by Nicole Acosta | May 28, 2020 | Uncategorized
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2020 Time: 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Location: Online webinar Registration Link ($15 for Loudoun Chamber members; $25 for nonmembers) Are you wondering what you could and should be doing TODAY to prepare for a stronger major gift program tomorrow? Even during times of uncertainty, the fundraising cycle works – cultivation, solicitation and stewardship – but what does this cycle look like in practice? How do you interact with major donors at each phase?Led by Vice President of The Curtis Group Victoria Dietz, this practical presentation and interactive discussion will show you the proven steps to have meaningful conversations and build stronger relationships with your donors by keeping them engaged and properly setting expectations. This workshop will cover key points such as: How do I get to really know a donor? What do I actually say when making the ask? How do I close a gift? What do I do if the ask doesn’t go according to plan? How do I keep them engaged after they give? How do I ask them again? How do I involve my board and volunteers in this process? Presenter Victoria Dietz of The Curtis Group is responsible for a variety of clients’ planning studies, training’s and campaign management. Victoria specializes in helping her clients strategically grow overall fundraising capacity and has managed campaigns ranging in size from $2 million to $40 million. About the Nonprofit Academy In partnership with the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce and its Nonprofit Initiative, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties launched an ongoing workshop and training program for area nonprofits called the Nonprofit Academy. Each year, more than 200 attendees join workshops on fundraising,...
by Nicole Acosta | May 27, 2020 | Uncategorized
Application Deadline June 18 – New Dates and Program Design The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties re-announces a new offering through the Social Impact Institute program in 2020: The Leadership Institute. The Leadership Institute is a six-session series designed to help nonprofit leaders and managers at all levels of experience to increase supervisory effectiveness and professional accountability. The Leadership Institute will be led by Terrie Glass of Zelos, LLC. Originally announced in February, the Leadership Institute was placed on hold as we navigated COVID-19. We have revamped our program design to a video format and are now accepting applications. Program Design Six, four-hour sessions held via video conferencing using Zoom Participants receive individual communication style assessment Participation will be limited to 20 individuals Participant fee: $100 (or $75 for employees of an organizations that has participated in previous Social Impact Institute programs). Please talk with us if needed regarding program fee. Session Dates and Topics Session One (Tuesday, July 14, 2020) – Leading from the Inside Out: The Importance of Self-Awareness Session Two (Tuesday, August 11, 2020) – Communicating Effectively: Understanding Communication Style Session Three (Tuesday, September 8, 2020) – Developing Others Session Four (Tuesday, September 29, 2020) – Managing Conflict Session Five (Tuesday, October 13, 2020) – Leading Teams Session Six (Tuesday, October 27, 2020) – Leading Change, Ensuring Results All sessions take place from 10:00am-12:00pm and resume at 2:00pm-4:00pm for a total of four hours per session via video conferencing using Zoom (participants must attend both morning and afternoon portions of each session). Eligibility and Commitments: Participants must be a leader or supervisor for a human services nonprofit organization serving...
by Nicole Acosta | May 21, 2020 | Uncategorized
In March 2020, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties provided grant funding from the Community Emergency Relief Fund and the Tourism and Hospitality Relief Fund to establish the COVID-19 Emergency Fund and Helpline for Loudoun residents. About the COVID-19 Emergency Fund and Helpline (703-669-5040) The COVID-19 Emergency Fund and Helpline is staffed by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington and Loudoun Cares and responds to requests for financial assistance. Trained staff from Catholic Charities and Loudoun Cares will work together to complete an intake process and assess the needs of each caller. Loudoun residents who need help paying rent as a result of lost wages from the COVID-19 crisis can call the COVID-19 Emergency Fund and Helpline at 703-669-5040. Staff and volunteers can provide assistance in any language, using interpreter services. In addition to providing financial assistance to callers, Catholic Charities and Loudoun Cares also will help callers identify additional government, nonprofit, and faith-based resources. Both organizations have extensive experience helping people in need access financial assistance and community services through Catholic Charities’ Emergency Assistance Program, and Loudoun Cares’ Information and Referral Helpline. Eligibility Requirements for Rental Assistance Eligibility requirements to receive financial assistance from the COVID-19 Emergency Fund and Helpline may be found at https://www.ccda.net/need-help/rent,-utility-assistance,-and-basic-household-needs/. Eligible callers may be able to receive up to $500 in financial assistance. Tourism and Hospitality Workers and Rental Assistance Special funding has been awarded to the Helpline by the Visit Loudoun Foundation’s Tourism and Hospitality Relief Fund to provide rental assistance specifically to tourism and hospitality workers in Loudoun, an industry that has been hit hard by the...
by Nicole Acosta | May 18, 2020 | Uncategorized
The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties is pleased to announce that it received $15,000 in corporate donations and pledges to the Community Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) and the Visit Loudoun Foundation’s Tourism and Hospitality Relief Fund (THRF). These gifts will support the COVID-19 Emergency Fund and Helpline, which provides rental assistance to Loudoun families in need. Wells Fargo and Washington Gas recently committed $5,000 to the CERF while AT&T has provided $5,000 to the THRF. In April, Loudoun Chamber Foundation also donated more than $8,000 after launching a matching campaign among its members. Including a $100,000 gift from Google earlier this month, the local COVID-19 emergency efforts have raised $250,000. The Community Foundation issued a challenge to the community to match Google’s contribution. “We appreciate these large corporations answering the call, and express our heartfelt thanks to the hundreds of other donors who have contributed to the funds,” said Community Foundation President Amy Owen. “Throughout our 145-year history, we’ve worked to be there when people need us. The hospitality industry has been hit hard during this crisis, which is why we’re supporting the Visit Loudoun Foundation’s Tourism & Hospitality Relief fund,” stated Garrett McGuire, External and Legislative Affairs with AT&T. John O’Brien, Executive Vice President of Strategy & Public Affairs at Washington Gas, stated “We value the work of the Community Foundation and applaud the staff for taking exemplary measures to meeting the needs of the Loudoun community.” Loudoun residents in need of rental assistance can call the COVID-19 Emergency Fund and Helpline at (703) 669-5040. Trained staff from Catholic Charities and Loudoun Cares complete an...
by Nicole Acosta | May 15, 2020 | Uncategorized
The following was written by Janelle Brevard, who serves on the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors, as part of our Board Perspective blog series. My husband and I are Loudoun County transplants. So, when we moved into our Aldie home a few years ago I was heavily influenced by my childhood growing up in the Deep South where my earliest memory of community was our first evening in our new home when my father and older brother sat watch all night, protecting us from a planned Ku Klux Klan visit to protest our move. For us, Loudoun County represented planting roots firmly in a growing community making serious efforts at acceptance and engagement, whether with those who may not look the same or come from the same socioeconomic status. Loudoun County, for us, represented an area that was in it together, and the current COVID-19 pandemic serves as a stark reminder why we all need each other now more than ever. As we mourn the loss of lives from this disease and pray for the recovery of those afflicted, we are reminded of the toll it has taken on countless Loudoun County families. The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties has launched a Community Emergency Relief Fund as a way for the entire community to come together and get resources to those who need it most. Some of the funding allocations so far have included: • Direct monetary assistance to Loudoun County residents impacted financially by the COVID-19 crisis • Financial assistance to those underemployed or unemployed individuals Further troubling, experts have warned that this pandemic will...
by Nicole Acosta | May 12, 2020 | Uncategorized
The Community Foundation commends A Farm Less Ordinary, Loudoun Commission for Women and Girls, Loudoun Youth, Inc., and Project Horse Empowerment Center for recently completing our 2019-2020 Strategic Planning Consortium program. In a year-long program offered as part of our Social Impact Institute, these organizations underwent an in-depth strategic planning process with the assistance of professional consultants from Capacity Partners, Inc. A well-developed strategic plan is an essential tool for nonprofit organizations to advance their missions. Strategic planning consultants provide professional guidance and facilitation to help nonprofit Boards develop their long-range goals, objectives, and strategies. However, smaller organizations often lack the financial resources to acquire quality strategic planning services. The Strategic Planning Consortium program was designed to give small organizations with annual operating budgets of under $500,000 the opportunity to work with professional consultants to develop a full-scale strategic plan. In summer 2019, applications were accepted from qualifying nonprofits that were ready to invest their time and resources in a comprehensive strategic planning process. This program was made possible with grant funding provided by 100WomenStrong and Loudoun County government. As Strategic Planning Consortium program participants, each organization was assigned a skilled consultant from Capacity Partners who helped guide and facilitate a strategic planning process that engaged the organizations’ staff, Board of Directors, and stakeholders. The participating organizations also completed training in strategic planning, and ultimately developed three-year strategic plans that guide their work and missions long-term. “We appreciate the investment these four organizations made by participating in this program,” said Nicole Acosta, director of grants and nonprofit programs at the Community Foundation. “Strategic planning is a challenging but important...
by Nicole Acosta | May 7, 2020 | Uncategorized
The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties is pleased to announce that we have received a $100,000 grant from Google to support COVID-19 relief efforts in Loudoun County. Funds from Google will be added equally to the Community Foundation’s Community Emergency Relief Fund and Tourism & Hospitality Relief Fund. The Community Foundation challenges our neighbors, places of worship, HOAs, businesses and community members everywhere to match Google’s generosity. “Help us leverage Google’s extraordinarily generous gift to Loudoun County by matching it dollar for dollar,” said Community Foundation President Amy Owen. “A matching gift to the Community Emergency Relief Fund or Tourism & Hospitality Fund doubles the impact. Those of us who are still employed and safe in our homes share that security with our neighbors who have so much less. The needs are right here in front of us, and they are huge.” “Google is pleased to be working with the Community Foundation on such a worthwhile and important program in this time of need,” said Liz Schwab, Head of External Affairs for Google in Virginia. “With families and safety net providers struggling with the effects of COVID-19, this is a vital time for us to look out for those in need.” The Community Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) was to established accept and strategically disburse funding to address COVID-19 emergency response and relief efforts to households in need as well as to shore up human-service nonprofit organizations experiencing financial loss. Subsequently, Visit Loudoun Foundation established a Tourism &Hospitality Relief Fund to provide financial relief to tourism and hospitality workers experiencing income losses. “The impact to Loudoun’s tourism...
by Nicole Acosta | May 6, 2020 | Uncategorized
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Yesterday, we asked for your help. Our community and our nonprofits needed you. You rose to the occasion. You showed up for our community in the best way possible. A record-breaking $604,232 for 87 nonprofits who will use those dollars to help our community stay healthy, safe, and beautiful—all thanks to your generosity. Today, we express our gratitude for your generosity; our appreciation for the hard work of our local nonprofits; and our amazement at what’s possible when we all work together to lift our community. Thank you for making this community a great place to grow up and grow old. P.S. Want to see our final Give Choose results? Check out the Leaderboard...
by Nicole Acosta | May 1, 2020 | Uncategorized
To give during Give Choose on May 5, visit: www.givechoose.org
by Nicole Acosta | Apr 27, 2020 | Uncategorized
The following was written by Kirsten Langhorne, who serves on the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors, as part of our Board Perspective blog series. I became a bit of a prepper the day I became a mother. I stockpiled diapers, baby food, and onesies. Y2K brought jugged water and cases of Mac and Cheese. But this spring has brought me to a whole new level of anxiety about being prepared. If I were courageous enough to screenshot my Amazon Orders history and its middle-of-the-night orders delivered far and wide, I would reveal a window into my COVID-crisis soul. For weeks, awakening after a few hours, I’d pull up the news on my phone and responded to some new scare. A report suggests Ibuprofen worsens some COVID symptoms? Tylenol is on the way. There might be food shortages? 10 lb. lentil bags will carry us over. We are buried in Amazon boxes that have brought us necessities and excessive precautions alike. My family is as prepared as we can be. Now it is time for me to focus my concern and spending on our many neighbors who have not had the luxury to soothe their COVID anxieties through the efficiencies of online shopping. The community members who are watching every dollar to keep their families fed and sheltered need attention. The organizations critical to the welfare of our elderly or are sheltering abused women and children of caring for abandoned animals are facing harder times than they ever contemplated. Thankfully, Give Choose is up and running and is a wonderful way to get out of our own heads and help...
