organization-leadership: Women-led

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

Just Neighbors

EIN: 54-1820633

Mission Statement

To provide high-quality immigration legal services to low-income immigrants, asylees and refugees in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia; and, to build community among clients, staff, volunteers and the larger society through education, advocacy, and volunteerism.

Program Summary

Just Neighbors offers expert immigration legal services to at-risk immigrants, refugees, and asylees in Virginia, Maryland, and DC. Our work helps families obtain proper legal status and work authorization, allowing them to achieve their goals and dreams in their new country. We also provide legal counsel to unaccompanied youth and children who have recently been resettled in our area. Just Neighbors has provided immigration legal services to over 20,000 immigrants and refugees of all faiths and nationalities in the DMV for nearly 30 years. Through direct services, collaborative strategies and education, Just Neighbors empowers immigrants to build their capacity and resources to become stable and independent.

Impact Statement

In 2025, Just Neighbors assisted 1,720 residents across Virginia, Maryland, and DC with 2,390 immigration cases. Of those cases, 75% resulted in clients gaining legal status or citizenship. We also provided 942 individuals with legal information. Among former clients whose cases closed last year, 77% reported they were able to obtain or maintain employment after receiving our services, and 96% said our support improved their ability to be self‑sufficient. Additionally, 92% said they were better able to participate in their communities after receiving assistance

What ways can the public get involved?

Just Neighbors welcomes volunteers to support the many different activities and events we hold throughout the year. We have one-time volunteer opportunities for attorneys and non-attorneys to help at our monthly legal clinics or occasional outreach and fundraising events. We also welcome volunteers who have language skills, especially Spanish, to help with intakes and translations at our office in Annandale. Do you have a special talent or skill that you think would help the mission? Contact us!

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

Donations directly support the legal services that help families build long‑term stability. These services allow individuals to work legally, support their families, access health care, qualify for in‑state tuition at Virginia schools, and fully participate in their communities. This creates economic stability and mobility not only for each person served, but for entire families across generations.

Information provided March 2026

Dream Project

EIN: 45-1869894

Mission Statement

The mission of the Dream Project is to empower students whose immigration status creates barriers to education by working with them to access and succeed in college through scholarships, mentoring, and scholar, alumni, and family support. 

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

Information provided March 2025

Postpartum Support Virginia

EIN: 26-3029233

Mission Statement

Postpartum Support Virginia’s (PSVa’s) mission is to educate families, healthcare providers and communities about Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) and to provide resources to help new and expectant mothers and their families overcome anxiety, depression, and other PMADs.

Program Summary

PSVa’s programs and services:

Impact Statement

PSVa is working to achieve the following results for mothers and their families in the Commonwealth of Virginia:

What ways can the public get involved?

Postpartum Support Virginia is a non-profit and relies on the support of volunteers, generous donors and partnerships with foundations, businesses, community organizations, mental health providers and healthcare providers to sustain our work. Individuals can get involved by making a donation, volunteering their time, or connecting us with potential partners. Specific ways to engage as volunteers include the following: 

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

PSVa is funded primarily by health and private foundations and individual donors. We do not charge any fees to those who use our services. Donations help us to fund our direct services (warmline, peer mentor program, social support groups, and Mothers and Babies curriculum-based groups) and provide financial assistance for mental health services through Shelane’s Fund. 

Information provided March 2026

AMG Fitness Foundation

EIN: 87-2574962

Mission Statement

AMG Fitness Foundation (AMG) elevates fitness resources for people with physical disabilities, through virtual at-home workouts and adaptive in-person fitness classes, and advocates for greater representation and inclusion in the fitness industry.

Program Summary

Unlike other fitness programming that is designed for most able-bodied people and offers some seated workouts, AMG is organized into three programs (Adapt, Move, and Gain) that are scaled for varying abilities, ensuring that every participant can find workouts that work for them. Utilizing Alyssa’s unique background as a Paralympic swimmer, 5+ years’ professional experience as an adaptive fitness trainer and personal trainer, and lived experience as a person with a disability, AMG’s program design is based on the level playing field implemented in the Paralympic system and industry best practices.

Impact Statement

AMG aims to help create a world where people with disabilities have access to an abundance of safe, effective, and affordable resources that support their mental and physical health and see themselves represented vibrantly in their communities and in the fitness industry.

What ways can the public get involved?

The public can get involved by participating in AMG’s virtual and in-person adaptive fitness programming, volunteering, donating, and spreading the word about our important work!

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

As a nonprofit organization, AMG relies on donations and strategic partnerships to support the development and implementation of our adaptive fitness programming. Charitable contributions help to ensure we can keep offering our programming free of charge to the community!

Information provided March 2025

REACH for Uganda

formerly known as Arlington Academy of Hope (AAH)

EIN: 20-2089837

Mission Statement

For the past 22 years, REACH for Uganda has transformed communities in rural Eastern Uganda by focusing on delivering quality education, accessible healthcare, and sustainable community development. The organization’s mission centers on uplifting some of the region’s poorest and most vulnerable areas, aiming to bring lasting positive change.

Through a holistic approach that integrates education, healthcare, and community development initiatives, REACH actively enhances the quality of life for local residents. Engaging a dedicated network of volunteers and skilled professionals, REACH not only meets immediate needs but also empowers communities to become self-sustaining and vibrant.

Program Summary

The organization operates two model primary schools, serving nearly 1,000 students with a rigorous curriculum, extracurricular activities, and two meals a day. These schools consistently outperform local government-run schools, and REACH supports students through secondary and tertiary education with a scholarship program, enabling over 330 students to attend top schools and unlock future opportunities. REACH recently opened its own high school, as well, bringing much-needed quality secondary and vocational education to the region. 

REACH prioritizes gender equity, with 53% of its students being girls. Its efforts have significantly boosted female enrollment, and all girls who complete primary education pursue higher education. The organization also empowers women through microfinance programs, employment in traditionally male-dominated roles, and initiatives like the Better Homes Program, which improves living conditions by installing durable concrete floors in homes.

Healthcare is another key focus, with two clinics serving over 30,000 people annually, offering treatments for malaria, HIV, prenatal care, and more. These clinics also provide health education to communities. Additionally, REACH employs local community members, including alumni who became healthcare professionals, fostering sustainable development. Through these integrated programs, REACH continues to empower communities in Eastern Uganda, creating lasting change.

Impact Statement

We are an organization that believes in…

Education
We believe that children, especially girls, have a right to a quality education and basic healthcare. We believe that education is the key to transformation and opens opportunities. We believe that children are our hope for the future.

Integrity
We use our resources of time, talent, and money responsibly and strategically.

Respect
We value the Ugandan culture and way of life. We are inclusive of diverse ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds within Reach For Uganda.

Communication
We honestly and openly share our ideas and organizational decision-making.

Partnership
We foster teamwork and value relationships with our volunteers, child sponsors, donors, partners and friends as we work to achieve our goals in partnership with the people of Uganda.

A Passion to Serve
We empower people with opportunities to help children and others in need. We strengthen and grow the organization in a positive and constructive way.

What ways can the public get involved?

Sponsor a student’s education and change their life forever. Learn more here  https://reachforuganda.org/donate/sponsorship/

Support the building of our new secondary and vocational school: Learn more here https://reachforuganda.org/programs/arlington-secondary-and-vocational-school-project/

Donate to the program:

https://reachforuganda.reachapp.co/donations/new

Travel with us to Uganda-  High school students, adults, teachers. Learn more here: https://reachforuganda.org/getinvolved/trips/

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

Your donation to REACH for Uganda supports education, healthcare, and community development in rural Eastern Uganda. It helps fund two model primary schools and one secondary school, providing over 1,000 students with quality education, meals, and extracurricular activities. Your sponsorship of a student secures their future and allows them to reach their full potential. Funds contribute to gender equity initiatives, including microfinance programs and empowering women in leadership roles. Additionally, donations support REACH’s healthcare clinics, which serve over 30,000 people annually, providing essential medical treatments and health education. Your contribution directly empowers individuals and strengthens communities for long-term, sustainable growth in underserved areas of rural eastern Uganda.

Information provided March 2026

Friends of the Arlington County Public Library (FOAL)

EIN: 54-1384245

Mission Statement

The Friends of the Arlington Public Library (FOAL) is a volunteer organization established to support our public library system in Arlington, Virginia. Our mission is to enable a strong, vibrant, engaged community using our libraries as a place to read, learn, work, create, congregate, and share ideas.

Program Summary

Friends of the Arlington Public Library provides funding for 100% of the programming available in the Arlington County Public libraries.

Our largest program is the Summer Reading Program, which draws approximately 8,000 participants.  The 2024 Arlington Reads program of author events had 3,595 attendees and this year’s theme was “Celebrate James Baldwin’s Centennial”, which included “Let Us Descend” author Jesmyn Ward.

We also fund story times, book clubs, crafts and the Central Library maker space.

Impact Statement

Friends of the Arlington Public Library (FOAL) provides 100% of the cost of all library programs at the eight libraries in Arlington County.  In 2024, we provided $410,000 in support of Arlington’s amazing libraries.

Overall in 2024, the library hosted 3,813 free programs and event welcoming more than 122,000 people – all supported by FOAL.

Arlington’s public library system is an incredible resource for increasing literacy and strengthening our community.  FOAL strives to enhance its capabilities by providing support for collections, events and programs.

What ways can the public get involved?

The public can volunteer at our biannual book sales, donate books and other materials, become a member of FOAL or donate monetarily to FOAL.

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

Charitable dollars go to support Arlington Public Libraries collections and programs.

Information provided March 2025

Hope for Grieving Families

EIN: 81-3307448

Mission Statement

The mission of Hope For Grieving Families is to provide peer-to-peer support for families with children in the Washington DC Metro area who have lost a close family loved one. Regular events throughout the year welcome, connect and support families in their journey of loss.

Funds are being raised to provide Metro DC’s only family-focused grief programming to give families new, positive memories and experiences in the wake of the loss of their loved one and give them the tools they need as a family unit to navigate their grief journey together in a healthy way.

Program Summary

We accomplish our mission through monthly events planned for the Hope community that cultivate friendships for both the children and parents/caregivers. Hope provides at least one event each month for our families.  Activities have included events such as a Coding Party, Theater outings, Trampoline nights, trips to the Nationals, and more including our annual signature event, the Fall Family Fun Festival for 100+ people that takes place the Sunday before Thanksgiving every year. It’s our way of launching the holiday season with some happy memories for our grieving families. Our events, both big and small, are intended to create fun, happy memories for our families and provide peer to peer support that creates understanding, comfort and friendship.

Hope created a Holiday gifting program sending Christmas Gifts to over 50 grieving children within our community.  Holiday gifts were delivered both in person and by mail to children who have lost a parent or sibling.  This program reflects one our goals of community and family.  The gifts ensure that our families don’t feel so alone during the holiday season and know that their Hope family is always there for them. This program also assists families who may be struggling financially provide a holiday gift for their children.

Finally, Hope partners with local Funeral Homes, Hospice Care and therapists to provide Teddy Bears for children to be given when they experience the loss of a parent, sibling or close loved one.  This program allows us to support these children in a time of need.  A past recipient of the bears stated, “When we unexpectedly lost my husband, my boys were given teddy bears from HFGF at the funeral home. It was such an unexpected gesture of comfort for my kids who were grieving the loss of their dad. I don’t have a lot of memories of those few days but the teddy bears always stick out in my mind as a huge comfort not just to my kids but to me as well. That small act of kindness for my kids made me feel so supported.”  We hope that when the time is right, they will join our community to continue feeling supported in their grief journey.

Impact Statement

Hope strives to build a community of support for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one.

Many participants in our events stated that while loss is not always part of the conversations, having that shared understanding of loss helps to bring comfort and support.  For children, it eliminates the feeling that they alone have lost someone and provides the friendship and support they need to move forward. Hope events are always free for grieving families.  We never want cost to be a barrier for our families.

If you wonder what our community means to members, consider this heartfelt testimonial:

“When my late husband suddenly got very ill and died in a matter of weeks, I knew that our lives were about to change forever. I worried about how to provide a happy childhood for my two little boys while I was grieving. Hope for Grieving Families has been a blessing for us. We are thankful for every event we’ve attended, sharing joyful moments in a safe environment with people who understand what it’s like to smile when your heart is crying. Every invitation and gesture of kindness feels like a warm hug when you need it most.”

What ways can the public get involved?

The public can get involved in a few ways.  First, Hope for Grieving Families welcomes volunteers during some times of the year. Please reach out to us for timing and opportunities.

Second, if you are a local business that can provide an inkind donation that would support Hope for Grieving Families, we welcome the donation or an introduction.

Finally, we are always looking for Board Members that would like to help us further our mission and grow.

For any of the above opportunities, please contact the Executive Director, Tara O’Brien.

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

Donations to Hope for Grieving Families will go directly to supporting our monthly events for our grieving families, as well as our Teddy Bear Program.  We do not receive any government funding at this time, so all donations are helpful and welcomed.

Information provided March 2026

Piano & More

EIN: 38-4077902

Mission Statement

Piano & More’s mission is to provide our community with a fun and contemporary approach to education, opportunity, and events concerning the musical arts no matter the background.

Program Summary

Piano & More has been providing in-home private music lessons (piano, guitar, voice) to students in Arlington and Northern Virginia since 2016 using a contemporary and student centered teaching approach that keeps learning fun. By applying community activities and partnering with local businesses and organizations, Piano & More offers a variety of student events such as open mics and musical field trips at local venues.

We are on a mission to make more happy musicians and happy performers. We believe playing an instrument should be a fun experience and accessible to all, no matter the background. We believe everyone has a musician in them because everyone has a favorite artist, genre, or song that brings them to their “happy place”. We believe playing an instrument has the power to strengthen the mind and be a healthy emotional outlet. We stand for keeping the learning experience fun and also providing fun social memories for our students. This way they DO keep using music as an emotional outlet- even throughout adulthood.

Our community outreach program is called Play It Forward, where we offer free private piano lessons and keyboards to children from low-income households. ​We partner with local schools and churches that nominate passionate students to the program. ​Together, we can provide access to piano education and inspire the next generation of musicians. Help us harmonize their future!

Impact Statement

Piano & More has trained over 50 teachers and taught hundreds of students via private in-home lessons in the Northern Virginia. We also wanted to make piano accessible to those who couldn’t afford piano lessons, hence the Play It Forward program was born. 

Most public schools do not provide piano education, so how do children from low income communities learn to play? Piano is not only a skill of the arts, but also one of math and psychology. It develops the heart and mind in more ways than one. It takes character, confidence, discipline and imagination to be a pianist.

We are utilizing our established partnerships with local public schools, churches and other organizations to further expand our the Play It Forward program. Since 2018, we’ve been able to invest over $40,000 into students nominated for the program. We’ve documented tremendous progress and pride in their development from outside sources such as their homeroom teachers and family members. We have had students stay in our program for over 5 years, now playing advanced classical pieces! So many of these students are the first pianists in their families and wouldn’t have become pianists if it were not for the program.

What ways can the public get involved?

1) Donate A Digital Keyboard: donate a gently used digital keyboard towards the Play It Forward program. We accept semi-weighted or fully-weighted keyboards that are in good working condition (all keys must play). Call or email Student Services for keyboard donations.

2) Sponsor A Piano Student through the Play It Forward: directly sponsor a student’s private lessons and keyboard for $200 a month. There’s no better way to impact a student than via private lessons! We will send you progress reports and student updates along the way. Learn more about the program via our website: https://www.pianoandmore.org/donate.html

3) Business, Corporate and Individual Sponsorships: we offer business and corporate sponsorships with multiple recognition packages. Please visit our website to review packages: https://www.pianoandmore.org/sponsor.html

4) Donate: donate one time or anytime to keep music alive and FUN in Northern Virginia! 
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/54dc7235-9f0b-42cb-a140-2f07ddce9ffb

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

$200/month for 1 year or $2400 will provide one student with:

An adult stands next to a child, who is proudly holding a keyboard to take home.

Information provided March 2026