Archives: NonProfit

Encore Stage & Studio

EIN: 23-7311352

Mission Statement

For almost 60 years, Encore Stage & Studio has provided hundreds of thousands of young people the opportunity to grow and discover themselves through theatre: onstage, backstage, in the classroom, and in the audience. Our mission is to inspire young people to develop the creativity, empathy and confidence they need to create meaningful connections with peers and positively impact their communities.

Program Summary

Encore’s story is rich with successes on the stage as we serve over 20,000 children and their families each season. We are Northern Virginia’s premier children’s theatre and have been recognized nationally and locally as a leader in the non-profit field. Since our founding in 1967, we have produced more than 260 plays and musicals with newly commissioned works in each of the past nine seasons. Importantly, there are no fees to participate in a production as a cast or crew member.  

Our Flip the Script program premiered in 2019 as a major artistic and community-building endeavor, highlighting African-American voices with The Day Nothing Happened, a student-devised production project about the integration of the first school in Virginia. Students conducted first-person interviews and archival research before writing the full-length play. In 2022, we filmed an adaptation for younger students and the program continued with a new script focused on the Green Valley neighborhood in South Arlington in the spring of 2023. We were awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant to produce our third original play in this series, Jamila’s Table, which premiered in February 2025. Our Flip the Script plays now tour to local elementary and middle schools. 

Additionally, we offer a vibrant array of theatre arts educational opportunities for artistic expression and growth in a safe and nurturing environment. In 2025/2026, more than two thousand students participated in classes, summer camps and after-school programs, including partnerships with affordable housing nonprofits and Title I schools.

Our Board of Directors launched a new strategic plan in 2026 that builds on successes, connecting us to more youth and deepening our commitment to our community. We are proud that we successfully navigated the many challenges of the past few years and have seen significant growth and new opportunities. 

Impact Statement

Children are at the heart of our mission and we believe they have a vital role to play in the larger artistic community. We desire to provide our students with challenging, creative experiences. Our productions are affordable and wholesome. We provide the first theatre experience for thousands of kids who see peers onstage and envision themselves there. Our multi-age structure encourages mentoring and role modeling with participants not available in most schools. Our work is essential to the social, emotional, and mental well-being of children.

What ways can the public get involved?

We hope the community will support Encore by attending performances, participating in our educational programming and connecting us to potential partners. We are actively seeking volunteers with skills in the following areas: human resources, development, finance and non-profit management. 

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

Information provided March 2026

Kitchen of Purpose (La Cocina VA)

EIN: 46-2037695

Mission Statement

Kitchen of Purpose uses the power of food to change lives. An agent for socio-economic change, the Kitchen of Purpose generates workforce and entrepreneurship development and provides healthy food assistance in the D.C. metro area. Together, the Kitchen of Purpose community–staff, students, entrepreneurs, partners, supporters– create employment, launch new food businesses, and work to end hunger. 

Program Summary

Workforce Development Program

Culinary Training
n our state-of-the-art training kitchen, community members seeking jobs with family-sustaining salaries learn the skills they need to work as qualified cooks and chefs. After the 8 weeks of training, our students begin a four-week paid internship with one of our employer partners. Our job placement leads to permanent job offers, and our graduates earn an average of $19 hour after they have completed our program that includes:

  1. Connection to our Small Business Incubator: We’re the only organization around that equips community members with culinary training and comprehensive entrepreneurship support.
  2. Bilingual training in English and Spanish, plus English classes 
  3. Wrap-around social services
  4. Financial literacy 

Barista & Bartending Program
Barista & Bartending Training is training for careers in the restaurant industry, focusing on barista and bartending skills. The 8-week training includes TIPS certification and job placement.


The Food Lab

With the right support, a small business can be a way to earn a family-sustaining income. Kitchen of Purpose provides the training and resources low-to-moderate income community members seek in order to launch successful businesses. Our Food Lab small business incubator offers:

Food Assistance

Meals to At-Risk Kids
This is where Kitchen of Purpose steps in. We provide after-school enrichment programs and after-school meals. The meals are fresh and balanced, meeting childhood nutrition needs.

Family Meal
In 2025, Family Meal took shape and launched as a gathering for vulnerable neighbors to enjoy a 3-course meal prepared by local guest chefs and served with care by volunteers. It is an evening where we serve “Meals with Dignity.”

Impact Statement

In 2025, Kitchen of Purpose achieved a 90% job placement rate, placing students in positions with $19hr average wage.

By the Numbers:

Each year, we train 90+ community members in

In our food assistance programs, we serve

Join us in using the power of food to change lives!

What ways can the public get involved?

We invite the community to change lives through the power of food! Opportunities to get involved include:

Mentorship and Coaching: Business professionals with financial expertise and small business experience provide essential support to our entrepreneurs. Volunteers share their experience with clients in our Small Business Incubator as they start or expand their small food businesses.

Skill Share: Kitchen of Purpose invites those with expertise in technology, social media, marketing, and communications to share their skills with Kitchen of Purpose and help us advance our mission.

Preparing Healthy Meals: We invite corporate and community groups to a team building activity that also transforms food into healthy meals as part of Kitchen of Purpose’s Food Assistance Program.

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

Information provided March 2026

Avant Bard Theatre (Washington Shakespeare Company)

EIN: 54-1568294

Mission Statement

Founded in 1990 as Washington Shakespeare Company of Arlington County, Avant Bard is a performing arts organization dedicated to producing classic works (both time-tested and contemporary), emphasizing a provocative, bold approach in an intimate setting. Avant Bard is dedicated to showcasing the best emerging talent in the region mentored by seasoned, professional theatre artists and providing meaningful exposure to theatre and related arts through cutting-edge outreach and education programs that promote diversity and community dialogue. Avant Bard is dedicated to accessibility, ensuring that low-and middle- income patrons are always included in the performing arts.

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

Donations to Avant Bard Theatre primarily support the vibrant ecosystem of artists and creatives who bring our productions to life. Your generosity directly impacts our ability to pay actors, designers, and production staff, ensuring that they are compensated fairly for their exceptional work. Additionally, your contributions help fund the creation and construction of sets, the design of costumes, and the development of sound and light designs that enrich the audience’s experience.  Your donations play a crucial role in sustaining and enhancing the artistic quality of our productions.

Information provided March 2025

Arlington Artists Alliance (Alliance Gallery)

EIN: 54-2043690

Mission Statement

Our mission is to champion a vibrant visual arts community by providing exhibition space, professional development, and creative experiences for Arlington’s community. Our vision is to inspire Arlington visual artists to reach their full potential and to enhance Arlington’s quality of life with visual arts, culture and placemaking. Our core values are creativity, inclusivity, camaraderie, and collaboration.

Program Summary

Our organization is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025. We have strong evidence of past grit and determination, fostering a strong artistic community and delivering quality artistic events throughout Arlington.

Our diverse group of over 200 local artists provide the core of our program.  We provide an inclusive community to share ideas, mentorship and growth opportunities to the benefit of our artists and the community.  We create and exhibit approximately 8 exhibitions at our new Alliance Gallery per year.  At least two exhibitions are created to promote underserved communities.  The remainder of the exhibitions are juried by acclaimed artists with both DMV and member artists invited to participate.  In addition we hold 3 weekend long art sale events for the community, collaborate with local businesses and government offices to display our artwork.  And to give back to our community we partner with local non profit groups such as True Ground to support mental health and Home is Where the Art Is to donate local original art to those in need. 

To highlight a few:

Arlington Career Center Exhibition

For the forth year in a row, the Alliance will support local students through a collaborative partnership that engages teenagers in all aspects of exhibition production – from exhibition concept, art creation, framing, promoting and curating the exhibition.

Spring and Winter Artful Weekends at Fort C.F. Smith Park

It’s A Steal

Earth Day on Langston Boulevard

ONGOING:

Through feedback from our partners and program participants, we have learned that our organization provides the artistic knowledge and curatorial expertise that can enhance our partner’s offerings. We meet evident and sustained community needs, attested by our growth in membership, testimonials from community partners, and long-term partnerships with businesses throughout the county. 

Christina Ascani – Arlington Career Center teacher/partner –  “Over and over, students highlight the gallery show as one of the best parts of their school career and as a teacher, it’s always so beautiful to see students work together and celebrate their talents as a community. We are so thankful to the Arlington Artists Alliance for their support and dedication to showcasing students and their creativity.”

Impact Statement

Our artists, partners and community members attest to the significant impact we create for them and our community, the Alliance designs and implements over 110 events annually, providing 1115 artist opportunities and providing exhibitions, displays, and interactive art to over 17,000 Arlingtonians and visitors.

Some of our on-going partnerships include:

As a small business incubator for artists providing opportunities to sell; we drive foot traffic to unique artistic spaces, attracting residents and tourists alike. We provide and sustain a culture of arts in Arlington.

We are proud that we were able to pivot from the loss of our Gallery Underground and studios in 2024 and found and built a new boutique gallery – the Alliance Gallery. We have increased community engagement with record-breaking show attendance, created new programs with partners, established new community exhibitions, increased artist sales, increased funding, and diversified and increased membership and staff. 

What ways can the public get involved?

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

Unfortunately due to the redevelopment of the Crystal City Underground and the subsequent loss of our free space there we now need to pay rent for the first time in our 25 year history.  

Charitable dollars are spent on supporting our staff, paying rent and utilities, expanding exhibition and teaching opportunities to our artists, supporting our student shows (student artists receive 70% of the sales amount, and we donate the remaining proceeds from this show back to the school’s art department).  For example $67 provides the services and supplies needed for 1 student to participate in the Career Center Student Show.  We had 70 students participate last year.

Information provided March 2025

Communities in Schools of Northern Virginia

EIN: 46-3063331

Mission Statement

At Communities In Schools, we surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. 

Program Summary

CIS of NOVA helps students succeed by removing roadblocks, and providing students with the resources, supports and opportunities they need to thrive. Our model of Integrated Student Supports focuses on academics, attendance, behavior/social emotional and family engagement, providing programming at three levels: school wide, targeted small groups and individual student support.  

Based on the annual needs assessment we conduct in each school community, CIS of NOVA currently provides programming such as:

Impact Statement

At CIS of NOVA, we amplify the power of each student’s potential by connecting them to caring adults and community resources. Our professionally trained site coordinators are in school all day, every day.  We build a network of partners, including businesses, volunteers, social service agencies, health care providers, community foundations and educators that help our students stay focused today, so they can go further tomorrow. Student success lasts a lifetime.  During the 2024-2025 school year:

What ways can the public get involved?

With your help, we can serve more students!  Your donation allows CIS of NOVA to connect more students to a caring adult, who can help them access the resources they need to thrive.  

We also welcome volunteers to share their expertise, either one day, or on an ongoing basis during the school year.

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

We’re all in this together! Your generous donation helps students stay on the path to success by providing access to food, health care, emotional support, tutoring and other resources they need to feel safe and supported.

May 24, 2023, (Rodney Choice/Choice Photography/www.choicephotography.com)

Information provided March 2026

Arlington Free Clinic

EIN: 54-1671883

Mission Statement

Arlington Free Clinic advances health equity by providing comprehensive, whole-person healthcare to our neighbors who would otherwise lack access.

Program Summary

Established in 1994, AFC continues to be Arlington’s only provider of comprehensive healthcare services for adults living with a low income and without health insurance. All AFC patients live in Arlington and have incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Every year, with the help of over 300 volunteers and 45 full/part-time staff, AFC provides access to comprehensive, patient-centered services to approximately 1,600 of our community’s most vulnerable residents. 

AFC’s model is one in which physicians, counselors, pharmacists, dentists, and physical therapists work side-by-side, creating a unique and integrated system of care. Collaborative practice is highly regarded as effective and as a model, is core to how we provide care at AFC. We are also one of the only organizations in Arlington providing direct healthcare services while simultaneously advancing systems-level change. With our paired priorities, we better serve our patients by having a clear understanding of the systemic barriers they face in achieving good health and can bring stronger systems-level solutions to the table as members of county task forces.

Impact Statement

In FY25, AFC provided 9,829 visits to 1,639 unduplicated patients, including: 

We provided 806 meetings with our Community Resource Navigator, who helps patients with needs “beyond the exam room”, including supplemental food, housing assistance, and employment opportunities. We administered 1,889 vaccines (flu, pneumonia, etc.), and filled 27,111 prescriptions (30-day equivalency) through our onsite, licensed pharmacy. All of this care was facilitated through our staff members and 326 volunteers who provided over 13,000 hours of service.

What ways can the public get involved?

Volunteers provide hundreds of hours of service each year in varied medical and non-medical roles, such as interpreters, physicians, counselors, physical therapists, telehealth facilitators, patient eligibility/discharge specialists, fundraisers, and board members.  

Currently, we have a high need for the following roles:  

Volunteers must commit to 1-2 shifts a month. Some appointments can be done via telehealth, and training is provided. For more information about volunteering, please contact AFC’s Volunteer Department at volunteer@arlingtonfreeclinic.org or visit our website: https://www.arlingtonfreeclinic.org/get-involved/volunteer/.    

We also welcome donations of items from our Amazon wish list, which can be found at this link here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1V9U5D30S9GEB?ref_=wl_share 

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

We receive no federal funding, but rely on private donations, foundation grants and the dedication and commitment of hundreds of volunteer doctors, nurses, and other medical/non-medical supporters since we opened our doors in 1994. Every contribution supports our day-to-day operations and makes a tangible difference in the lives of our patients. Specific examples of impact include: 

A photo of a woman administering a blood pressure measurement for a patient.

Information provided March 2026

Clothesline for Arlington Kids

EIN: 81-5100482

Mission Statement

To provide free clothing for school-aged children from low-income families in a dignified setting—through community donations, partner support, and purchased essentials—so they can feel comfortable and confident to learn, grow, and participate fully in school and community life.

Program Summary

The Clothesline collects clothes in new or excellent condition from the community and distributes them to low-income school-aged children  – free of charge.  We operate in a space that is welcoming to our clients and provides a dignified shopping experience.  Families can select clothing twice per year, picking out a full wardrobe for each qualifying child.  The basic wardrobe includes 5 pairs of new underwear and socks (given once per school year), 5 shirts, and 4 pants or shorts.  Additionally, we usually are able to provide shoes, dresses, bras, winter coats, swimsuits, PJs, hat/gloves, and accessories, depending on availability and season.  Our objective is for kids and teens to go to school feeling dignified and comfortable in their clothes so they can concentrate on their education.

Impact Statement

In 2024, thanks to the generosity of the Arlington community, we were able to deliver nearly 55,000 items of clothing to 1,545 low-income school kids in Arlington.  These wardrobes of clothing included nearly 2,200 pairs of shoes as well as 2,000 coats and light jackets.  These kids and families received a full season’s worth of clothing – saving them significant money for their tight budgets.  We were also pleased to move to our new location in 2024, providing a new bright space for families and volunteers.

What ways can the public get involved?

You can support The Clothesline in 4 ways:

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

Your financial donations are essential to making sure every child who walks through our doors finds what they need — in their size, their style, and with the dignity they deserve. Your support allows us to fill the gaps in our inventory so no child leaves without the basics they came for, including items we must buy new (like socks and underwear) and those we rarely receive in good condition (such as shoes and bras).

Your generosity also keeps our welcoming, dignified store open — a space that’s easy for families to reach by public transportation and staffed by caring professionals who interact directly with families and guide our volunteers, making every visit personal and respectful.

A photo of Ellen Moy holding out a basket of clothing including running shoes, hats and socks inside the Clothesline "store".

Information provided March 2026

Festival Argentino

EIN: 61-1598426

Mission Statement

Our mission is to foster cultural exchange by sharing the rich heritage of Argentina—including its music, cuisine, and traditions—with diverse communities in Arlington. We are committed to promoting volunteerism and supporting small businesses, all while nurturing global education opportunities for young people in Arlington, Virginia.

Program Summary

Our event, showcasing Tango and Folk performances on par with those at the Kennedy Center, offers accessible cultural enrichment with affordable admission prices. With 40% of our audience hailing from Argentina and 30% from Latin America, our festival significantly contributes to Arlington’s cultural diversity. As we strive for greater recognition through media outreach and historical dissemination, recent acknowledgment by the US Ambassador in Buenos Aires reaffirms our impact on international relations and cultural understanding.

Impact Statement

Our collaboration with the Argentine Embassy and Arlington County epitomizes our steadfast commitment to nurturing cultural exchange. Through meticulously curated programming, we have forged meaningful connections with diverse cultural, economic, and social groups in Arlington. From our modest origins with just 12 members in 1988, our annual National Day celebration has blossomed into a cornerstone event, attracting a dynamic audience of over 600 attendees. Renowned for its quality, our performances stand shoulder to shoulder with those staged at prestigious venues like the Kennedy Center, offering unparalleled cultural enrichment at an accessible price point

What ways can the public get involved?

Our Festival Argentino thrives at the Kenmore , serving as a vital platform for showcasing Argentine culture. Revenue from donation tickets sustains our cost-effective approach, supporting local businesses and enhancing the festival experience. Relocating would not only be financially burdensome but also disrupt the accessibility of our event to attendees. Given the economic repercussions of decreased arts funding, we advocate for restoring support to ensure the continued success of cultural initiatives. Restoring funding to its previous levels can preserve vital community assets, promote economic growth, and enrich the cultural vibrancy of Arlington. There are plenty of opportunities without leaving your home to explore new ideas for the festival and find resources like grants during the year. 

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

Due to the fact that we do not have sponsors financial one. The tickets are the only income. Therefore, our bylaws allow us to provide charity from 3-5 percent of our annual income. We usually done to an school in Argentina to pay for the scholarship of few students or maintance of the primary school. 

Information provided March 2025

Aaliyah in Action

EIN: 86-3555453

Mission Statement

Aaliyah in Action provides women, birthing people and families with tangible bereavement support, in the form of self-care packages and support books, after experiencing a perinatal, neonatal or infant loss.

Program Summary

Aaliyah in Action provides bereavement self-care packages, and support books, to families after experiencing perinatal or neonatal loss.  The care packages contain seven thoughtfully curated items, our “Self-Care Choice Board” which has small acts one can do each day and a bereavement guide providing low to no cost support groups or 1:1 support options. These items and books have been chosen to help support birthing people and their families in those first days of grief and loss: fuzzy socks, aromatherapy candle, recovery tea, lip balm, facial sheet mask and lavender shower steamers and Seeds of Hope to plant.  

Each package also includes a book, or books, to help support after loss.  Aaliyah in Action has a choice of two books for the birthing person, a book more appropriate for miscarriage or a book more appropriate for stillbirth or infant death.  Optional books, depending on the recipient’s needs, are a support book for non-birthing partners and/or a children’s book for living siblings.

In an effort to reach families who have experienced perinatal, neonatal or infant loss as soon as possible, Aaliyah in Action partners with hospitals who have our packages on hand to distribute when needed. Families can also request a package for themselves or a loved one, at no cost, to be sent as a support.

Impact Statement

Since launching in July 2021, Aaliyah in Action has provided over 1,300 self-care packages to families and has partnered with over 50 hospitals who have inventory of the packages to provide when needed. Feedback from hospital staff and package recipients prove that Aaliyah in Action is serving a neglected space and we look forward to continued growth and development to support more families.

What ways can the public get involved?

We’d love to have volunteers join us in making Aaliyah in Action packages in our warehouse space! We’re also looking for volunteers to help with social media and fundraising efforts. 

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

Equity is a core value of Aaliyah in Action – we will provide our support to any family who needs it, at any point in their grief journey. Less than 10% of our hospitals cover the cost of their packages. Hospitals maintain that, while our support is sought out and greatly needed, it is something they are unable to budget for. We will never deny a hospital partnership because that would be denying families this valuable support. Our donors mean the world to us because we are only able to grow our hospital network, and continually provide when called upon, because of them! 

$60 covers the cost of one Aaliyah in Action Self-Care Package + support books

$600 covers the cost of one hospital drop (10 packages + support books)

A collection of photos of the bereavement self-care packages, which include tea, face masks, lip balm and more.

Information provided March 2026