After tragedy struck near DCA Airport on January 29, 2025, the Capital Region Community Foundations responded by mobilizing generosity, collaboration, and care—forging a partnership-driven model that redefines what's possible when people unite and compassion meets action.

This is the story of how local community foundations, countless donors, and dedicated partners came together to demonstrate that in our darkest hours, we can help create an extraordinary impact.

A Community Response of Support and Compassion

In the wake of this heartbreaking tragedy, this community-supported crisis response fund provided aid to impacted families, first responders, and nonprofit organizations supporting recovery and healing. In close coordination and partnership with the Wichita Foundation and its ICT Together Fund, the goal was to provide immediate and long-term assistance, ensuring that those affected received the care, resources, and support they need.

A Collaborative Community Response

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of over 560 donors from across the country, and with matching funds from our partners at the Wichita Foundation’s ICT Together Fund, we were able to provide critical support when it was needed most. We are also deeply grateful to our corporate partners, including Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Truist, Forvis Mazars, and Legum & Norman/Associa Cares, Inc., whose generous support was instrumental to this effort.

Your Impact in Action

Through your collective support, we were able to:

$799,456

in total funds raised and distributed

$45,000

awarded in grants to support first responders and provide mental health services for impacted families and communities

$754,456

distributed in direct financial assistance to families who lost loved ones to help them navigate their immediate and long-term needs

Your contribution made a profound difference in the lives of those affected by this heartbreaking loss and demonstrated the power of community coming together in remembrance and support.

Strategic Partnerships & Coordinated Supports

The DCA Together Relief Fund was made possible through extraordinary collaboration during an unimaginable tragedy.

Nourishing and Supporting First Responders

An emergency grant to Food on the Stove provided over 1,000 hot meals to first responders during recovery efforts and launched the "Food for Thought" initiative—weekly events offering food, counseling, and mental health support services.

Supporting Individual and Community Healing

An initial emergency grant to Wendt Center for Loss and Healing funded urgent grief counseling and mental health services for impacted communities. Now an ongoing partnership will support continued healing through psychoeducational sessions and school-based capacity building for counselors and educators.

Legacy on Ice: Star-Studded Tribute for Families and First Responders

We were honored to be one of three designated charity partners selected by Monumental Sports & Entertainment for their "Legacy on Ice" benefit event at Capital One Arena in DC on March 2. Featuring a star-studded figure skating tribute, the event raised over $1.2 million to support the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy, as well as first responders who participated in recovery efforts. All proceeds and donations went to the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation's Legacy on Ice Program, which directly benefited and was split equally among the U.S. Figure Skating Foundation, DCA Together Relief Fund, and DC Fire & EMS Foundation.

The Humanity Behind The Headlines: How DCA Tragedy Sparked Community Support & Healing

“The fund showed us that we're not going through this alone,” Debi Epstein shared. “When you're dealing with grief, especially something this public and tragic, you can feel very isolated. But knowing that people you've never met took the time to contribute—that they were thinking about our families—that means everything.”

 “Thank you for bringing the humanity back into our lives, for not forgetting about our loved ones and acknowledging that what happened to them shouldn't have happened. It's greatly appreciated.”

Capital Region Community Foundations Leadership

The DCA Together Relief Fund was established by the Capital Region Community Foundations, a partnership of five leading community foundations located in the Greater DC/Northern Virginia metro area, working together to coordinate crisis response:

  • ACT for Alexandria

  • Arlington Community Foundation

  • Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties

  • Community Foundation for Northern Virginia

  • Greater Washington Community Foundation, which also served as the lead administrator of the fund and its grantmaking and cash distributions

Together, these community foundations have a more than 100-year history as community connectors and leaders who work tirelessly to preserve, enhance, and protect the quality of life for our neighbors. This unprecedented partnership enabled us to leverage the collective expertise, networks, and resources of multiple community foundations to maximize impact and reach across the broader region.