Press Releases

From the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia

January 11, 2024
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia welcomes Renée Byng Yancey as its new President and CEO beginning January 29, 2024. This appointment follows an exhaustive nationwide search led by the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors, in consultation with Executive Search Firm Sterling Martin Associates.
Renée is the outgoing Chief External Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer for the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and is a long-term resident of Northern Virginia.

January 10, 2024
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia’s annual discretionary Community Investment Funds, Environment Fund, and Ross-Roberts Fund for the Arts grant have opened as of today, January 10, 2024.

January 8, 2024
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia through its Business Women’s Giving Circle has awarded $55,000 in total to three organizations making a difference in the lives of young women and girls in the region.

December 19, 2023
On Tuesday, December 5, more than 300 community leaders from across the region celebrated Eileen Ellsworth’s remarkable eighteen years as President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia. The atmosphere at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens was one of celebration, and joy. After nearly two decades, tens of millions of dollars raised, and millions of dollars in grants and scholarships awarded, Eileen closes this chapter of her career on an impeccable high note.

November 15, 2023
15 November 2023 (Fairfax, VA): Yesterday, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia hosted author and speaker Mónica Guzmán to discuss her book I Never Thought of it That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times.

October 10, 2023
Arun Anne and Sumeet

10 October 2023 (Fairfax, VA): The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia held its annual Raise the Region Gala at the Hilton McLean Tyson’s Corner this past Friday, to a completely sold-out room. More than 850 people participated, between in-person and virtual participation options. The black-tie event celebrated a rousing sense of renewal for the region and for the Community Foundation, and honored Sumeet Shrivastava with the Community Leadership Award. Here is the video shared in tribute of Sumeet’s work in Northern Virginia and beyond.

September 22, 2023
21 September 2023 (Fairfax, VA)

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia has joined a nationwide coalition of more than 40 community foundations to launch the Community Foundation Climate Collaborative. The Collaborative is a coordinated effort aimed at helping local communities secure funding and more effectively respond to climate change.

September 18, 2023
In 2019, worker mental health represented a salient but relatively uncommon issue for Northern Virginia employers: approximately 11 percent of working adults were experiencing mild anxiety or depression, and 7 percent fell into a clinical range.

August 29, 2023

In 2021, one in five families (20 percent) in Northern Virginia did not earn enough money to meet their basic needs for shelter, food, medical care, and other essentials. An additional nine percent could not cover these basic needs, and pay for childcare. All told, 29 percent of the region’s families were struggling with income inadequacy.

To cope with rising costs, families at all income levels are changing their habits. The majority of families are cutting back on discretionary spending. Nearly half of families at all income levels have compromised their financial health, including taking on more debt, and getting behind on bills. More than a quarter were sacrificing a basic need, such as delaying medical care, keeping their homes at an unsafe temperature, or going hungry.

June 26, 2023
Fairfax, VA, June 26, 2023

After nearly two decades, Eileen Ellsworth has announced her plans to retire as the President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia. She will continue in the role until her successor has been selected.

"After 18 wonderful years, I have decided to turn the reins over to the next generation and start a new chapter in my personal and professional life," said Ellsworth. "I am filled with gratitude for the chance to have served. It has been the professional privilege of my life."