A year-end letter from our CEOI hope you and your loved ones have been enjoying a happy and healthy holiday season so far. If you’re anything like me, the end of the year is the perfect time to reflect on everything I’m thankful for. And after the last two years we’ve been through, this time of gratitude feels more necessary than ever as we head into even more times of uncertainty.
While I may not know what the future holds, what I do know is how thankful I am for the health of my family, the continued support from community members like you, and the endless wellspring of inspiration and hope I get from our nonprofit partners in Arlington.
These incredible nonprofit partners are why I’m writing to you today. Earlier in the pandemic, with your support, we were able to provide over $1,000,000 in emergency funding to local organizations and released a report highlighting many of their experiences in this historic crisis. During last year’s holiday season, we launched the first-ever Nonprofit Wish Catalog, and thanks to you and so many generous donors, we raised over $120,000 for 24 Arlington nonprofit wishes, fulfilling every single wish in the catalog.
Today, as we yet again see COVID cases rising and recovery efforts slowed by uncertainty, this year’s Nonprofit Wish Catalog has a whole new level of significance and urgency for me.
Having personally witnessed the immeasurable toll the pandemic has taken on our nonprofits and the communities they serve, my hope is that, together, we can once again fulfill every wish in the Wish Catalog as a powerful way to collectively say “thank you” to these organizations and their staffs and volunteers who continue to endure so much.
Your gift to the Wish Catalog, no matter the size, shows our nonprofit partners that we are here for them because no matter what seemingly impossible challenge gets thrown their way, they are always here for us.
With the Wish Catalog closing on December 31, there are only a few days left to make these nonprofit wishes come true. If you’ve already given, you’ve helped us fully grant four wishes, and we’re more than halfway to fulfilling all of them! In this final stretch, let’s dig deep together to get all 26 wishes across the finish line.
Thank you for continuing to be a source of inspiration for me and the rest of the team at the Community Foundation. I hope the new year brings us new opportunities for connection and community growth, and I hope to see you in person in 2022!
Sincerely,
Jenn Owens
President & CEO