2024 Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington

HUMAN SERVICES: Nonprofit Support/Volunteerism

Spur Local

WISH LIST
$10: Giver;
$100: Contributor;
$1000: Supporter;
$5000: Friend
 
At Spur Local, formerly the Catalogue for Philanthropy, strengthening communities is our life’s work. As the region’s only locally-focused guide to civic engagement, we believe in the power of small nonprofits to spark big change together. A gift to Spur Local has a huge multiplier effect. It helps us amplify and support over 400 critical local nonprofits. Over the last 20 years, our organization has both raised nearly $60M for local nonprofits and grown to become the largest nonprofit capacity builder in the region, designing resources specifically for nonprofits operating with small teams and budgets. Join us in making a difference, close to home.

Matt Gayer, Executive Director

80 M Street SE, Suite 100
Washington, DC 20003
202-838-3015
mgayer@spurlocal.org
cfp-dc.org/cfp


HUMAN SERVICES: Children, Youth, & Families

A Wider Circle

WISH LIST
$100: 1 twin bed for a child in need;
$500: 1 Career Support workshop;
$1000: furniture for a family's home
 
AWC's holistic approach focuses on neighborhood revitalization, the creation of stable homes, workforce development programming to move families to economic self-sufficiency, and the creation of greater awareness and engagement by the community. The Essential Support Program provides beds, furniture and other basic home goods to those leaving homelessness, fleeing domestic abuse, recovering from disaster, or simply living without the basics that make a home a home. The Workforce Development Program provides wraparound support to job seekers, and the Neighborhood Partnerships Program works within communities to help residents revitalize those communities from within. Employing on-the-ground programs and services, and developing large-scale solutions to root causes, AWC's mission is an ambitious one: to end poverty.

Erin Anderson, Director of Grants and Contracts

10325 Kensington Parkway, 70
Kensington, MD 20895
301-908-8172
eanderson@awidercircle.org
cfp-dc.org/awc


NATURE: Environment & Animal Services

Nature Forward

WISH LIST
$100: accessible nature trail & play space for 20 children;
$500: advocate training to protect low-income, high flood-risk areas;
$1000: 50 pollinator-friendly plants for 20 homes
 
Nature Forward connects Washington area residents to nature, inspiring them to appreciate, understand, and protect their forests, wetlands, water resources, and open spaces through education, advocacy, and conservation. And that connection with nature can start early. Each year, more than 7,000 children from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade visit Nature Forward's two beautiful sanctuaries, where enthusiastic naturalist teachers emphasize hands-on, interactive learning. GreenKids, a unique collaboration with the Montgomery and Loudon County Public Schools (and plans to expand through metro DC) fosters the development of school environmental resources such as gardens, nature trails, and recycling programs. Protecting and preserving natural habitats and local clean water are all part of Nature Forward’s community outreach plan. In a world of ever-higher environmental stakes, supporting Nature Forward, and the local environment makes natural sense.

Lin Orrin, Grant Specialist

8940 Jones Mill Road
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
3014501379
lin.orrin@natureforward.org
cfp-dc.org/null


HUMAN SERVICES: Health, Wellness, & Senior Services

Iona Senior Services

WISH LIST
$100: in-home social worker visit for 1 client;
$500: free Produce Market for subsidized senior housing;
$1000: 1 month (2x/week) participation in Adult Day Health Center
 
For over 40 years, Iona Senior Services has provided support to enable older people – whose numbers are greater now than at any time in history – to stay (and thrive) in their own homes. To respond to the growing needs of older adults, Iona offers a full range of services: adult day programs for some, coordination of in-home and out-of-home services for others; community programs like group meals, fitness classes, visual art and creative writing courses, recreational activities that promote a healthy lifestyle, and meal delivery and volunteer companionship for those who are homebound. The Deborah Blum Client Care Fund helps support seniors whose families can't afford even the most modest fees. Someone's mother, someone's father: your support can make the difference.

Joon Bang, Chief Executive Officer

4125 Albemarle Street NW
Washington, DC 20016

jbang@iona.org
cfp-dc.org/null


EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

San Miguel School

WISH LIST
$100: set of novels for an English Language Arts class;
$500: cabinet to store art supplies;
$1000: field trip to the Baltimore Aquarium for a full class
 
Latino boys are more likely than any other demographic in DC to drop out of high school – but not San Miguel graduates. Enrolling some 90 at-risk Latino youth, 90% from low-income families, and many who arrive two to three years behind grade level, San Miguel serves as a model of innovative Catholic education. Academically rigorous and tuition free, it focuses on the mastery of basic skills, and nurtures the physical and emotional well-being of each boy. Breakfast, study hall, and tutoring fill out an extended day and a 200-day school year maintains or accelerates achievement. San Miguel stands by its graduates too, offering ongoing mentoring and high school and college guidance. The results? 100% of students earn acceptances to college prep high schools, 100% graduate from high school, and more than 85% go to college.

David Palank, President

7705 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20012
2028108200
dpalank@sanmigueldc.org
cfp-dc.org/san-miguel


HUMAN SERVICES: Children, Youth, & Families

Center for Adoption Support and Education

WISH LIST
$100: adoption and foster care webinar for 5 parents;
$500: full-day empowerment workshop for 7 adopted children;
$1000: diagnostic evaluation and 4 therapy sessions for 1 family prior to adoption
 
In 1998, Kathy and Mike Dugan, parents of eight children adopted from the Prince George’s County foster care system, struggled to find a family therapist who understood the impact of trauma and adoption on children’s lives. So the Dugans became unintentional philanthropists: they created CASE, and their vision has since helped thousands of adoptive, foster, and kinship families in the region. Some three-quarters of school-age children in foster care experience abuse, and one-quarter experience PTSD – exacerbated by the trauma of multiple placements. Depression, anxiety, aggression, and fear are common and can challenge a family's survival. CASE offers adoption-competent therapy for children, parents, and families; therapy and case management for children whose age or circumstances create added challenges in finding permanent homes; and training and education for hundreds of professionals about the unique challenges of adoption, foster, and kinship care. If this is your cause, you have found your home.

Debbie B Riley, LCMFT, Chief Executive Officer

3919 National Drive, Suite 200
Burtonsville, MD 20866
301-476-8525
riley@adoptionsupport.org
cfp-dc.org/case


EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

Washington Jesuit Academy

WISH LIST
$100: field trips for 1 WJA student for 1 school year;
$500: extracurricular club for 1 school year;
$1000: a nutritious breakfast every school day for 1 student for 1 year
 
A tuition-free, academically demanding, private middle school (grades 4-8), WJA is all about improving the odds for low-income, underserved boys. Of nearly 300 alumni, 99% are enrolled in or have graduated from high school. And while only 17% of low-income minority students in DC go on to enroll in college, over 70% of WJA alumni do. How does it happen? WJA is a one-stop shop that integrates character education, health and nutrition, counseling services, and mentoring into an 11-hour school day, along with a five-week Summer Enrichment Program. Students play after-school sports, attend evening study hall, eat three nutritious meals with their classmates, and meet with a teacher-mentor each day to discuss challenges and triumphs. In the short term, WJA prepares every student for DC’s college preparatory schools; in the long-term, it supports them through the high school and undergraduate years ... on the road to college graduation.

Catherine McCafferty, Foundation and Corporate Relations Director

900 Varnum Street NE
Washington, DC 20017
202-832-7679, ext. 246
cmccafferty@wjacademy.org
cfp-dc.org/null


HUMAN SERVICES: Basic Needs, Food, & Housing

FACETS Cares

WISH LIST
$100: identification and county documents for those currently homeless;
$500: school supplies for 5 children in need;
$1000: rental and utility fees for 1 homeless person
 
Fairfax County is one of the wealthiest in the nation, yet over 60,000 people live below the poverty line: requests for food and rental assistance, and help in paying utilities, are in the thousands. Serving over 2,000 people a year, FACETS aims to rapidly re-house those who have lost their homes, and prevent homelessness for those in the most at-risk circumstances. From providing daily on-call services to preventing hypothermia in the brutal winter months, from reaching out to single adults and families in danger of eviction or foreclosure to providing permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals, FACETS believes that a stable home for the county’s most vulnerable people comes first. A Homeless Healthcare program connects individuals to much-needed health and dental services, while Hot Meals serves over 20,000 free meals a year. With an active volunteer base of over 3,000, FACETS serves those in the greatest need – and mobilizes the community to do the same.

Tessa Robinette, Development Coordinator

10700 Page Avenue, Building B
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-352-3268
trobinette@facetscares.org
cfp-dc.org/facets


EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

Aspire! Afterschool Learning

WISH LIST
$100: a year of STEM learning supplies for 1 student;
$500: 1 year of books for 2 students;
$2400: 6 weeks of summer learning camp for 1 student
 
Arlington's only free, daily, and accessible afterschool and summer program for 3rd-8th grade students, Aspire narrows the educational opportunity gap for its historically underserved families. Serving students of color (99%), families with low incomes (94%), and families speaking another language at home (84%), it underscores the critical nature of reading proficiency — a leading indicator of high school graduation success: children who don’t read well are four times less likely to graduate. Initially, less than 20% of Aspire's students read at grade level; yet by year's end, an impressive 90% see significant improvement. The robust curriculum includes STEAM, social-emotional learning, and parent engagement workshops, empowering family involvement in education. By focusing on the family, Aspire ensures that students receive consistent educational support in school and at home, fostering an environment where learning thrives in multiple contexts.

Paula Fynboh, Executive Director

PO Box 41318
Arlington, VA 22204
703-379-6488
paula@aspireafterschool.org
cfp-dc.org/aspirelearning


EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

Multicultural Career Intern Program (MCIP)

WISH LIST
$100: incentives for class attendance & academic achievement;
$500: healthy snacks/meals for 25 students;
$1000: transportation for field trips for 20 students
 
The innovative partnership of a nonprofit organization (MCIP) and a school (Columbia Heights Educational Campus) enhances academics with year-round support programs. Many of the campus’s 1700 students face educational hurdles: 80% are “language minority,” and 85% of high schoolers work to sustain themselves or their families. To give them every opportunity for success, MCIP offers an array of services: year-round tutoring, individualized college and career mentoring, comprehensive resources for teen parents and their children, counseling and family strengthening workshops, and college scholarship awards. Through a student-led Community Development Corporation, students develop civic responsibility by engaging in advocacy, service projects, and leadership training. Some 92% of MCIP seniors are on track to graduate, and 85% are accepted into college. When support goes beyond academic achievement, young people are empowered to dream without limits.

Kapindi Kroma, Executive Director

3101 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 939-7703
mcipoffice@gmail.com
cfp-dc.org/mcip


HUMAN SERVICES: Children, Youth, & Families

Community Lodgings

WISH LIST
$100: 1 month of internet service at 1 learning center;
$500: backpacks filled with school supplies for 10 children;
$1000: Summer Camp experience for 5 children
 
Community Lodgings serves 1,000+ primarily local Latinx and immigrant residents. About 98% earn low wages, many work more than one job, and limited English proficiency increases economic disparity, leaving them vulnerable to homelessness. To address these challenges, Community Lodgings houses families in its affordable apartment and transitional housing units, ensuring that no family has to spend more than 30% of its income on housing. Families work with case managers to reach their housing, educational, and employment goals. Free programming for adults, like financial literacy mentoring and life-skills workshops on parenting, self-care, and more, also fosters community. Students in neighborhood schools receive mentoring and bilingual academic, social, and emotional support (also free of charge). Offering much more than a place to live, Community Lodgings puts economic stability within reach for families and future generations.

Shelli Vasser Gilliam, Director of Development

3912 Elbert Avenue, Suite 108
Alexandria, VA 22305
703-549-4407
svgilliam@community-lodgings.org
cfp-dc.org/commlodge


HUMAN SERVICES: Basic Needs, Food, & Housing

Miriam's Kitchen

WISH LIST
$100: sleeping bags, blankets, & other essentials;
$500: repairs & emergency utility assistance for recently housed residents;
$1000: 160 meals each for breakfast & dinner
 
For the last 37 years, Miriam’s Kitchen has served a nutritious breakfast to men and women in the District who are chronically homeless, feeding more than 4,000 people each year. Today, it offers "more than a meal": Miriam's is a leading advocate for a more effective and efficient homeless services system. In the dining room, where dinner is now served, case managers work one-on-one to meet guests' needs – providing them with clothing and toiletries, connecting them to critical social services, and helping them find jobs and housing. Other community organizations bring their services (healthcare, legal support, HIV testing) on site to further streamline support. But a stable home for all is the ultimate goal, so Miriam’s offers wrap-around care to 217 formerly homeless individuals who now live in Permanent Supportive Housing, helping them integrate into the community and remain safely housed. Ending chronic and veteran homelessness is possible.

Diva Geddie , Development Manager

2401 Virginia Avenue
Washington, DC 20037
202-452-8926 ext286
diva.geddie@miriamskitchen.org
cfp-dc.org/null


EDUCATION: Adult Literacy & Learning

YouthBuild DC Public Charter School

WISH LIST
$100: GED Test vouchers for 3 GED subject tests;
$500: construction site personal protective equipment for 5 students;
$1000: Chromebooks for 4 students
 
An alternative high school, YouthBuild DC PCS offers a non-traditional school environment for young people seeking to transform their lives. In an intimate, supportive environment, students take classes in English or Spanish, earn a GED, acquire the skills to be successful in college or the workplace, and navigate the transition to adulthood. And this is no mean feat: most students earn low incomes and many qualify for special education, are experiencing homelessness, speak little or no English, begin with low math and reading skills, and are parents themselves. Students alternate between the classroom, construction site (building affordable housing units), and volunteer opportunities (creating community gardens and cleaning up local rivers), with service learning forming an essential component of YBPCS' transformative process. Young people who often feel that they have nothing to offer leave YBPCS with a different perspective: “I built that,” they say. They have built even more.

Claire Libert, Head of School

3220 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20010
202.319.0141
claire.libert@youthbuildpcs.org
cfp-dc.org/layc-ybpcs


HUMAN SERVICES: Girls & Women

Girls on the Run of Montgomery County, MD

WISH LIST
$100: social-emotional learning materials & activities for 1 team;
$500: new running shoes for a team at a high-need school;
$1,000: CPR certification for 50 coaches
 
The CDC reports that, since the pandemic, almost 60% of girls nationwide experience persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. GOTR combines running with social-emotional learning, giving girls in grades 3-8 the space to share their experiences, connect with peers and adult mentors, and see themselves as powerful forces for good. Meeting twice a week for ten weeks, they explore their emotions and build self-confidence in small groups with volunteer coaches. To ensure that every girl who wants to participate can, GOTR supplies running shoes, communicates in English and Spanish, offers accessibility support for girls with disabilities, and provides some 35% of its participants with financial assistance. Since its first season, almost 50,000 girls have crossed the 5K finish line (the program’s celebratory milestone), showing themselves how much they can accomplish.

Amalia Lopez, Deputy Director

11821 Parklawn Drive Suite 125
Rockville, MD 20852
301-881-3801 ext103
amalia@girlsontherunofmoco.org
cfp-dc.org/gotrmoco


HUMAN SERVICES: Health & Mental Health

The Women's Center

WISH LIST
$100: 1 group therapy session for up to 10 people;
$500: play therapy for 1 child for 1 month;
$1000: trauma informed counseling for 1 client for 3 months
 
Mental health matters. For 49 years, The Women's Center has ensured that more than 200,000 individuals who need effective mental health services are not turned away due to lack of income or insurance. Community members for whom counseling is often out of reach, including single parents, people without employment, and those who have experienced trauma, can access high-quality care that meets them where they are: in person or virtual, in English or Spanish, and FOR as little as $5 per session. The Center also provides free, comprehensive domestic violence services that help survivors feel safe and supported along their journeys toward breaking the cycle of violence. Through community collaborations, clients gain access to the housing, food, career, legal, and mediation resources they need to strengthen their lives. Everyone needs a support system. You can be part of that network of care.



8230 Old Court House Rd
Vienna, VA 22182


cfp-dc.org/null


HUMAN SERVICES: Children, Youth, & Families

Housing Up

WISH LIST
$100: youth tutoring and enrichment;
$500: mental health therapy for families;
$1000: move-in fees and leasing costs for a new apartment
 
Housing Up develops affordable housing and offers comprehensive support services to nearly 800 homeless and low-income families – building thriving communities and empowering families to transform their lives. Rapid re-housing for those first experiencing homelessness, permanent supportive housing for the chronically homeless, and affordable rental housing for low-income, working families means a safe place to live. As a "housing first" organization, Housing Up believes that safe, affordable housing is the first and most important step on the road to independence and stability. Once families are safely housed, comprehensive services follow: job readiness and life skills training, employment and career counseling, mental health support, and youth enrichment programs such as gardening, art clubs, and tutoring. The goal is to make homelessness “rare, brief, and nonrecurring”.

Sarah Jaleel, Senior Manager of Communications and Philanthropy

1322 Main Drive, NW
Washington , DC 20012
202-291-5535 ext. 402
sjaleel@housingup.org
cfp-dc.org/null


HUMAN SERVICES: Children, Youth, & Families

Community of Hope

WISH LIST
$100: 1 family resource session at the Bellevue Family Success Center;
$500: prenatal resources & care for 5 patients;
$1000: a safe place to sleep for 1 family for 1 week
 
Since 1980, COH has worked to end family homelessness and improve health to make DC more equitable. A continuum of programs – including homelessness prevention, temporary housing, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing – provides over 1000 families with a safe place to live while helping them work toward self-sufficiency. Case management means job support, budgeting, family stability, and behavioral health, all according to need. New programs include one in partnership with Martha's Table and another at one of the seven new shelters developed by the city government to provide dignified, short-term housing for 50 families. Comprehensive health services in Wards 1, 5, and 8 centers mean clients can access everything they need at one location: preventative and routine health care, wellness services, chronic disease management, dental services, counseling, prenatal and specialty care. Ultimately, we are all one community.

Kelly Sweeney McShane, President and CEO

4 Atlantic Street, SW
Washington, DC 20032
202.407.7780
kmcshane@cohdc.org
cfp-dc.org/null


EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

Horizons Greater Washington

WISH LIST
$100: art curriculum supplies for 1 class during the summer program;
$500: reading materials for all classes at 1 site;
$1000: breakfast, a hot lunch, & snacks for 1 site
 
Chronic absenteeism in DC outpaces the national average. Exacerbated during the pandemic, It disproportionately impacts families who are already furthest farthest from opportunity. Horizons reverses this trajectory for over 400 students annually, providing a safe learning environment for those who cannot otherwise access out-of-school-time programming due to cost, language barriers, or lack of transportation. Saturday and summer programming engages K-8 students in small classes, where teachers use games and puzzles in math class, introduce local artists for creative inspiration, and offer opportunities like mock trial, journalism lessons, and even swim instruction. Learning specialists work individually with struggling students, ensuring every child receives the support they need to build academic confidence. Horizons students are 2 ½ times more likely than their peers to attend school regularly: when learning is supportive and fun, it can be transformative.

Mike Di Marco, Executive Director

3000 Cathedral Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
2029398885
mdimarco@horizonsgreaterwashington.org
cfp-dc.org/hgw


EDUCATION: Enrichment

First Generation College Bound

WISH LIST
$100: SAT registration for 2 students;
$500: care packages for 50 college students;
$1000: enrichment activity for 30 homework club students
 
Consider the complexities of applying to college — grappling with finances, negotiating the SATs, preparing for interviews. For youth who are first in their families to attend college, support systems that ease the way and promise success just aren't there. So FGCB provides the crucial support and guidance that low- and middle-income students need to get into college and succeed. Homework Clubs operated from subsidized housing sites provide learning interventions and academic support to students at all grade levels. The College Access program helps students climb the academic ladder, supporting 600 high schoolers, and over 1,000 college students as they navigate academic requirements and admissions, apply for financial aid, enroll and stay in school, and graduate on time. An extraordinary 84% of FGCB alums hold bachelor's degrees and, of these, more than 15% earn advanced degrees.

Nickole Conyngham, Grants Manager

8101 Sandy Spring Road, Suite 230
Laurel, MD 20707
301-490-0911
nconyngham@fgcb.org
cfp-dc.org/fgcb


EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

Fairfax Library Foundation

WISH LIST
$100: 25 picture books for preschoolers;
$500: guest performer during the Children's Summer Reading Festival;
$1000: Changing Lives through Literature program for 3 offenders
 
Public libraries are the great equalizers in society: all are invited to expand their minds, and anyone can access critical community resources. The Foundation supports Virginia’s largest public library system, developing initiatives for its 23 branches that serve 1.2 million residents. Early literacy outreach representatives bring books and story time visits to preschool children in childcare centers and Head Start classrooms. First-time juvenile offenders participate in a rehabilitative book group, an alternative to formal court action that builds their self-esteem and drastically reduces recidivism. Scholarships for library staff and volunteers enhance their skills, and funding for new books and materials (more than $150,000 annually) allows for the largest possible selection. With less than 1% of Fairfax County’s budget allocated to libraries, the Foundation ensures these essential institutions continue to meet residents’ needs.

Xande Anderer, Director of Development

12000 Government Center Pkwy, Suite 329
Fairfax, VA 22035
(703) 324-8340
xande.anderer@fairfaxlibraryfoundation.org
cfp-dc.org/fairlibrary


HUMAN SERVICES: Life Skills, Training, & Employment

Street Sense Media

WISH LIST
$100: food for a monthly vendor meeting;
$500: new branded visibility vests for 50 vendors;
$1000: professional development conference for 1 staff member
 
Since 2003, Street Sense Media has been changing the story of homelessness – literally. Its biweekly street newspaper features articles and creative writing about poverty and injustice, authored by homeless and formerly homeless individuals (as well as staff and journalists-in-training), who earn an average of $780 per month selling the newspaper in their communities. At the Media Center, 130 men and women experiencing homelessness participate in free weekly workshops in writing, theater, photography, graphic design, digital marketing, and more. Through a stepping-stone model of increasing responsibility and rigor, participants gradually work toward gainful employment while also building key life skills: setting goals, managing relationships, and making responsible decisions. On-site case managers expedite pathways towards housing and healthcare – and help pave the way toward self-sufficiency. Staff and volunteers view participants not as beneficiaries, but as talented, hard-working colleagues whose voices should be heard.



1317 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20005


cfp-dc.org/streetsense


HUMAN SERVICES: Basic Needs, Food, & Housing

birdSEED

WISH LIST
$100: 2 bank wires for down payment assistance on home closings;
$500: 1 year of website hosting;
$1000: 1 year of software to evaluate potential grantee applications
 
Non-White households have been historically excluded from purchasing homes, contributing to a stark racial wealth gap that systemically disadvantages people of color. Rising interest rates and home values in DC exacerbate these challenges, especially for local Black households. birdSEED gives no-strings-attached cash to first-time homebuyers of color so they can transform their lives through homeownership. Through rapid housing justice grants, birdSEED ensures that dozens of residents have the funds they need at closing to purchase their first homes. Homebuyers apply for up to $15,000 in cash assistance that does not have to be repaid. A community-led advisory board evaluates applicants to ensure grant awardees can afford the costs of maintaining a new home. After closing, with less debt and more support, these new homeowners start on the path to generational wealth.

Leslie


Washington, DC 20001

leslie@birdseed.org
cfp-dc.org/birdseed


EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

Alexandria Tutoring Consortium

WISH LIST
$100: 1 month of summer tutoring for a student;
$500: build-your-home-library books for 20 children;
$1000: annual supplies for 66 2nd grade Book Buddies
 
The early elementary years are critically important for children who are learning to read. Targeting K-2 students who need additional instruction outside the classroom, ATC pairs some 283 volunteers with 275 students, providing one-on-one tutoring to ensure no child gets left behind. Tutors work with staff and public school teachers to deliver customized lesson plans twice a week in school, working through students’ specific reading needs. All tutors receive training, materials, and support to incorporate the science of reading in their lessons, including phonics and kinesthetic movement instruction so that students can increase vocabulary and deepen comprehension by sounding out words. This personalized and continually evolving curriculum makes a big difference – 22 out of 23 kindergarteners in the program passed benchmark tests this past spring. ATC helps students at all levels to read and succeed.

Lisa Jacobs, Executive Director


Alexandria, VA 22314

ljacobs@alexandriatutors.org
cfp-dc.org/alextutor


CULTURE: Performing, Literary & Visual Arts

Ally Theatre Company

WISH LIST
$100: 1 formerly incarcerated artist performance;
$500: 1 Voices Out Loud community performance;
$1000: 1 facilitator for programming in jails and prisons
 
At Ally Theatre, art, and advocacy inform each other: theatre is a tool to advocate for policy and social change, while advocacy shapes artistic creation. By generating dialogue between professional artists and people impacted by incarceration, Ally Theatre creates plays that show the ripple effect of incarceration beyond prison walls. Its Voices Unbarred program is rooted in Theatre of the Oppressed, an art form that engages people in exploring and creating solutions to social and political issues. Currently and formerly incarcerated individuals write and stage original works, creating spaces for audiences across the region to participate in collectively reimagining the criminal legal system. An ongoing Legislative Theatre series further invites audiences into interactive community conversations focusing on specific criminal justice issues. Ally Theatre shows that transforming systems begins with transformative experiences.

Lori


Washington, DC 20001

lori@voicesunbarred.org
cfp-dc.org/ally


Stepping Stones Shelter Inc.

WISH LIST
$100: apartment application fees for 1 family;
$500: moving expenses for 2 families going into new homes;
$1000: 5 group workshops with a financial counselor
 
Because shelter should mean more than a room, Stepping Stones offers a central kitchen, family room, playroom, bathrooms, a laundry room, and a basement and attic stocked with donated clothes and supplies. Staff are on hand 24/7 providing food, clothing, case management, employment counseling, and educational programming on such subjects as parenting, budgeting and credit repair. Case managers assess a family's housing barriers, connect them with appropriate options, and refer families to needed community services. Employment counselors help them find jobs and increase their incomes. A post-shelter support program offers employment counseling and referrals to help ensure that families remain housed. Last year, Stepping Stones sheltered 28 families, provided post-shelter support to 50, case management for six families in permanent supportive housing, 32 new families in crisis – 93% of whom left with an income and a stable place to live.

Stacey Gold, Executive Director

1070 Copperstone Court
Rockville, MD 20852
301-251-0567
stacey@steppingstonesshelter.org
cfp-dc.org/


HUMAN SERVICES: Basic Needs, Food, & Housing

Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture

WISH LIST
$100: seeds for the community farm;
$500: 5 new wheelbarrows for the community garden;
$1000: 10-week fresh fruits & vegetables farm share for 5 families
 
Locally and sustainably grown produce is often inaccessible and unaffordable for under-resourced communities. Arcadia was founded to address this supply and demand gap in the local food system by addressing all areas from production to distribution. Its five-acre fruit and vegetable farm grows healthy and sustainable food while a year-long Veteran Farmer Program helps to educate dozens of growers in ecologically sound methods – many have graduated to run their own sustainable farms. Partnering with local schools, churches, and community spaces to deliver food and agriculture education programs, Arcadia encourages young and old residents to try new fruits and vegetables and to start gardens. Mobile Markets stationed in low-income neighborhoods make culturally appropriate, locally grown food convenient and affordable. Good food improves public health, and the time is ripe to nourish our society.

Pam Hess, Executive Director

9000 Richmond Highway
Alexandria, VA 22309
5713848845
pam@arcadiafood.org
cfp-dc.org/arcadia


HUMAN SERVICES: Life skills, Training & Employment

CareerCatchers

WISH LIST
$100: first meeting with a client;
$500: employment preparation and plan for 1 client;
$1000: empower a client to mitigate employment barriers & negotiate a job offer
 
CareerCatchers provides the region’s most vulnerable residents with individualized job counseling so they can move out of poverty and into fulfilling careers. Many of its un- and under-employed clients also experience homelessness, have disabilities, were previously incarcerated, or are domestic violence survivors. Trained career coaches meet them where they are, working with each client one-on-one to create an individualized employment plan. Clients set career and education goals, map their existing skills, and identify barriers. CC then guides them in creating a resume, applying for the free or accessible training they need, and connecting with potential employers. Community volunteers assist clients with job applications and check in regularly to offer additional support. In just one year, this full suite of services helps over 200 clients obtain jobs, adding $7.9 million to the economy.

Mariana McNeill, Digital Fundraising Manager


Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-529-8730
Mana@careercatchers.org
cfp-dc.org/careercatch


HUMAN SERVICES: Immigrant & Refugee Services

Centro Hispano de Frederick

WISH LIST
$100: supplies for 1 week of Exito programming;
$500: printer ink & paper for 6 months;
$1000: ESL books & arts & crafts supplies for women's empowerment program for 1 year
 
Centro Hispano creates life-changing opportunities for the diverse and growing Hispanic and Latinx community in Frederick County, where anti-immigrant sentiment has disconnected many from needed social services. Since 2008, local law enforcement has processed over 1500 Frederick residents for deportation, impacting thousands of families who face increasing racial profiling and stigmatization. Centro Hispano cultivates and strengthens a sense of community, engaging some 10,000 residents annually. Students from 1st grade through high school participate in afterschool STEAM programming while seniors develop relationships and access care three days a week at the Centro offices. Women undergo job skills training to secure better jobs or start their businesses. And everyone can take its free English, citizenship, and computer classes. For 17 years and counting, Centro Hispano empowers residents so they can fully participate in their community.

Karin Abma, Grant Specialist


Frederick, MD 21702
240-394-2656
contact@karinabma.com
cfp-dc.org/centrohispano


HUMAN SERVICES: Legal Services & Justice Programs

Changing Perceptions

WISH LIST
$100: a nutritious meal for 10 individuals;
$500: transportation to appointments for 1 month for 5 participants;
$1000: partial support for 5 office Chromebooks
 
Many individuals involved in DC’s criminal justice system come from low-income households and faced education, employment, and housing challenges prior to incarceration. Changing Perceptions offers them a comprehensive system of support as they reenter society so they can succeed and thrive. Six months before incarcerated individuals are released, CP's staff provides mentorship, case management, and advocacy support. Case management continues for a year so that participants connect with the legal, health, and employment resources they need to meet their goals. Additional job training and emergency funding ensure they can pay their bills while securing meaningful employment. Peer mentorship and monthly breakfasts foster connections, allowing clients to journey together. Founded by and for returning citizens, Changing Perceptions welcomes all with a culture of care so they can seize the second chances they deserve.

Monte Pollard


Washington, DC 20001

monte@changingdcperceptions.org
cfp-dc.org/changingperceptions


EDUCATION: Mentorship & College Access

College Success Foundation - District of Columbia

WISH LIST
$100: supplies for 1 student in the Summer Academic Enrichment Program;
$500: meals for 62 in the Saturday Academy;
$1000: transportation for 1 college tour
 
Since 2007, when CSF-DC began coaching under-resourced students, the college completion rate in Wards 7 and 8 has risen from 5% to 51% for its student participants, well above the national average. Beginning in 7th grade, students receive individualized academic advising, coaching, and college-readiness counseling with an in-school advisor. They engage in diverse extracurriculars, tutoring, and after-school enrichment, on the weekends, and during the summers. Meanwhile, their caregivers attend monthly Parent University programming to connect with the housing, workforce, and healthcare services their families need. Committed to walking alongside students for at least ten years, College Success Foundation - DC continues its case management with college students and graduates to ensure their successful transition into the workforce. CSF-DC builds deep relationships with 1,000 students annually, for whom this support makes a world of difference.

Maggie Nayyar, Director of Development


Washington, DC 20003
202-207-1805
mnayyar@collegesuccessfoundation.org
cfp-dc.org/collsuccess


EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

Comunidad

WISH LIST
$100: reading program for 2 students;
$500:1 laptop for Summer Coding Bootcamp;
$1000: partially paid internship for a high school senior
 
Focused on the Seven Corners area of Falls Church, where the child poverty rate is double the average for Fairfax County, Comunidad equips members of its community with the tools they need to create the futures they want. By listening to community members, who know their needs best, its youth programming emerged entirely co-designed with local leaders. Elementary school children work one-on-one with volunteer reading coaches to strengthen their literacy skills using fun, multisensory tools. Middle and high school students participate in the youth activation program, where they decide on a local community issue to address and are given resources to create their response. A mentorship program further develops their leadership skills and provides opportunities to engage in STEM activities and team sports. Comunidad's flourishing community is rooted in love.

Maralee Gutierrez, Executive Director


Falls Church, VA 22044
7034748195
maralee@comunidadva.org
cfp-dc.org/communidad


CULTURE: Performing, Literary & Visual Arts

Congressional Chorus

WISH LIST
$100: sheet music for 1 chorister for 2 concerts;
$500: rehearsal space for 1 month for the American Youth Chorus;
$1000: full scholarships for 3 adults
 
Congressional Chorus welcomes singers ages 8 to 98 into its multi-generational family, where they share their love of singing with the wider community. In schools where music programs have been cut, it offers students full scholarships to join a youth chorus, developing teamwork and fostering artistic excellence. Adults across the city audition for its hundred-strong choir that presents three major multidisciplinary concerts annually, including a musical cabaret. Seniors come together weekly in its Northeast Senior Singers group, one of the only local programs providing performance-centered experiences for older adults. Accessible transportation and enlarged lyric sheets allow all to participate, while a diverse range of presentation styles (from jazz to spoken word) appeals to many music lovers. At Congressional Chorus, one finds friends of different ages and backgrounds with whom to diversify and champion American music.

LeighAnne Markaity, VP of Board


Washington, DC 20001
202-306-8514
vp@congressionalchorus.org
cfp-dc.org/cc


HUMAN SERVICES: Children, Youth & Families

GoPlay

WISH LIST
$100: cleats & shin guards for 1 athlete;
$500: registration fees & personal equipment for 1 athlete for 2 seasons;
$1000: 4 weeks of sports camp (and childcare for a parent!)
 
GoPlay makes space to play in a city where youth from households with lower incomes have fewer opportunities to participate in sports programs. Underserved families are often unaware of sports opportunities or unable to juggle them alongside multiple jobs. Using targeted outreach, GoPlay works one-on-one with parents to find and register their children for programs, arrange scholarships, and purchase equipment. This personalized approach makes a difference - every year, more than 100 youth participate in a wide variety of sports, including frisbee and trapeze. To secure more field space for young athletes, GoPlay also operates the RFK Stadium Campus, where it installed DC’s first disc golf course and made it free for families and players of all ages. At GoPlay, where diverse groups of young people play side-by-side, recreational space bridges communities.

Anne Corbett, Executive Director

712 H Street NE Unit 834
Washington, DC 20002
202.539.9555
anne@goplaydc.org
cfp-dc.org/goplay


CULTURE: Performing, Literary & Visual Arts

DC History Center

WISH LIST
$100: 5 archive boxes to store a family collection;
$500: 2 field trips for DC classes;
$1000: 2 portable scanners to digitize and preserve the collections of DC residents
 
As one of the city’s oldest civic organizations and the only one focused on its history, the DC History Center has been preserving and elevating the stories of local people, neighborhoods, and institutions for over a century. It houses an expansive collection documenting everyday Washington, available to all patrons upon request. Public programming brings history to life for hundreds of thousands of residents who attend its book talks, panel discussions, exhibits, walking tours, annual conference, and events across all eight wards. Lesson plans, activities, and professional development for local K-12 educators, alongside student field trips, ensure young people can apply historical research methods and connect the past with the present. Local history is made by neighbors on the ground – and the DC History Center ensures we know our past to build our future.

Sajel Swartz, Manager of Foundation and Individual Giving


Washington, DC 20001
202-963-1814
sswartz@dchistory.org
cfp-dc.org/dchistory


CULTURE: Performing, Literary & Visual Arts

EducArte

WISH LIST
$100: 1 children's-sized Brazilian-made hand drum
$500: 1 full scholarship for a semester of Brazilian classes;
$2000: youth Portuguese heritage classes for 1 semester
 
As the only Brazilian performing arts organization in the region, EducArte creates spaces for Brazilian residents to engage in creative expression while generating paid opportunities for Brazilian artists. Its concert series presents some of Brazil’s most popular artists and its education programs have earned support from the Consulate-General of Brazil. Additionally, it partners with institutions like Levine Music and The Clarice to diversify their music offerings. During its samba drumming and dance classes, students of all backgrounds learn from Afro-Brazilian samba masters A Portuguese-language arts academy for Brazilian children connects them with their musical, cultural, and linguistic heritage, paying professional musicians while offering classes for free. EducArte brings together 25,000 people annually to uplift an oft-neglected immigrant community and spark cross-cultural exchange, making this region a vibrant place for all.

Kate Spanos, Director of Operations & Finance


Chevy Chase, MD 20815
5712174700
educarte@educarteinc.org
cfp-dc.org/educarte


HUMAN SERVICES: Veterans & Military Families

Fields 4 Valor Farms

WISH LIST
$100: garden scissors, thorn & leaf stripper, cold weather wash station gloves;
$500: 5 Tine Steel Broadfork, seed plate, silage tarp;
$1000: 2 garden carts
 
Founded by a veteran as a 0.3-acre backyard garden in 2016, F4V is now operated entirely by veterans, who harvest over 1,200 pounds of food on its seven-acre farm. Nationally, one in nine veterans are food insecure, and many live with combat-related disabilities. F4V invites them onto the farm as volunteers to care for chickens, beekeep, tend seedlings in the field, and pick and package fresh produce. During the year, more than 300 brothers and sisters-in-arms grow and deliver free vegetables, eggs, honey, and herbs to their peers – enough to cover the weekly produce budget for a family of four. This practice of volunteering together simultaneously nurtures relationships, imparts valuable skills, and provides a sense of purpose. As F4V practices sustainable farming, it sustains the physical, mental, social, and emotional health of its community.

Erin Nelson


Brandywine, MD 20613
8598144328
erin@fields4valor.org
cfp-dc.org/fields4


CULTURE: Performing, Literary & Visual Arts

Friends of the Library, Montgomery County

WISH LIST
$100: materials for summer STEM program;
$500: stipends for middle school Creative Writing workshops;
$1000: 2 Welcoming Library book collections
 
Formed by residents more than four decades ago to make their good library system great, FOLMC invests in libraries as vital public infrastructure, especially for neighbors facing educational, income, employment, and housing inequities. It funds county-wide programming designed for these communities, including a mobile outreach vehicle to reach more people and a summer reading program that engages students outside of school. Across 22 individual branches, FOLMC supports 400 programs that allow residents to practice yoga, take home activity kits, and partake in STEM projects. Throughout the year, it also connects elementary school students with STEM and music; hosts speakers on current and cultural issues; and runs a creative writing contest for middle school students. FOLMC celebrates the county’s diversity and makes it a vibrant place to live for all, one library branch at a time.

Lysette House, Deputy Director


Rockville, MD 20850
(240) 776 - 6001
office@folmc.org
cfp-dc.org/friendslibrary


HUMAN SERVICES: Basic Needs, Food, & Housing

Gaithersburg HELP

WISH LIST
$100: food to feed 5 individuals for 3-5 days;
$500: 13 trips to medical or social services;
$1000: 20 prescription medications
 
Though Montgomery County is a largely affluent area, nearly half the residents Gaithersburg HELP serves earn annual incomes below $15,000, insufficient for a family of four. This all-volunteer organization ensures their basic needs are met. Clients can schedule a same-day pickup at its food pantry, stocked with fresh, canned, packaged, and frozen foods (including baby food and formula). Seniors and clients with disabilities rely on volunteer drivers to attend their medical and social service appointments. Uninsured and underinsured clients are referred to participating pharmacies that accept funding for medication and supplies (like insulin), as well as referrals to obtain ongoing assistance. More than 160 volunteers provide over 200,000 meals, make approximately 876 trips, and pay for 283 prescriptions annually. For more than 6000 English- and Spanish-speaking households, Gaithersburg HELP is a literal lifeline.

Robert Ficke, Grants Coordinator


Gaithersburg, MD 20878
301 216 2510
grants@gaithersburghelp.org
cfp-dc.org/gaithershelp


HUMAN SERVICES: Children, Youth & Families

L.E.E.P to College Foundation

WISH LIST
$100:
$10 gift cards for 10 volunteer mentors;
$500: summer STEM camp supplies for 30 middle school students;
$1000: 4 months rent payment
 
On average, 9500 Maryland students drop out every year, with the highest rate occurring among African-American and Hispanic youth in Prince George’s County. L2C provides these underserved middle and high school students with year-round mental health services, mentorship, service learning opportunities, leadership development, academic coaching, college preparation, and financial literacy support – all at no cost. An annual mental health summit and youth leadership conference allow youth to socialize, practice emotional wellness, and prepare for transitions to college and beyond. Students learn entrepreneurship and public speaking skills, are matched with paid internships, and participate in STEM camps. First-generation college students receive application guidance and attend week-long college tours. Since 2013, 100% of L2C scholars have graduated from high school and enrolled in college, proving that its personalized approach pays off.

Lisa Rowe, ED


Largo, MD 20774

lrowe@leeptocollegefoundation.org
cfp-dc.org/leep


HUMAN SERVICES: Basic Needs, Food, & Housing

Langley Residential Support Services

WISH LIST
$100: 1 month of MetroAccess fare for 1 client;
$500: dental surgery for 1 client;
$1000: refrigerator, carpeting, or water heater for a group home
 
Founded during the height of the disability rights movement in 1983, Langley empowers adults with developmental disabilities to live full, rich lives. When individuals join its community, they receive a lifelong commitment of support. Each individual collaborates with program staff to outline their care needs and personal goals. Then, using a person-centered approach, staff help them foster their independence, providing thousands of hours of one-on-one drop-in support at their homes every year. Langley also operates in six group homes, where support professionals provide care after work during the week, across weekends, and overnight if intensive services are needed. As residents receive mentorship in grocery shopping, cooking, managing finances, and maintaining social relationships, their confidence and self-sufficiency grow. For some 44 individuals, Langley is home, where they can build family simply by being themselves.

Emily Hincher, Development & Communications Manager


Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 893-0068 X1800
emily@lrss.org
cfp-dc.org/lrs


HUMAN SERVICES: Community & Civic Engagement

Life After Release

WISH LIST
$100:1 week of the Justice and Liberation Institute for 1 person;
$500: 1 week of workforce development classes for 5 people;
$1000: 1 week of civic education classes for 10
 
LAR began as a group of incarcerated Black mothers working together to build a self-determined life after release. Staff, who have all been impacted by incarceration, collaborate with directly impacted community members to break the cycle of policing, supervision, and incarceration. Individuals and families learn to navigate the criminal justice system through skills training, expungement clinics, and legal support. Family retreats, support groups, therapy, and healing spaces ensure that families rebuild strong bonds after a traumatic experience. Formerly incarcerated women participate in job coaching and workforce development training, as well as an 8-week cohort where they practice self-love in a safe community. Pre-trial, LAR also offers women alternatives to incarceration through an education-based diversion program. More than a service provider, LAR empowers some 500 Black and brown individuals annually to advocate for abolishing systemic inequities.

Rita Gray, Director of Operations


Suitland, MD 20747
2407030555
rita@lifeafterrelease.org
cfp-dc.org/lar


HUMAN SERVICES: Life skills, Training & Employment

Negotiation Works

WISH LIST
$100: 3 classes for 1 woman on navigating the housing agency;
$500: 6 classes for 1 on negotiating custody & visitation arrangements;
$1000: 8-session employment course
 
Conflict resolution skills are essential for navigating everyday encounters with landlords, employers, and others, but many historically marginalized people who have experienced trauma lack access to such skill-building resources. Negotiation Works partners with community organizations to provide custom courses for their clients who are returning from incarceration, experiencing homelessness, living in domestic violence shelters, or recovering from substance abuse. During sessions, participants role-play scenarios familiar with their lived experiences practicing active listening, effective communication, and other strategies. Course graduates become ambassadors, meeting regularly to continue mutual problem-solving. Partners also take part in professional development workshops so they have the tools to better advocate on their clients’ behalf. Improved relationships, employment, and housing situations cumulate impact, one positive interaction at a time.

Melissa Reinberg


Washington, DC 20016

melissa@negotiation-works.org
cfp-dc.org/negotiation


HUMAN SERVICES: Basic Needs, Food, & Housing

Nourishing Bethesda

WISH LIST
$100: weekend food bag for 17 low-income children;
$500: 1 dozen eggs for 175 recipients;
$1000: 210 packages of fresh produce
 
Founded at the height of the pandemic to fight food insecurity, NB now provides nutritious food and wraparound resources to nearly 5,000 individuals every month. Despite being an area with above-average household incomes, Bethesda has seen double-digit increases in residents of color living below the poverty line, including some 1,100 hungry children, who lack robust support systems. Each week, NB distributes food out of the BCC Rescue Squad and delivers to other community sites where residents pick up food, clothing, and children’s books, as well as participate in conversational English classes. Trained volunteers help identify them for dental and medical assistance, food stamps, cash assistance, and other social services. Coordinating 600 volunteers to distribute over 460,000 pounds of food annually, NB addresses food insecurity in Bethesda while making other intersectional issues visible.

John F. Ross, Executive Director

5816 Wyngate Drive
Bethesda, MD 20817
3014372752
john@nourishingbethesda.org
cfp-dc.org/nourishbethesda


HUMAN SERVICES: Children, Youth & Families

Parent Encouragement Program

WISH LIST
$100: materials for 1 Family Resiliency Program Facilitator;
$500: 8-week class for 1 caregiver;
$1000: 4-week online class for 4 caregivers
 
Parents who use an encouraging and positive parenting approach help their children grow up to be confident and resilient. For more than four decades, PEP has trained parents and caregivers to do just that. Its 8-week program uses a peer-led model that convenes small groups of parents living in under-resourced communities. Parents discuss topics like managing anger, supporting their children’s mental health, and setting limits – as they role-play with each other, they learn to adapt parenting strategies to their own familial and cultural contexts. Critically, facilitators are graduates of the program who create a non-judgmental space where parents feel less alone. School and community partnerships and an online platform make PEP’s tools and approaches more widely available. By building long-lasting connections between parents and children, PEP ensures the confidence and wellness of the next generation.

Kathy Hedge, Executive Director

10100 Connecticut Avenue
Kensington, MD 20895
o 301-929-8824
Kathy.Hedge@PEPparent.org
cfp-dc.org/pep


HUMAN SERVICES: Children, Youth & Families

Resilience Across Borders

WISH LIST
$100: 1 hour of teacher training;
$500: materials for 30 classrooms;
$1000: one Resilience parent education program
 
Almost half of all children in the country experience mental health challenges, but only 7.4% attend even one mental health visit a year. Most of these children face financial barriers to accessing support, so RAB ensures that those from economically marginalized communities receive high-quality, proactive mental health interventions in the classroom. Local educators use RAB’s research-informed, group therapy approach that focuses on helping children strengthen social connections and bounce back from difficult experiences. Teachers use lesson plans, animated videos, relaxation exercises, and group activities to build students' resilience skills. By training educators, RAB reaches some 400 students across underserved elementary schools and in after-school programming provided by community partners. Every child deserves access to mental health support – with RAB, they build coping mechanisms they can use for life.

Dr. Mary Alvord, Founder & Board President


Silver Spring, MD 20914
301-257-9005
malvord@resilienceacrossborders.org
cfp-dc.org/rab


EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

School Leader Lab

WISH LIST
$100: a microgrant for school leaders to create change in their schools;
$500: 1 staff event for a participating school leader;
$1000: Teacher Leader Cohort for 1 teacher
 
On average, 1 in 4 DC public school leaders leave their role or profession each year – leaders of color in under-resourced schools disproportionately experience burnout that necessitates this decision. School Leader Lab is the only organization providing professional development opportunities for local school leaders in a safe space. Some 400 principals, assistant principals, and teacher leaders participate in months-long small group cohorts, building community as they learn and practice real-world leadership skills. Through one-on-one coaching, school visits, wellness activities, and an off-site residency, leaders develop the skills they need to deliver rigorous, high-quality academic instruction, implement interventions for their students, and approach their leadership using an antiracist framework. With 81% of School Leader Lab participants remaining in school leadership positions, its long-term impact on educators and students is invaluable.

Erica Beal


Silver Spring, MD 20905

erica@schoolleaderlab.org
cfp-dc.org/leaderlab


EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

Shaw Community Center

WISH LIST
$100: art & school supplies for 1 youth for 1 month;
$500: 6 hours of small group programming for 20 youth;
$1000: food for a family of four for 1 month
 
For more than three decades, SCC has been a place of refuge for families of color in the increasingly gentrified Shaw neighborhood and is currently its sole community-based provider of out-of-school-time programs. Throughout the year, 150 children in grades K-12 engage after school and during summer camps. Individual reading, math, and literacy instruction, as well as science project assistance, strengthens students’ academic skills at their own pace. Youth collaborate in small group STEAM projects and arts enrichment, learning to code and design webpages, training as film and production interns, and designing fashion apparel to sell at local markets. Community members of color serve as mentors and offer youth apprenticeships and jobs. SCC’s emphasis on positive role models, social-emotional learning, and arts-based education ensures that youth feel culturally connected and empowered to transition into the workforce.

Peg Hacskaylo, Grant Administrator


Washington, DC 20001
202/258-5025
peghacskaylo@gmail.com
cfp-dc.org/shaw


HUMAN SERVICES: Children, Youth & Families

Small Things Matter

WISH LIST
$100: 1 dozen eggs each for 30 families;
$500: fresh produce bags for 20 families of 4;
$1000: whole roaster chickens for 100 families
 
STM was founded in 2017 to help Takoma Park neighbors in need through acts of kindness. Today, over 100 volunteers every week serve some 7,000 food-insecure residents in Takoma Park, Silver Spring, and Rockville. A food rescue team sources donations from farmers' markets and distributors 5 days a week. Culturally relevant food is purchased through grant funding and monetary donations. Food is then distributed at drive-bys and delivered to apartment buildings, schools, senior centers, and community pantries, where residents shop for what they want market-style. In churches, schools, and businesses, children pick out brand-new books to take home while a teen-led crafting program makes scarves, blankets, hats, and cups for seniors. This mighty grassroots effort distributes 1 million pounds of food and 5,000 books a year, showing that small things do matter.

Roxanne Yamashita


Rockville, MD 20853

thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com
cfp-dc.org/smallthings


NATURE: Environment & Animal Services

Soul Trak Outdoors

WISH LIST
$100: equipment rental for nature programming;
$500: overnight for 1 DC youth at Shenandoah Park;
$1000: year-round programming transportation for 45 youth
 
Communities of color are often most impacted by environmental inequities, yet the least involved in decision-making. To bridge this gap, Soul Trak engages underrepresented community members in sustained education, stewardship, and advocacy to develop them as outdoor leaders. A year-long program brings a diverse cohort of professionals together for workshops, immersive experiences, and community projects. As they connect in outdoor spaces, they practice becoming advocates for sustainable ecological practices and environmental justice. A similar college-level program encourages student leaders to engage their peers as ambassadors. Throughout the year, individuals and families participate in Soul Trak’s rock climbing, kayaking, and hiking excursions, with over 80% of participants exploring their respective public lands and waterways for the first time. Being in nature leaves a lasting impact on people – and everyone deserves access.

Tyrhee Moore


Washington, DC 20020

tyrhee@soultrak.org
cfp-dc.org/soultrak


HUMAN SERVICES: Children, Youth & Families

The Frederick Center

WISH LIST
$100: 1 month of support groups for 1 child;
$500: food for all support groups for 1 month;
$1000: 1 year of peer support & programs for 1 child
 
What started as a youth-led group for LGBTQ+ teens to find peer support is now an organization built by and for the LGBTQ+ community. The Frederick Center convenes over a dozen regular social groups for 500 LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. Professional, trauma-informed facilitators create environments where they can share their lived experiences, form bonds, and affirm and support each other. Throughout the year, Frederick Center partners with other local community organizations to offer social and educational events, including family game nights, drag story-times, and HIV testing drives. It also brings more than 20,000 people together for Frederick Pride, which began as a humble Pride picnic in the park in 2012 and is now Maryland’s second-largest Pride Festival. As the LGBTQ+ community faces mounting discrimination, the safe spaces The Frederick Center provides are critical.

Martin Scarborough, Development Director


Frederick, MD 21701
301-462-9208
mscarborough@thefrederickcenter.org
cfp-dc.org/fredcenter


HUMAN SERVICES: Legal Services & Justice Programs

The Second Look Project

WISH LIST
$100: client communication for 3 months;
$500: 2 hours of an expert's time to review a client's case;
$1000: a month of litigation costs for 1 client
 
DC faces complex and compounding mass incarceration issues that disproportionately impact residents of color. SLP provides direct representation and advocacy for those who are eligible to reduce their sentences. Its clients were convicted before the age of 25 and have been incarcerated for more than 15 years in federal prisons across the country because DC is not a state. Building trust over the phone, SLP navigates multiple institutions to advocate for better treatment during incarceration, petitions the court to release them from prison, and offers wraparound support when they return. SLP also trains over 65 teams of pro bono attorneys to provide similar high-quality representation and partners with regional organizers to advocate for continued criminal legal reform. Since its founding in 2020, SLP has saved its clients from serving 1183 years in prison collectively.

Maggie Birkel, Deputy Director

200 Massachusetts Avenue NW 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 394-0767
MBirkel@secondlookdc.org
cfp-dc.org/secondlook


CULTURE: Performing, Literary & Visual Arts

The VIVA School

WISH LIST
$100: 1 pair of pointe shoes for 1 student;
$500: annual attire package for 4 students;
$1000: professional performance ticket for 12 students
 
The VIVA School develops young dancers of color into leaders who will both transform the field on stage and in the board room. It emerged in 2017 as a collaboration with local students after they expressed the need for a space and the opportunity to train as professional dancers. Beginning with dance fundamentals at the age of six, students become skilled in a variety of dance forms, enhancing their technique with numerous solo and group performances each year. The VIVA School applies the rigor of its dance classes across its leadership development programming, where students learn critical thinking and effective communication skills, and are coached through their postsecondary options starting in 11th grade. This intensive and highly collaborative environment works: 100% of VIVA students are accepted into college, including esteemed programs in Chicago, New York, and California.

Kelli Quinn


Washington, DC 20001

kelli@thevivaschool.org
cfp-dc.org/viva


HUMAN SERVICES: Health, Wellness, & Senior Services

WeCareDMV Day Services

WISH LIST
$100: 1 week of arts & crafts supplies for 10 people;
$500: 1 month of upkeep for one van;
$1000: 1 week of administration & operating cost for Day services
 
WCDMV empowers people with disabilities to live independently and with dignity. Its adult clients have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, invisible disabilities, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Many also experience poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and neglect. When they enter the doors of WCDMV’s center, they are greeted warmly and invited to participate in meaningful activities. Each client develops a care plan based on their needs and desires, as well as age, medical stability, psychological status, and cultural diversity. Center staff support them through various social, physical, educational, and recreational activities, engage them in day outings, and administer medical treatment if needed. Outside of the center, WCDMV provides day support in residential communities, building individuals’ social connections and life skills. For WCDMV, every person is valued and deserves care.

Trevor Depass, Executive Director

1100 New Jersey Avenue SE Suite 2190
Washington, DC 20003
2022691500
tdepass@wcdmv.org
cfp-dc.org/wecare


HUMAN SERVICES: Health, Wellness, & Senior Services

Vida Senior Centers

WISH LIST
$100: winter clothing for 150 seniors (gloves, boots, & hats): 500: 20
$25 transportation gift cards;
$1000: 40
$25 gift cards to help with grocery shopping
 
Vida is our city's largest dining site serving Hispanic and Latino seniors with low incomes and has been their home community for over half a century. Despite facing poverty, language challenges, ageism, and discrimination that threaten to un-house them, many of its seniors are determined to age in place and live independently. Vida offers 135 free programs every week for 1,900 seniors annually at its two facilities. Daily lunches and individualized nutritional guidance accompany social dancing, music, exercise, handicrafts, and educational sessions on art and literature. Seniors prepare for citizenship tests and receive support in applying for public benefits. Vida’s Spanish-speaking staff also provide chronic disease management alongside mental health support. At Vida, Friday afternoons end with happy hour, every senior’s birthday is celebrated, and one can always find seniors joyously sharing Latin culture with their neighbors.




Washington, DC 20009


cfp-dc.org/vida


HUMAN SERVICES: Basic Needs, Food, & Housing

Washington Housing Conservancy

WISH LIST
$100: a digital community platform for 125 households;
$500: 2 community building, resident-led events;
$1000: partial purchase of a WHC property
 
Nearly half of all renters in the region spend more than 30% of their income on rent. WHC uses an innovative mix of low-cost private capital, traditional financing, and philanthropic support to compete with private developers. Since 2019, it has purchased five mixed-income rental properties, keeping housing stable and affordable for more than 2600 residents (over 70% of whom are people of color). Its rent relief fund helps residents address immediate needs, while a credit reporting service allows residents to establish credit and improve their score by paying rent below market rate. Most residents have decreased their debt, increased their savings, and improved their housing stability. With some 220,000 households in the region at risk of displacement, WHC’s timely and sustainable model ensures that properties remain affordable for decades to come.

Kathy Smith, Director, Development


Washington, DC 20005
2024813258
ksmith@washhousing.org
cfp-dc.org/whc


CULTURE: Performing, Literary & Visual Arts

Wheaton Arts Parade

WISH LIST
$200: supplies for a public art project;
$500: honoraria for 7 performers at the annual festival;
$1000: 5 community art-making workshops
 
Despite its 2005 designation as an Arts & Entertainment District, Wheaton continued to lack public art spaces until Wheaton Arts Parade's founding in 2017. It first brought art to Wheaton’s streets through an annual parade and festival, which has since grown to include over 2000 residents and 500 artists–initiating projects like Yarn Bomb that bring women together to crochet designs hung along the parade route. Throughout the year, professional and amateur artists incubate, show, and sell their work at the WAP Gallery, as well as host community events like artmaking, and puppet shows. WAP also commissions art projects like community mosaics and murals (now a defining town feature). Beyond activating Wheaton as an arts destination, WAP creates spaces for its diverse communities to celebrate Wheaton’s beauty in new ways.

Dan


Wheaton, MD 20902

danthompson@wheatonartsparade.org
cfp-dc.org/wheaton


Page 9

NATURE: Environment & Animal Services

Friends of the National Arboretum

WISH LIST
$100: seeds for 1 school garden;
$500: one day of extended hours at the U.S. National Arboretum for working families;
$3000: training for 30 school garden educators
 
As the National Arboretum’s primary nonprofit partner, FONA ensures that the arboretum’s green space (one of the few on DC’s east side) is accessible to all residents, as are family festivals, concerts, and other events. Its flagship Washington Youth Garden program welcomes thousands of learners annually while growing and distributing more than 8,000 pounds of produce to local families and expanding community access to fresh food. Offsite, FONA supports educators by strengthening school gardens and delivering hands-on outdoor lessons. Year-round, high school students of color participate in paid agricultural internships, developing their farming, carpentry, and cooking skills as they become youth leaders. FONA instills a love of nature in young residents and uses the outdoors to advance health and educational equity for all.

Beatrice Dermer, Director of Foundation and Government Relations

3501 New York Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20002
202-918-1848
grants@fona.org
cfp-dc.org/friendsarboretum


New Partners Community Solar

WISH LIST
$100: 2 months of electricity subsidies;
$500: 2 high-efficiency solar panels;
$1000: application fees for 2 community solar utility interconnections
 
New Partners operates at the intersection of a critical environmental goal (combating climate change) and a critical social goal (addressing the economic needs of vulnerable populations). It produces clean, renewable energy in a variety of locations – south-facing walls, shade canopies, green roofs – partnering with nonprofit housing developers and distributing all energy benefits to families and individuals with low incomes, many of whom are disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change. (Respiratory illnesses like childhood asthma are aggravated by pollution and traditional energy costs make already-expensive housing even less affordable.) New Partners also promotes job training that enables residents with low incomes and returning citizens to participate in and benefit from, the green economy. While building access has been challenging, New Partners is committed to ongoing development and to the new jobs that will help us recover.



799 9th Street NW, Suite 500
Washington , DC 20001


cfp-dc.org/newpartners


Page 12

CULTURE: Youth & Community Arts

Dance Place

WISH LIST
$100: 4 hours of rehearsal space for a local artist;
$500: 1 semester of Kids on the Move classes for a single family;
$1000: field trip for 75 summer camp students
 
In its fourth decade as a cultural anchor for dancers at all stages of the creative process, Dance Place uses dance to empower artists who have been historically and systemically excluded from the field. Eight yearly residencies offer artists space, connections, and resources, with an emphasis on supporting Indigenous and local artists, nationally renowned choreographers, and artists with a disability. Every year, thousands of audience members connect with culturally and stylistically diverse choreography at performances and two annual festivals; and every month, hundreds of youth and adults engage in classes at Dance Place. Off-campus, young people participate in master classes at schools and community centers across the city, engage in after-school and summer creative arts programs, and take field trips to watch performances. Dance Place builds a safe and supportive community through joyous movement.

Rebecca Gushue, Individual Giving Manager

3225 8th Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017
202-269-1600
rebeccag@danceplace.org
cfp-dc.org/danceplace


Page 13

CULTURE: Performing, Literary, & Visual Arts

1st Stage

WISH LIST
$100: open captioning for 1 production;
$500: 1 wireless over-ear microphone/bodypack;
$1000: health insurance for 1 performer per production
 
As the only professional theater organization in Tysons and the surrounding area, 1st Stage is a cultural hub for more than 15,000 people. Annually, artists from diverse backgrounds write and perform 165 dynamic modern plays about diverse social issues that spark important conversations. 1st Stage advances audience members' connection with each other and the arts by facilitating pre- and post-show discussions and curating a rotating gallery of relevant local artwork. It also provides a space and platform for other grassroots community organizations and its paid fellowships allow emerging arts professionals to further their careers in artistic leadership, stage management, and more. By crafting family theater productions with early childhood developmental milestones in mind and offering all county high school students free season passes, 1st Stage connects people of all ages with the arts.

Emily Wall, Associate Producer

PO Box 9384
Tysons, VA 22102
703 854 1856
emilywall@1ststage.org
cfp-dc.org/1ststage


NATURE

Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital

WISH LIST
$100: closed captioning for a virtual post-screening talk;
$500:post-screening moderator or panelist honorarium;
$1000: travel & hotel costs for an international filmmaker
 
DCEFF works at the intersection of environmental storytelling and activism, using the transformative power of film to offer solutions to our planet’s climate crisis. Its annual festival, year-round programming, and digital media catalog highlight world-class documentaries, narrative features, and shorts – through which audiences connect with critical environmental topics, from climate activism to parkland preservation, ocean health, animal conservation, Indigenous rights, plastic pollution, and more. Most of its screenings are free to the public and accompanied by discussions with filmmakers and special guests. Intentional partnerships bring specific programming to the youth and under-resourced communities most often impacted by environmental injustice. DCEFF also offers additional funding and training for emerging filmmakers of color, amplifying diverse voices to advance our understanding of the environment and promote environmental stewardship for all.



1800 M Street, NW, P.O. Box 33309
Washington, DC 20033


cfp-dc.org/eff


CULTURE: Youth & Community Arts

interPLAY Orchestra

WISH LIST
$100: sheet music & supplies for 2 orchestra members;
$500: instruments for 2 orchestra members;
$1000: annual activity fee for 1 orchestra member with financial need
 
interPLAY changes the perception of people with disabilities by giving adults with intellectual, developmental, or other challenges the opportunity to perform alongside professional musicians. Each season, it presents up to three (often sold-out) concerts at the Music Center at Strathmore, featuring everything from Bartok concertos to Brazilian jazz. Through intense listening and repetition, interPLAY orchestra members master their percussion parts one note at a time before sharing the stage with musicians from nationally recognized orchestras and jazz ensembles. Orchestra members also participate in weekly rehearsals–including a virtual practice night on Tuesdays–that strengthen their sense of belonging; many count rehearsals as one of the high points of their week. At interPLAY, all can hone their musical abilities, and everyone can enjoy an uplifting musical experience.

Emily Park, Executive Artistic Director

4500 East West Highway Suite 150
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-678-3880
emilypark@interplayorchestra.org
cfp-dc.org/interplay


Page 14

The Andrew Keegan Theatre

WISH LIST
$100: 1 PLAY-RAH-KA education program scholarship;
$500: 10 mainstage tickets for low-income DC residents;
$2000: partial artist stipend
 
From its 120-seat theater in the heart of DC, Keegan offers a uniquely intimate experience that is about connection through performing arts. It has built a reputation for presenting some of DC's boldest and most powerful shows, receiving 21 Helen Hayes Awards and more than 100 nominations. Its pipeline for developing artists begins in school, where PLAY-RAH-KA programming annually immerses 2,000 students in hands-on storytelling experiences and workshop-to-stage programs. The Keegan also invests in emerging and underrepresented playwrights through The Boiler Room Series, working with artists from the spark of creation through to world premiere. KeeganConnect initiatives work to increase access through affordable ticket initiatives and experiences to foster connections that flourish beyond the theater. Reaching upwards of 15,000 visitors annually, Keegan has become an important part of the vibrant DC metropolitan scene.

Alexis Hartwick, Managing Director

1742 Church Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-265-3767
ahartwick@keegantheatre.com
cfp-dc.org/keegantheatre


Page 15

CULTURE: Arts for Youth

ClancyWorks Dance Company

WISH LIST
$100: supplies for 1 dance program;
$500: racial equity-focused financial education program for 1 artist;
$1000: Dance Educators Training Institute for 2 teachers
 
Founded to bring high-quality arts education to everyone, ClancyWorks uses dance to advance positive social action. Its sought-after performances and choreographic collaborations explore social themes, reaching thousands of people across all ages and backgrounds nationwide. Most performances are free and accompanied by post-show dialogue sessions. Through its residencies in local schools, students learn that creative movement can help them solve conflicts, get better grades, develop leadership skills, and respond to global challenges. Senior communities across the region participate in workshops where they tell their personal stories, interpreting them creatively through movement. Additional intergenerational dance storytelling workshops give students and seniors spaces to connect and create together. Professional development training for artists and educators includes online programming on using the arts as a tool to deconstruct racism. At ClancyWorks, dance knows no boundaries.

Rachel Martin, Grants Coordinator

PO Box 3111
Silver Spring, MD 20918
301-717-9271
grants@clancyworks.org
cfp-dc.org/clancyworks


Carpe Diem Arts

WISH LIST
$100: a week of arts camp for 1 child;
$250: 1 Arts Alive performance for a low-income senior residential community;
$1000: 1 set of ukuleles for Ukes on the Move program
 
Carpe Diem Arts builds cross-cultural and multi-generational community through shared artistic experiences, inspiring us to create the change we want to see in the world. Starting in preschool, young children in under-resourced communities develop new skills through arts enrichment programs. Older students practice new art forms after school and connect the arts with relevant social issues during summer camps. Across Montgomery County, ukulele lessons in schools inspire budding musicians; creative programs in senior centers engage older adults and foster social connection; and community dances offer residents of all ages a space to celebrate. Since launching a virtual lunchtime singalong as an antidote to isolation during the pandemic, Carpe Diem Arts has hosted it for over 1,400 consecutive days, leading one participant to describe it as “a roomful of new friends.”

Busy Graham, Executive Director

9207 Long Branch Parkway
Silver Spring, MD 20901
301-466-0183
busygraham@carpediemarts.org
cfp-dc.org/carpediem


Dance Loft on 14/MOVEIUS Contemporary Ballet

WISH LIST
$100: equipment for rental artists;
$500: scholarship for a semester of class, performance, costume & family tickets;
$1,000: 1 ballet piece & performance at an external venue
 
As the only major performing arts center (and soon-to-be green arts campus) in Ward 4, Dance Loft incubates, presents, and provides space for local artists while offering youth and adults affordable dance lessons. Dancers in its professional ballet company are paid a living wage, performing socially conscious and critically acclaimed choreography. Artists rent subsidized rehearsal space at accessible hours, a rare find in today’s market. Public school students, who otherwise lack access to quality arts education in their neighborhoods, participate in bilingual world dance lessons and take free field trips to view professional performances. Semesters culminate in a fun, community-oriented showcase for these younger students and performance opportunities for adult dance students. Community members drive Dance Loft's work, funding a new, permanent space for artists and, simultaneously, much-needed affordable housing for neighbors -- the power of art and social change intertwined.

Diana Movius, Founding Executive & Artistic Director

4618 14th Street NW, Suite Fl2
Washington, DC 20011
202-621-3670
diana@danceloft14.org
cfp-dc.org/danceloft


CULTURE: Performing, Literary, and Visual Arts

Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC

WISH LIST
$100: 1 GenOUT Youth Chorus scholarship;
$500: 10 concert tickets for LGBTQ+ youth, veterans & responders;
$1000: outreach event for a fellow LGBTQ+ nonprofit
 
GMCW centers the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating the full spectrum of expression and human identity. Now four decades old, it has a national and international reputation for excellence, performing at historic events like President Obama’s inauguration and the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act. Its five ensembles offer over 100 community performances annually, free for local students, veterans, first responders, and other residents. GenOUT Youth Chorus, DC’s first and only LGBTQ+ youth chorus, gives young participants the space to explore music and social justice together. Across the country, in its Equality Tours, 250+ performers show that art can be a vehicle for change. A leader in the LGBTQ+ choral movement, GMCW knows that singing can be joyous, loving, and community-affirming – and that it can nurture, inspire, and spread a message of equality and dignity for all.

Andre Coleman, Director of Development

1140 3rd Street NE, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20002
2403935094
acoleman@gmcw.org
cfp-dc.org/gmcw


CULTURE: Performing, Literary, & Visual Arts

GALA Hispanic Theatre

WISH LIST
$100: tickets for a GALA production for a family of 4;
$500: year-round Paso Nuevo program for 2 students;
$1000: 1 actor for a GALita production
 
A unique fusion of professional bilingual theater, youth development, and community development in Columbia Heights, GALA mounts a wide range of works by artists from Spain, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the US. These accessible performances engage some 20,000 audience members a year, including local pre-K to 12th-grade students. Through its year-round, award-winning arts education and training program, Paso Nuevo, Latinx youth explore their cultural identities in a safe and supportive environment. They work together on multi-arts performances that combine writing, acting, dance, and music while building theater, academic, and workforce skills. Some 85% of program graduates pursue college or land a job. Showcasing the breadth of Latino culture through the arts, GALA doesn’t just deepen cross-cultural understanding; it builds a thriving Latinx community, too.



2437 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20010


cfp-dc.org/gala


Page 16

CULTURE: Youth & Community Arts

DC Youth Orchestra Program

WISH LIST
$100: 1 conductor's score & a set of orchestra parts for 1 ensemble;
$500: 1 quarter-sized violin to be loaned to a student;
$1000: 1 year of tuition assistance for 1 student
 
DCYOP is the only pre-K-12th grade program in the region that makes high-quality music education available to all interested students regardless of their circumstances or ability. Students with no experience learn the basics in beginner group lessons before advancing to one of its ten ensembles, performing in at least one concert each semester. Advanced students continue honing their confidence and solo performance skills through a summer intensive, and exceptional musicians receive mentoring, private lessons, a tuition scholarship, and other personalized opportunities to prepare for music careers. Free loaner instruments, deeply discounted tuition on its 100+ classes a year, and tuition-free after-school instruction at partner sites encourage more students to further their musical study. Through DCYOP, students have played for US presidents and alongside world-renowned musicians – transforming their lives and shaping the future of music.

Loretta Thompson, Executive Director

7010 Piney Branch Road NW
Washington, DC 20012
(202) 795-8550 ext707
loretta@dcyop.org
cfp-dc.org/dcyop


Page 17

CULTURE: Performing, Literary, and Visual Arts

BlackRock Center for the Arts

WISH LIST
$100: art supplies for 6 students in after-school programs;
$650: summer camp scholarship through the Sonie Matthews Fund for 1 youth;
$1000: performing artist's fees
 
Founded upon the idea that a cultural institution can be the civic heart of a community, BlackRock provides arts access for all in upper Montgomery County. When the pandemic brought to light the community’s basic needs, BlackRock opened its center to provide food and other necessities, serving over 1,100 households every week and expanding into what is now a new human services hub nearby. Since reopening its in-person arts programming, a diverse schedule of free and affordable festivals, live performances, exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, and community events annually welcomes 25,000 people. Community-based theater productions, youth summer camps, and an afterschool program bring more opportunities to the public. With a special focus on curating programs for its Hispanic, Black, and LGBTQ+ populations, BlackRock is a place where the arts build real community.

Katie Hecklinger, Executive Director

12901 Town Commons Drive
Germantown, MD 20874
240-912-1054
KHecklinger@blackrockcenter.org
cfp-dc.org/


CULTURE: Community Arts

CREATE Arts Center

WISH LIST
$100: 2 weeks of art supplies;
$500: a week of summer camp & 1 extended day for 1 young person;
$1200: 1 week of summer camp for 3 young people
 
Now in its 37th year of operation, CREATE Arts Center has provided quality visual arts and art therapy programs that reflect the diversity of its community. Residents from ages five to eighty-five engage in its visual arts workshops, led by professional teaching artists and offered on a sliding scale or for free so that everyone can participate. Licensed art therapists offer hope and healing to individuals and groups in need of mental health support, at incarceration facilities, outpatient clinics, and more. Many community members are still recovering from the pandemic without sufficient resources. CREATE's affordable and approachable programming helps them develop the skills and resilience to cope with their mental health challenges. On-site and across the region, CREATE empowers people through the arts and gives them safe spaces where they can belong.

Clayton Evans, Executive Director

914 Silver spring AVE
SILVER SPRING, MD 20910
301-588-2787
clayton@createartscenter.org
cfp-dc.org/createarts


CULTURE: Youth & Community Arts

Arts on the Block

WISH LIST
$100: 1 art supply kit for a Youth Arts Movement student;
$500: 1 iPad for an apprentice;
$1000: educational stipend for 1 program apprentice
 
AOB engages the creativity of young people in under-resourced communities across our region to design the future. In-school programming for students ages 4-14 introduces them to the arts by integrating it with science and nature. High school students become artists through The Apprentice Program (TAP) – the longest-running local youth creative workforce development program – producing commissioned art that reflects their often overlooked cultural perspectives. Post-high school, youth continue as Studio Crew members, creating large-scale public art while practicing entrepreneurial skills, developing community leadership, and transforming our local environment. These real-world experiences do more than train participants to join the creative workforce: their artwork is regarded as on par with professional public artists and contribute to a stronger feeling of community. At AOB, youth imagine and shape the futures they want to see.



900 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1A
Silver Spring, MD 20910


cfp-dc.org/aotb


Page 20

EDUCATION: Mentorship & College Access

For Love of Children

WISH LIST
$100: 2 sets of High Frequency Word Cards;
$500: chromebooks for 3 students;
$1000: math curriculum for 13 students
 
By the end of fifth grade, children from low-income households are nearly three grades behind their more affluent peers. FLOC intentionally supports DC’s most under-resourced students to overcome these challenges, offering guidance from second grade through college and beyond. Each student matches with a tutor for up to four hours of weekly reading or math support (or both), working at their own pace to master critical skills. Tutoring continues over the summer (alongside field trips), mitigating summer learning loss in an engaging environment. Middle and high school students receive personalized college and career-readiness coaching while a scholarship fund and one-on-one advising ensures that college students persist in their education. With 100% of FLOC seniors enrolled in college, this model of individualized attention works – cultivating the confidence that students need for long-term success.



1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
Washington , DC 20003


cfp-dc.org/floc


Page 21

FAME-Foundation for the Advancement of Music & Education, Inc.

WISH LIST
$100: instrument repair for a low-income student;
$500: day-long piano workshop for 6 students;
$1000: individualized academic tutoring for 12
 
After-school arts programming can be transformative for youth but has been drastically diminished due to lack of funding. FAME addresses the need for quality music instruction and academic support for 1,200 students annually, 65% of whom attend underserved schools. Its tuition-free, year-round program combines intensive music instruction with academic tutoring, college preparation, and career readiness workshops. Students engage with jazz music, building their self-confidence and discipline through performances while steadily improving their grades. Music lessons continue over the summer, challenging students with workshops in music technology and songwriting. FAME further supplements existing school-based music programs by providing teachers with professional musicians, academic tutors, and funding to purchase materials. 100% of FAME students graduate high school and 90% attend college on scholarship – proving that these experiences make a real difference.

A Toni Lewis, Executive Director

7100 Quisinberry Way
Bowie, MD 20720
301-805-5358
info@famemusic.org
cfp-dc.org/fame


EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

Horton's Kids

WISH LIST
$100: 1 hour of high-intensity tutoring in literacy or math;
$500: college tour costs for a junior or senior;
$1000: summer internship experience for 1 student
 
After three decades of partnership, the people of Wellington Park trust Horton's Kids. The families here (average annual income under $10,000) were among the most adversely affected by a public health crisis. School closings meant the loss of nourishing food and left children at risk of falling further behind in their studies. An emergency food pantry (and supplies) helped meet basic needs, while case managers and therapists offered families advice about receiving aid checks, filing for unemployment, and getting access to medical care. Trained staff and volunteers connected with children , providing coaching and motivation to complete schoolwork. Serving 500 children (and their families) through tutoring, mentoring, and post-secondary success work, Horton's Kids is the lifeline they deserve.

Erica Ahdoot, Executive Director

2233 Hunter Place Southeast
Washington, DC 20020
771-212-7855
erica@hortonskids.org
cfp-dc.org/null


EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

826DC

WISH LIST
$100: pens, pencils, & paper for a month in the After-School Writing Lab;
$500: chapbooks for an entire classroom;
$1000: stipends for guest teaching artists
 
As a free pathway for students to become published authors, 826DC nurtures young people’s English language and writing skills by engaging them in the craft of storytelling. Reading and writing proficiency has declined significantly since the pandemic, with 66% of local students unable to write at or above a proficient level. 826DC grounds its skills-based curriculum in social-emotional wellness, offering students at under-resourced public and charter schools the space to explore, imagine, and own their narratives. Hands-on experiences range from a year-long writing and publishing residency to field trips, literacy workshops, and in- and after-school sessions. A focus on professional development for educators ensures the continuous effectiveness of this work. For 826DC, success is more than good grades; it’s a vibrant community with a lasting love of the written word.

Robyn Lingo, Executive Director

3333 14th Street NW, Suite M-120
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 417-6109
info@826dc.org
cfp-dc.org/826dc


Page 23

Peace of Mind

WISH LIST
$100: 1 Storybook Series for a school library;
$500: 1 virtual Community of Practice gathering for PoM Educators;
$4000: publication of newest storybook, Spanish edition
 
More than ever before, young people are facing mental health challenges, but they frequently lack access to the very resources that would help them. PoM’s comprehensive curriculum equips them with the tools they need to manage stress, self-regulate, and build healthy relationships. Every year, more than 6,000 students participate in weekly lessons in schools across the city. Students practice mindfulness, establishing a foundation of care for themselves and others. As they grow in confidence, PoM introduces the neuroscience behind strong emotions and guides them through the process of de-escalating conflicts. By 8th grade, students know how to apply these skills to address community issues and injustices. Using digital programming to reach more kids “where they are” PoM is raising a healthier generation of young people and the next generation of peacemakers.

Ashley Brown, Executive Director

5540 Nevada Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20015

ashley@teachpeaceofmind.org
cfp-dc.org/pom


EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

Communities in Schools of the Nation's Capital

WISH LIST
$100: weekend survival kits for students experiencing food insecurity;
$500: school uniforms for 25 students;
$1000: supplies for the school's hygiene closet
 
CISNCAP steps in where the need is greatest, working in ten schools where the majority of students are from historically underserved neighborhoods. With a focus on addressing chronic absenteeism to disrupt cycles of poverty and community violence, it brings resources into schools so that students can meet their physical, psychological, and social needs first. Regular field trips, family events, food markets, and college fairs foster a positive school climate while after-school tutoring, mentorship programs, leadership development, and career training provide students with a strong support network, Site coordinators work individually with those in need of extra attention, developing comprehensive drop-out prevention plans, coordinating with school staff, families, and community partners to fully support the “ABCs” of attendance, behavior, and coursework. CISNCAP engages 4,000+ students annually in the ways they need and deserve.

Rustin Lewis, Executive Director

501 School Street, SW Suite 800
Washington, DC 20024
202-333-2277
thay@cisnationscapital.org
cfp-dc.org/cis


EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

KID Museum

WISH LIST
$100: weekend pass for six;
$500: a week-long summer camp for 1 student;
$1000: a week-long summer camp for 2 students;
 
KID Museum introduces students to STEM and 21st-century skills in coding, design engineering, and 3D modeling – activating them as “makers” who build agency, confidence, and creative problem-solving in the process. Participants learn to experiment with coding or 3D design, developing skills in open-ended building experiences or design challenges that inspire them to create personally meaningful projects. Youth also connect with instructors and classmates as collaborators throughout the process. The museum's signature inquiry- and exploration-based approach is preserved in week-long summer camps; free, DIY, creative projects that keep kids and families engaged at home; paid, real-time, instructor-led programs: isn't it amazing what creativity and ingenuity can produce?

Nakia Harper, Senior Director of Development

6400 Democracy Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20817
301.941.4905 ext. 1034
nakia@kid-museum.org
cfp-dc.org/null


Page 24

EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

Passion for Learning

WISH LIST
$100: raspberry pi devices for ? students to build hand-held games;
$500: robotics kits for 10 students;
$1000: bus or van rental for campus tours of local colleges & universities
 
For two decades, P4L has helped under-resourced students develop the knowledge they need to thrive in our global, technology-rich economy. Students from low-income households and students of color are vastly underrepresented in STEM fields, including within higher education. So starting in the critical middle school years, P4L offers them free, hands-on, after-school tech enrichment programs. Annually, some 100 students engage in coding, programming, digital art, filmmaking, video game development, electronics, and robotics. College-aspiring middle and high school students participate in college readiness and financial literacy workshops, complete with college visits and college-level research projects. Additional weekend and summer activities, including field trips and guest speakers, further these interests and continuously connect students to youth culture. As P4L supports the next generation, it transforms them from technology consumers into skilled and socially responsible creators.



1210 Woodside Parkway
Silver Spring, MD 20910


cfp-dc.org/pfl


Page 25

EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

Inspired Child

WISH LIST
$100: classroom kit for an arts-based residency;
$500: backpack full of books to send home with every child;
$1000: 10-week residency in an early childhood classroom
 
Birth to age five is a crucial period in children’s development, but many of our city’s most underserved children lack access to quality early childhood education. Inspired Child has been filling that gap for over three decades, integrating the arts to nurture children’s growth more effectively. Across multi-week residencies taught by expert teaching artists, infants build a foundation for movement through music; toddlers learn to self-regulate in science-backed movement therapy workshops; and preschoolers engage in an immersive literacy program, improving their logical and creative thinking. Additional workshops, books, and resources encourage parents to use the city as a classroom – exploring as a family its food, music, and different spaces. In addition to supporting more than 1000+ children a year, Inspired Child trains over 1500 teachers annually, ensuring its model can reach more children across the city.

Patricia Ruane, Director of Development

3133 Dumbarton Street NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-965-2000 x105
patricia@dumbartonartsed.org
cfp-dc.org/ic


College Tribe

WISH LIST
$100: toiletries, hygiene & paper products for 1 family;
$500: hair grooming for 10 youth;
$1000: clothing & shoes for 5 children
 
College Tribe’s model is as unique as it is critical: Black men mentoring Black boys and creating leaders in Wards 7 and 8. Founded in 2007 by four African American fathers, the mentoring program cultivates strong bonds between boys (grades 3-8) and men who look like them, believe in them, and model success, respect, and integrity. Twice a month, mentors and mentees meet in small groups for STEAM projects, life skills discussions, and field trips. Many mentees also participate in College Tribe’s after-school and summer programs – available to Black girls of the same age – where students master STEM, arts, and reading skills through hands-on courses in robotics, photography, and more. In the company of peers and role models, these 50+ young people a year grow to achieve college and career success.



3845 South Capitol Street SW
Washington , DC 20032


cfp-dc.org/tribe


EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

An Open Book Foundation

WISH LIST
$100: 8 titles by a visiting author or illustrator;
$500: art supplies for 2 classes for a 4-day artist-in-residence;
$1000: books for an entire grade and the school library
 
The experience of discovering stories across cultures, genres, themes, and formats is more likely to nurture young people’s lifelong love of reading. AOB partners with 86% of the city’s Title I schools to do just that – provide books and enrichment activities for students who may not otherwise have access to such opportunities. AOB brings authors and illustrators into classrooms, allowing students to connect with book creators from diverse perspectives during small-group sessions and deepen their understanding of these books. Every student and school receive free books, while in-school engagements go beyond the book to include other experiential learning. Through multi-session visual arts and STEM residencies, students further explore related concepts while strengthening their literacy muscles. Serving over 10,000 students and distributing 12,000+ books a year, AOB delivers a clear message: your story matters.

Heidi Powell, Executive Director

508 Kennedy St., NW Suite 309
Washington DC, DC 20011
202.686.7115
jeliot@anopenbookfound.org
cfp-dc.org/aob


EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

Teaching for Change

WISH LIST
$100: outreach materials to recruit 1000+ teachers;
$250: 1 set of anti-bias children's books;
$750: 1 masterclass with a go-go musician
 
With a 10,000-strong network of educators and community members, Teaching for Change is critical to grassroots education reform in our region. Mounting attacks on teaching truth in schools – book bans, laws against Critical Race Theory, and policies restricting the rights of LGBTQ+ students – pressure more educators to leave the profession now than ever. Teaching for Change supports them with free professional development, meaningful connections, and social justice curricular resources. Its Zinn Education Project brings the history of working people, people of color, and organized social movements into the classroom using multicultural books. Teach the Beat introduces students to DC’s unique tradition of go-go music. And it offers the nation’s only resource on teaching Central American history and literature for K-12 educators. At Teaching for Change, justice begins with the freedom to learn.

Deborah Menkart, Executive Director

1832 11th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-588-7204
dmenkart@teachingforchange.org
cfp-dc.org/teachingforchange


Page 26

EDUCATION: Mentorship & College Access

New Futures

WISH LIST
$100: 1 in-person skill-building opportunity;
$500: 1 Scholar's recruitment into the program;
$1000: attendance at Scholars Weekend for 1 student
 
Community college is often the best, first step toward a career or subsequent degree. New Futures leverages this undervalued pathway to invest in young people who are systemically excluded from traditional postsecondary education. Many of its under-resourced students are the first in their families to attend college and lack the financial support to attend a full-time or four-year program. New Futures gives them scholarships and a comprehensive range of skill-building workshops to participate in. Every Scholar is also paired with an advisor who proactively builds a connection and offers support beyond academics. This holistic approach matters for Scholars navigating complex circumstances, like immigration challenges or parenting responsibilities. With 97% of alumni now employed or enrolled in a subsequent program, New Futures is a launchpad for all youth to achieve their dreams.

Sienna Brancato, Development Manager

609 H Street NE, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20002
202-384-5854
sienna@newfuturesdc.org
cfp-dc.org/newfutures


Page 27

LAYC Career Academy Public Charter School

WISH LIST
$100: supplies for 3 students to stay enrolled in school;
$500: school transportation for 1 student for 1 trimester;
$1000: 1 trimester of MA instruction for 1 student
 
Over 8,000 local young adults ages 16-30 need support to prepare for a fulfilling career–because they have dropped out of school or are immigrants seeking opportunity in the US. LAYC Career Academy empowers them to reach their long-term goals by providing free training for high-growth career fields, saving them as much as $20,000 a year. Upon enrolling, students take a personalized mix of classes to strengthen their literacy and technology skills. Then they advance into a specialized pathway of their choosing, training to enter either college or careers in the medical or IT fields. Every student gains a certification; career pathway students also complete internships while college pathway students earn college credits. 95% of the Academy’s graduates are working or enrolled in college within six months and on a pathway to self-sufficiency.

Nicole Hanrahan, Executive Director

3224 16th Street NW
Washington , DC 20010
202-319-2228
nicole@laycca.org
cfp-dc.org/layc


BEACON for Adult Literacy

WISH LIST
$100: 1 semester's scholarship for 1 student;
$500: 4 months of classroom Wi-Fi;
$1000: full year of training for 130 volunteers
 
Every year, BEACON serves over 730 immigrants and refugees who are not eligible for or cannot afford other adult education programs. For this vulnerable population – of whom 85% live at or below the poverty level, and 6% have no schooling – learning English and making progress on educational and employment goals can have an enormous impact on their lives and the security of their families. BEACON offers them eight levels of English language instruction across three semesters, supplemented by online and in-person work readiness classes and US citizenship exam preparation. Students unable to enroll in formal classes join free online English conversation groups. As a trusted local resource, BEACON goes beyond serving its thousands-strong community, conducting literacy training for other area organizations to ensure all adult immigrants get the support they deserve.

Denice Jobe, Development Director, BSV

9535 Linton Hall Road
Bristow, VA 20136
571-428-2528
djobe@osbva.org
cfp-dc.org/beaconliteracy


EDUCATION: Adult Literacy & Learning

Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy

WISH LIST
$100: 1 Chromebook for online ESOL classes;
$500: instructor for a community learning group;
$1000: Convening for adult learners to find classes & resources in the county
 
Montgomery County’s cultural diversity is one of its greatest assets, yet nearly 139,000 residents have limited English proficiency, which affects their health outcomes, civic engagement, and career development. Formed as a community coalition to address these challenges, MCAEL serves as a hub for some 60+ program providers that, together, meet the needs of over 16,000 adult English language learners annually. It advocates for and coordinates the funding opportunities and capacity-building resources that partner organizations need. Coalition members receive ongoing technical assistance to improve program design while new and experienced instructors participate in free professional development to better engage learners. Community partnerships with schools, businesses, and faith-based organizations expand its reach to more under-served residents. By strengthening its network, MCAEL turns barriers into bridges...at scale.

Gerard Etienne, Executive Director

9210 Corporate Boulevard, Suite 480
Rockville, MD 20850

getienne@mcael.org
cfp-dc.org/mocoadultliteracy


Page 28

Abramson Scholarship Foundation

WISH LIST
$100: care packages for two Scholars;
$500: one supplemental fund request for a Scholar with an unexpected emergency;
$1000: one semester's funding for a freshman
 
Only 26% of young adults (18-34) born and living in DC complete post-secondary education, so ASF provides students with the scholarship assistance ($2,000-$5,000 a year), mentoring, and professional development programming that helps them chart their education and career pathways. Eight to ten scholars join the existing group each year and are matched with a mentor who offers academic, social-emotional, and career support, building a strong relationship throughout what will be a four-year experience. Altogether, approximately 40 students participate in the program. Additional career coaching, financial literacy training, resume support, and access to an advisor network ensure that Scholars are prepared for internship and job opportunities. ASF gives local high school graduates, especially first-generation college students, the opportunity to attend college – and the tools they need to thrive when they arrive.

Barrie Moorman

PO Box 7810
Washington, DC 20044

barrie@abramsonfoundation.org
cfp-dc.org/abramson


Page 31

HUMAN SERVICES: Life Skills, Training, & Employment

Red Wiggler Community Farm

WISH LIST
$100: adaptive gardening tools for staff & volunteers;
$500: continuing education & training for staff & volunteers;
$1000: weekly share of fresh produce to 60 families
 
Nationwide, 85% of adults with intellectual and developmental differences (I/DD) are not employed. For almost three decades on its organic farm, Red Wiggler has provided this historically under-valued and under-served population meaningful work as growers. Each is paired with a mentor and experiences every aspect of farming and distribution, earning fair wages and receiving regular support. Alongside youth volunteers with and without I/DD, they tend to 200+ plant varieties, learning about and growing healthy food together. In addition, Red Wiggler’s educational experiences for the public promote environmental stewardship while a Community Supported Agriculture program ensures that half of all vegetables harvested are distributed to food banks, community organizations, and neighbors with low incomes. At Red Wiggler, preventing food waste and addressing hunger go hand-in-hand with cultivating sustainable farming practices and the leadership of neurodivergent individuals.



23400 Ridge Road
Germantown, MD 20876


cfp-dc.org/redwiggler


HUMAN SERVICES: Hunger, Homelessness, and Housing

Rebuilding Together DC Alexandria

WISH LIST
$100: essential hand railings for 1 home;
$500: plumbing or electrical repairs for 1 home;
$1000: roof repair for 1 home
 
RTDCA improves the homes of residents facing economic challenges, ensuring they can live in safe and healthy environments. Many of the neighbors it serves – elderly residents, individuals with disabilities, and households with lower incomes – lack the resources to address critical home repairs, turning emergency needs like fixing plumbing leaks and installing handrails into much larger problems. RTDCA provides these repairs and renovations at no cost, tailoring accessibility modifications to each household’s unique requirements. Known for its rapid response, it activates skilled volunteers and resources to fix safety hazards as quickly as possible, completing over 1,000 home repairs a year. RTDCA also strengthens community infrastructure by renovating shared spaces in under-served neighborhoods like schools and parks. Its impact is both swift and lasting – building a thriving region that everyone can call home.

Katharine Dixon, President and CEO

3209 5th Street, SE
WASHINGTON, DC 20032
202.800.6032
kd@rebuildingtogetherdca.org
cfp-dc.org/rebuildingdcalexandria


HUMAN SERVICES: Community & Civic Engagement

Food Recovery Network

WISH LIST
$100: 1 semester of transportation for students delivering food;
$500: 5 weeks of van rentals to transport surplus food;
$1000: student payment for off-campus food recovery efforts
 
FRN was born when several University of Maryland students noticed that campus dining halls were wasting nutritious food while community members were going hungry. It has since grown into one of the country’s largest student-led movements fighting food waste and hunger, mobilizing participants on 200 college campuses to recover surplus food at universities, businesses, and large events. The surplus is donated to local nonprofits FOOD providers and simultaneously ensures that food waste is diverted from landfills (a sizable contributor to greenhouse gas emissions). To date, FRN has recovered more than 16.3 million pounds of food, donated 13.6 million meals, and prevented 19,900 metric tons of emissions. By working with existing infrastructure at institutions, FRN’s community-led model builds invaluable awareness of sustainable practices and transforms our food supply chain one area at a time.

Regina Harmon, Executive Director

1012 14th Street NW Suite 903
Washington , DC 20005
(240) 615-8813
regina.harmon@foodrecoverynetwork.org
cfp-dc.org/frn


Page 33

HUMAN SERVICES: Hunger/Homelessness/Housing

L'Arche Greater Washington, D.C.

WISH LIST
$100: 1 dinner for core members and assistants;
$500: groceries for 1 L'Arche home for a week;
$1000: 1 week of extra staff hours during quarantine
 
For adults with intellectual disabilities – "core members" – L’Arche offers lifelong homes that meet social and medical needs. Daily activities are centered on residents who take the lead in making decisions, setting schedules, running household meetings, and setting annual goals. Central to the mission is developing inclusive communities: core members, live-in assistants, interns, and volunteers form a team and create a widened circle of friends.

Sarah Moore, Director of Development and Communications

P.O. Box 21471
Washington, DC 20009

sarahmoore@larche-gwdc.org
cfp-dc.org/larche


Destiny, Power & Purpose

WISH LIST
$100: Maryland ID's for 4 clients;
$500: 10
$50 toiletries giftcards;
$1000: 1 month of transitional housing for a returning citizen
 
As Prince George’s County’s sole provider of support services for individuals in various substance abuse and reentry programs, DPP plays a critical role in breaking the cycle of addiction. The challenges of navigating human and social services typically fall on recovering individuals at risk of relapse and/or re-incarceration. With DPP acting as their “system navigator,” they gain a strong support network to build the relationships and community required for a successful transition and continued progress. DPP case managers meet clients’ immediate needs for documentation, food, and toiletries before connecting them with housing, mental healthcare, and workforce development resources to promote their independence throughout the recovery process. Follow-up support and encouragement continue for six months. An attainable recovery becomes possible for DPP clients, ensuring they can live healthy and independent lives.



3731 Branch Avenue Suite 206
Temple Hills, MD 20748


cfp-dc.org/dpp


HUMAN SERVICES: Basic Needs, Food, & Housing

The Father McKenna Center

WISH LIST
$100: 75 meals for men experiencing homelessness;
$500: 375 meals for men experiencing homelessness;
$1000: 375 meals and groceries for 5 families
 
Single men experiencing homelessness are often deprioritized on waitlists to access services. Father McKenna Center offers these men a safe and stable environment. Every day, some 135 men drop in to eat nutritious meals, grab clothing, and use the facilities. While there, they work with case managers and attorneys, address any medical concerns, and attend workshops on topics like overcoming addiction and preventing recidivism. Twice a month, households facing food insecurity shop its Food Pantry, selecting the fresh produce, eggs, milk, juice, meat, bread, and non-perishable items that meet their needs. During the winter, a Hypothermia Transition Program provides a committed group of men with shelter, case management, and nightly home-cooked meals as they work to find stable housing and employment. Father McKenna Center stands as an example of showing dignity, care, and respect to all.



19 Eye Street NW
Washington, DC 20001


cfp-dc.org/mckenna


Page 35

HUMAN SERVICES: Basic Needs, Food, & Housing

Thrive DC

WISH LIST
$90: 1 case of travel-size toothpaste (240 tubes);
$500: 15 cases of shampoo (100/case)
$1000: 3 months of kitchen towels and apron supplies
 
For over 15 years, Thrive DC has been a safe and reliable space for neighbors in Ward 1 experiencing homelessness, poverty, and food insecurity. Every morning, staff serve hot meals to some 200 clients, fostering trusting relationships with them so that Thrive can begin to offer more comprehensive services. Clients choose fresh food from its pantry every week, use its mail and shower facilities, launder their clothes during the summer heat, and pick up free winter clothing when temperatures drop. Case managers build on this foundation to help them work toward stability and self-sufficiency, providing medical referrals, substance abuse and mental health counseling, and other victim and emergency services. Through consistent and compassionate care, Thrive proves that it is more than a safety net for people in crisis – it is a judgment-free and welcoming community.

Shane, Executive Director

1525 Newton Street, Suite G1
Washington, DC 20010

Shane@thrivedc.org
cfp-dc.org/thrive


HUMAN SERVICES: Basic Needs, Food, & Housing

Shepherd's Table

WISH LIST
$100: new undergarments for 10 women or 20 men;
$500: 1 person's meals for two weeks (38 meals);
$1000: eye exams & glasses for 200 patients
 
Shepherd’s Table has never missed a single day of meal service in its 40-year history, serving well over two million meals to neighbors experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, and poverty. Anyone who enters its doors finds a comfortable place to eat. Hot, nutritious meals are created by in-house chefs using fresh ingredients from the urban garden. A team of staff and volunteers distributes hygiene supplies, toiletries, and clothing from the resource center. Vision exams and haircuts are available onsite while those in need of additional services (medical treatment/legal assistance) receive support to connect to resources. Clients build community in art groups and yoga classes, develop their leadership skills as policy advocates, and participate in culinary training to gain employment in the food service industry. At Shepherd’s Table, all are welcome and nourished.

Manny Hidalgo, Executive Director

8106 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-585-6463
MHidalgo@shepherdstable.org
cfp-dc.org/shepherdstable


Page 37

Yachad

WISH LIST
$500: drywall repair after mold remediation;
$600: new kitchen appliance;
$1500: update & repair electrical or plumbing
 
The lack of safe housing in lower-income, Black, and Brown communities affected by gentrification or economic disinvestment perpetuates inequity across the city. It also exacerbates health problems. So Yachad addresses both issues head-on, assisting homeowners who lack the resources to make critical home repairs. With the help of skilled local tradespeople, it ensures that more multi-generational households have functioning kitchens with working appliances, plumbing and electrical systems in good condition, and resilient roofs. Staff assist homeowners in applying for public resources like weatherization and energy efficiency services. While homes are under repair, they also educate homeowners on finances, future repairs, and more. Serving over 140 people annually, Yachad helps neighbors create healthier houses and build wealth at the same time, allowing more families to have a stable place to call home for generations to come.



8720 Georgia Avenue, Suite 705
Silver Spring, MD 20910


cfp-dc.org/yachad


HUMAN SERVICES: Basic Needs, Food, & Housing

Charlie's Place at St. Margaret's

WISH LIST
$100: 1 week's supply of socks & underwear;
$500: 1 month's supply of kitchen staples;
$1000: 1 month's supply of meat, cleaning supplies, paper goods, & bottled water
 
In over three decades, Charlie’s Place has served some 350,000 meals to unhoused guests and those with low incomes who walk through its doors. Many are stepping into a caring environment for the first time in years. Each week, 150+ clients begin building trust over food: they eat a nutritious breakfast while relaxing, playing music, using the washroom, getting a haircut, and addressing any medical problems with a bilingual physician. They grab clothing and a bagged lunch before they leave, knowing they have a supportive space to return to. Over time, Charlie’s Place staff – former guests themselves – develop relationships with clients, working with them individually to secure housing and employment, and to connect with others through women’s and prayer groups. A nurturing environment helps hundreds of clients feel at home – and opens pathways to independence.

Marie Graves, Director of External Affairs

1820 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-607-1422
mgraves@stmargaretsdc.org
cfp-dc.org/charliesplacedc


HUMAN SERVICES: Basic Needs, Food, & Housing

Calvary Women's Services

WISH LIST
$100: 1 month of home-cooked meals;
$500: a new bed & mattress for a woman moving into her own home;
$1,000: 1 month of employment services
 
The women who come to Calvary have always been among the most vulnerable members of the DC community – survivors of trauma, in recovery from addiction, living with mental illness, or suffering from chronic health conditions. Calvary has always helped them find comprehensive care: permanent and transitional housing, mental health and addiction recovery services, healthy meals, education, job readiness programs, life skills classes, and a sisterhood of support. Calvary continues to provide a safe place for homeless women: you can ensure that it will do so tomorrow.

Lisa Buchs, Interim Chief Development Officer

1217 Marion Barry Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20020
202-678-2341 ext. 222
lbuchs@calvaryservices.org
cfp-dc.org/calvary


Page 38

Paths for Families (formerly Adoptions Together)

WISH LIST
$100: 1 week of meals for expectant parents;
$500: gift cards to Target for infant supplies;
$1000: gift cards for families
 
Every night, more than 2,000 children in our region go to sleep in state foster care without a family of their own. Since its founding three decades ago, Paths for Families (formerly Adoptions Together) has welcomed every child in need of a family and helped women with unintended pregnancies plan for their future. All children, no matter their race, medical condition, or gender are served. No child is turned away. Finding parents for them, and nurturing their new families is central to the mission. Specializing in the complex needs of adoption, attachment, trauma, counseling and education services are provided throughout the region to all in need. Creating stable families is a challenge we must choose to meet.

Lisa Dominguez, CEO

6411 Ivy Lane, Suite 700
Greenbelt, MD 20770
301-422-5111
ldominguez@pathsforfamilies.org
cfp-dc.org/null


Page 39

HUMAN SERVICES: Children, Youth, & Families

SMYAL

WISH LIST
$100: legal name & gender marker change for 1 person;
$500: 1 month's Little SMYAL's programming;
$1000: virtual leadership camp for 7 youth
 
SMYAL operates its supervised supportive housing program for 26 LGBTQ youth. Other virtual programs allow SMYAL to expand its reach and empower LGBTQ youth from across the region and country, many of whom come from homes that are not supportive of who they are. A national conference for queer and trans youth, daily topic-oriented chat rooms and drop-in programs connect youth with their peers and build community. A Youth Care Navigation Hotline helps them identify food, mental, sexual, and health resources. A Little SMYAL's program provides culturally- and age-appropriate programming for youth ages 6-12. Facebook live discussion panels with other youth-serving professionals from across the country mean sharing best practices on serving youth.

Caro Vorndran, Development Coordinator

410 7th Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003

caro.vorndran@smyal.org
cfp-dc.org/null


First Tee of Greater Washington, DC

WISH LIST
$100: scholarship for a 6-week life skills experience course;
$500: junior golf equipment for 6 participants;
$1000: an entire year of programming for 1 student
 
First Tee brings to communities an affordable and accessible program that marries sport with character education for youth ages 7-18. Golf is the context for teaching the core values of honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment – all in the context of improving family and community relationships. Diversity is critical, so no one is turned away for inability to pay. Once a week, young people participate in small group classes, building friendships, self-confidence, and resilience while playing golf. Special opportunities throughout the year, such as STEM camps, mentorship for girl golfers, and national tournaments, provide participants with additional enrichment experiences and spaces to develop leadership skills. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee helps youth become good golfers and even better people.

Clint Sanchez, Executive Director

2020 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 106
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 479-2588
csanchez@thefirstteedc.org
cfp-dc.org/firsttee


HUMAN SERVICES: Children, Youth, & Families

Cloverleaf Equine Center

WISH LIST
$100: a session of therapeutic riding for 1 client;
$500: wellness veterinary care for 2 horses;
$1000: 5 sessions of partner programming for military or youth
 
Therapeutic horsemanship, or riding and working with horses, is a proven way to facilitate physical, social, and emotional benefits. So, Cloverleaf uses these methods to help people with disabilities, youth from marginalized communities, and recovering military personnel become their healthiest, most independent selves. In small groups, summer camps, and private lessons, participants receive personal attention from staff and volunteers as they learn to work with horses, developing strong social bonds while improving their physical health. Certified therapists lead one-on-one physical therapy sessions, while counselors use horses and their movements as treatment tools to focus on mindfulness. Participants build academic and life skills, including teamwork and anger management through small-group, equine-assisted learning services. For many of its 150 weekly clients and 200 volunteers, Cloverleaf’s farm is where they can authentically develop and create connections.

Shelby Morrison, Development Director

6429 Clifton Road
Clifton, VA 20124
703-764-0269 x.107
smorrison@cloverleafequine.org
cfp-dc.org/cloverleaf


Page 40

HER Resiliency Center

WISH LIST
$100: 60 meals for young women facing hunger;
$500: 200 rides for young women to and from work;
$1000: 250 street outreach engagement kits
 
HER serves vulnerable young women ages 18 to 25, all of whom have experienced complex trauma such as substance addiction, sexual exploitation, early pregnancy, and homelessness. Staff members commonly hear from them that they have little sense of agency and little sense of choice. So across 24 months, each woman (or “peer”) co-creates a roadmap for her life. Trained staff develop relationships with peers using a trauma-focused approach, creating trust, and supporting women through immediate crises first. They then work with them toward long-term recovery, emotional healing, and self-sufficiency by offering one-to-one support (case management), skill building, workforce development training, and connections to mentors. Since its founding as a survivor-led organization, HER has walked side-by-side with 3,200 young women. Many return to encourage new peers and all find community on their path to independence.



1140 Third Street NE, 2nd Floor, Suite 2146
Washington, DC 20002


cfp-dc.org/her


Page 41

HUMAN SERVICES: Girls and Women

DC Rape Crisis Center

WISH LIST
$100: 1 full set of clothes for a survivor after a medical forensic exam;
$500: 4 days of emergency housing;
$2000: 24 therapy sessions for a survivor of sexual assault
 
For over 50 years, DCRCC has offered free, confidential, trauma-informed counseling and case management to survivors of sexual violence and their friends, family, and partners. Trained advocates provide 24/7 crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy, and referrals through its hotline, and in hospitals and survivors’ homes. A Rapid Emotional Support Team coordinates crisis response while community educators proactively elevate public awareness of rape culture and how to reduce the risk of sexual violence through training in schools, community centers, and faith spaces. As the oldest rape crisis center in the country and the only one in DC, DCRCC has further evolved its training to assist in opening the first rape crisis center in Lagos, Nigeria, and to collaborate on the first rape crisis mobile app for refugee workers – all to create a world free from sexual violence.



PO Box 42734
Washington, DC 20015


cfp-dc.org/dcrcc


The Northwest Center

WISH LIST
$100: SIDS Education for 2 families;
$500: baby formula for 20 families;
$1000: 1 month of transitional housing for a homeless pregnant woman
 
In 2018, DC had the nation’s highest maternal mortality rate, more than double the national average. The mortality rate for infants of Brown and Black mothers was three to five times that of white mothers. The first step in reversing the trend is accessing early prenatal care, so NWC helps women obtain health insurance, connects them to the care they need, and educates them about SIDS, which accounts for 4.6% of infant deaths in DC. Whether they are living in the Maternity Home or accessing services at the Pregnancy Center, women identify needs and goals, learn parenting skills, receive material assistance like food and diapers (ongoing during the pandemic, especially for quarantined families and those with underlying health conditions) and get connected to community resources (childcare, educational support, job training and placement). Even in pandemics, babies will be born and mothers will need help.



2702 Ontario Road NW
Washington, DC 20009


cfp-dc.org/nwcenter


EDUCATION: Youth Education & Enrichment

Girls on the Run - DC

WISH LIST
$150: t-shirts & water bottles for 1 team;
$320: 1 season scholarship for 1 girl;
$1540: running shoes & 1 season scholarship for 4 girls
 
GOTR pairs running instruction with mentorship and social-emotional learning, giving girls in grades 3-8 the strength and support they need to thrive in life. Twice a week for ten weeks, girls meet with their mentors after school in small groups, challenging themselves physically while engaging in goal setting and team-building activities that build their confidence, stamina, and character. GOTR tailors its evidence-based curricula by age group, addressing the different self-esteem, academic, and other issues girls face in elementary and middle school. At the end of the season, every girl completes a 5K run with an adult running buddy — achieving a milestone they set for themselves. Across all eight wards of DC and in part of Prince George’s County, GOTR promotes the well-being of 1700+ girls annually and inspires them to believe in themselves.

Devoria Armstead, Executive Director

900 Brentwood Road NE #90824
Washington, DC 20090
2027430046
devoria@gotrdc.org
cfp-dc.org/gotrdc


Page 43

HUMAN SERVICES: Health, Wellness, & Senior Services

Arlington Free Clinic

WISH LIST
$100: exercise bands for 10 exercise class participants;
$500: 10 cases of liquid food supplements for cancer patients;
$1000: 16 emergency dental visits
 
AFC has provided free, high-quality healthcare to low-income, uninsured Arlington County adults for more than 25 years, knowing that patients facing cancer, diabetes, or heart disease need treatment. Volunteers conduct appointments, medical reviews, and serve as telephone interpreters while staff screen patients, address mental health needs, and develop crisis response protocols. Dental staff see emergency cases and flex into other roles as needed. Many patients are struggling with access to food, transportation, and other emergency needs so AFC connects them to local resources. AFC will continue meeting the healthcare needs of our community’s most vulnerable neighbors.

Beth, Gorman

2921 11th Street South
Arlington, VA 22204
(571) 569-3569
bgorman@arlingtonfreeclinic.org
cfp-dc.org/afc


Northwest Neighbors Village

WISH LIST
$100: 1 Gentle Yoga class for 20 older adults;
$600: 1 year of Village programs & services for a member;
$1000: 3 months of case management for a medical emergency
 
Programs that keep older people active, healthy, and engaged are fundamental to aging well. NNV believes that small touches make a big difference. With the help of trained volunteers, it provides social, cultural, and wellness programs for over 800 older adults annually. In between events, volunteers also support NNV members with practical tasks. As they ride along to medical appointments, assist with computers, and do grocery shopping, they build meaningful relationships that help members feel less isolated. Staff are on call when members need help, especially with medical challenges and life transitions, and a case manager ensures they can access other aging services. Support groups for members and caregivers strengthen this sense of community. For many participants who are aging alone with limited family support, the NNV network is a lifeline.



PO Box 39135
Washington , DC 20016


cfp-dc.org/nnvdc


HUMAN SERVICES: Health, Wellness, & Senior Services

Arts for the Aging

WISH LIST
$100: teaching artist fees for 1 virtual workshop;
$500: a virtual exhibition to celebrate participants creativity;
$2500: workshop supplies & materials for 1 year
 
Our aging population is growing rapidly, as is society’s loneliness epidemic – some 43% of older adults nationwide experience social isolation. Through multidisciplinary and inclusive arts programming, AFTA seeks to reverse this trend, ensuring that over 1,000 older adults in our region every year can age with creativity. Despite the pandemic continuing to impact aging communities like senior centers and retirement homes, AFTA delivers regular workshops year-round in which participants paint, tango, play the drums, write poetry, perform improv, and more. Intergenerational programs, hands-on artmaking, and a senior dance company promote deeper connection through the arts, while therapeutic workshops for professional and family caregivers ensure that those who care for older adults have a space to connect. AFTA knows that our need for stronger social bonds means supporting a full creative life for all.

Jackie Vinick, Director of Development

9841 Washingtonian Blvd, Suite 200-6
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
3016373585
jvinick@aftaarts.org
cfp-dc.org/afta


Page 44

HUMAN SERVICES: Health, Wellness, & Senior Services

Culmore Clinic

WISH LIST
$100: background check for 4 volunteer providers;
$500: 1 month of patient prescriptions;
$1000: 4 months of transportation support for patients
 
If Culmore Clinic did not exist, most of the 500 uninsured patients it serves annually would forego care. Some 96% are immigrants who do not speak English and all live below the federal poverty level, compounding the difficulty of navigating healthcare in Fairfax County. The Clinic serves as their comprehensive and compassionate healthcare home. Patients receive free primary and preventative care, women’s health services, mental health counseling, vision exams, sexual health screenings, and onsite cardiology and lab services. An extensive network of community partnerships makes further specialized services and referrals free for patients, a major boon to those in need of healthcare specialists. A critical resource for the community, Culmore Clinic means culturally competent prevention, education, primary care, and follow-up treatment – all under one roof.



6165 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22044


cfp-dc.org/culmore


Page 45

Christ House

WISH LIST
$100: full set of new clothing for 2 patients;
$500: 1 month of gas for the patient transport van;
$1000: 3 days of nursing care & wrap around services for 1 patient
 
Christ House provides comprehensive and compassionate healthcare to the sick and homeless in DC who are too sick to be on the streets but not sick enough to be in the hospital. A 24-hour, 33-bed, nursing and respite care home, it partners with local homeless outreach teams to identify and refer men who would benefit from nursing care, admitting individuals who test negative and those who are recovering after isolation. It also provides support to homeless sites where vulnerable individuals have been relocated out of congregate settings. Christ House is committed to maintaining a posture of hospitality while reducing the risk to its vulnerable patients – a challenge to which it is determined to rise.

Lisa Purdy, Chief Executive Officer

1717 Columbia Road NW
Washington, DC 20009
2023281100
development@christhouse.org
cfp-dc.org/null


HUMAN SERVICES: Health, Wellness, & Senior Services

Brain Injury Services

WISH LIST
$100: transportation & supplies for 1 person;
$500: 1 month of food & supplies for the ADAPT Clubhouse members;
$1000: mental health counseling support for 2 survivors
 
A car accident, a stroke, a war injury, a terrible fall: whatever the cause, a traumatic brain injury has a life-altering impact. In Northern Virginia and surrounding areas, BIS is the only organization that specializes in serving brain injury survivors – whose challenges often appear invisible and require individualized support. Occupational therapists work with clients to develop practical life skills while counselors and case managers guide them in setting goals for a fulfilling life. Survivors build relationships with each other in membership programs while caregivers create a sense of community through support groups. Those ready to pursue job and volunteer placements work with BIS to secure and maintain employment – a big milestone. These person-centered services matter: they empower over 1,100 survivors annually to live with independence and dignity.

Andrew Wilinski, Director of Marketing and Development

8136 Old Keene Mill Road
Springfield, VA 22150
703-451-8881
awilinski@braininjurysvcs.org
cfp-dc.org/braininjury


NAMI Prince George's County, MD

WISH LIST
$100: mental health awareness merchandise for 4 community outreach events;
$500: 1 virtual monthly support group for 6 months;
$1000: 2 eight-week education classes
 
Peer support is critical for people experiencing mental illness: offering each other empathy and validation gives hope to everyone in recovery. Since 1981, NAMI PGC has used its evidence-based model to provide free, quality mental health support to individuals and families in Prince George’s County, where many lack access to health insurance and available providers. Residents of all ages participate in family and recovery support groups, classes, and presentations that improve their coping skills, reduce social stigma, and empower them to advocate for themselves. Special programs for returning citizens aim to reduce the county’s recidivism rate while trainings for community partners and law enforcement ensure that people in mental distress get the help they need when they encounter the police. By creating spaces for community members to connect, NAMI sends a clear message: you are not alone.



9701 Apollo Drive - Suite 100
Largo, MD 20774


cfp-dc.org/nami


Page 46

AsylumWorks

WISH LIST
$100: gift card for a family of 4 to purchase culturally appropriate food;
$500: transportation to medical appointments;
$1000: computers for 3 clients
 
Since 2016, AsylumWorks has provided nearly 3,000 newcomers seeking humanitarian-based immigration protection with culturally and linguistically appropriate services. AsylumWorks helps newcomers ineligible for government assistance and unable to work for an extended period navigate a system ill-equipped to promote equity and justice. Bilingual, bicultural staff offer free Health & Wellness services so newcomers can address mental, physical, and social health challenges; employment & education services to guide newcomers in finding and retaining jobs; and legal navigation services that ensure newcomers understand their rights and connect with quality legal services. Together, these services empower newcomers across the Greater Washington region to protect and promote their health, access community opportunities, and participate in immigration proceedings. AsylumWorks builds a healthier, more just society for migrants.

Joan Hodges-Wu, Founder & Executive Director

1718 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20009
2025279282
joan@asylumworks.org
cfp-dc.org/asylumworks


Page 47

Many Languages One Voice

WISH LIST
$100: 1 legal consultation on immigration;
$600: 1 years supply of diapers & baby wipes;
$1000: a computer & workplace skills training for 1 person
 
MLOV works with more than 350 immigrant women, youth, and families in DC, fostering deep relationships with them that often span multiple generations. The ongoing housing crisis and inflation have hit this community hard, with many unemployed and unable to access food and other essential resources. Through its wraparound services, families receive assistance to obtain the social services they need. Educational, career, and leadership training build parents’ skills so they can match with job opportunities, while Know Your Rights presentations equip them to negotiate for better workplace conditions. Some 140 refugee and immigrant youth co-create the afterschool and summer programming they want to engage in. In addition to championing language access through coalition work, MLOV also empowers community members to advocate for issues that impact them and lead the change they want to see.



c/o Josephine Butler Parks Center, 2437 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009


cfp-dc.org/mlov


Solutions in Hometown Connections

WISH LIST
$100: 1.5 hours of one-on-one tutoring support for SHC Adult Citizenship;
$500: 2 months of skills training for SHC newcomer employees;
$1000:classroom space for 1 month
 
Most refugee families encounter tremendous language, economic, and cultural challenges upon arrival in the US. During this vulnerable and often isolating time, SHC facilitates meaningful connections between newcomers and longtime residents while introducing them to the community resources they need. Many of its clients are mothers with little to no formal education whose caregiving responsibilities prevent them from participating in traditional programs for newcomers. SHC tailors its Welcome Workshops so their accompanying children can attend preschool in the same space. Clients continue to learn English in online classes alongside their children. Staff work with each family to advance their goals inside and outside of the classroom, helping them access citizenship prep, housing, legal services, and other resources. Welcoming hundreds of newcomers into a warm community annually, SHC gives them the confidence to thrive.



6811 Kenilworth Avenue, Suite 606
Riverdale, MD 20737


cfp-dc.org/solutions


HUMAN SERVICES: Immigrant & Refugee Services

Central American Resource Center

WISH LIST
$100: citizenship class & materials for 1 student;
$500: study materials for 50 citizenship class students;
$1000: family petition to legally bring relatives into the US
 
Over one in ten Washingtonians is Latino, and the majority of these are immigrants; up to 80% of them need legal services, unaffordable for many with limited English skills, unstable housing, and low wages. CARECEN provides them with low- and no-cost direct services, helping them reunite their families, defend against deportation, gain permanent residency, and attain citizenship. Citizenship classes are paired with English language and interpretation support to thoroughly equip individuals, while election forums and voter registration campaigns encourage their full civic participation. Housing counseling and tenant rights workshops give community members vital financial literacy tools to prevent their displacement. At public hearings CARECEN advocates for immigrants' rights, ensuring its community is protected against discrimination. Each year, CARECEN ensures over 1,000 immigrants can thrive across our community.

Catherine Rubio, Director of Operations

1460 Columbia Road, NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 328-9799 ext. 213
catherine.rubio@carecendc.org
cfp-dc.org/carecen


Page 49

Armed Services Arts Partnership

WISH LIST
$100: instructor training;
$500: multi-week arts workshop in support of 1 unique veteran;
$1000: multi-week arts & comedy classes for 1 unique veteran
 
Traumatic experiences in military service, social and emotional difficulties in transitioning to civilian life, constant moves, deployments: all these contribute to a lost sense of purpose and to social isolation. In our post-9/11 years, arts-based initiatives have emerged as among the most promising interventions for veterans and their families. Working in partnership with both veterans’ services organizations and local arts groups, ASAP understands the arts, military culture, and the centrality of trauma-informed work. Free, seven-week classes in comedy, improv, storytelling, writing, theater, and visual arts provide an outlet for expression, skill-development, and camaraderie. The community in DC and VA is now 1,000 veteran-artists strong. This work matters.

Diane Corina , Operations Manager

2461 Eisenhower Avenue, Floor 2
Alexandria, VA 22314
(202) 838-3015
diane@asapasap.org
cfp-dc.org/asap


HUMAN SERVICES: Veterans & Military Families

Operation Renewed Hope Foundation

WISH LIST
$100: 2 weeks of gas cards for a Veteran;
$500: 2 weeks of groceries for a Veteran and their family;
$1000: emergency car repair services
 
Nationwide, 11% of adults experiencing homelessness are Veterans who require targeted support to regain stability. ORHF has helped hundreds secure safe, permanent homes – and overcome the root causes of instability in their lives. Staff work with Veterans individually, providing or arranging shelter while tailoring care plans to each client’s circumstances. Case managers coordinate with the VA, state and local agencies, and faith-based organizations, to obtain everyday basics like furniture and food, as well as access to critical services like healthcare and counseling for PTSD or substance abuse. Employment is crucial to empower Veterans long-term, so ORHF connects clients to education and training assistance, and helps them apply for jobs. 92% of its clients have found permanent housing, with ORHF empowering them every step of the way.

Nancy Sipowicz, Special Assistant

PO Box 10142
Alexandria, VA 22310
202-213-1230
nancy@orhfoundation.org
cfp-dc.org/renewedhope


HUMAN SERVICES: Veterans & Military Families

The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program

WISH LIST
$125: support for 2 DC pro bono legal clinics;
$250: training materials for 1 volunteer attorney;
$750: independent medical review for 1 Veteran's appeal
 
Thousands of Veterans and their loved ones appeal annually to federal courts in DC, seeking to overturn their denial of benefits claims. Many are elderly, experiencing financial hardship, or suffering from serious conditions like PTSD; all deserve high-quality legal advice. TVC's Discharge Upgrade Program serves those who, because of conduct related to service-connected mental health issues, have received an other-than-honorable discharge and are denied benefits as a result (2000 successful upgrades to date). It provides free services to over 1000 Veterans and their families each year. It also manages two free clinics a week – one for women by women attorneys – and offers start-up funding for Veterans clinics at partner law schools. These services mean Veterans can access the life-changing benefits that our country has vowed to provide.

Steve Jordon, Executive Director

2101 L Street NW, Suite 840
Washington, DC 20037
202-733-3328
stephen.jordon@vetsprobono.org
cfp-dc.org/tvc


Page 51

DC Affordable Law Firm

WISH LIST
$100: consult for 1 DC resident;
$500: pro bono assistance to secure Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for 1 child;
$5000: multi-year representation for 1 mother
 
DCALF serves DC’s “forgotten middle,” residents who are too “wealthy” to qualify for free legal services but cannot afford private representation. Some 93% of this group represent themselves in divorce or custody matters and 97% appear in Probate Court without a lawyer. Whether clients need brief advice or full representation, DCALF ensures that income is never a barrier to legal representation. Supporting domestic violence survivors to obtain custody of their children, guiding immigrants in how to attain status and safety, advocating for Black and Brown families to preserve homeownership–these are just a few examples of the critical work in which DCALF routinely engages. Cultivating the next generation of public interest attorneys, its fellowship program provides recent law school graduates with experience, mentorship, and a competitive salary. DCALF advances economic justice by making the law accessible to all.



1717 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006

development@dcaffordablelaw.org
cfp-dc.org/dcalf


HUMAN SERVICES: Legal Services & Justice Programs

Amara Legal Center

WISH LIST
$100: criminal defense support for 1 misdemeanor case;
$500: expungement of criminal records support for 1 survivor;
$1000: legal representation in a custody case
 
At Amara, survivors of sex trafficking and sex workers in need of specialized legal services find attorneys who are trained to provide trauma-informed and culturally competent support. Social stigma and complex cases often make it challenging for survivors and sex workers to find lawyers willing to advocate for them. Beyond making these resources available for free to 70+ clients each year, Amara ensures they have access to the housing and mental health services they need by partnering with other local organizations. Know Your Rights and other trainings for schools, medical providers, and community groups broaden public understanding of how to reduce trauma when interacting with survivors, what the risk factors for trafficking are, and where survivors can access legal services. For Amara, justice truly begins when survivors lead the way.

Natasha Thomas, Deputy Director

1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006
240-257-6492
natasha.thomas@amaralegal.org
cfp-dc.org/amara


HUMAN SERVICES: Legal Services & Justice Programs

Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center

WISH LIST
$100: 1 hour consult for a victim of domestic violence, trafficking, or crime;
$500: U.S. citizenship application assistance;
$1000: representation to gain an order of protection
 
The “model minority myth” perpetuates a perception of Asian Pacific Islanders (API) as highly educated and well-integrated into American society. Yet, 23% of community members have limited English proficiency; 10% live at or below the federal poverty level; and 9% of those over 25 do not have a high school diploma. APALRC advances the civil rights of our API neighbors with low incomes, many of whom face cultural and linguistic barriers to accessing legal assistance. A bilingual and bicultural team provides free legal services for hundreds of immigrants, victims of crime and trafficking, domestic violence survivors, and tenants. Seminars and panels educate community members about their legal rights and about stopping anti-Asian hate while raising awareness of these issues. APALRC is the advocate our local API community deserves.

Naznin

1627 K Street, NW Suite 610
Washington, DC 20006

naznin.saifi@apalrc.org
cfp-dc.org/apalrc


Page 52

HUMAN SERVICES: Legal Services & Justice Programs

Rising for Justice

WISH LIST
$100: same-day legal assistance for 1 person or family;
$500: back rent for 1 tenant who could not otherwise pursue claim against landlord;
$1000: 1 month of litigation costs
 
Rising for Justice provides free, high-quality legal services and protects the rights of some 250,000 low-income DC residents. Each year, dozens of students from area law schools, joined by attorneys from local law firms, receive training on representing low-income clients. Attorneys conduct intake, provide client consultations, and participate in emergency hearings. For the thousands of DC residents at risk of homelessness, they are 19 times likelier to prevail if they are represented by a lawyer. This critical work is very much needed as we face the long road ahead.



901 4th Street NW, Suite 6000
Washington, DC 20001


cfp-dc.org/null


Page 53

HUMAN SERVICES: Community & Civic Engagement

Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County

WISH LIST
$100: 2 hours of family mediation;
$500: 1 Youth Restorative Justice Dialog Circle for 10;
$1000: Mediation Training for communities experiencing conflict
 
Whether it’s a dispute with a police officer, neighbor, or classmate, CRCMC is there to broker agreements and avoid violence, lawsuits, and suspensions. Its Landlord-Tenant Mediation Program helps resolve conflict and builds understanding while providing a safe space for complaints and rebuilding community relations – particularly resonant in this year of pain, harm, and unrest. School programs focus on resolving conflict through teacher training, dialogue circles, and mediation; community programs include couples negotiating child custody, Spanish speakers in need of bilingual mediation, and others. Participants are more available for mediation online – an unexpected benefit of our virtual existence – and in more intense cases actually appreciate not facing each other in person. Restoring justice, mending relationships, supporting small businesses, creating safer schools and neighborhoods: this is the kind of healing we need.



4805 Edgemoor Lane, 2nd Floor
Bethesda, MD 20714


cfp-dc.org/crcmc


HUMAN SERVICES: Legal Services & Justice Programs

OAR of Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church

WISH LIST
$100:ID retrieval to secure housing & employment;
$500:up to 3 months of coaching including wrap-around direct services;
$1000: 1 month of rent
 
Established in the 1970s when the restorative justice movement began, OAR walks alongside individuals returning to the community from incarceration. It offers pre-release workshops so individuals can learn about reentry issues, participate in group psychotherapy, and plan their transitions. After release, OAR assists them with immediate needs (securing identification and accessing cell phones) and provides longer-term coaching and employment support, including gender-responsive therapeutic services for female-identifying individuals. To help more people stay in the community, OAR works with local courts and the Commonwealth Attorney's office to facilitate community service as an alternative sentencing option and diversion program. In addition, its Racial Justice and Liberation work guides community members through dismantling personal and systemic racism in the criminal legal system. At OAR, liberation means dignity and justice for all.

Elizabeth Jones Valderrama, Executive Director

1400 North Uhle Street, Suite 704
Arlington, VA 22201
703-228-7030
donations@oaronline.org
cfp-dc.org/oar


Page 55

HUMAN SERVICES: Life Skills, Training, and Employment

Computer CORE

WISH LIST
$100: a refurbished PC laptop for 1 student;
$500: digital literacy training & refurbished computer for 1 participant;
$2000: annual fee for one digital platform
 
For CORE’s adult students, who are primarily immigrants, women, and people of color, job security and career advancement depend on gaining digital skills to navigate a rapidly changing landscape – skills that, at CORE, they can grasp quickly and affordably without fear of judgment. Providing free online classes alongside free refurbished computers, no learning opportunity is too small for CORE. Students begin the moment they receive their computers, as volunteers demonstrate how to enter the virtual classroom environment in which they will participate. Classes cover the basics of Word, PowerPoint, and Google Workspace and more advanced offerings in coding and website development are available as they progress. As digital technology continues to advance, CORE ensures these 600+ adults each year are not left behind.

, Executive Director

201 N. Union Street, Suite 110
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-928-0619
donna@computercore.org
cfp-dc.org/core


HUMAN SERVICES: Community & Civic Engagement

Washington Area Community Investment Fund

WISH LIST
$100: 3 small business toolkits;
$500: 2 business advisory workshops for entrepreneurs;
$1000: Ascend Capital Accelerator program for 1 entrepreneur
 
Economic disparity and systemic inequality are stark and pervasive across the Washington region where white households have an average net worth 81 times that of Black households. And though entrepreneurship is critical to closing that gap, entrepreneurs of color are more likely to be denied loans, receive lower amounts, pay higher rates, or not apply at all. Wacif focuses on communities east of the Anacostia River for almost half its lending. It also offers robust advisory services, from one-to-one business counseling to intensive, multi-week courses. The businesses Wacif serves will continue to need its support as they face an uncertain, still changing, economy.

Megan Carras, Chief Development Officer

2012 Rhode Island Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20018
202.529.5505
mcarras@wacif.org
cfp-dc.org/wacif


HUMAN SERVICES: Basic Needs, Food, & Housing

Britepaths

WISH LIST
$100: school supplies for 4 students;
$500: workforce development skill-building for 3 adults;
$1000: car repair so a parent can keep their job
 
One in four families in Northern Virginia lives paycheck-to-paycheck; delaying medical treatment, going hungry, or sacrificing other basic needs just to make ends meet. Britepaths provides free and immediate services (in Spanish, English, and other languages when necessary) while working with families to achieve long-term self-sufficiency. Families in crisis receive food (including grocery gift cards and farmers market vouchers), school supplies, and assistance with rent, utilities, and car repairs. At the Financial Empowerment Center, clients engage one-on-one with coaches to improve their financial literacy skills, get job and certification training, mentorship, professional networking experiences, and supplemental workshops. Serving more than 10,000 individuals annually, 58% of whom are children, Britepaths guides clients through financial crises and meets their current needs while helping families change the outcome for future generations as well.

Abra Kurt, Executive Director

3959 Pender Drive, Suite 200
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-273-8829
akurt@britepaths.org
cfp-dc.org/britepaths


Page 56

Beyond Borders

WISH LIST
$100: reintegrates 1 freed child slave into her family;
$500: provides a year of training for a teacher;
$1800: allows a destitute family permanently to escape extreme poverty
 
The poorest country in the Western hemisphere, Haiti has social and economic challenges that have attracted significant international aid. But too many charities offer only temporary fixes that end once the headlines disappear. By contrast, Beyond Borders sees the country’s strength and beauty, and the great potential of everyday Haitians to transform their communities. Addressing deeply rooted challenges – gender-based violence, extreme poverty, child slavery, and the lack of quality education – BB equips Haitian organizations and local leaders with the training, tools, methods, and materials they need to build social movements. Some programs are designed for community organizing or skill acquisition; others help employ public health models, combat harmful cultural norms, or maximize local resources. All lead to tangible, community-led results: sending children to school instead of work, increasing food security, reducing violence. A gift here is an investment in Haiti’s people – and its future.

David Diggs, Executive Director

3737 Jocelyn Street
Washington, DC 20015
202-686-2088
ddiggs@beyondborders.net
cfp-dc.org/beyondborders


Page 57

Community Forklift

WISH LIST
$100: 1 refurbished air conditioner for 1 family;
$500: 5 pairs of steel-toed boots;
$1000: 1 month of community programming on reuse, home repair, & sustainability
 
Landfills are the largest local source of methane (and pollution) in Prince George’s County where, simultaneously, many residents lack access to the affordable materials that crowd those landfills. So Community Forklift diverts over 170,000 refrigerators, power tools, lumber, and other landfill-bound items into the local “re-use” economy every year, ensuring that residents, small businesses, and nonprofits can acquire them at low- or no cost. Its model does more than eliminate waste. It allows community members to create assets out of these materials – residents repair their homes; organizations reduce their costs; and artisans hone their craft. Having donated more than $1 million worth of materials since 2011, Community Forklift also offers good jobs to returning citizens and those facing employment barriers, all while furthering the local green economy.

Trey Davis, Executive Director

4671 Tanglewood Drive
Hyattsville, MD 20781
3019855180
trey@communityforklift.org
cfp-dc.org/forklift


Main Street Connect

WISH LIST
$100: three months of CORE membership;
$500: one season of Friday Night Vibes, a social program for adults of all abilities;
$1,500: one accessible educational program
 
Adults with disabilities often lose access to resources and support when they reach the “cliff” at age 21, making it difficult to find opportunities for continued education, meaningful employment, and social anchors. Main Street combats this isolation by creating community, inviting people with and without disabilities into a shared space. Much of its programming is grounded in its 70-unit apartment building in Rockville, which provides 110 residents with inclusive and affordable housing. The building’s community center and coffee shop host up to 15 weekly programs, from positive thinking workshops to Friday night socials, wellness classes, community service projects, and more. Its use of universal design principles works: 98% of its 250+ resident and non-resident members feel like they belong. As a national leader, Main Street staff educates others to replicate this model, raising the bar for inclusive communities everywhere.

Tara Owens, Executive Director

50 Monroe Place
Rockville, MD 20850
301-580-1531
tarao@mainstreetconnect.org
cfp-dc.org/mainstreetcdc


Page 59

SEED SPOT

WISH LIST
$100: Launch Camp for one entrepreneur;
$500: live Demo Day Pitch for 1 entrepreneur;
$1000: ten-week Impact Accelerator for 1 entrepreneur
 
As our region’s largest network of social enterprise incubators, SEED SPOT connects impact-focused local entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed. Business owners from under-represented identities often face barriers to accessing social and financial capital. SEED SPOT empowers these entrepreneurs in the early stages to launch and grow their businesses. During Launch Camp, they hone their business models, connect with mentors and industry experts, and pitch their ventures. Those ready to scale participate in the 10-week Impact Accelerator, receiving structured guidance as they define their strategies, build their teams, and enter the market. Additional programs tailored to specific communities uplift more founders in under-served places like Prince George’s County. SEED SPOT builds an inclusive and thriving ecosystem, helping grow the number of local entrepreneurs by 600% over the last four years.

Maddy Chong, Development & Communications Associate

80 M Street SE
Washington, DC 20003

maddy@seedspot.org
cfp-dc.org/seedspot


The Federated Charities Corporation of Frederick

WISH LIST
$100: nonprofit tenant lunch;
$500: winter supplies for The Mitten Project;
$1,000: soundproofing & acoustic tiles for 1 community meeting space
 
The Federated Charities Nonprofit Center keeps the lights on for 14 traditional nonprofit tenant-partners, ensuring they can allocate back to those they serve more than $250,000 each year in rent reductions alone. Shared physical resources and services like fiscal sponsorship, professional development, and technical assistance – also available to any nonprofit in Frederick – increase savings. This means that a partner like Mission of Mercy can offer free medical and dental services to 220 more uninsured patients each year. Federated Charities also promotes a sense of community in the neighborhood through public art projects, winter clothing drives, and rapid response funding for those in need of direct assistance. Focusing energy on the nonprofit community, highlighting its work, and building its capacity, reminds us that everyone has something to give.

Elin Ross, Executive Director

22 South Market Street, Suite 1
Frederick, MD 21701
301-662-1561 ext 100
info@federatedcharities.org
cfp-dc.org/federatedfrederick


Page 60

President Lincoln's Cottage

WISH LIST
$100: supplies for Lincoln's Hat program;
$500: 2 transportation scholarships;
$1000: scholarship for student participation in summer summit for teen activists
 
President Lincoln did much of his nation-changing work (including developing the Emancipation Proclamation) at a cottage in northwest Washington. Since opening to the public on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in 2008, the Cottage continues its legacy as “a home for brave ideas.” From exhibits to events to tours that incorporate mindfulness techniques, creating a meditative experience as audiences are guided through the grounds, the Cottage welcomes over 35,000 visitors annually, including 5,000 students. Educational programs are free for DC public and charter schools, and for Title I schools in Virginia and Maryland. The award-winning Students Opposing Slavery program brings together youth from around the world to learn about slavery’s history — and to develop actionable plans to fight human trafficking today. Using past history to address present-day challenges, this innovative home redefines what a National Monument can be.

Hannah Urrey, Director of Advancement

3700 North Capitol Street NW, Box 558
Washington, DC 20011
202-688-3734
hurrey@lincolncottage.org
cfp-dc.org/lincolncottage