Faces of Sharing DC: Getting to Know Sharing DC’s Dr. Faith Gibson Hubbard
When love brought Dr. Faith Gibson Hubbard to Washington, DC, she couldn’t have imagined the journey ahead. What began as a visit to a sorority sister turned into a new chapter—one that led her to her husband of 14 years, deepened her roots in public service and education, and made the District feel like home.
“DC was Chocolate City and is still built on the foundation of Black folks who make my life possible. To call DC home is to be in a place where I feel fully seen and recognized. I’m building my life and family on that history, and it only makes me want to do even more work in public service.”
Faith’s sense of connection to DC—and to the Greater Washington Community Foundation—runs even deeper than she first realized. After joining the Sharing committee, she discovered that her husband’s great uncle, Maceo Hubbard, whom her son is named after, was a founding board member of The Community Foundation.
“It was a powerful moment,” she says, “to learn that my family has been part of this legacy from the very beginning. It makes the work feel even more personal and reminds me that the foundation of Black leadership in DC is not just history—it’s family.”
Service, Faith says, is in her DNA. Growing up as an Army brat, she learned early that community is something you build wherever you go. Faith’s career began in the classroom as a language arts teacher at a Title 1 middle school, where she saw firsthand how academic struggles could only be overcome with parents and community at the table.
That commitment to community carried her through roles in education advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and city government—from leading the Office of Student Advocate and serving as Education Ombudsman, to working in senior leadership for Mayor Muriel Bowser and now as Interim President and CEO of the Greater Washington Urban League.
“I love hyper-local work,” she says. “I like work that is connected to people who are my neighbors— folks that I will see again. Community has always been at the center of my work.”
From Community Work to Community Philanthropy
Dr. Faith Gibson-Hubbard, as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs
Faith’s path to Sharing DC was through Dr. Marla Dean, Senior Director for the Health Equity Fund at the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “When Dr. Dean asks you to do something, you do it,” Faith laughs.
But Dr. Dean’s invitation was more than a friendly nudge—she saw an opportunity to bring new perspectives to the committee, not just in terms of background, but in ways of thinking.
“A lot of the programs that Sharing funds, I’ve worked with or funded through local government,” Faith shared. “It was important to have someone who could see through that lens, not only as a donor, but as someone who understands the work on the ground.”
What Faith loves most about Sharing DC is the chance to challenge her own assumptions—and those of her fellow committee members. “I get to challenge my understanding of the programs we’re funding, but also the ideas of others who only have a financial or donor perspective.”
Now in her fourth year on the committee, Faith’s found her involvement steady and authentic. “I only know how to be myself, and I have to be honest,” she says.
One of the biggest surprises? The committee’s ability to fund nearly every organization that applies. “We’ve never had to turn anyone away, and I think that’s a really great thing. For the size of organizations that come to Sharing DC, it takes effort to put forth a proposal. The quality of the proposals is also impressive, thanks to the work The Community Foundation team puts in with the grantees. There’s mutual investment, and you don’t find that everywhere.”
Each grant cycle brings its own lessons. “Every year, I have to push some people on their thinking. Sometimes, whatever issue is in the headlines, there’s a rush to fund everything around it. But we also need to honor issues that have always been around.”
Faith’s learned to have grace for others, too. “What I’ve learned most is about folks who don’t know what they don’t know. I have to remind myself that just because others may not have had the same exposure doesn’t mean they don’t have something valuable to offer. It’s a good challenge for me, because I know I still have things to learn also.”
Strengthening the DNA of DC Through Sharing
Faith wishes more people knew how accessible giving through The Community Foundation can be. “For some, it may seem opaque—especially for communities not used to giving in this way. People give in all sorts of ways, not just monetary. I’d love to help make sure people know about the funds available, or how they can start a fund that’s specific to their interests.”
“Community-focused organizations are part of the DNA of DC, and I don’t want that to be lost,” Faith shared. “Sharing DC helps with that because of the way it funds organizations.”
“There will be a time when we can’t depend on government in the same ways we’re accustomed to. It will depend on us, neighbor to neighbor, and organizations to fill those gaps. That’s why I appreciate The Community Foundation and the organizations it funds—they’re the gap fillers.”
“My vision is to help more people have a philanthropic mindset, and to make sure there’s a network of organizations and funding to support them in that work.”
Want to get involved in Sharing DC? New committee members are always welcome! Contact Isabel Spake at [email protected] to learn more.