery County
In partnership with Montgomery County Government and Food Council, we launched Food for Montgomery to address the increase in food insecurity in Montgomery County due to COVID-19. The initiative has raised over $2 million to expand food distribution sites throughout the county, reduce food waste, and support local farmers and small businesses.
Supporting Small Businesses in Prince George’s County
The Prince George’s County Legacy Fund for Small Business Development, launched in partnership with FSC First, provided $1 million in relief funds to 173 small businesses to help minimize closures and retain over 650 full-time jobs.
Innovative Model helps employ workers and empower nonprofits
Get Shift Done DMV launched in partnership with Nationals Philanthropies and several local funders to help 1,800 displaced hospitality workers earn nearly $1 million in income by working shifts for 32 local nonprofits providing meals to neighbors in need.
Supporting ARTISTS, IMMIGRANTS, Students, AND OTHERS AT RISK
Other collaborative efforts included:
Supporting local arts and culture organizations to sustain their work through the pandemic. Learn more
Distributing thousands of PPE units to frontline workers at local nonprofits and health clinics. Learn more
Providing direct financial assistance to help excluded workers meet basic needs. Learn more
Helping students in DC access remote learning to continue their education. Learn more
Purchasing meals from local restaurants to feed frontline workers. Learn more
Administering relief funds set up by local restaurants for impacted employees. Learn more
Leading Change in the Community
Uplifting Community Voices for a More Just and Inclusive Region
VoicesDMV is a powerful community listening and engagement initiative designed to understand the diverse experiences of the people who live and work in the Greater Washington region.
In 2020, the initiative returned as a three-part series:
A regional survey captured Community Insights in the weeks immediately preceding the COVID-19 crisis – it revealed that our Black and African American neighbors were experiencing economic inequality even before the pandemic.
On the Table then brought together thousands of residents for virtual community conversations to discuss the challenges presented by the survey findings, develop solutions together, and inspire action.
Community Action Awards provided $100,000 in microgrants for neighborhood-based projects to help residents take action to make their communities safer, stronger, and more dynamic.
Centering the Voices of Our Region’s Workers
Our Greater Washington Workforce Development Collaborative continued its work to advance systems change and ensure an equitable recovery for workers by focusing on efforts that center lived experience. The Collaborative launched two new efforts: a community participatory action research project in partnership with DC-based community organizing groups, and a partnership with Fairfax County government to engage residents in developing an action plan for achieving inclusive prosperity for all.
Investing in Local Black Leaders Building an Anti-Racist America
We partnered with GOODProjects to launch the Black Voices for Black Justice Fellowship, with seed funding from Bridge Alliance Education Fund. Ten Black leaders from across the region were selected to receive financial support to help scale their activism and work to address structural and systemic racism.
Building a Just and Equitable Greater Washington
Closing the Achievement Gap in Montgomery County
The Children’s Opportunity Fund engaged a diverse group of community members, educators, students, and parents in a participatory grantmaking process to support four nonprofit organizations working to improve educational outcomes for Montgomery County’s children, youth, and families.
Helping Youth and Families Achieve Self-Sufficiency
The Fund for Children, Youth, and Families awarded $1.99 million in grants to support 49 nonprofits making a difference around some of our region’s biggest challenges including education, homelessness, and foster care.
Developing Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy
Emerging Leaders Impact Fund, which seeks to encourage collective giving and civic engagement in Prince George’s County, brought together more than 40 young professionals from area colleges, businesses, and civic organizations in a year-long effort to learn about strategic philanthropy, pool resources, and make investments in programs working to address chronic high school absenteeism and truancy.
Advancing Equity and Economic Mobility in Prince George’s County
The Equity Fund, which works to eliminate social and economic disparities in Prince George’s County, awarded $440,000 in grants to help 19 nonprofits advance food security, affordable childcare, and workforce equity.
Ensuring the Sustainability of Black-Led Organizations
Enabled through a generous $1 million gift from Facebook, we launched a new funding opportunity to help Black-led organizations, working in the critical area of systems change, address immediate infrastructure needs to ensure organizational sustainability.
Investing in Solutions to End Homelessness in DC
The Partnership to End Homelessness’ impact investment partnership with Enterprise Community Loan Fund, Inc. has helped fund the development and preservation of more than 500 affordable homes. From its Grantmaking Fund, the Partnership invested over $500,000 in advocacy and organizing efforts centering people with lived experience of homelessness and housing insecurity, in systems change efforts, and in increasing racial equity in the region’s homeless service systems.
Supporting the Resilience of Immigrant Communities
The Resilience Fund awarded its final grants totaling $340,000 to seven nonprofit partners serving the critical needs of immigrant communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
LEADING WITH OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
We are committed to operating with the highest standards of integrity and stewardship to ensure donor funds are effectively reinvested in improving our community.
A Leader for the Local Philanthropic Community
Tonia Wellons was named President and CEO of The Community Foundation just a few days after stay-at-home orders went into effect. Her dedicated leadership helped raise critical resources, guide strategic partnerships, positively impact the lives of residents, and foster an equitable recovery plan.
News
Achieving National Standards for Excellence
Our commitment to impact, transparency and accountability was once again awarded with the GuideStar Silver Seal of Transparency and Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator.
Welcoming New and Diverse Staff and Leadership
We were excited to welcome new members to our staff and board:
Staff
Eliana Barnett, Executive Assistant
Marcus Braxton, Managing Director for Operations
Helen Conteh Davies, Controller
Ronnie Galvin, Managing Director for Community Investment
Akista Haywood, Staff Accountant.
Board
Rachel Goslins, Director of the Arts & Industries Building at the Smithsonian Institution
Ronald Machen, Partner, WilmerHale
Denielle Pemberton-Heard, Chief Legal Officer & shareholding Managing Director, Diversified Search Group
Catherine Pino, D&P Creative Strategies
Dr. Rashawn Ray, Professor of Sociology, University of Maryland
Archie Smart, DKR Insights
David Iannucci, Paul Monterio, Trey Proctor, and Joy Russell joined the Prince George’s County Advisory Board
Catherine Leggett, Robin Meisner Cameron, Stewart Edelstein, Tracey Friedlander joined the Montgomery County Advisory Board
Read Their Stories
Partnering with SEI on Investments with Purpose
The Community Foundation selected SEI to serve as our outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO). As an extension of our Investment Committee, SEI is providing added resources and access to a wide range of investment managers, plus the ability to emphasize social, environmental, and diversity-related investments in our fund offerings.
FY2021 Financials
Combined Investment Fund Performance
Vanguard Index Funds Performance
Special thanks to our Community Champions for Your Generous Support of The Community Foundation!
Founder’s Circle
Terry and Anne Beaty
Philanthropist
Leder Family Philanthropic Fund
Cliff and Debbie White Family Foundation
Benefactor
Loretta Downey
Emily Kaiser
MGM National Harbor
Peterson Family Foundation
Sterling Speirn and Diana Aviv
Wraase Family Foundation
Leader
Mary Pat and Darren Alcus
Bainum Family Foundation
Chevy Chase Trust
CSSA Insurance
Kelsey Dean
Lia Dean
Kenny Emson
Melanie Folstad | RBC Wealth Management
Barbara Garlock
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Bruce and Karen Levenson
NFP | Meltzer Group
PNC
Gene and Lauren Sachs Family Fund
David and Peggy Shiffrin
Neal and Jennifer Simon
Dick Snowdon
William W. Taylor
Katharine Weymouth
Linda and Bob Youngentob Family Foundation
Partner
Shirley Brandman and Howard Shapiro
Brookfield Property Partners
Brown Advisory
Council Member Monique Anderson Walker (Prince George’s County District 8)
John Devine
Lesley-Jane Dixon
Claire Engers and David Silberman Family Foundation
EY
Council Member Dannielle M. Glaros (Prince George’s County District 3)
Hill-Snowdon Foundation
Kay Family Foundation
Nancy and Jorge Kfoury Foundation Fund
LEARN Foundation
Catherine and Ike Leggett
The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McLarty, III
Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation
Mariam and Zeki Mokhtarzada
O'Malley, Miles, Nylen & Gilmore, P.A.
Frank and Nancy Parsons Foundation Fund
Karen Possner
Prince George’s Community College
Patricia and Craig Ruppert Family Fund
Vincent and Helen Sheehy Foundation
Jurg and Linda Siegenthaler Fund
The Sierra-O'Connell Family Fund
Leslie K. Smith
Sussman Licht Family Fund
Elizabeth Taylor and David DeBruin
Council Member Todd Turner (Prince George’s County District 4)
Washington Gas
WesBanco
WFM
Bruce Whelihan
Mary Zients
Zuckerman Spaeder
Patron
Prince George's County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks
Burns Family Charitable Fund
Sonia and Rick Chessen
Katherine Clark
Jonathan Coopersmith and Lisa Halperin
CS Patuxent Greens, LLC
Susan Lasker Dankoff
Jonathan Darling
Council Member Derrick Leon Davis (Prince George’s County District 6)
Lauren Davis | TTR Sotheby's International Realty
Dr. Charlene Dukes
Heidi and Mitch Dupler
Dr. Stewart Edelstein
Employ Prince George's, Inc.
ERP International, LLC
Lanta Evans-Motte, Investment Advisor
Julie Farkas and Seth Goldman
First Baptist Church of Glenarden
Susan, Chuck, and Maddie Freed
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Gibbs & Haller
The Solomon and Dorothy Graham Charitable Fund
Thomas Graham
Greater Prince George's Business Roundtable
Jeffrey and Anne Gunsteens
Jeff Hamond and Mauri ZIff
Artis Hampshire-Cowan
Council Member Sydney Harrison (Prince George's County District 9)
Prince George's County Council Chair Calvin Hawkins
Council Member Jolene Ivey (Prince George's County District 5)
Debbi Jarvis
Veronica Jeon
Boisfeuillet and Barbara Jones Fund
Chad Larson
Sam Lawrence
Agnes & Alan Leshner
M. Bondy Fund
M-NCPPC Prince George's Park & Planning
Mal Warwick Associates
Metropolitan Protective Services, Inc.
Sean Morris
Multicorp Commercial Cleaning Services
Tom and Denise Murphy Fund
Lauren Mytinger
NAI The Michaels Companies, Inc.
Craig and Denise Pernick
Rangers Cottage, LLC
Revenue Authority of Prince George's County
Andrew and Stacy Rosen
The Traffic Group, Inc.
Werrlein Properties
Friend
Accokeek Foundation
Lynn Andreas Arndt
Chuck Bean
Allie Bird
Sean Brayboy
BRE SSP Property Owner, LLC
Elan Burman
Susan and Dixon Butler
Robin Meisner Cameron and Glen Cameron
Chesapeake Custom Builders LLC
Collegiate Development Group
Jack and Caroline Daggitt
Delegate Dereck E. Davis (Prince George's County District 25)
The District Church
M.H. James Estepp
Alan Ezagui
Tracy Fisher
Caren Forsten
Friends of Dereck Davis
Cheryl Garnette
Glen Echo Photoworks
Oren and Laurel Goldberg
Rose Greene Colby
John Griffin
Hampton Inn & Suites National Harbor
Anna Hargrave
Monica Harrington
Kwasi Holman
Hyatt Place National Harbor
David Iannucci and Mary Ann Blotzer
Heather Iliff
Tiffany Jennings
Arleen Joell
Lauren Kuritz and Joshua Kamp
Cara Lesser
Melanie Miller
Glenda Moore-Wilson
Heather Morgan
Joe Murchison
Stephanie Narayanan
Oasis Mariana LLC
Denielle Pemberton-Heard
Georgia Petersen
Kristen Pruski
Rep. Jamie Raskin and Mrs. Sarah Raskin
Evelyn Rhim
Joy Russell
Robert and Robin Salomon
Shipley & Horne
William Shipp
Morgan & Holly Sullivan
Kenya Thornton
Tolin Facility Services
Jason Torchinsky
Thalia Washington
Wealthspire Advisors