Reflecting on 30 Years of Philanthropy in Montgomery County

As we get closer to the 2026 Celebration of Philanthropy, Anna Hargrave, Executive Director of The Community Foundation in Montgomery County reflects on the legacy of 30+ years of philanthropy in Montgomery County.

Thirty years ago, the Greater Washington Community Foundation put down roots in Montgomery County thanks to Sally Rudney, Cliff Kendall, Bob Linowes, and several visionary leaders. They believed that when neighbors invest in neighbors, communities don’t just survive, they transform. And they were right.

Gift by gift, that belief spread and galvanized a community of givers working to create lasting impact. To date, their generosity has fueled more than $170 million in grants to over 1,200 nonprofits touching every corner of Montgomery County, addressing needs from health to housing, arts to education, and more.

When I reflect on the impact of their generosity, I don’t think first of numbers. I think of residents who told us what they needed and trusted us to listen. I think of volunteers who showed up before anyone asked and nonprofit leaders who know their communities better than anyone. I think of donors who gave steadily for years and stepped up even more in times of crisis.

To mark this milestone year, we invite you to join fellow donors, nonprofits, businesses, and government partners at our 30th Anniversary Celebration of Giving on November 19 at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda.

I'm both excited and humbled to stand in a room with the people who made three decades of transformative philanthropy possible. Together, we will reflect on all we have accomplished and begin to shape what comes next.

Thank you for being part of this story. I can't wait to celebrate with you.