Community Foundation for Northern Virginia to Host Virtual 2021 Raise the Region Fundraiser in Annual Celebration of Local Philanthropy

As we continue to face challenges in Northern Virginia created by the pandemic, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia is returning to a virtual format for this year’s annual fundraising event. On Friday, October 8, 2021, at 7 pm EST, the Community Foundation hosts its 2021 Raise the Region, a virtual event that will be live-streamed and will include an online auction and opportunities to engage and connect with our community from the comfort of your home. The theme this year is Building a Community that Works for Everyone, and the event will highlight a record level of giving from the Community Foundation throughout the region.

Hosted by NBC4’s Leon Harris, 2021 Raise the Region virtual event is FREE to attend and will air live from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on October 8^th, available at www.cfnova.org/RaiseTheRegion. Though usually an in-person gala attended by more than 600 business, philanthropic, and community leaders, this year’s event is a virtual campaign to raise unrestricted funds to support the Community Foundation’s ability to grow philanthropy to respond to need and seed innovation throughout the region. It will include an online auction and raffle, a video presentation highlighting our work in the region, and opportunities to engage and connect with our community.

Community Foundation awarded more than $2 million of emergency response support last year to address the immediate impact of COVID. This year the Community Foundation continued to address the fallout from the pandemic with the launch of our Build Back – Dream Forward Initiative.

“We launched Build Back Dream Forward last fall to help those who had been disproportionately impacted by the virus and its fallouts. Our goals for the initiative are to promote more social and economic mobility, racial justice and equity, and more inclusive systems of economic growth,” said Eileen Ellsworth, president and CEO, Community Foundation for Northern Virginia. 

To date Build Back – Dream Forward has awarded $530,300 in grants to over 20 local organizations. For a complete list click here.

The event will feature the presentation of the 2021 Community Leadership Award to Karen Schaufeld, philanthropist, author, entrepreneur, and lawyer.

“Karen is a strategic and highly effective advocate for the needs of Northern Virginia.  Her passion is clearly contagious on behalf of the entire region,” said Ellsworth.

Support for the Community Foundation’s 2021 Raise the Region Event is provided by Signature Sponsors Claude Moore Charitable Foundation; Jeane Dixon Children to Children Foundation; John and Nina Toups Charitable Fund; Nolan Family Charitable Fund; Schaufeld Family Foundation; Fred Schaufeld; Tony & Annette Nader; Cliff & Debbie White; SWaN Investors Management. Community Leadership Sponsors Ted and Lynn Leonsis; Truist; Auction Sponsor Pohanka Automotive Group; Photo Engagement Sponsor Monument Wealth Management; Raffle Sponsor Caimi-Markis Family Fund; and Community Wealth Building Sponsors Tom and Hillary Baltimore; The Blackthorn Foundation; David and Amy Bosserman; Dewberry; Eileen Ellsworth and Bob Weil; Robert and Pamela Kipps; Lubetzky Family Foundation; Telos Corporation; Washington Gas; John H. Wolff & Wealthspire Advisors. For a complete list of sponsors please visit our website here.

Raise the Region sponsorships are fully deductible and still available. More information, along with a sneak preview of online auction items, is available at www.cfnova.org/RaiseTheRegion or please contact Tara Nadel, Vice President of Communications and Events at the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (703) 879-7637.