The Children’s Opportunity Fund Announces Initial Grants in Montgomery County

July 17, 2017 -- The Greater Washington Community Foundation has announced the Children’s Opportunity Fund’s (COF) first grants of $625,000 to three high-impact nonprofit organizations in Montgomery County, Maryland.  All three groups provide life-changing educational opportunities for low-income children and reflect the COF’s innovative and systemic approach to closing the opportunity gap for children and youth in Montgomery County.  These first three grants include nearly $625,000 in public funding and will leverage an additional $625,000 in private matching funds, totaling a $1.25 million investment. 

Children’s Opportunity Fund Grants June 2017

The Children’s Opportunity Fund's initial grants will serve over 1,200 students in the following ways:

Building Educated Leaders for Life (BELL) works to create high-quality learning opportunities for the children who need them most, so that they, too, can develop the skills, interests, and determination to excel.  BELL builds educational equality by mobilizing schools and communities and expanding learning time beyond the traditional school day and school year.  BELL exists to transform the academic achievements, self-confidence, and life trajectories of children living in under-resourced communities. The grant from COF will support educational services to students currently attending Montgomery County Public Schools Summer Program in partnership with the Norman R. and Ruth Rales Foundation, Montgomery County Government and MCPS.

The Urban Alliance Foundation, Inc. partners with businesses to empower under-resourced youth to aspire, work, and succeed through paid internships, formal training, and mentorship. The grant from COF will expand the Urban Alliance High School Internship Program into Montgomery County by providing career preparation and internships to low-income high school students in the east county area.

Family Services, Inc. (FSI) provides high-quality services for newborns to adults to foster health and well-being in the home, school, and community.  FSI currently serves over 27,000 of the most vulnerable residents through more than 36 programs throughout Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. The grant announced today supports the coordination of work around early childhood care and education for participants of the newly formed Thriving Germantown Collaboration.

Although Montgomery County is the 11th richest county in the United States, most people are shocked to discover that over 200,000 people are living below self-sufficiency levels and over a third of MCPS students quality for free and reduced meals  — widening the opportunity gap for children and families.  The latest U.S. Census data show 12 census tracts with poverty rates of 18 percent or more.

The Children’s Opportunity Fund is working to close the opportunity gap for children and their families; address the need for integration among health, education, and social investments for vulnerable children; and diminish the disparity in educational achievement between children from wealthy and low-income families.

About the Children’s Opportunity Fund

The Children’s Opportunity Fund (COF) is a component fund of the Greater Washington Community Foundation (The Community Foundation) and its local office in Montgomery County. Funded jointly by the government of Montgomery County, Maryland, and Montgomery County Public Schools to leverage public funds to attract private investment, COF champions, plans and funds strategic investments that improve the lives of low-income children and families in the county. With a focus on innovative, evidence-informed efforts targeted at closing the opportunity gap, COF identifies priority areas for investment based on unmet need, aligns resources toward effective multi-sector collaborations serving the county’s most vulnerable youth and their families, and seeks new funding sources.

COF is guided by and works closely with a Policy Leadership Group and Steering Committee representing leaders from government, philanthropy, business and the community. These leaders include:

 Children’s Opportunity Fund Policy Leadership Group

• Ike Leggett, County Executive, Montgomery County
• Nancy Navarro, Councilmember, Montgomery County Council
• Patricia O' Neill, Member, Montgomery County Board of Education
• Jack Smith, Superintendent, Montgomery County Public Schools

 Children’s Opportunity Fund Steering Committee

• Uma Ahluwalia, Director, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services
• Gabriel Albornoz, Director, Montgomery County Department of Recreation
• David Asai, Senior Director of Science Education, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
• Kevin Beverly, President and CEO, Social and Scientific Systems
• Parker Hamilton, Director, Montgomery County Public Libraries
• Anna Hargrave, Executive Director, Montgomery County, Greater Washington Community Foundation
• Julian Haynes, Program Officer, Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation
• April Kaplan, Executive Director, Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families
• Agnes Leshner, Board Member, Montgomery's Kids
• Maria Navarro, Chief Academic Officer, Montgomery County Public Schools
• David Petr, President/CEO, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation

For more information on the Children’s Opportunity Fund, click here.

Contact:

Mala B. Thakur

Executive Director, Children's Opportunity Fund

Greater Washington Community Foundation

[email protected]

Introducing the Greater Washington Community Foundation

This week the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region is undergoing some exciting new changes as we transition to the Greater Washington Community Foundation. We’ll still be doing the same great work serving our region, but now with a new name, logo, website, and office address for DC-based staff.

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Please update your records! 

Effective July 5, 2017, our headquarters in Washington, DC has moved to:
1325 G Street NW, Suite 480, Washington, DC 20005

Our phone numbers will remain the same; however, staff email addresses have changed to [email protected]. 

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The Community Foundation was originally incorporated in 1973 to make community change through charitable giving easy, flexible, tax-smart, efficient and, above all, personal. Since that time, The Community Foundation has grown into the largest funder of nonprofits in the region while also managing charitable giving funds of all sizes. We may have expanded over the years, but our commitment to our community has never wavered. Community is at the center of our work and we exist to help our region thrive and be more resilient.

Last year, we began implementing a new strategic plan with new Board and staff leadership in place. As we listened to our community, it became clear that our name and visual identity needed to better reflect the region we serve and be inclusive of our local work. We decided it was the right time to redefine our organization to better communicate who we are, and why we exist.

We are excited to unveil our new name and logo for the Greater Washington Community Foundation that were designed to represent the power of generous giving. Just as seeds of a plant flourish with proper care, so too does our community flourish when we work together in a spirit of giving. The four-leaf like symbols represent the four communities we serve in the District of Columbia, Montgomery County, Northern Virginia, and Prince George’s County.

Although our name and visual identity have changed, we remain committed to mobilizing philanthropy through leading, partnering, and serving with others in the community. We have deep roots in this region and we respect our heritage. At the same time, we are evolving and innovating to be the best stewards of philanthropic engagement for Greater Washington’s community of givers and partners to our nonprofit grantees.

Check out our new website to find out more about how we plan to continue leveraging the resources in our region for the greatest impact.

Sincerely,

Bruce McNamer

President & CEO, Greater Washington Community Foundation

1325 G Street NW, Suite 480 | Washington, DC 20005

GWWDC Announces Investments To Address Regional Employer Hiring Challenges

Washington, DC (July 10, 2017) – The Greater Washington Community Foundation’s Workforce Development Collaborative today announced new investments through Greater Washington Works, a $1 million grantmaking initiative. Developed to address hiring challenges that have been persistently reported by local employers, Greater Washington Works will support at least 250 local workers to launch living-wage careers in the IT and Healthcare sectors.

With over 70% of net new jobs requiring post-secondary education and training, the Washington regional economy continues to be highly knowledge-based. Local employers, however, face challenges in finding skilled workers. Nearly 800,000 individuals in our region have no education past high school, highlighting a skills gap that has the potential to undermine our region’s global economic competitiveness. This gap is a particular challenge for employers in higher-skilled industry sectors including IT and Healthcare. 

In an effort to address this significant gap and connect local employers to a qualified workforce, Greater Washington Works is issuing multiyear investments in three employer-led regional consortia to help meet the talent needs of local IT and Healthcare employers.  

IT AND HEALTHCARE ARE REGIONAL ECONOMIC DRIVERS

In December 2016, JP Morgan Chase & Co. sponsored the release of a landmark study on the Washington region’s IT and Healthcare workforce challenges, Greater Washington Works IT and Health Careers with Promise. The report examined regional labor market trends and included interviews and focus groups with dozens of regional employers and workforce development stakeholders, focusing on how our region can address the skills gap and lift more of our neighbors out of poverty through careers in IT and Healthcare.  The report finds: 

• 12% projected growth in healthcare employment during 2016-2021.
• 6% projected growth in IT employment during 2016-2021.
• 3x growth in IT cybersecurity jobs during 2010-2014 in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
• $6,500 yearly average salary premium in the nation for cybersecurity specialists compared to other information technology salaries.

The report found that growth will remain robust in both IT and Healthcare, and that demand for workers with the necessary skills and credentials will continue to outstrip supply without additional investment and support. Employers in all industries across Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia will maintain strong demand in the coming years for “middle-skill” workers—those individuals employed in occupations that require postsecondary education and training beyond high school but less than a four-year degree. “Investing in data is a key part of our skill development strategy—without sound information it is impossible to build the industry driven workforce solutions our region needs to succeed,” said Alexis Bataillon, Head of Strategic Initiatives for the Washington, D.C. Region for JPMorgan Chase & Co. The report, developed by Civic Analytics and Oldmixon Consulting, further highlighted the need for increased regional collaboration to address employer hiring needs. 

PARTNERSHIPS WILL ADDRESS TALENT PIPELINE CHALLENGES

The Workforce Development Collaborative, a partnership comprised of local foundations, philanthropists, and businesses, is issuing three investments in regional partnerships that are poised to assist Greater Washington employers address their hiring challenges. Grantees were selected by a diverse set of workforce development experts and philanthropists based on the strength of the proposed partnership, connections with local employers, and deep understanding of the needs of our region’s un- and under-employed workers. 

Each partnership is a strategic collaboration between regional nonprofits, local government, and IT and Healthcare employers who will work collectively to train and place workers in living wage careers with the opportunity for career advancement. Partnerships will focus on a range of occupations including Computer User Support and Certified Electronic Health Record Specialists. Investments include: 

BYTE BACK

Local unemployed and underemployed residents will get a new chance at tech careers soon with EPIC (Education Partnership for IT Careers). Byte Back, in partnership with the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation-Workforce Services Division, will help workers earn industry-recognized IT certifications and launch living-wage careers. With almost 30 years of collective experience, the two organizations are excited to expand tech opportunities to even more local residents. Additional partners include the Northern Virginia Technology Council, Angarai, PC Retro.com, DC Office of the Chief Technology Officer, International Software Systems, Nucore Vision, Sage Services Group, SoftCon Enterprises, and Science Systems and Applications.

SKILLSOURCE GROUP

The Northern Virginia IT Employment (NVITE) Partnership, led by Skillsource will provide unemployed and underemployed low-income job seekers with intensive case management, employment coaching and skills training to launch or advance them into entry-level Information Technology living wage careers as Computer User Support Specialists.  The partnership will also address the hiring disconnect between front-line IT hiring managers and corporate HR personnel hiring policies. Additional partners include the Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Stratford University, Intellectual Point, and StrategyUS LLC.

SOME (SO OTHERS MIGHT EAT) 

SOME’s Center for Employment Training will launch a Healthcare Industry Sector Partnership of leading healthcare employers (including Unity HealthCare, Abundant Health Chiropractic & Wellness Center, and Providence Health System) in Washington, DC and Prince George’s County, Maryland. This Partnership will provide ongoing strategic direction and oversight of their employer engagement efforts and provide a hiring pipeline for healthcare employers in the region.  Students will train for careers as Medical Administrative Assistants and Electronic Health Records Specialists.

The Community Foundation’s President, Bruce McNamer, notes that “We believe that this initiative provides important support for our region’s workforce stakeholders—including government, business, nonprofits, and philanthropy—to help support efforts to address the skills gap that underlies the lack of opportunity for so many in our region.” The full report, Greater Washington Works: IT and Health Careers with Promise is available online at www.gwwdc.org.   

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Greater Washington Community Foundation
The Community Foundation works to ensure equity, access, and opportunity for all residents in the Washington metropolitan area. Our mission is to strengthen the Washington metropolitan region by encouraging and supporting effective giving and by providing leadership on critical issues in our community. As the region’s largest local grantmaker with grants of more than $70 million last year, we are a community of givers dedicated to inspiring and creating change across the Washington region and beyond.

JPMorgan Chase & Co.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.5 trillion and operations worldwide. The firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, asset management and private equity. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of consumers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

The Greater Washington Workforce Development Collaborative
The Workforce Collaborative is a coalition of local workforce investors who share a common commitment to addressing poverty and income inequality by helping workers advance their skills and credentials so they can earn family-sustaining wages. Current Collaborative partners include The Community Foundation, the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Capital One, JPMorgan Chase & Co., the Consumer Health Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, the Moriah Fund, Northern Virginia Health Foundation, Patricia Weiss Fagen, United Way of the National Capital Area, and the Washington Area Women’s Foundation.

Generation Hope’s Pep Rally Under the Stars Honors The Community Foundation

President & CEO Bruce McNamer was honored to accept the 2017 MVP Award on behalf of the Greater Washington Community Foundation at Generation Hope’s 6th Annual “Pep Rally Under the Stars” gala on Friday, June 16.

The Community Foundation has been a vital part of Generation Hope’s success. In 2010, as a fledgling nonprofit, Generation Hope participated in The Community Foundation’s incubator program, sharing office space and resources to support the organization during its critical first years. Since then, Generation Hope has been able to provide emotional and financial support to 120 parenting teens as they pursue a college degree. Additionally, Generation Hope has reached nearly 600 expecting and parenting teens through college-readiness workshops in schools, churches, and organizations across the D.C. Metro area.

While it was wonderful for The Community Foundation to be recognized as a long-time supporter of Generation Hope, the highlight of the evening was hearing inspirational speeches by Generation Hope Founder and CEO Nicole Lynn Lewis, as well as 2016 National Teacher of the Year Jahana Hayes. Their stories and experiences as former teen parents, were marked by their perseverance and dedication to education; stories which mirrored those pregnant and parenting teens who benefit from Generation Hope’s programs and services today.

Generation Hope currently supports 100 teen parents attending 18 different two-and four-year colleges across the region. The mission of Generation Hope is to empower ambitious, family-focused teen parents striving to complete their college education by pairing them with caring, committed, adult mentors and an emotional and financial support system, thereby driving a two-generation solution to poverty.

You can learn more about Generation Hope’s mission and services by clicking here or viewing this video shared at the gala.

Learn! DC Takes Community Foundation Donors Out on the Water

The Greater Washington Community Foundation held its inaugural event for a new initiative called Learn! DC on Monday, June 19. Learn! DC will be a series of opportunities for Community Foundation donors and fund holders to learn about the issues facing the Washington, D.C. community, and the organizations who build their programming to combat these issues and support the needs of the community.

Learn! DC’s first event was held in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing pollution in the bay and its tributaries by serving as a watchdog fighting for effective science-based solutions to “Save the Bay”. In addition to advocacy, the CBF hosts educational field programs which take students outside to explore the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

To gain a deeper perspective regarding the state of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, 10 Community Foundation donors took a ride on the CBF’s education vessel for a two-hour exploratory, interactive adventure. As the boat passed through the waterways crisscrossing the rivers, CBF educators explained in great detail how the state of the Chesapeake Bay and its sprawling watershed effects the health of the rivers’ water.

Trawling for fish is one way to measure the health of the Anacostia and Potomac rivers. The variety and health of fish are good indicators of oxygen and nutrient levels in the water. Donors participated in a trawling demonstration by helping to heave a massive net from the water and then survey the catch. The haul that day produced a majority of catfish. These catfish are not native to the area, as they were placed here for sport fishing. The catfish have since flourished as there are otherwise no other natural predators. All fish caught by the trawling net were then put back in the water safe and sound.

“It’s so important for the DC community to learn about the Potomac and Anacostia rivers. As  D.C. natives and fishing enthusiasts, it was exciting to learn about how we can help maintain the health of the rivers that we love.” - Betsy Paull, donor

The Community Foundation hopes to host more Learn! DC events starting in Fall 2017.

A Day in the Community with The Walton Group of Companies

To offer donors an in-depth opportunity to learn about the local nonprofit community, The Community Foundation in Prince George’s County is hosting a series of site visits where donors can take a first-hand look at the important and exciting work the sector plays in meeting needs of some of the region’s most vulnerable residents.  The series will run throughout 2017 and will include an array of organizations including those providing education, safety-net, workforce training, and environmental and housing services.

The first visit was held on April 27th and was organized in conjunction with The Walton Group of Companies, a multinational, privately-owned real estate investment and development company that transitions land into sustainable communities where people live, work, and play.  The goal was to provide an opportunity for company executives to learn firsthand about the services that nonprofits provide in Prince George’s County with an aim of observing the results of the investments made by the company through its Walton Prince George’s Community Fund, which is housed at The Community Foundation. 

The team spent the day visiting First Generation College Bound, Prince George’s County Child Resource Center, and Promise Place – Sasha Bruce Youthwork. These nonprofits are part of a larger network of The Community Foundation’s grantees that work with communities daily, addressing some of the most pressing challenges such as homelessness, education, healthcare, workforce, and family dynamics.  As grantees of The Community Foundation’s Sharing Initiative, these organizations along with many more, can address and alleviate many of the issues that are commonly associated with poverty.  The Community Foundation’s robust grant-making process helps to identify opportunities for investing in social causes and work with competent nonprofits that demonstrate the potential for delivering effective and measurable results. It was apparent during the site visits that these nonprofits were undeniably delivering on their commitments.

For over 20 years, First Generation College Bound (FGCB) has been working with high school students who would be the first in their immediate family to attend college. Working in five schools in Prince George’s County, the organization helps students seek admission to college. Additionally, FGCB works with student’s parents to ensure they are engaged in the process of preparing and transitioning high school students to college. While the staff of First Generation College Bound encounter a wide range of challenges in this effort, the results of their hard work over the years are evident in their successful alumni who graduated from college and are now serving their communities in important roles. For example, Alonzo Washington, currently a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, spoke to participants during the site visit about his personal journey through the program and the significance of First Generation College Bound in transforming his life. He invests in the program by creating scholarship and internship opportunities and mentors students currently enrolled in the program.

Another example is the compassionate services provided by Prince George’s Child Resource Center.  This organization works with vulnerable families in Prince George’s County with children under the age of 4, providing them access to family support services, literacy, career preparedness, and positive nurturing parenting techniques. With a focus on nurturing healthy growth of children and helping parents gain access to community services, this nonprofit plays an important role in family integration efforts – a forward-looking approach to developing a “healthy next generation.”  The organization is facing significant challenges in addressing the needs of recent immigrants particularly with language barriers and insufficient resources needed to ensure that their services are culturally competent.  However, the staff of continuously solicits support from other communities with common languages and donors to help cover as many vulnerable families as possible.  

Similarly, Promise Place – Sasha Bruce Youthwork provides emergency shelter to homeless, abandoned, abused, or neglected youth as well as supports their reintegration with their families after offering intensive counseling services. The staff shared numerous examples of the success of their interventions resulting in successful transitioning of youth into healthy lifestyles. Interestingly, during these processes, this nonprofit identified highly talented youths with the potential to grow significantly when guided appropriately. For instance, one participant of the program, recovering from a nervous breakdown, voluntarily designed and organized a proposal to create a garden for the Promise Place offices.  She incorporated basic statistical analysis to substantiate her proposal which resulted in a convincing piece of work that the organization considered appropriate to include in their budget.

Our partnerships with individuals and organizations like The Walton Group of Companies have proven vital. Over the years, The Community Foundation has served as a unique platform for donors to give back to their communities and achieve their philanthropic goals while also connecting nonprofits to funding opportunities necessary to carry out the much-needed services. We continue to deliver on our commitments to our partners by effectively tailoring funding opportunities to specific social needs. Our primary goal is to help our donors achieve their philanthropic goals and expand the resources to provide shelter for more families, educate more children, offer healthcare for vulnerable families, and address other emergency needs of our communities.   

We invite you to join us on the amazing journey!  For more information, please contact Mustafa Rahin, Donor Services Officer at [email protected].

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES THE FOURTH ROUND OF CITY FUND GRANTS

 37 Local Nonprofits Awarded $1.3 Million in Grants to Support Community-Driven Work

The Community Foundation is pleased to announce the awarding of $1.3 million in grants to 37 nonprofit organizations serving District residents on behalf of the City Fund’s Safer, Stronger DC Opportunity grant initiative.
 
“The Safer, Stronger DC Opportunity Grant is a targeted approach to assist nonprofits who are actively engaged in empowering our most vulnerable communities every day,” said Bruce McNamer, President and CEO of The Community Foundation. “The Community Foundation supports placed-based grantmaking that serves the immediate and diverse needs of our various neighborhoods and residents.  We applaud the District’s leadership in partnering with the nonprofit sector to improve quality of life outcomes for our most at-need neighbors.”
 
The awardee organizations will receive grants for up to $50,000 for project/program support in the following issue areas:  arts, education, environment, health, public safety, senior and disability services and workforce development.  The grant period is one-year.
 
This grant from the City Fund has provided the Far Southeast Collaborative an opportunity to create a Community Impact Center that is truly be community-driven.  The Center will provide a serene space where those residing and/or working in the community can build upon the concept of “Each One, Teach One,” said Perry Moon, Executive Director of Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative.  “Residents will be provided an opportunity to not only further develop their skills sets, but also teach others in their community those skills. It will be a space for not only learning, teaching, and having fun, but also a space for obtaining resources by being self-guided or with assistance.”
 
Today’s announcement serves as the fourth round of another very competitive and rigorous grantmaking process.    The Community Foundation received over 80 proposals totaling $3.6 million in funding requests. 
 
To date, the City Fund has committed more than $10 million of its $15 million to nonprofits that are using proven and effective methods to deliver programs that contribute to a prosperous and sustainable city for all.
 
About The Community Foundation
The Community Foundation is an independent, public charity, with an independent board of trustees. The Foundation utilized an independent grant review committee, during the review process, comprised of individuals with no direct D.C. government affiliation.  As the City Fund Administrator, The Community Foundation is charged with implementing the City Fund’s grantmaking strategy which began in October 2013.  For more information, visit www.thecommunityfoundation.org.

 About The City Fund Safer, Stronger DC Opportunity Grant
The City Fund Safer, Stronger DC Community Opportunity Grant seeks to provide funding to nonprofits that help improve the lives of individuals and families living in District neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by inequities related to social determinants of health including:

• Access to educational, economic and job opportunities
• Access to health care services
• Quality of education and job training
• Recurring exposure to violent crime.

Nonprofit grant recipients include:

Breast Care for Washington
Building Bridges Across the River
Calvary Women's Services Inc.
City Gate
Collaborative Solutions for Communities
College Success Foundation
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind
Community Services Agency of Metropolitan Washington AFL CIO
DC Creative Writing Workshop
DC Urban Greens Inc.
Do The Write Thing Foundation of DC*
FAIR Girls
Family Matters of Greater Washington
Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative
The Fishing School
For Love of Children
Healthy Babies Project Inc.
Higher Achievement Program
Institute for Local Self Reliance
Kid Power
Leading Educators
Living Classrooms
The Muscianship Inc.
Open City Advocates
Reading Partners
Rockson Community Development Corporation
Seabury Resources for Aging
Survivors and Advocates for Empowerment
Teens Run DC
Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts
Thrive DC
Turning the Page
Urban Teachers
Washington DC Police Foundation
Washington Parks and People
Young Playwrights Theater Inc.
* Grantee and fiscal sponsor on behalf of Swagola Productions

Anna Hargrave is Named Montgomery Women’s 2017 Rising Star

Montgomery Women recently presented its 2017 Rising Star Award to Anna Hargrave, Executive Director of the Community Foundation in Montgomery County. Hargrave received the award, given annually to a woman who has shown outstanding leadership, is a role model for others, and has made significant contributions to the community, at its 13th Annual Power Tea.

Also honored was Jacky Schultz, president of Suburban Hospital, who received the annual Shining Star Award.

“Our award winners showcase the mission of Montgomery Women—to advance common interest and support outstanding women in their quest for positions of leadership,” said organization president Rose Krasnow. “Jacky Schultz and Anna Hargrave are outstanding examples of what women can accomplish. I couldn’t be more delighted that we are honoring them.”

Hargrave received the award, which honors the life of visionary activist and founding member Phyllis Campbell Newsome, for her outstanding community leadership. A Montgomery County native, Hargrave is well-versed in program management, community outreach, and project development stemming from her experiences with the Office of the County Executive, Montgomery Youth Works and the Jewish Social Service Agency.  In her role with The Community Foundation, she works one-on-one with hundreds of Montgomery County donors to provide them the tools, resources and support needed to facilitate their personal philanthropy.

In her inspiring acceptance speech, Hargrave acknowledged the many women leaders who have inspired her. “Particularly now in my role at The Community Foundation, I literally spend my days with passionate, generous donors who want to make a difference, and visionary nonprofit leaders working to get the job done, “she said.

In her address to the more than 100 women leaders from all county sectors—public, private, and nonprofit—at the March event, Hargrave spoke about a hard-working single mom raising two young boys, a story she said “I keep circling back to. . .that I’ve been mulling over ever since I heard it.”

“Her boss decided to reward her with a raise.  Which sounds great, right? The trouble is, here in Montgomery County there is a chasm between the poverty line and what it actually takes to survive.  That raise catapulted her right smack in the middle.  She lost her childcare support and food stamps.  Before she knew it, they had lost their home and ended up at the Stepping Stones Shelter, right up the road here in Rockville.

“But this woman—she is the absolute epitome of grit.  She got herself into transitional housing and connected with Habitat for Humanity.  Today, thanks to her hard work, she’s a homeowner. That woman and the thousands like her are the unsung heroes of Montgomery County, working to raise their kids and lift whole families out of poverty. I realize that this award is not recognition of past accomplishments, but rather a call to action.  I understand that it’s my job to lift up and support women throughout our community, the same way you all have supported and inspired me.”

Hargrave ended with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: “We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it as not as dreadful as it appears, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down.”

Bobbi Shulman

Chair, 2017 Awards Selection Committee

Montgomery Women

Improving the lives of our youth

The Greater Washington Community Foundation is committed to addressing challenges faced by our region’s young people. Our goal is to achieve economic security for all residents of the greater Washington region. That's why education is one of our community leadership initiatives. Find out what we’re doing to connect young people to opportunities to grow and thrive.

Achieving economic security by strengthening the safety net

The Greater Washington Community Foundation is committed to leading on critical community issues, including strengthening the safety net.

Why is this important? The quality of life in our region depends on increasing individuals' and families' access to high quality food, shelter, and services.

The greater Washington region has one of the strongest economies in the nation. Unfortunately, poverty continues to grow. In addition, the demand for safety net services continues to increase as available resources drastically decrease.

According to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s 2012 Count of Homeless Persons, there are 11,830 homeless people in our region with children and youth representing 29% of the homeless population. Homelessness among the region’s families has increased nearly 23 percent since 2008 in our region, compared to 1.2 percent for the nation since 2009.

The region’s overall increase in family homelessness is attributed to the impact of the economic crisis and the lack of affordable housing. Service providers are unable to meet the increased and steady demand for shelter, housing, emergency financial assistance.

Bridging Differences: Youth/Police Dialogue in Montgomery County

We were ushered into a small classroom near the side entrance to Gaithersburg High School where a group of 10 students were already gathered in a circle. About half of them were African American; the others were Latina. Included in the circle was a burly African American Montgomery County police officer, and two young African American women police officers.

On the floor was a colorful rectangular cloth surrounded by handwritten papers. Vanessa, the group’s facilitator, told me that these were depictions of the students’ values – “honesty, love, hope, faith…” — the people for whom they want to make the world a better place – “my little brother, my grandma, my friends, myself…” — and their safe places – a church sanctuary, a bedroom, a beach.

Not content simply to have us observe this program, Vanessa invited me, my colleague Anna, and our Grant Committee member to take the remaining open seats and to participate fully in the intense, raw, honest conversation that followed.

For the next hour and a half, we talked about our frustrations with those who had authority over us as adolescents – for some of us, a distant memory, for others, very much of the moment. “There are too many rules.” “They don’t trust me.” “They assume I’m screwing up before I even have a chance.” The students shared their questions and concerns about interactions they and their friends have had with police. “Why do police always stop my friend’s dad – a Muslim with a license plate that says ‘EGYPT’ when he’s driving around the County — and never my white friend’s dad?” “Why do you always assume the worst?” “Why did that SWAT team barge into my house, break all of our stuff, handcuff me to my bed, and terrify my grandma, when the guy you were looking for wasn’t even there?!”

The police officers told why they are called to this work, how it feels when they have to confront their neighbors, and how they perceive their duty to protect and serve. “I’m putting my life on the line for you and your family.” “Your parents work hard to pay for your car and your insurance. Do you want other people to get away with not paying for their registration and insurance? Your parents are gonna be stuck with the bill if an uninsured motorist causes an accident.” “I feel terrible when I have to bust into someone’s home, but I have to put on my emotional armor to protect myself and everyone there from the danger that might be lurking just around the corner.”  “I’m sorry that you had that experience; it must have been scary.”

This conversation, the fifth in a series of six sessions with this particular group of female students, is part of a Youth/Police Dialogue program funded by an anonymous donor through her fund at The Community Foundation. 

About two years ago, this donor and her family felt heartsick every time they saw another police-related shooting in the news. They were especially troubled by the pattern: shooting, protests, community meetings, lip-service responses, and then…nothing. No meaningful change. They wanted to make an investment in the deep relationship-building necessary to heal the distrust between police and communities, particularly communities of color in their own county. They turned to us.

Our Philanthropic Engagement staff in Montgomery County did some research, and found that one of our long-time trusted grantees, Identity, already had a program in partnership with Montgomery County Police and Public Schools, offering one-time youth/police summits.  The donor was impressed, but wanted to invest in a longer series that would enable the students and police to make real connections with each other. She wanted to remain anonymous, so our staff served as the intermediary to solicit a proposal and get all of the donor’s questions answered.

Together, we agreed on a program design involving six facilitated sessions (three with youth only, three with police joining the young people), focusing on youth who have interacted with law enforcement after participating in or witnessing violence or being involved with a gang, are crime victims, have served in-school suspensions, and/or have low conflict-resolution skills. Our staff invited other donors to join in supporting the project, raising sufficient funds to launch the program last fall in three public high schools, two community-based centers, and a Germantown library.

The school staff, Identity’s facilitators, and the police officers told us that the group of Latina and African American girls we met at Gaithersburg High School that day were chosen because they are leaders within their peer groups, but their voices are often drowned out by boys who join them for larger summits. With skilled help from Identity’s staff, these young women and the police who join them are opening up, bravely sharing their values, stories, and fears with each other, cultivating respect and empathy. They are engaging “power with” – the power of people and communities to connect and nurture trusting, healthy relationships.

At the end of the session, Vanessa asked everyone in the circle to answer one question: “Is there hope?” Coming from our very different perspectives – across race, ethnicity, gender, class, professional status – each of us answered, simply, “yes.” This is what philanthropy can make possible!  

If you are troubled by discord among our neighbors in Greater Washington and aren’t sure how your philanthropy can make a difference, please reach out and we would be honored to facilitate a connection between you and community organizations that are healing the divides among us. Together, we can bridge differences, cultivate empathy, and make our region stronger and more resilient.

2017 Celebration of Philanthropy

Dear Friends,

Last week, over 700 nonprofit, philanthropic, business, and government leaders joined our Celebration of Philanthropy at Arena Stage. Because of the generosity of so many of you, the event raised a record-breaking $560,000 – proceeds that will help us expand charitable resources and ensure that equity, access, and opportunity are available to all who live in the region.

As our President and CEO, Bruce McNamer, said at the event: “Many across our region struggle to meet basic needs and achieve economic prosperity. The Community Foundation works to correct this imbalance – bringing together donors, nonprofits, and community leaders to address the most critical issues facing our community and create healthier neighborhoods today and for generations to come.”

Dr. Johnnetta Cole, director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, presented the 2017 Civic Spirit Award to Patty Stonesifer and Martha’s Table, on behalf of all of us at The Community Foundation. When accepting the award, Stonesifer shared her journey from growing up in a working class family to working at Microsoft, running the world’s largest charity, and serving as President and CEO of Martha’s Table. Referencing the African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together,” Stonesifer invited guests to join together to pledge “a new level of advancing racial equity, a new level of learning, a new awareness of race and privilege, and then, together indeed, we will go far!” Watch our tribute video featuring Patty and her amazing team, and visit our Events page to see pictures of the event:

Bruce concluded the program saying, “The Community Foundation stands with you and all of our nonprofit partners in the room – and affirms our commitment to equity, racial justice, and an inclusive community that is vibrant, resilient, and prosperous for everyone.”  

It is because of you that we are able to make this commitment to our community. We are so grateful to all of the incredibly generous friends who contributed to the evening’s success and have joined us in the fight to make our region stronger. Thank you for all you do.

— The Community Foundation Team

The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region was proud to honor Patty Stonesifer and Martha's Table at the 2017 Celebration of Philanthropy on March 20, 2017.

Lynnhill Condos Fundraising Effort: Thank You

In response to the emergency housing situation at the Lynnhill Condominiums in Temple Hills, Maryland in November 2016, The Community Foundation in Prince George’s County responded to an outpouring of support from the community to support the immediate needs of those impacted. Approximately 77 families were affected by a power shut-off due to a long-standing conflict between owners, the condominium association, and utility companies.

Because of the community’s deep generosity, we have collected close to $50,000 in donations to date. From these funds, The Community Foundation made a grant to the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services, which has been providing case management for the affected families since the events occurred, and will continue to provide services in the months ahead. County agencies have assisted 127 households with 47 receiving financial assistance totaling close to $83,000.  Assistance included help with security deposits, rent, moving costs, renters insurance and utility deposits. 

We would like to extend a special thank you to two long-time Community Foundation partners for their donations to this effort – The Meyer Foundation for their $10,000 contribution, and Pepco for their $25,000 contribution. A number of families and individuals have been supported by these generous contributions, and on behalf of them and Prince George’s County, thank you for your commitment to your neighbors.

And a big thanks also to the many community members who contributed and to our family of donors for stepping up to help – not just in an emergency like this one, but every day. You’re making our region stronger.

Workforce development is critical to achieving economic security

Helping workers acquire the skills and credentials they need to launce successful, family-sustaining careers, and helping businesses attract, retain, and advance the skilled workforce they need to remain globally competitive.

Along with education and strengthening the safety net, workforce development is one of the Community Foundation’s three strategic investment priorities. Our investments in these three areas work together towards one overarching goal – achieving economic security for all residents of the greater Washington region. 

Our region’s economy increasingly demands high levels of skills and knowledge from its workers.  Thousands in our region are unemployed, under-employed, or stuck in low-wage employment, lacking the necessary tools to find and keep a job that can lead to economic security. Employers value credentials, so we are working to link adult education and training to the on-the-ground needs of employers.

Our workforce development investments have helped thousands of workers across the greater Washington region earn credentials and launch family-sustaining careers. 

Three strategies for improving education

The Greater Washington Community Foundation is improving the quality of life in our region through community leadership initiatives.

Our education initiatives are geared to preventing youth from falling off track (which means 2 or more years behind graduation requirements), intervening with at-risk students before they fall off track, reengaging students and accelerating completion of graduation requirements, and targeting drop out populations for re-enrollment toward an educational and career trajectory. 

Our team pursues this work in in three key ways: Defining needs, best practices approaches, and collective impact.

Defining Needs

Our commitment to defining needs helps to inform the creation of multiple education options matched to students’ needs by investing in research and other products that define the needs of “disconnected youth.” 

Best Practice Approaches

Define and invest in best practice approaches to re-connecting disconnected youth to education and training opportunities that lead to a post-secondary credential and ultimately a career. 

Collective Impact

Support communities to work together on a common agenda that will improve the lives of young people by investing in collective impact. 

Amplifying Philanthropy with Time and Talent

On top of the $75 million our donors gave through The Community Foundation last year, we are proud of the invaluable time, creativity, and viral enthusiasm they invest into their favorite causes.  As we continue our thank-a-thon, we’d like to highlight one inspiring example.

Kevin Beverly

Six years ago, Kevin Beverly (President, Social & Scientific Systems) joined our Sharing Montgomery Grants Committee to learn more about great organizations serving the county.  He signed up for the CollegeTracks site visit to learn more about how it supports hundreds of students trying to navigate the daunting college application process.  Instantly, the visit transported him back to his own college application experience, reminding him how overwhelming it had been and how lucky he was to get help at just the right time. 

Before he knew it, Kevin found himself stepping up to become the Board Chair of CollegeTracks, using his business acumen, skill for strategy, and extensive networks to help expand the program’s reach. Remarkably, when asked how his leadership factored into CollegeTracks’ growth over the last few years, Kevin humbly says that he got much more than he gave. 

To the hundreds of people like Kevin who give time, talent, and treasure, we thank you!  Your generosity is making a profound difference throughout our community.

Dropping the drop out rate in Prince George's County

It is estimated that every nine seconds in the United States, a student drops out of school.1 Defined as an individual between the ages of 16-24 who is not in school and not working, a “disconnected” youth often drops out of school after prolonged periods of disengagement due to multiple factors. Check out the report to learn more.

Thank you for supporting our neighbors in need.

Dear Friends,

As we continue our thank-a-thon, we would like to recognize our “community of givers” for stepping up in times of great need. Today, I’d like to highlight one inspiring example.

Eight years ago, Cliff White was a new Community Foundation donor who joined our Sharing Montgomery Grants Committee for a “crash course” in the nonprofits addressing our county’s most pressing needs. At the time, the economic downturn had just started. Over and over, Cliff visited safety-net nonprofits that were experiencing skyrocketing demand while contributions were plummeting. The visit that really shocked him was to Manna Food, the county’s leading food bank, which saw a 40% increase in demand over just a few months.

Wondering how he could make a difference, Cliff turned to his Community Foundation team, challenging us to galvanize our whole network to make a difference. After a morning of brainstorming, we launched the Neighbors in Need Montgomery Fund to boost our investments in the safety-net nonprofits providing critical hunger-relief, shelter, clothing, and emergency support to people affected by the economic downturn. Inspired by the vision of this campaign, two anonymous Community Foundation families stepped up to provide $1 for $1 challenge matches, doubling the value of each gift received.

To date, the Neighbors in Need Montgomery Fund has given over $1.3 million, thanks to the generosity of hundreds of individuals, families, and businesses. Your gifts continue to help our most vulnerable neighbors stay in their homes, keep the lights on, and put food on the table. We are especially proud that these grant investments respond to immediate needs while fostering innovation so nonprofits can serve more people and help families lift themselves out of poverty.

Sincerely,
Anna Hargrave
Executive Director, The Community Foundation in Montgomery County

Greater Washington Works Request for Proposal

On December 12, 2016, the Community Foundation shared Greater Washington Works: IT and Health Careers with Promise with over 125 nonprofit, funder, business and government stakeholders.  The report examines the state of our regional middle-skill IT and Healthcare talent pipeline including information on hiring challenges and factors keeping local worker from launching new careers in these high growth sectors. 

In addition to the launch of the report, a request for proposals, Greater Washington Works, was released to provide two-year grants of up to $250,000 to train and place local workers in high growth occupations in IT and/or Health.  Proposals, due on March 6, will seek to address the skills gap in those two sectors implementing the national best practice of sector partnerships. 

In her welcome remarks on December 12, Courtney Strauss, Executive Director and Senior Banker with JPMorgan Chase Private Bank, provided interested applicants the key ingredients of addressing the nation’s middle skills gap and effectively serving job seekers as well as employers.

Given the state of today’s labor market, here are three effective strategies we’ve seen for addressing the middle skills gap:
 
The first thing we have seen is that communities must have an effective strategy to engage employers.  We have to remember that the skills gap is as much, if not more, a demand side problem as it is a supply-side problem.  Many of these demand side problems are the result of what we call “weak signaling” – in other words, employers don’t do a very good job of communicating exactly what skills they need. Other problems are the result of a collection action challenge—employers don’t want to invest in training or collaborate with other firms in their sector because they are afraid a competitor will poach a worker they have just invested in.
 
Second, on the supply side, the challenge is most aptly captured by Labor Secretary Perez’s quip that the problem with the U.S. Workforce System is that is based on the principle of “train and pray”—invest in education and pray that there’s a job on the other side.  But around the country, we are seeing smart new programs that offer an antidote to training for training’s sake by aligning with employer demand, organizing around career pathways, and providing contextualized learning. 
 
One final category of activity to put on the list of strategies to build a talent pipeline is what I like to think of as the glue that holds it all together.  This is the information and infrastructure that enables ongoing alignment between labor market supply and demand.

Through its investments in local workforce development partnerships, Greater Washington Works seeks to support hundreds of local workers to launch new careers in IT and Healthcare. Funding applications are due no later than March 6, 2017 and are only accepted electronically at the link above. Interested applicants are encouraged to email [email protected] or [email protected] with any questions.

The Spirit of Giving

Friends,

This is the time of the year when so many of us join with family to give thanks, take stock, and look for ways to give, big and small, to our neighbors and communities. In philanthropy, we call this “the giving season.” We also know that you – our donors, nonprofits, funding partners, and friends across the greater Washington region – embody this spirit of giving not just during this season, but all year long.

Today we want to celebrate Thanksgiving and the spirit of giving that so many of you forward and foster every day. We would like to introduce you to Neal Simon, the new Chairman of our Board of Trustees, and his wife Jennifer, and their family.

Like many of our donors, Neal and Jennifer Simon came to The Community Foundation because they wanted a smart, tax-efficient vehicle to consolidate their giving. And they were also looking for a way for their whole family to give time, talent, and treasure to their community. Our team connected them to Interfaith Works, a Montgomery County-based nonprofit battling poverty and homelessness. The Simons started by becoming a friend and mentor to a single father raising young children. Before they knew it, they were involved in countless programs: serving meals, building the new clothing center, coaching people to look for jobs, and joining the visionary team behind the new strategic plan. Partners like the Simons have proven how rewarding and essential it is to invest in high-impact organizations helping our neighbors in need, and how the work of “giving back” doesn’t have to be daunting – in the words of Neal himself? “Just start.”

We are thrilled to welcome Neal as our new Board Chair, and give many thanks to our outgoing Chair, Martin Weinstein, for his leadership over these last three years. Over the coming weeks, we will share the stories of the amazing new folks who have joined our Board as well – click here to see the full board list. We can’t wait share their stories, and for all of us – staff and board – to work with you to make this community stronger and more vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous for everyone who lives here.

In this time of giving thanks – and throughout this entire this giving season – we offer our thanks to you, our partners and friends, for all you do for our community.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and joyful holiday.

Bruce McNamer