by Nicole Acosta | Feb 25, 2019 | Uncategorized
The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties granted $5,000 to four organizations at the recommendation of the recent winners of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Awards. The Loudoun Chamber announced the 2019 winners on January 25, 2019, at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Community Leadership Awards. Each year, the winners of the Community Leadership Awards have the opportunity to select a nonprofit organization to receive a $1,000 grant, provided by the Community Foundation. “The Loudoun Chamber is proud to partner with the Community Foundation to leverage our 2019 Community Leadership Awards to support the great work of the nonprofit organizations that our award honorees have selected,” said Loudoun Chamber President, Tony Howard. “These outstanding Loudoun community leaders have clearly chosen to support organizations that represent their values and their commitment to our Loudoun community that made them worthy of the Chamber’s Community Leadership Award.” The following grants were awarded, as recommended by the 2019 Community Leadership Award winners: $1,000 to the Loudoun Commission for Women and Girls, selected by Megan Imbert, winner of the Young Professional category; $1,000 to HealthWorks for Northern Virginia, selected by Carol Jameson, winner of the Nonprofit Executive category; $1,000 to Loudoun Literacy Council, selected by Loudoun Now, winner of the Small Organization category; $2,000 to JK Community Farm, selected by Chuck Kuhn, winner of the Executive Leader category, and JK Moving Services, winner of the Large Organization category. “This recognition is incredibly special to me because I grew up in Loudoun County and have been personally inspired and empowered by many people and organizations in this community. I feel passionately...
by Nicole Acosta | Feb 9, 2019 | Uncategorized
Connect Loudoun Online Survey – Seeking Input for Loudoun County’s Human Services Strategic Plan The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties is partnering with Loudoun County and local nonprofit organizations to develop a five-year human services strategic plan for the county, which will provide a roadmap for implementing improved, coordinated systems of care that meet the human service needs of Loudoun County. The strategic plan will focus on services such as affordable health care, child care and housing as well as funding and advocacy. The plan is being developed through a collaborative effort by the Loudoun County government, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties and the Loudoun Human Services Network. Representatives of these groups are serving on the Human Services Strategic Plan Steering Committee, which is developing the strategic plan. As part of this effort, members of the Loudoun community are invited to complete an online survey to provide input on how to improve human services. This survey is available at: https://www.connectloudoun.org In addition, members of the public are invited to participate in a series of community meetings to give their feedback on how to improve Loudoun’s human services. The first series of community meetings was held on February 8, 2019. One hundred community members participated in facilitated discussions addressing human services needs across the County. Another series of community meetings will be held on March 29, 2019. Details for the upcoming series of community meetings will be finalized soon. If you are interested in receiving notifications about the upcoming community meetings, please email...
by Nicole Acosta | Jan 31, 2019 | Uncategorized
Join us for our first Nonprofit Academy workshop of 2019 – Fundamentals of Strategic Planning. Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2019 Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Registration 8:30-9:00) Location: Leesburg Junction Registration Link About the Workshop Through interactive exercises, presenter Sandi Marra will help participants learn basic steps of strategic planning and receive takeaway templates they can use to kick-start their organizational strategic process. In addition, we’ll discuss the best way to bring in outside expertise to facilitate strategy development as well as average costs and time needed to complete the effort. About the Presenter Sandi Marra is a Partner Consultant with Capacity Partners, Inc. Her areas of expertise include facilitating strategic planning and implementation as well as board development and creating positive board-staff interactions. She was the Chief Operating Officer of St. Coletta of Greater Washington, a nonprofit organization supporting educational and service programs for developmentally disabled children and adults. In that role she guided the strategic growth of the organization from $5 million to $20 million in operating budget. In a volunteer role, she is Chair of the Board of Directors of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a $10 million national member, volunteer-based, organization. Having lead organizations in both executive staff and board chair roles, Sandi understands the importance of respecting cultural norms and traditions while creating the impetus for bringing about needed organizational change. Sandi holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Rowan University and a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from The American University, the School of Public Affairs and the Kogod School of Business. About the Nonprofit Academy In partnership with the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce and its Nonprofit Initiative, the...
by Nicole Acosta | Jan 28, 2019 | Uncategorized
The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties recently received accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere. The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking and administration. With more than 500 community foundations accredited nationwide, the program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors. “This is fundamentally important to our donors,” said Amy Owen, President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. “When people make a charitable bequest or establish a fund, they are putting their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage the investment wisely and honor their charitable wishes for generations to come. The National Standards accreditation says our house is in order.” The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties works to meet critical community needs and support local causes. Since founded in 1999, the organization has established more than 70 charitable funds, exceeding $6 million in grants to nonprofit organizations addressing community needs such as human services, health, education, nature and environmental conservation, historic preservation, and more. In addition, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties has been a leading voice for philanthropy in Loudoun and Northern Fauquier, spearheading the Faces of Loudoun awareness campaign, creating Give Choose, an annual day of online giving that has raised almost $900,000 for local nonprofits, and convening local stakeholders and philanthropists with its annual Philanthropy Summit. The...
by Nicole Acosta | Jan 22, 2019 | Uncategorized
The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties is partnering with Loudoun County and local nonprofit organizations to develop a five-year human services strategic plan for the county, which will provide a roadmap for implementing improved, coordinated systems of care that meet the human service needs of Loudoun County. The strategic plan will focus on services such as affordable health care, child care and housing as well as funding and advocacy. The plan is being developed through a collaborative effort by the Loudoun County government, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties and the Loudoun Human Services Network. Representatives of these groups are serving on the Human Services Strategic Plan Steering Committee, which is developing the strategic plan. As part of this effort, a series of meetings are being held Friday, February 8, 2019, to seek public comment on the county’s human services needs and recommendations on how to meet those needs. Local human services professionals will be attending the day-long series of meetings. In addition, members of the public, particularly those who have received assistance from the county’s human services departments or nonprofit groups—such as food, healthcare, therapy, childcare, housing assistance or other services—are invited to attend a 90-minute public forum in Leesburg: Patients and Clients of Nonprofit or Loudoun County Human Services: Friday, February 8, 2019, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Healthworks, 163 Fort Evans Road NE in Leesburg Anyone with questions about the meetings may call 703-779-3505, ext. 2 or email info@CommunityFoundationLF.org. Anyone who requires a reasonable accommodation, including language interpretation, is asked to provide notice at least four days in advance. The...
by Nicole Acosta | Jan 22, 2019 | Uncategorized
The Loudoun Chamber of Commerce announced this month that its Loudoun Chamber Foundation, a fund of the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties, has selected six local nonprofit organizations to each receive $4,000 grants to support their work in our community. Founded in 2014, the Loudoun Chamber Foundation invests in local nonprofits that are focused on the economy, workforce development, public safety and wellness in Loudoun. In that short period, the Foundation has invested a total of $82,000 into the Loudoun community. “As the 2018 Chair of the Loudoun Chamber’s Board of Directors, I am proud to see our business community stepping up to support the needs of Loudoun’s citizens. As business leaders, we recognize that quality of life issues are business issues, and that by supporting Loudoun’s outstanding nonprofits we are serving the economic interests of our entire community,” said Mitch Sproul, of Toth Financial Advisory Corp. The organizations receiving 2019 Loudoun Chamber Foundation grants are: A Farm Less Ordinary – A nonprofit farm that provides employment and training to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by sustainably growing organic vegetables. Crossroads Jobs – Helping Loudoun area residents move away from poverty by providing individualized job search and placement services to the unemployed and underemployed. Dulles South Food Pantry – Founded in 2014, DSFP provides nutritious food, personal supplies and services to those in need in the Dulles South area. Good Shepherd Alliance – A Christian nonprofit that provides help for the homeless and others in need, through emergency and transitional housing and outreach services. Loudoun Free Clinic – An organization dedicated to providing quality medical care for adult in Loudoun...
by Nicole Acosta | Jan 17, 2019 | Uncategorized
Registration Join us for our 5th Give Choose event on Tuesday, May 7, 2019! Nonprofits serving Loudoun and Fauquier Counties are invited to register for this monumental day of online giving at GiveChoose.org. Returning Organizations: Organizations joining Give Choose again should have received an automated email to Sign In to your organization’s account at GiveChoose.org. Be sure to use the “Sign In” button; the “Register” button is for new organizations only. Once you Sign In, you will be able to refresh your organization’s information from last year and add additional organizational administrators if needed. Please review and update your organization’s profile, goals, and logo. New feature this year – you can now add videos and photos! All organizations, returning and new, must upload a signed 2019 Give Choose agreement before you can be approved to join in 2019. New Organizations: Organizations participating in Give Choose for the first time may visit Give.Choose.org and select Register to begin the registration process. All organizations, returning and new, must upload a signed 2019 Give Choose agreement before you can be approved to join in 2019 (agreement available for download on the Registration page). Deadline to register or renew: April 12, 2019 Give Choose Catalogue In partnership with Loudoun Now, this year we are offering the opportunity for participating Give Choose organizations to be featured in a first-ever Give Choose Catalogue! In this special section of Loudoun Now, organizations participating in Give Choose will be featured with an organizational description and logo. To be featured in the Give Choose Catalogue, returning and new organizations must: Upload on the Give Choose site a signed 2019...
by Nicole Acosta | Jan 17, 2019 | Uncategorized
Forward Turn is a youth-led charitable grantmaking program that takes a “forward turn” to benefit communities in Loudoun and Fauquier Counties. Forward Turn is a partnership with the Loudoun County Youth Advisory Council and funded by the S. Murray Rust and Mary H.C. Rust Student Philanthropy Project endowment of the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. Forward Turn Youth Advisors will consider 2018-2019 applications that Strengthen Positive Youth Lifestyle, Create United Youth Communities, and Encourage Community Youth Involvement in Loudoun and Fauquier Counties. Youth involvement in the application process is strongly preferred. For more information on Forward Turn grantmaking priorities, eligibility requirements, and the grant application process, please download the Forward Turn Grant Application here. The deadline for grant application submissions is January 24, 2019. Please note that in-person interviews with applicants and youth endorsing their work will be conducted on February 11, 2019 between 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Please see the application for more details. Grant submissions and questions should be directed to Amy Owen at amy@communityfoundationlf.org or...
by Nicole Acosta | Jan 10, 2019 | Uncategorized
We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Social Impact Institute’s 2019 Board Chair Roundtable. Board chairs play a critical role in a nonprofit organization’s success, and the role often comes with many challenges. Joining the BCR will give you the opportunity to network and connect with other board chairs; learn effective strategies for honing your board leadership; explore topics related to nonprofit board management, governance, and best practices; and provide and receive support from your peers in a confidential and trusted setting. Program Design: The BCR will be comprised of a small group of 6-10 nonprofit board chairs who will meet monthly for 90-minute sessions, over six months. The BCR will be organized and facilitated by the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties’ Nicole Acosta, Director of Grants and Nonprofit Programs. Session topics will be designed with input from the BCR participants and may include guest speakers or presenters. BCR participants must complete a Registration Application, due by Friday, February 15, 2019. BCR sessions will begin in March 2019, and will be held at a Leesburg location (exact location to be determined). BCR session schedule will be provided to participants in late February, based on the availability provided in the application form. Program fee is $60. Eligibility and Commitments: Participants must be a current Board Chair of a 501(C)(3) public charity serving Loudoun and/or Northern Fauquier Counties; Participants must be a Board Chair of an organization with a Board membership of at least five individuals, with no more than 30% of the majority comprised of family members; Participants must complete Registration Application, including cover...
by Nicole Acosta | Jan 4, 2019 | Uncategorized
Check out what we’ve got in the works for 2019! Give Choose Join your fellow nonprofits and register your organization for Give Choose 2019 — our 5th Give Choose event! Mark your calendars for these important Give Choose dates. More information coming soon about the dates listed below. February 4, 2019, 9:00am-12:00pm – Give Choose training (registration info coming soon) May 7, 2019 – Give Choose event (early giving begins April 23, 2019) Nonprofit Academy Workshops In partnership with the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, we are pleased to offer another year of Nonprofit Academy Workshops! Workshops on topics including strategic planning, fundraising, and board engagement will be held quarterly. Save the date for our first workshop, Developing a Strategic Plan, on March 12, 2018, 8:30am-12:00pm. More details and registration info coming soon. Social Impact Institute – Board Chair Roundtable Leading as a nonprofit’s Board Chair can be a rewarding yet daunting job. A strong Board Chair plays a critical role in an organization’s success. Local nonprofit Board Chairs are invited to join our first Board Chair Roundtable, where Board Chairs will have the opportunity to learn from one another, strengthen their Board leadership skills, and explore topics such as Board roles and responsibilities, engaging your Board members, supporting your Executive Director and staff, and more. The Board Chair Roundtable will meet as a group once per month, over six months. Interested in receiving emails, news, and updates about the Board Chair Roundtable? Email nicole@communityfoundationlf.org Cost: $60 total ($10 per month) Dates: Registration opens January 10, 2019; monthly sessions beginning March, 2019 Social Impact Institute – Executive Coaching “Leading for Success” Leading For Success offers area...
