by Nicole Acosta | Apr 15, 2019 | Uncategorized
The Rise of the Citizen Storyteller: How to Build an Organizational Culture That Encourages and Engages Your Natural Storytellers Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2019 Time: Registration & Lunch: 12:00-12:30; Program: 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Location: Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, 44325 Woodridge Parkway, Landsdowne Registration Cost: $20 (lunch provided) Registration Link: https://citizenstoryteller.eventbrite.com (seating limited!) Is your organization doing everything it can to encourage good storytelling? Do you have supporters who may not be able to financially give but could be activated through a different form of influence: their authentic stories about your cause? Inspired from the idea of citizen science, these are your citizen storytellers: the everyday unsung heroes of your nonprofit who will shout from the rooftops their love of your work and have a currency of influence that can be strategically tapped into through story. In this session, current applied research in strategic storytelling from Professor John D. Trybus of Georgetown University’s Center for Social Impact Communication will be shared, along with case studies from organizations who are working to activate their citizen storytellers. Along the way, you’ll be guided through an exercise to analyze what your organizational culture currently is and strategize key steps to take in order to build it in sustainable ways. This session is organized by the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties, in partnership with Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, as part of the Social Impact Institute program. About John Professor John D. Trybus of Georgetown University is a story scientist on a mission to help change makers around the world create and tell better stories that bring their missions...
by Nicole Acosta | Apr 9, 2019 | Uncategorized
Crafting a Development Plan Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2019 Time: Registration: 8:30-9:00; Program: 9:00-12:00 Location: Leesburg Junction, 215 Depot Court, SE, #101, Leesburg, VA 20175 Registration Link Fundraising Resolution #1: Get more organized! We all know it to be true, organization and proper planning are linchpins in any successful nonprofit. In a fundraising office, this means creating a strategic development plan that will allow you to set goals and track progress. To prepare to start your next fiscal year off on the right foot, this session will help participants better understand: The purpose and function of a development plan How to create a successful plan The role of the board and staff in executing the plan Development plan pitfalls How to maximize results of this important strategy About the Presenter: Victoria Dietz’s experience covers an array of activities in development, from annual fund work for small and mid-sized nonprofits to major gift and corporate development in large nonprofit settings. In her role as vice president for The Curtis Group, she is responsible for a variety of clients’ planning studies, trainings and campaign management. Victoria specializes in helping her clients strategically grow overall fundraising capacity and has managed campaigns ranging in size from $2 millionto $40 million. Prior to joining The Curtis Group, Victoria oversaw corporate and foundation relations for Bon Secours Hampton Roads. There she supervised all grant writing activity while also managing a major gift portfolio of individuals, as well as local and national corporations for three hospital foundations. Victoria has completed specialized fundraising training through The Advisory Board, the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, the Hampton Roads Gift Planning Council, AFP...
by Nicole Acosta | Apr 8, 2019 | Uncategorized
As the Community Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary and 3rd year implementing the Faces of Loudoun campaign, we invite proposals for an inaugural Platinum Achievement Award. Three nonprofit organizations demonstrating significant internal innovation and improved operational achievement will be selected as recipients of a 2019 Platinum Achievement Award. In addition to being recognized as a nonprofit accomplishing significant achievement, each organization selected for this award will receive a $2,000 grant. The Platinum Achievement Award is made possible by Wells Fargo and donors who have made gifts to the Community Foundation inspired by and from the Faces of Loudoun website and community service campaign (FacesofLoudoun.org). Launched in 2017, the Faces of Loudoun campaign is designed to raise awareness about local needs facing Loudoun County, increase charitable giving and volunteerism, and celebrate local nonprofit leaders and volunteers. Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity serving Loudoun County. Only one application per organization will be considered. Grantmaking Priorities: Nonprofit organizations founded and headquartered in Loudoun County will be a priority, with a history of mission delivery equal to or exceeding five-years. Awards will be made to organizations that have accomplished some or all of the following examples of innovation or achievement: Formulate, achieved or exceeded internal benchmarks or goals; devised systems to increased service delivery; established resources to add staff or new programing to address growing or unmet needs; taken steps to update or innovate data collection, software systems, or day-to-day operations; and/or, incorporated new partnerships to strengthen results. Application Deadlines and Reviews: Applications must be submitted electronically via email to nicole@communityfoundationlf.orgon or before Friday, April 26, 2019, midnight. Applicants will receive an email...
by Nicole Acosta | Apr 4, 2019 | Uncategorized
It’s our pleasure to announce two new members joining our Board of Directors! Janelle Brevard and Tara Trout recently joined our board of now fourteen members. Janelle has worked previously for The Associated Press and as senior advisor and speechwriter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. After leaving the State Department, Jenelle led executive and leadership communications at Delphi Automotive and Hilton Worldwide, and served as director of communications and government relations for the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Janelle also worked for two years as Vice President of Communications for the Council on Foundations, a leadership association of grantmaking foundations. There she led a portfolio that included media relations, public affairs, strategic communications, social media engagement and executive communications. Currently, Janelle serves as a communications consultant to foundations, nonprofits, and private companies. Janelle is a resident of Aldie. Tara is an Assistant Vice President in AHT Insurance’s farm and equine practice with extensive experience in the insurance industry. In addition to her Board service to the Community Foundation, Tara serves on the Board of Directors for the Upperville Colt and Horse Show and the Mosby Area Heritage Association. Tara is the Chair of the farm and ranch insurance coverage committee for RiskProNet International, a global network of over 250 agencies, and also serves on the agency council of Loudoun Mutual Insurance Company. Tara is a resident of The Plains. Media Coverage: Community Foundation taps two new board members (Loudoun...
by Nicole Acosta | Apr 2, 2019 | Uncategorized
The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties is now accepting applications for the Social Impact Institute’s 2019 Leading for Success program. A nonprofit’s chief executive is often the difference between growth and stagnation, between thriving and surviving organization. By participating in the year-long Leading For Success program with fellow top nonprofit executives, you will have the opportunity to join other nonprofit leaders in strengthening your leadership skills and knowledge in the context of capitalizing on a compelling opportunity for your organization. Program Design Combining individual coaching and group learning sessions every other month for one year, this unique learning experience offers an array of best practices and related tools with shared experiences from other leaders facing similar challenges. Experienced executive coach Leigh Shields will provide individual coaching and facilitate group learning sessions. Up to six nonprofit executives will be selected to participate, with the year-long program anticipated to begin in late spring 2019. Pre-application Interest Meeting – April 11, 2019 Interested in learning more about the program before completing your application? Join the Community Foundation and Leigh Shields in this pre-application interest meeting, held on Thursday, April 11, 2019, 10:00-11:00 a.m., 3rd Floor Conference Room at HealthWorks for Northern Virginia (163 Fort Evans Road, NE, Leesburg, 20176). Attendance is optional, but encouraged. Email Nicole Acosta at nicole@communityfoundationlf.org if you plan to attend. Eligibility and Commitments: Participants must serve as current CEO/Executive Director, or in a senior leadership position of a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization serving Loudoun and/or Northern Fauquier Counties (priority will be given to CEOs/Executive Directors; however, nonprofit staff in senior leadership positions may also apply); Commit to preparing for,...
by Nicole Acosta | Mar 25, 2019 | Uncategorized
We are honored to announce the newly created Ursula Landsrath Animal Rescue Fund (ULARF). Ursula Landsrath founded the Animal Rescue Fund of Virginia almost ten years ago, raising and distributing more than $1 million to Virginia-based animal rescue organizations. Ursula passed away in January 2019; Ursula’s husband, Ken Rietz, created ULARF in memory of Ursula’s outstanding work. Sandal LaRose, a member of the newly created ULARF Grants Committee, said, “ULARF will operate the same way the Animal Rescue Fund did under Ursula’s leadership. We will receive grant applications from Virginia based 501(c)(3) animal rescue organizations and distribute funds in the fall of each year. Initially we will have a small amount of money to distribute in grants but hope that it will grow in the future.” Additional contributions can made to ULARF by sending checks to the Community Foundation at PO Box 402, Middleburg, VA 20118 or at https://communityfoundationlf.org/landsrath. Information about ULARF and grant applications are available at https://communityfoundationlf.org/grant-seekers/. For more information contact Nicole Acosta, Director of Grants and Nonprofit Programs at the Community Foundation at (703) 779-3505, X3. Media Coverage: Ursula Landsrath Animal Rescue Fund Created – Middleburg...
by Nicole Acosta | Mar 22, 2019 | Uncategorized
Each year, our Forward Turn Youth Grantmakers work diligently to review grant applications from their peers. Receiving over $13,000 in requests from youth-led projects and organizations, with only $3,500 to grant, our Youth Grantmakers had to make some difficult decisions this year. Learning how to score and evaluate proposals and interviewing their peers are cornerstones of the of the Forward Turn program. This year, our Forward Turn Youth Grantmakers awarded the following grants: $1,250 to Princess Packages, a newly created, student-led nonprofit organization providing care packages to hospitalized children; $1,250 to the Academies of Loudoun RESET Club, funding supples for STEM program; $1,000 to Loudoun Habitat for Humanity, supporting youth-led construction of playhouses for low-income families and community shelters. Forward Turn partners with Loudoun County Parks, Recreation, and Community Services’ Youth Advisory Council and is funded by the S. Murray and Mary H.C. Rust Student Philanthropy Project endowment of the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier...
by Nicole Acosta | Mar 14, 2019 | Uncategorized
Members of the public are encouraged to attend one of several upcoming meetings aimed at developing a human services strategic plan for Loudoun County, which will provide a roadmap for implementing improved, coordinated systems of care that meet the county’s human service needs. The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties is partnering with Loudoun County government and local nonprofit organizations in the effort and together are sponsoring community meetings to hear from members of the public about the county’s human services needs and recommendations on how to meet those needs. 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. The upcoming community meetings are scheduled over a two-day period, Friday and Saturday, March 29, and March 30, 2019. To encourage participation and make the meetings as convenient as possible, sessions are being held throughout the county both in the daytime and evening. Friday, March 29, 2019, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., Office of Elections and Voter Registration, 750 Miller Drive, SE, Suite C, Leesburg Friday, March 29, 2019, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., Claude Moore Community Center, 46105 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling Saturday, March 30, 2019, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Carver Center, 200 Willie Palmer Way, Purcellville Saturday, March 30, 2019, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.,...
