Computer CORE

EIN: 54-1968428

Mission Statement

Computer CORE’s mission is to prepare underserved adults in Virginia to realize career aspirations with foundational digital and professional skills.

Program Summary

Computer CORE is a 26-year old organization, which has served Arlington residents since a few years after its founding in 1999. Currently, CORE serves 50-100 Arlingtonians each year. CORE provides one-on-one assistance to individuals who lack digital literacy. We carefully guide each student by giving them a refurbished laptop computer to keep and the basic skills to turn it on, understand the keyboard, begin online assessments and get onto Zoom. Once they can take the computer home and join us on Zoom, the door is opened to over 24 highly individualized computer, English conversation, math, and other classes. Classes are taught by skilled and compassionate volunteers, who understand how difficult it can be for adults to find time for class and to set aside their embarrassment at not having the digital skills needed in today’s society. Students can return for as many classes as they need, and many return even after finding a new job or being promoted, because there is always a need for additional digital skills.

Impact Statement

Computer CORE assists adults to find their career and educational path using digital tools, such as a free computer and the basic skills to use it. As students gain confidence, tech vocabulary and knowledge, they can move beyond our beginning level classes and get introduced to coding, security issues, cloud computing, website design and other topics. CORE is a bridge to more advanced education and certification, such as a community college or 4-year college can provide.

What ways can the public get involved?

Computer CORE recruits volunteers to serve as online classroom lead teachers and Zoom administrators. We also need assistance with events, fundraising, marketing, communication and “back office” tasks. We hold quarterly computer donation drives and are happy to set up a donation table at your residence, business or event.

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

📚 $250 – Provides a free refurbished computer for a student to keep
👩‍🏫 $500 – Supports five weeks of instruction, mentorship, and technical support for one student.
🎓 $1,000 – Fully funds a student’s 10-week journey, including instruction, mentorship, and a laptop.
🏢 $5,000 – Provides training, mentorship, and laptops for five students, helping them gain job-ready digital skills.
🚀 $10,000 – Expands Computer CORE’s reach, supporting program development and new training resources.
🌟 $20,000 – Funds an entire cohort of 20 adult learners, giving them the tools and support needed to succeed in today’s workforce.

Information provided February 2025

National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Northern Virginia Chapter

EIN: 54-1366159

Mission Statement

Our mission is to advocate on behalf of Black women and girls to promote leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment.

Program Summary

The Northern Virginia Chapter, chartered with 35 members on January 22, 1984, in Arlington, VA, under the leadership of the late Mrs. Evelyn Reid Syphax, is committed to improving the quality of life of Black women and girls in the Northern Virginia area. The chapter is a 501(c) 3 advocacy organization dedicated to leadership development, political awareness, and enhancing career opportunities through networking and local programming. NCBW-NOVA addresses critical education, health, economic empowerment, and public policy dimensions.

Education:  NCBW delivers support services that help youth achieve their educational goals. By supporting positive experiences, fostering a positive self-perception and self-respect, encouraging excellence in education, and promoting the pursuit of positive lifelong goals, NCBW is creating future leaders.

Health: Health is a vital component of a thriving community. The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. is concerned about the well-being of the whole community and the whole person physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Our primary focuses for health advocacy are Family and childhood Obesity, Cancer/Health Disparities, and Metabolic Disease. 

Economic Empowerment: The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. views economic empowerment as critical for a just society. We define economic empowerment as the ability to self-determine dreams, pursue and realize them by establishing the mechanisms to sustain generational wealth. NCBW’s programmatic initiative “Sisters-Nomic$” promotes economic self-sufficiency through financial literacy, family wealth building, and entrepreneurship.

Public Policy: As the premier advocacy organization in Northern Virginia for Black women and girls, we have hosted the Annual Luncheon Advocacy Forum for nearly forty years to bring critical issues to our community. Through moderated discussions with thought leaders and trailblazers across various fields, the Northern Virginia Chapter has generated a dialogue amongst our attendees so that they leave the event with ways to impact their local communities. Chapter members serve on local boards, and we meet with local officials, the League of Women Voters, and Housing Authorities to address local policies that impact Black women and girls, their families, and local communities.

Impact Statement

NCBW NOVA Chapter serves the Northern Virginia communities of Arlington County, VA, City of Alexandria, VA, and Fairfax County, VA. As our impact continues to affect the population served, each of our initiatives makes focused impact:

Educational impacts are to: Eliminate disparities Improved outcomes and graduation rates Provide vocational/college preparation courses Provide S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) Education Support HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) Access Affordability.

Health impacts are Childhood and Family Obesity Initiative NCBW Cancer Health Disparities Program NCBW Metabolic Syndrome Initiative Prevention/Decrease Mortality Improve Health Outcomes Access to Affordable Healthcare Culturally Competent Research Quality of Life – Public Safety and Crime.

Economic Empowerment impacts are: Pay Equity African American Woman-Owned Business Growth Livable Wage Employment Opportunities.

Public Policy impacts are Voter Education/Rights Civic Engagement Increase Women Candidates Running for Political Office, Issue Timely Policy Alerts, and Issue Position Papers on Public Policy Platform Issues.    

What ways can the public get involved?

The public can get involved in our programmatic areas by attending listening sessions, responding to call to action alerts, e.g. voter registration, civic engagement and community organizing.

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

All monetary and in-kind donations matter and help to support our ongoing programmatic initiatives.  Charitable dollars are spent as the NCBW NOVA Chapter hosts more than twenty various activities and events each program year. Those activities include workshops on financial literacy, wealth building, leadership training and Board member development, Town Halls, webinars, and leading our robust young girls mentoring program.   

Information provided January 2025

Youth To Society Sports League (Y2S Sports)

EIN: 99-3901026

Mission

Youth suicide is one of the leading causes of death among young people, and mental health issues have reached epidemic levels. Our mission brings a proactive approach and introduces a ‘new concept’ to the youth sports industry, combining sports and community service to empower and equip youth with essential social and emotional life skills to create positive change for the betterment of humanity

Program Summary

Y2S Sports brings a new concept and combines sports and community service to develop positive mental health skills. Our program is run like an organized sport, with ten-week seasons in the fall, winter, and spring, with camps in the summer. Each season, coaches are trained in the curriculum to deliver weekly practices that build character and socio-emotional skills in a fun, non-competitive, ‘sports’ environment designed around one community service project.

Impact Statement

Our program is designed to reach and impact all youth, regardless of socioeconomic status. Through equipping the minds of the next generation, we bring a proactive approach to the decline in youth mental health that impacts the future of the world by raising a changed generation for society.   

What ways can the public get involved?

We offer various ways to get involved, including leadership roles for high school athletes and through our community and corporate partnerships. We are always looking for local nonprofits within our community to collaborate with to provide players with volunteer opportunities to positively impact and support local initiatives and cultivate a sense of altruism and empathy in future generations.

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

Measuring Our Impact: To truly demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, we need robust software to track and measure outcomes. We can show how our program positively shapes young athletes by analyzing metrics like skill development, self-confidence, and team cohesion. This data will help us improve and share our success stories with partners, communities, and funders.

Supporting Our “Every Kid Plays” Policy: At Y2S Sports, we believe no child should be excluded from participating due to financial barriers. Your grant would directly support our efforts to provide scholarships and cover essential costs, ensuring that every child—regardless of their background—has access to a safe, inclusive, and transformative sports experience.

Supporting our community service projects. To allow kids to have more hands-on experience, we don’t want to have our players raise the funds to fund the project. We partner with other nonprofit missions to help support their cause and donate whatever is needed to fulfill the project

Information provided March 2025

Junior League of Northern Virginia

EIN: 54-0651635

Mission Statement

The Junior League of Northern Virginia is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.

Program Summary

Throughout our robust history, the Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV) has been at the forefront of making a lasting impact in our community. We support several signature programs, with the collective goal of advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Each program also aligns with our focus area, Women Helping Women, and continued commitment to improving the lives of women and families in Northern Virginia through access to essential services and professional development opportunities.

• Volunteer action: Each year, the JLNV donates thousands of volunteer hours to community organizations and programs in alignment with our mission and focus area. Last year, the JLNV provided 805 volunteer hours to 15 different community partners, including the Arlington Food Assistance Center.
• Community Grants Program: The JLNV awards annual grants of funds and volunteer hours through our Community Grants program that support projects aligned with our mission, focus area, and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Last year, the JLNV granted $10,000 to five local nonprofit organizations in the Northern Virginia area, including Bridges to Independence in Arlington.
• Period Pantries: To further JLNV’s current focus area, the League is currently running a Period Pantry Campaign. Since 2023, the JLNV has launched five local period pantries across Northern Virginia, while collecting more than 20,000 period products to keep up with demand. Period pantries are designed to address the critical issue of period poverty by distributing free period products to anyone in need.
• JLNV Teens Program: The JLNV is the first League in the nation to establish the JLNV Teens program, an opportunity for high school teenage women to partner with us to ignite lasting change in their community through leadership development and volunteerism. The program, which was launched in Summer 2024, currently has 38 members from over seven local high schools, including from Arlington area high schools.

Impact Statement

Since 1958, the Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV) has provided tens of thousands of service hours, thousands of hours in leadership training, and millions in financial support to local nonprofits across Northern Virginia. Throughout its history, the JLNV has been a founder for the Children’s Science Center, created the Family Resource Center with Shelter House, and built multipurpose rooms at the Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter. Most recently, the JLNV is addressing period poverty in our communities and improving access to menstrual products for women in Northern Virginia through the establishment of our period pantries.

Each year, the JLNV partners with a diverse range of community agencies that reflect our mission, vision and values by providing much-needed volunteer resources and funding. This year, through our Community Grants program alone, the JLNV will contribute more than 330 volunteer hours, valued at more than $11,051, along with awarding $10,000 in grant funding to our community partners.

What ways can the public get involved?

There are several ways that the public can get involved with the Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV). First, whether through individual giving, sponsorship, or in-kind donations, your support of the JLNV helps to expand our community programs and build future leaders. Approximately 94% of our community service programs and activities are funded through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations.

The JLNV also provides volunteers in response to requests from community organizations that reflect our mission and community focus. Community organizations can request volunteer support for short-term projects or events throughout the year.

Additionally, the JLNV welcomes all women across the Northern Virginia area who value our mission and share a common desire to drive positive change in the community to consider joining our League as members. We accept new members twice a year to be a part of our Spring and Fall New Member Classes. The JLNV is committed to inclusive environments of diverse individuals, organizations, and communities and we embrace the diverse representation of the women reflected in our communities and their wide range of backgrounds, opinions, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, religions and lived experiences. We recognize that diversity among our members and our community outreach is critical to accomplishing our mission.

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

Donations help the Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV) advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. As a donor, you are empowering the JLNV to continue our community work by:

• Maintaining 5 Period Pantries across Northern Virginia, improving access for women to much-needed, but often out-of-reach menstrual products.
• Volunteering 100s of hours of time to local community organizations that are committed to improving the lives of women and families in Northern Virginia.
• Investing in the community work of local nonprofits selected through our annual Community Grants program (totaling $10,000 annually) who are committed to improving access to essential services and professional development opportunities for women and families.
• Building the leadership potential of our community’s 300+ women leaders through training, project management, and board service experience.

Information provided March 2025

Food Pantry at St. George’s

Mission Statement

The mission of our Food Pantry, Arlington’s longest running, active food pantry: to serve as a vital source of food and fellowship for Arlingtonians who are in great need. Our goals and commitment – to provide equitable access to resources and opportunities needed for EVERY COMMUNITY MEMBER to be healthy, safe, and economically secure.

Program Summary

The Food Pantry at Saint George’s Episcopal Church, the oldest in Arlington, was established in 1989. Our mission is to serve as a vital source of food and fellowship for people in need in the Arlington community. By partnering with parishioners, local organizations, and individuals in the area, we help create a community solution to a community challenge.  It is a fully-volunteer, unpaid Church ministry.

We provide one bag of food items that will last a client for 2 days, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Typical items include bottled water, boxed milk, canned vegetables, canned and microwavable pasta, canned and instant soup, instant oatmeal, applesauce cups, snacks, and fresh fruit.  Basic personal care staples, baby wipes and diapers are also handed out.

Impact Statement

Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, we serve approximately an average of 70 Arlingtonian’s daily.  During the first quarter of 2026, the highest number of guests we served in one day topped 108.  Visiting us each day we are open provides clients’ food to last six days.  

No one is denied food.  Clients are welcome to a wide variety of food offerings.  Baby wipes and diapers are handed out for mothers with infants.

Our number of Food Pantry clients is steadily increasing.  The number of clients served doubled from 2024 to 2025 and the start of 2026 shows a similar trend.

What ways can the public get involved?

We would be most grateful for cash donations that will allow us to replenish our weekly food supplies.  We appreciate food donations that include bottled water, canned and boxed food goods.  We welcome volunteers who can help prepare our bagged items and feed those who come to our Food Pantry.   

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

• $5.25 will provide one client two days-worth of groceries.
• $15.75 will provide one client a week’s worth of groceries.
• $63 will provide one client a month’s worth of groceries. 

Information provided March 2026

Project Knitwell

EIN: 27-2316864

Mission Statement

Project Knitwell helps people facing challenges by providing knitting instruction and shared community opportunities that promote wellness and resilience.

Program Summary

Project Knitwell will develop and deliver programs, resources, and research that demonstrate the benefits of knitting as a tool for achieving wellness, comfort, and community.  Project Knitwell has programs that serves people at Virginia Hospital Center and the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, as well as other local medical facilities that serve Arlington residents.  We also have several volunteers that are Arlington residents and we conduct many of our volunteer meetings at the Arlington Central Library.

Impact Statement

Project Knitwell has active programs at 12 sites throughout the Washington, DC area.  Sites include programs for patients and staff at local hospitals, as well as at community sites such as the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, Hopelink and N Street Village.  Over 20 volunteers spent approximately 1500 hours annually teaching 1800+ people how to knit.

What ways can the public get involved?

The public can get involved by volunteering to teach knitting onsite, helping Project Knitwell do public events to spread the word, as well as support the organization with other publicity or fundraising activities.

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

Donations to Project Knitwell help provide quality instructional materials for participants, including yarn, needles and reference guides.  Donations also support our volunteer program to recruit, train and retain great volunteers.

Information provided March 2026

Center for Youth and Family Advocacy (CYFA)

EIN: 82-4681676

Mission Statement

CYFA expands educational opportunity, cultivates growth and resilience, and activates youth leadership and community contribution.

Program Summary

The Center for Youth and Family Advocacy (CYFA) expands educational opportunity, cultivates growth and resilience, and activates youth leadership and community contribution. Across Arlington, CYFA is building the infrastructure that ensures young people have access to opportunity, support, and pathways to lead.

CYFA’s work reflects a clear progression. Through Guiding Personal Success (GPS), youth access opportunity in safe, engaging environments, including The Zone for elementary students and Guiding Personal Success to Youth Employment Services (GPS2YES) for middle and high school youth. CYFA delivers these programs in Arlington Public Schools and in partnership with Affordable Homes and Communities, providing academic support, social-emotional learning, and opportunities to build healthy minds, healthy bodies, and healthy relationships, along with college and career exploration.

As youth grow, they develop accountability and leadership through the Youth Restorative Diversion Initiative (YRDI), a community-based alternative to the juvenile justice system where young people take accountability and repair harm through restorative practices, including PEER and Youth Peer Court (YPC), with advanced leadership through Youth Peer Court Ambassadors.

Youth then step into contribution. Through The Next Chapter, CYFA supports youth in the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center and through reentry, connecting them to education, workforce opportunities, and community resources. Through the Justice Leadership Club and CYFA’s Youth Advisory Board, youth lead and create meaningful change.

Impact Statement

CYFA’s work ensures that young people have access to opportunity, develop the skills and resilience to navigate challenges, and step into leadership within their communities. Through consistent, relationship-based support, youth remain engaged in school, strengthen decision-making and accountability, and build pathways toward college, careers, and long-term stability.

In 2025, CYFA served more than 320 youth, reaching hundreds of family members through engagement and connection to resources. In 2026, 100 teens participated in CYFA’s youth-led Listen Learn Lead Summit, demonstrating the power of youth leadership in action. Across afterschool programs, 60 young people are actively engaged in academic support, social-emotional learning, and skill-building.

Through the Youth Restorative Diversion Initiative (YRDI), CYFA provides a community-based alternative to the legal system, with 99% of youth successfully completing the program and 9 in 10 avoiding deeper system involvement. Every $1 invested in YRDI returns $8 in social value.

Through reentry and leadership pathways, youth not only stay connected to opportunity, but contribute to their schools and communities, strengthening the broader Arlington community.

What ways can the public get involved?

Community members can stay informed through CYFA’s newsletter and Instagram, learning more about our work and the ways we support youth and families across Arlington. Sharing CYFA’s work and using your voice to raise awareness helps expand opportunity for young people.

Financial support is critical to sustaining CYFA’s programs, including educational opportunity through Guiding Personal Success (GPS), restorative diversion through YRDI, and youth leadership initiatives.

There are also opportunities to give your time. Volunteers can support events such as the Listen Learn Lead Summit and other youth engagement activities.

You can also help connect young people to leadership opportunities by sharing pathways to get involved, including the Youth Advisory Board and Youth Peer Court and PEER Ambassador roles.

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

Your donation to CYFA directly supports programs that expand opportunity, strengthen resilience, and build youth leadership across Arlington.

Contributions sustain Guiding Personal Success (GPS), including The Zone and GPS2YES, which provide academic support, social-emotional learning, and opportunities for young people to build healthy minds, healthy bodies, and healthy relationships while exploring college and career pathways.

Your support also powers the Youth Restorative Diversion Initiative (YRDI), including PEER, Youth Peer Court (YPC), and Youth Peer Court Ambassadors, which provide restorative, community-based alternatives that help young people take accountability, repair harm, and stay connected to school and opportunity.

Donations fund The Next Chapter, supporting youth in the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center and through reentry with education, workforce readiness, and ongoing guidance, as well as leadership opportunities like the Youth Advisory Board, Justice Leadership Club, and youth-led events such as the Listen Learn Lead Summit.

Additional support makes community-based experiences like Unplugged possible, creating safe spaces for connection, well-being, and positive peer engagement.

Together, your investment ensures young people have the support, relationships, and opportunities they need to grow, lead, and contribute.

Information provided March 2026

The Fenwick Foundation

EIN: 27-4879033

Mission Statement

The Fenwick Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity focused on improving quality of life, health and wellbeing in ways that are not addressed or “below the radar.”  We provide a wide range of therapeutic recreational, cultural and educational outings and activities as well as support programs, including economic support, dental care, and vision care to low-resource and vulnerable adults and older adults, veterans and returning military personnel, people with disabilities, caregivers, and immigrant status adults.  

Program Summary

Enriching Lives — Social, & educational opportunities to attend theater, museums, sporting events, “out-to-eat” group lunches/dinners, zoo visits, parks, river cruises, bowling, movies, etc.  Program addresses mental and physical health needs of  Seniors/Elderly, Veterans, and other special needs individuals living in skilled nursing, assisted living, & group residence facilities to get groups “out-of-the-house” for physical/mental stimulation and activities.  Program encourages more active lifestyle and social interaction.

Dental Care —Project ADAPT provides needed dental care to low-income older adults, immigrant-status low-income adults and people with disabilities not receiving adequate or any dental care.  We provide a full range of  dental procedures/ treatments as well as a dental home for our patients in Northern Virginia.  Far too many do not have financial or logistical access to this basic health care need.  We are determined to change this condition. 

Impact Statement

Enriching Lives has had an impact on those combating mental health and physical health issues.  Our program gets people “out of the house” and into the community to help address the issues of loneliness and isolation.

Our Project ADAPT Dental program has had a major impact on the oral health of those we served.  Pain has been lessened, smiles have been returned, and folks have been able to more easily chew and eat food. Oral health impacts heart and physical health, so our patients have been impacted in these areas as well.

What ways can the public get involved?

Our programs require funding to operate.  Your donations will help us to continue and expand/improve these vital programs.

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

Your donation goes to help fund our programs and keep them running.  Over 90% of donations go directly to fund the organization’s programs.  

Your donations help us to obtain tickets to the activities we sponsor.  And your donations go to directly fund needed dental treatments and procedure for those who otherwise can not afford the cost of dental treatments.

Information provided March 2025

Friends of Arlington’s David M. Brown Planetarium

EIN: 27-2760025

Mission Statement

Promoting and supporting Arlington’s David M. Brown Planetarium as an accessible community resource for all people to learn, engage, and be inspired by the wonders of science and the universe.

Program Summary

The Friends raise funds to sponsor college scholarships, provide grants for teacher professional development, and support the licensing and creation of programming for the planetarium.  As part of its ongoing public education mission, the organization also hosts a variety of science themed public events and screenings of full-dome video programs.

Impact Statement

Friends of Arlington’s David M. Brown Planetarium (FOAP) provides funding to support education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.  We have funded more than $96,000 in scholarships to Arlington Public School Students as well as grants to Arlington Public School teachers to attend classes, major educational conferences, and online learning.  The program is administered jointly with APS and has benefited dozens of our teachers and – most importantly – their students. More than 2,000 people attended planetarium shows or science-based presentations during FOAP sponsored weekend events.  We also host dedicated programs for scout troops in the David M. Brown Planetarium once a month during the school year. FOAP has expanded its community outreach through its portable planetarium dome and virtual equipment.  We participate in multiple events at locations throughout Arlington County in our effort to bring the planetarium to the community.    

What ways can the public get involved?

The public is invited to become a member of the Friends.  Members are part of a community of citizens who are concerned about the planetarium facility and science education.  Members receive Advance notification of ticket availability for FOAP public programs, a subscription to the monthly FOAP digital newsletter, and invitations to special members-only events.

The public can volunteer at planetarium shows or other events, including the Arlington County Fair.  

We welcome all donations.  The public can donate to support general programs, the David M. Brown Memorial Scholarship, or the Alice G. B. Monet Teacher Grant Program.

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

100% of donations designated for the David M. Brown Memorial Scholarship are used to fund student scholarships.  100% of donations designated for the Alice G. B. Monet Teach Grant Program are used to fund teacher grants.  Undesignated donations are used to fund student scholarships, teacher grants, planetarium programs, and enhancements to the planetarium facility.

All Board Members of the Friends of Arlington’s David M. Brown planetarium serve as volunteers.

Information provided March 2026