Greater Washington Community Foundation

Yesterday, dozens of first responders were treated to lunch and healing services at Food for Thought, an initiative hosted by our nonprofit partner Food on the Stove, created seven years ago by DC firefighter Jonathan Tate, a 12-year veteran of the department. “We believe that first responders deserve the best of everything,” Tate said. His goal: connecting firefighters with healthier meals and lifestyles. “Some studies that show that the life expectancy of firefighters are 10 to 15 years less than every other employee in America, and we’re the only occupation that cooks all three meals at work,” Tate said. In the days after the tragic midair collision, Tate was on the scene, but not as a firefighter. Instead, he was serving meals to his fellow first responders. Through the DCA Together Relief Fund, we were proud to support Food on the Stove to provide hot meals and hydration to first responders involved in the recovery effort. Thanks to NBC4 Washington for joining this incredible event and featuring Jonathan's work to support our region's brave first responders as they process and heal from this tragedy. https://lnkd.in/efSxCi6N

In the aftermath of the tragic midair collision on January 29, we partnered with our peer community foundations in Northern Virginia to launch the DCA Together Relief Fund. In response, over 500 generous individuals, families, and businesses have helped us to mobilize over $100,000 in critical support to help provide hope and healing to those impacted by this heartbreaking loss. This enabled us to emergency response grants to provide 1,000 hot meals to first responders involved in the recovery efforts and support trauma and grief services for impacted communities in our region. https://lnkd.in/eGPaxMPm

“Whether we donate our time, our resources, or our expertise, we are all advocates. And as advocates, we do not have to resign ourselves to living in a world where people are homeless. We need to remind ourselves, our community members, and our elected officials, that housing needs to be a priority.” At the start of the new year, members of The Community Foundation’s Montgomery County Advisory Board, staff, and Sharing Montgomery donors visited with community partners to talk about the future of housing and the fight against homelessness in Montgomery County. https://lnkd.in/ed53m4id

Today is the Final Day of #FoundationsOnTheHill2025 - an annual forum that convenes philanthropic leaders from across the country to champion policies that promote a strong philanthropic sector and thriving communities nationwide. Special thanks to our Managing Director of Community Investment, Darius Graham, for attending this important convening and engaging with policymakers around the issues impacting Greater Washington's philanthropic and nonprofit communities.

The Community Foundation is proud to celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth and the many changemakers dedicated to promoting prosperity and thriving communities across the Greater Washington region and beyond. One of those incredible leaders is Catherine Leggett, our amazing Montgomery County Advisory Board Chair. A distinguished human resources executive and employment attorney, Catherine served as Montgomery County’s dynamic First Lady from 2006 – 2018. During that time and since, she has lent her voice, strategic thinking, and fundraising skills to numerous local nonprofits, particularly those providing human services and the arts. In fact, she recently was inducted into Montgomery County’s Human Rights Hall of Fame for her exemplary contributions to advancing human and civil rights. Catherine also played key roles in preserving Black History in Montgomery County, which included the establishment of the Josiah Henson Museum – a tribute to the man who inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. More recently, she co-chaired the Scotland Community’s 2nd Century Project to renovate and preserve one of the oldest African American churches in Montgomery County. Catherine joined The Community Foundation Montgomery County Advisory Board in 2020, immediately diving into our covid-response work. We have been lucky to have her serve as our Advisory Board Chair, regional Trustee, and leader on the Together, We Prosper campaign over the last two years. Along with all our nonprofit partners whose work has been transformed by her leadership, we are profoundly grateful to Catherine for her steadfast commitment to maximizing the power of philanthropy to do good across Montgomery County!

“When you see the joy on other people’s faces – the smiles and appreciation, as you witness the transformation in their lives – that’s philanthropy in action. And it’s priceless.” For Kwesi and Swafia Ames, philanthropy is more than just a dollar amount- it’s a way of caring for others. We're excited to share their story, as part of our Leaders of the Future series highlighting the work and experiences of incredible individuals and organizations from across our community. https://lnkd.in/eeMNNPDV

A special message from friends and supporters at Jackson Road Elementary for our President & CEO Tonia Wellons. Special thanks to all who have joined us in celebrating Tonia by making a donation to Brilliant Futures! https://lnkd.in/etg3Cczb

In the wake of tragedy, the strength of a community is measured by how it comes together. On March 2, the region will unite at Monumental Sports & Entertainment's Capital One Arena for Legacy on Ice—a powerful tribute to those lost in the January 2025 aviation incident at Reagan National Airport.     Hosted by Olympic champion Brian Boitano, this extraordinary evening will bring together figure skating’s greatest legends and rising stars in a breathtaking display of artistry, athleticism and remembrance. More than a performance, it’s a testament to resilience, honoring the 67 lives lost and supporting the families, first responders, military personnel and aviation professionals affected.     All proceeds will benefit the U.S. Figure Skating Association, the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s DCA Together Relief Fund and the DC Fire & EMS Foundation.     Claim your ticket here: https://bit.ly/4hJV664     #LegacyOnIce Ted Leonsis

The Community Foundation is proud to celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth and the many leaders and changemakers dedicated to promoting prosperity and justice for generations of families and communities in the Greater Washington region and beyond. One of those incredible leaders are our partners at Reid Community Development Corporation (Reid CDC). Based in Prince George’s County, Reid CDC focuses on connecting residents to local business owners, lawmakers, and nonprofit organizations to build bridges and ensure that the entire community prospers together on everything from youth leadership to environmental justice and support for Seniors. Last year, The Community Foundation partnered with PGCPS and Reid CDC to launch Brilliant Futures – a Children's Savings pilot program at Bradbury Heights Elementary School. We are grateful for Reid CDC’s tireless efforts, as they work with our Brilliant Futures families to not only help them enroll in this incredible program, but also to support their ongoing success, by providing resources so they can plan for their future.

Our second Food for Thought event was a meaningful and impactful experience dedicated to raising awareness and offering support for the mental health of first responders. We were honored to welcome two incredible guest speakers and create a space for healing, growth, and community building around food. Silas Grant, from Quality People Solutions, shared his expertise on the Power of Teamwork, emphasizing how collaboration and mutual support within teams are essential for fostering resilience, especially in high-pressure environments. Tyreese R. Woulard McAllister, a licensed professional counselor with Clinical & Forensic Associates, Inc., spoke to the first responders about the importance of being proactive about mental health, highlighting how addressing mental well-being early can help prevent long-term struggles. In addition to these impactful discussions, Arika VanBrunt of GW Art Therapy Clinic provided an interactive art station for attendees. This space allowed participants to engage in creative expression while learning about the benefits of art therapy as a tool for emotional healing and self-care. We are also incredibly grateful for the support of the #DCAReliefFund through The Capital Region Community Foundations, which helped us provide ongoing support to first responders who have been impacted by traumatic incidents, including those who served at the recent plane crash. Your generosity enables us to continue offering critical mental health resources to those who dedicate their lives to protecting our communities. A special thank you to National Community Church and Capital Turnaround for their support in making this event possible, and to Ama’s Catering Experience for providing a delicious catered lunch that kept everyone energized and satisfied throughout the day. We are excited to continue building community around food, bringing people together to share experiences, foster support, and nurture mental wellness in those who serve us. We are deeply thankful for the continued support of our partners and the community, and we look forward to building upon this momentum to continue serving those who serve us. #mentalhealthawareness #firstresponders #communitysupport #mentalwellness Greater Washington Community Foundation ACT for Alexandria Arlington Community Foundation Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties Community Foundation for Northern Virginia