In celebration of the impact made possible by our generous supporters, our “Sponsor Spotlight” series showcases the remarkable individuals, businesses, and organizations who have become the backbone of the Community Foundation’s mission as supporters at the “Investor Sponsor” level.
Learn more about our Corporate Sponsor opportunities.
Stephanie Nerantzis, CPA
Grants Manager, The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation
The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation is a private Virginia philanthropy established by Dr. Claude Moore in 1987. Dr. Moore grew up in poverty, and through hard work and frugality became a successful physician and landowner. The Foundation has invested more than $14 million in the Claude Moore Scholars, a Healthcare Education program, and continues to expand the program to other school districts within Virginia. The Foundation has also donated more than $31.3 million to nonprofit organizations doing work in Loudoun County. They are believers in “collective impact” and therefore work hard to bring stakeholders together and form partnerships to increase academic competence and encourage leadership, especially for under resourced populations.
Stephanie Nerantzis, Grants Manager for the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, is a prominent figure in Loudoun County’s nonprofit community. With a deep passion for making a difference, she has actively served as the Board Chair and Treasurer of LAWS Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, lending her expertise and leadership to support survivors of domestic violence. She continues to contribute her time and skills to various local organizations, embodying a strong commitment to philanthropy and community service.
In this recent interview with Stephanie, we delve into the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation’s grantmaking and philanthropic priorities. Their impact on the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties has fueled our mission to grow community giving and support training and capacity-building opportunities for nonprofits in our community.
1. How did you become aware of the Community Foundation?
We have always known about community foundations and the tremendous impact they can have in building and sustaining communities. When we first started our philanthropy in Loudoun County, we were aware of the Community Foundation of Loudoun and Norther Fauquier Counties and have grown our relationship with them since the early 2000s.
2. What is it about the Community Foundation that has inspired such generosity?
The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation has been a substantial supporter of Loudoun non-profits for over two decades. We always knew that a strong and engaged community foundation in Loudoun County could enhance our contributions by growing local philanthropy. Doing so would provide additional resources to the non-profits we support, the people they serve and the community. We also believed that most of the Loudoun County non-profits had modest resources and could greatly benefit from the training and support that a community foundation could provide. In 2015, it became clear that the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier was serious about growing and becoming a force in Loudoun. We were eager to help it become the community foundation we knew Loudoun needed. Therefore, we funded both additional staff and space to help them reach their potential.
3. What is your favorite program or service that the Community Foundation provides?
We can’t say we have a favorite, because the missions of growing endowments and helping build a strong non-profit community are equally important. If you don’t have both funding and strong organizations that feel supported beyond the dollars, you don’t have a sustainable ecosystem. We have a special appreciation for the role the Community Foundation has played in bringing the business community on board as an advocate for philanthropy, as well as serving as an advocate for the non-profit community to County government and other stakeholders. They also have raised the awareness of the need for philanthropy in Loudoun, which is very important.
4. What do you wish everyone knew about the Community Foundation?
I think if most people knew and understood what the Community Foundation does and how easy and accessible they make being a philanthropist, the endowments in this County would greatly increase.
5. What do you hope to accomplish through your philanthropy?
Our philanthropic philosophy is “a leg up and not a hand-out.” Therefore, much of our giving is to organizations that provide education and skills training and other resources to help those in need and those with disabilities better their current situations.
