Jews United for Justice

EIN: 52-2346578

Mission Statement

Jews United for Justice advances economic, racial, and social justice in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia by educating and mobilizing our local Jewish communities to action.

We move our region closer to equity and justice by advancing issue-based campaigns that make real, immediate, and concrete improvements in people’s lives and build the power of working-class and poor communities of color. Through these campaigns we develop leaders, build our Jewish grassroots community, shift the consciousness of our community, and build the collective power needed to undo systemic racism and inequality.

Program Summary

For more than a quarter century, Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) has worked in coalition to win policy changes – like increasing the minimum wage, expanding access to affordable housing, and providing paid family leave to everyone – that make concrete improvements in the lives of millions of people. JUFJ simultaneously builds a vibrant Jewish community and Jewish home for local activists, who gather together for Jewish holiday celebrations and to take powerful action on local issues together. Through this work, JUFJ builds partnerships with non-Jewish organizations and communities across the region that increases understanding of the Jewish community and establishes the foundation for shared efforts to dismantle antisemitism, racism, and xenophobia.  

JUFJ launched our work in Arlington and more broadly in Northern Virginia in 2025. We are currently:

Building a vibrant community of leaders and volunteers committed to advancing justice
Helping to win Constitutional Amendments to advance voting rights, marriage equality, and reproductive justice
Mobilizing the Jewish community to support and protect immigrants in the region.

Impact Statement

JUFJ’s work targets two distinct communities. Through our policy advocacy campaigns, JUFJ’s work benefits millions of people in our region who are living in poverty or who are otherwise vulnerable. We work collaboratively with faith, community, and advocacy groups of people who are most directly and negatively impacted by the problems we seek to address, and we follow their leadership. Due to the advocacy of JUFJ and our partners, we have worked successfully for Paid Family Leave in Maryland and DC, Paid Sick Days in Maryland and DC, progressive tax laws, and many more policies that have a positive impact on people in our region.
Our work also directly impacts the lives of our base of mostly- Jewish volunteers, who plan and lead our programming, public education, and issue campaigns. This uniquely intergenerational constituency builds strong relationships, Jewish identity, and community, and often describes JUFJ as their Jewish home. They build leadership and advocacy skills and are part of a community working for justice.

What ways can the public get involved?

JUFJ is building a powerful group of volunteers that will fight for a more just state, and we are recruiting Virginians to volunteer with us. We invite you to join us at rallies, meetings with elected officials, and at our cultural and educational events. Our current advocacy is focused on supporting three state constitutional amendments to enshrine Voting Rights, Marriage Equality, and Reproductive Justice in the Constitution, and to advance Immigrant justice. We hope you will join us!

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

JUFJ is a careful steward of the money we raise, ensuring every dollar is spent wisely to help us advance our goals of a more just region. 

More than 90% of our budget goes to our core staff costs.  That staff provides the foundation to enable coordinated collective action with hundreds of multi-racial, multi-faith partners across the region, and to support our volunteer leaders to advance the work. We are actively seeking support to sustain and expand our staff team in Northern Virginia.

Information Provided February 2026

Shepherd’s Center

EIN: 46-0997432

Mission Statement

We assist our aging community members in maintaining independent and safe lifestyles in their own homes by providing free rides to medical and therapy appointments, and to grocery stores.  As an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we are dedicated to serving seniors in need in Northern Virginia.

Program Summary

In the first 11 months of 2025, 31 volunteers who live in Arlington gave rides to seniors to medical appointments and grocery shopping. Forty-one seniors who live in Arlington received rides from Shepherd’s Center volunteers.

Impact Statement

By providing rides at no cost to seniors living in Arlington, the Shepherd’s Center has enabled seniors to age in place in their homes.

What ways can the public get involved?

The Shepherd’s Center is an all-volunteer organization. We rely on volunteers to provide rides to seniors. There is no minimum commitment; volunteers can drive once a week, once a month, or once a year. Volunteers are also needed in support roles, such as screening client applicants and help recruiting volunteers.

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

Our major expenses are hosting volunteer appreciation events several times a year, providing insurance for board members, and paying for taxis in the fewer than 5% of the cases where a client submits a request for a ride and no volunteer selects that ride.

Information provided March 2026

NEW Solutions

EIN: 52-2003078

Mission Statement

Expand opportunities for experienced workers (age 55+) to support government agencies in achieving their missions through our proven exceptional services.

Program Summary

NEW Solutions is a nonprofit organization based in Arlington, VA, dedicated to connecting experienced professionals age 55 and older with meaningful work that serves the public good. Through partnerships with federal agencies and community organizations, NEW Solutions helps older workers continue contributing their skills, while agencies benefit from seasoned talent and institutional knowledge.

Key programs include the Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) Program with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which engages professionals in environmental protection and public health projects; the ACES and Experienced Service  Programs within USDA and the Department of the Interior, where enrollees support conservation, land management, and sustainability initiatives; and the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which provides paid training and community service placements for low-income older adults seeking to reenter the workforce.

Together, these programs empower experienced workers in Arlington and across the nation to stay active, apply their expertise, and enhance their financial security. They also help federal and local agencies maintain mission continuity, advance environmental and workforce goals, and promote intergenerational collaboration—demonstrating how experience remains an essential resource for a thriving, inclusive workforce.

Impact Statement

NEW Solutions empowers experienced professionals age 55+ to continue making meaningful contributions to the public good while strengthening the capacity of federal and community partners. Each year, NEW Solutions engages hundreds of skilled workers in roles that support environmental protection, conservation, public health, and community development. These individuals bring decades of expertise, mentorship, and leadership that enhance program effectiveness, accelerate project outcomes, and ensure continuity of institutional knowledge across agencies.

For the population served, the results are transformative: older Americans gain renewed purpose, income stability, and professional engagement; federal and local partners benefit from a dedicated, cost-effective, and mission-aligned workforce. Beyond employment, NEW Solutions fosters inclusion, combats age bias, and demonstrates the continued value of experience in solving today’s most pressing challenges.

What ways can the public get involved?

The public can support NEW Solutions in several meaningful ways:

1. Partner with Us – Federal, state, and community organizations can collaborate with NEW Solutions to access a highly skilled, experienced workforce. Partnering helps advance vital public missions in environmental protection, conservation, and workforce development.
2. Spread the Word – Individuals can help raise awareness by sharing NEW Solutions’ mission and success stories within their networks, encouraging others to value and employ experienced talent.
3. Donate or Sponsor – Contributions directly support program expansion, training initiatives, and outreach efforts that connect more older workers with meaningful opportunities.
4. Join Our Programs – Experienced professionals aged 55+ can apply to participate in NEW Solutions programs, putting their skills to work for the public good while continuing personal and professional growth.
5. Advocate for Experienced Workers – Community members can champion age-inclusive employment policies and practices that recognize the ongoing value of experienced workers.

Together, these actions strengthen NEW Solutions’ impact—helping ensure that experience, skill, and purpose remain powerful forces for progress across the nation.

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

At NEW Solutions, charitable dollars are used to create real, measurable impact for older Americans and the federal programs they serve. Donations directly fund the placement, training, and support of experienced professionals age 55+, helping them continue meaningful work that benefits the public good.

Your contribution supports the creation of jobs, wages, and benefits for thousands of individuals nationwide—empowering experienced workers to stay active, achieve financial stability, and share their expertise with the next generation. These professionals serve in vital roles that advance the missions of more than 15 federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Department of Agriculture.

Charitable funds also help NEW Solutions expand program access, enhance participant development, and build innovative tools that strengthen accountability and performance outcomes. Every dollar helps extend the value of experience—supporting a skilled, dedicated workforce that protects the environment, supports communities, and demonstrates that talent and purpose have no age limit.

Information provided October 2025

DC Starlight Orchestra Association

EIN: 99-5109690

Mission Statement

DC Starlight Orchestra Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides music education and performance opportunities. This jazz big band, composed mostly of Federal employees in the Washington DC area, performs charts from the swing era to today at a variety of events, including community music concert series and senior centers. We believe in the power of music to bring people together in order to build community spirit. We want to share the beauty and history of jazz with you. We rehearse bi-weekly on Thursdays at Calvary United Methodist Church, Arlington, VA.

Program Summary

This jazz big band, composed mostly of Federal employees in the Washington DC area, performs charts from the swing era to today at a variety of events, including community music concert series and senior centers. 

Impact Statement

We perform for the community in various Summer concert series and for senior living centers such as Culpepper Garden Apartments (Arlington, VA). 

What ways can the public get involved?

We need donations to play jazz and big band music in the community. Generous contributions help the band cover the following costs:

$10 is the monthly price of hosting the band’s website.
$35 is the price for a stand banner with the band’s logo.
$50 is the price of a new big band arrangement. We try to purchase new charts to support composers and arrangers.
$100 is the monthly price of our rehearsal space.
$250 is the average price of repairing a horn.

Information provided March 2026

Educational Theatre Company

EIN: 52-2081464

Mission Statement

Founded in 1998, Educational Theatre Company’s mission is to unlock the potential of children and adults through immersion in theatre arts. ETC provides process-driven theatre arts programming for students from ages 3 -103. We make artistic expression available to all by fostering growth and learning in our communities.  

All ETC programming highlights our four pillars: Creativity, Confidence, Collaboration, and Community. We eliminate the transportation barrier by bringing our programs to where students already are – at schools, community centers, and senior living homes.

Program Summary

CAMPS AND CLASSES

Camps: Spring break & summer camps for ages 3-18 in improvisation, playwriting, Shakespeare, musical theatre, etc. 
After School: Theatre enrichment in schools & community centers for grades K-8.
Neighborhood Classes: Outdoor classes for PreK-8th in your neighborhood.
ETC Beginnings for Preschoolers (ETCB): Classes and camps that grow motor skills and encourage sensory, intellectual, & social development.
ETC-on-Film: Hands-on training and experience for students in 3^rd – 12^th grades to create their own films.
Creative Age: Lectures, readings, discussion, & devising for ages 55+ including courses for students with dementia.

RESIDENCIES AND WORKSHOPS

Main Stage: Elementary students develop an original musical or use classroom curriculum to develop a straight play. Students write lines & lyrics, create their own characters, and design & produce the production elements. 
Shakespeare in the Schools (SIS): Professional actors perform for students, lead workshops & residencies to make Shakespeare accessible. 
Devising Hope: Using devised theatre techniques to create scenes, monologues, & movement pieces that address homelessness or combat racism, all culminating in a performance for our communities.
Drama Days: Elementary students enjoy a day of acting, music, visual arts, & creative movement at school during student holidays and conferences.

SCHOOL CURRICULUM-BASED PROGRAMS

ETC In-School: Theatre workshops to support curriculum and state & national Standards of Learning for grades PreK-12 in the classroom, partnering directly with the classroom teacher. Pre-recorded workshops are also available for grades 6-12, such as Clowning & Stage Combat.
ETC STEAM: Classes, camps, and residencies using theatre techniques to reinforce Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics.
ETC ESOL/HILT: Classes with students for whom English is not a first language, supporting language arts objectives like building vocabulary, reading proficiency & public speaking skills through theatre arts.

Impact Statement

Our impact is best expressed by this (abbreviated) statement from a teacher:

My name is Megan Chaney, and I teach at Drew Elementary in the Community Peer Program pre-k class. My classroom is a mixed ability class, with half of my students having a disability. Some of my students are on the Autism spectrum, some are non-verbal…My students and I were lucky to have Ms. Katie McCreary come to our room once a week for two months. While she was leading instruction, I saw students come out of their shells and join in the imaginative learning. Ms. Katie provided meaningful lessons that both allowed students a creative outlet and supported learning in the classroom.

When Ms. Katie was not in the classroom, the things she taught our students continued to be accessible to them. There was a noticeable increase in creativity among the students in their play, and perhaps most excitingly to me, in their problem solving. Where students would sometimes previously get frustrated, they now could turn situations into a chance to get creative….I was so pleased with the growth my students showed in those two months with the guidance of Ms. Katie and the ETC program.

What ways can the public get involved?

ETC is always seeking volunteers as board members (board members meet quarterly for committees and full board meetings and are encouraged to volunteer at various points throughout the year).  We are also open to volunteers who can help organize and maintain our storage unit, sort t-shirts, and make deliveries during the camp season to camp locations throughout Arlington.

We are regularly in need of pro bono legal support (though often only once a year to check language on documents, etc.).

ETC performances are free and open to the public, and we encourage audience members from the community to join us, talk about what you’ve seen, and spread the word about ETC!  Joining our newsletter via our website is the best way to stay up-to-date on all things ETC.

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

$100 Provides a scholarship for a student over the age of 55 to participate in an online multi-week session of Creative Age
$500 Brings four actors into a school for a performance and workshops with Shakespeare in the Schools
$5000 Provides a full quarter of weekly PreK in-school programming to six classrooms
$10,000 pays for an entire session of Devising Hope: The Stories that Bind Us, presenting personal stories of racism shared by participants as a means of disrupting racism in our communities

Information provided March 2026

Arlington Concert Band Association

EIN: 45-5529489

Mission

Arlington Concert Band (ACB), a program of Arlington Community Learning in Arlington, Virginia, is a wind ensemble made up of more than 70 professional music educators and dedicated, talented amateur musicians. We perform regularly throughout the community and play an assortment of music including marches, show tunes, and classical arrangements. ACB’s mission focuses on:

• Bringing a mix of family friendly, professional music to the community for all to enjoy.
• Providing an outlet for members of the Arlington community to make playing music a lifelong activity

Program Summary

We perform regularly throughout the community and play an assortment of music including marches, show tunes, and classical arrangements. We provide free concerts and feature student soloists in some of our concerts.

Impact Statement

We bring a mix of family friendly, professional music to the community for all to enjoy. We provide an outlet for members of the Arlington community to make playing music a lifelong activity.

What ways can the public get involved?

We encourage all Arlingtonians to attend our free concerts and enjoy concert band music at its finest. Adult musicians can also contact the band to see if there is an opening in the band for new musicians.

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

Charitable funds are spent on purchasing new music, concert marketing and promotions, and concert recordings. 

Information provided March 2026

Legal Services of Northern Virginia

EIN: 54-1137931

Mission Statement

To provide access to justice for disadvantaged individuals and communities.

Program Summary

LSNV provides free legal help to Arlingtonians who cannot afford a lawyer by providing services in a variety of substantive civil legal areas, including: family law/domestic violence, housing law/eviction prevention, consumer protection, elder law, public benefits claims, access to health care, child advocacy, and AIDS/HIV issues. Staff and volunteers provide legal advice, brief service, and representation in administrative hearings and in court, as well as community legal education, and advocacy before local and state governmental entities, all without charge to our clients. 

What ways can the public get involved?

Volunteer.  Every year we work with hundreds of volunteer lawyers and paralegal who help us extend our reach and serve more clients.

Financial support.

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

Donations go to direct services; helping a survivor of domestic violence obtain a protective order and escape the cycle of abuse; helping a low-income family avoid eviction and stay in their home; helping a low-income veteran obtain the benefits that he is entitled to after decades of services; and many other types of cases which impact basic needs.  

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

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