Population: BIPOC

Healwell

EIN: 27-0743419

Mission Statement

Touch. Teach. Advocate.

We touch people affected by illness. We teach massage therapists how to provide care safely and effectively. We advocate for access to that care and for a broader role for massage therapists in healthcare.

Program Summary

Service – Our team of specially trained massage therapists provide care for people affected by serious illness in hospitals, clinics, infusion centers and patient’s homes. 

Education – Our courses are offered live and in-person as well as asynchronous and synchronous online offerings. Our educational content addresses the skills of massage therapy for serious illness as well as skills (like trauma-informed care, cultural humility, collaborative communication, etc) necessary to provide effective, sustainable care for all healthcare providers. 

Research – Our team participated in and published research in two major peer-reviewed medical journals in 2023, making a measurable and unique contribution to the body of research about the value of massage therapists in serious illness care. We received Phase II funding from the National Cancer Institute to create the final instructional video segments for an app-based caregiver education program to address the pervasive and painful effects of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy so our partners at Mayo Clinic in Florida can conduct a randomized controlled trial of the massage protocol taught in the app in 2025. We also trained massage therapists at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and developed the research protocol to support a multi-site pediatric oncology massage study that will launch in 2025. 

Impact Statement

In 2024, our therapists provided more than 10,500 massage therapy sessions to people affected by serious illness (which includes patients, lay caregivers and healthcare workers). We had more than 1,500 enrollments in our courses for massage therapists and other healthcare providers. We accepted 11 massage therapists from all over the United States into the very first cohort of Healwell’s brand new, nine-month Massage Palliative Advanced Training for Healthcare (MPATH) certificate program. This is the first and only palliative care certificate program for massage therapists in the United States.

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

Donations help us expand our programs and provide scholarships for those who might not otherwise be able to afford our trainings. They also allow us to maintain memberships in national palliative care organizations like C-TAC (Coalition to Transform Advanced Care) and NHPCO (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization). Donations fund the cost of attendance and presentation at national healthcare conferences and supports our research efforts.

Information provided March 2025

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

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

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

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

Aspire Afterschool Learning

EIN: 54-1705642

Mission Statement

Aspire’s mission is to expand learning opportunities that help historically underserved students fulfill their potential through afterschool and summer learning programs that support and connect families, schools, and communities. Aspire envisions an Arlington where all children have the support they need from family, school, and community so they can succeed as learners and thrive as healthy and happy individuals. We are the only daily academic afterschool program in Arlington that is offered at no cost to 3rd-8th grade students and their families.

Program Summary

We transform summertime and afterschool into a comprehensive, holistic launchpad preparing students to succeed academically, thrive personally, and build the skills needed for future academic and career success. Our holistic programming includes:

1) Daily Afterschool Program for 150 Arlington students: Aspire provides the ONLY daily, accessible academic afterschool programming for 3rd-8th graders in Arlington that is offered at no cost to families. As one parent shared, “I looked into lots of other programs and they wanted $10 more an hour than I make.” We operate at three locations in South Arlington (Arlington Mill Community Center, Drew Elementary School, and Randolph Elementary School) from 3-6 pm every school day. Programming includes: reading activities; social-emotional lessons; enrichment in STEM, the arts, health, and more; 1:1 homework support/tutoring; and a hot meal. We incorporate experiential and project-based learning activities that are tailored to students’ interests and cultural backgrounds, which can spark curiosity and a love of learning, and we build a supportive environment that prioritizes students’ well-being and mental health. Our programming aligns with the school curriculum and reinforces what students are learning in school while also providing instruction, programming, and personalized support that students do not receive in school. 

2) Six-Week Summer Program for 120+ Arlington students: Our full-day summer learning camp reduces the impacts of the summer learning loss, which makes it difficult for students to catch up to their more affluent peers. The camp operates 7 hours/day for 6 weeks. Activities build upon our afterschool programming and school curriculum, and emphasize problem-solving, collaboration, and social-emotional development. We incorporate hands-on learning projects, educational field trips, and unstructured play. 

3) 1:1 and Group Support for 200+ Parents/Caregivers: Our bilingual Parent Engagement Coordinator (the parent of an Aspire alum) connects families to resources for housing instability, food insecurity, and other challenges and hosts workshops to help parents support their child’s education. She also hosts workshops to help parents support their child’s educational development with topics like building healthy relationships, reading report cards, keeping kids safe online, and more. Through holiday parties, science fairs, and other events, families connect with each other and students show off what they are learning. 

Through longstanding partnerships with schools, affordable housing providers, and nonprofit organizations, we identify participants, recruit volunteers, connect families to resources, and advance shared missions.

Impact Statement

Aspire has a long history of impact in the Arlington community. In 1994, we were founded as Greenbrier Learning Center, a grassroots effort to provide afterschool learning programs for elementary school students. Today, Aspire serves 150 3rd-8th graders who face systemic barriers to educational opportunity – 100% are students of color, 94% come from low-income households, 70% speak a language other than English at home, and 91% entered our program in the fall of 2025 at least one grade level behind in reading (66% are 2+ levels behind).

Recent accomplishments include:

What ways can the public get involved?

Aspire welcomes volunteers who can work directly with our students and help them grow. We have 1:1 weekly volunteer opportunities for volunteers who want to make a high impact and support a student with math, reading, or homework throughout the year.

We also host reading nights for groups to read aloud with our students and see first-hand the impact of your support. Aspire typically holds at least one reading, STEM, or art volunteer night every month. These opportunities are ideal for people who may not be able to commit to weekly volunteering but still want to make an impact. Other opportunities are developed around the schedule of volunteers. During the school year, volunteering can occur between 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM M-F. Learn more at https://www.aspireafterschool.org/volunteer/.

We also have a food pantry for families You can support the pantry by donating the in-demand goods listed on our website at https://www.aspireafterschool.org/food-pantry/.

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

Donations help us to close the educational opportunity gap in South Arlington by providing critical learning support to historically underserved students at no cost to their families.

Specifically, your donation can provide the following for Aspire students:

Information provided March 2026