Population: Families

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

Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia, Inc

EIN: 51-0155758

Mission Statement

Books change lives! Reading Is Fundamental of Northern Virginia works to improve children’s lives by providing books to encourage an early and sustained love of reading, to augment reading opportunities and skills through book access and the development of home book libraries (a key metric of reading success), and to help address the alarming and growing U.S. literacy crisis.

Program Summary

RIF NOVA is an all-volunteer nonprofit that provides books for underserved children at 30+ schools and sites in the City of Alexandria and in Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties. The organization has served the Northern Virginia community since 1972, during which time it has provided hundreds of thousands of books to area children who have few – to even no – books in their homes.

Books for Keeps Program: Each year, RIF NOVA raises funds to purchase new books-of-their-own-choosing for 23,000+ children at several child centers and Title 1 schools. Each child served is able to choose at least one book to take home annually; important because children who choose their own books are three times more likely to be frequent readers. According to the U.S. Department of Education, “The only behavior measure that correlates significantly with reading scores is the number of books in the home.” The RIF NOVA Books for Keeps Program begins to address this critical need.

Donated Books Program: During the pandemic when schools, school libraries, and public libraries were closed, RIF NOVA began a Donated Books Program to provide additional reading materials to children throughout our community, often delivered in conjunction with school food distributions. As of March 2026, the program has collected over 60,000 new and almost-new books for redistribution – not only to established RIF NOVA schools and sites but also to additional community partners and schools seeking reading materials for children and families.

Authors in Our Schools Program — This multi-year program brings authors and illustrators to RIF NOVA-supported schools to present about their books. Authors/illustrators engage students in the entire book process — from thinking of the idea to completing the finished product — and encourage them to take part in interactive programming throughout the presentations. Each student participant is able to take home an original autographed book, adding to the excitement of the event.

Special Programming: In concert with local business partners, RIF NOVA has been able to offer special programming to augment the number of books available for the children we serve. Additional initiatives are being sought with area partners to provide books and active literacy programming to the children RIF NOVA serves. So far, special programs have included:

Impact Statement

A March 2023 Topic Paper from Scholastic Research & Validation noted that the likelihood of being on track in literacy and numeracy “almost doubled if at least one book was available in a student’s home.” RIF NOVA’s programs ensure that children in the schools we serve get at least one book every year from Pre-K to 6th grade and, thus, the opportunity over the course of their school years to build a home library – also critical for school success. On this, the Scholastic Topic Paper noted: “Children in homes with more extensive home libraries read more, have higher-level reading skills, and attain more years of education overall than those with access to fewer books, even after controlling for parental education level.” The paper continued: “Increasing children’s access to books correlates to ‘dramatically positive effects’ on reading growth and achievement.”

The Scholastic research validates our efforts. The work of Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia – to provide at least one book annually to each child we serve and build, over the course of time, a home book library – is helping children to read – and succeed – in school and well beyond.

What ways can the public get involved?

Members of the public can help RIF NOVA to do its work in three major ways: Giving funding, giving time, and giving books. 

Giving funding: Our most pressing need each year is to raise funds to purchase new books for 23,000+ underserved children at mainly Title 1 schools in Northern Virginia. Members of the public can help with this need by giving donations themselves, helping to identify and connect with potential donors (individuals, foundations, businesses, etc.), providing hands-on help with fundraising activities such as a biannual 5K, and helping to communicate the dire need for books for children in the NOVA community. We are particularly seeking business partners for funding and to develop and co-sponsor literacy-related programming that engages children in reading.

Giving time: Among those needed are volunteers with backgrounds or skills in fundraising, event planning, social media expansion, program development, grant writing, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement. Time contributions can range from helping with a specific project to joining our board for a more sustained commitment. Anyone with these skills or interests is encouraged to contact RIF NOVA at our email address: info@rifnova.org. We are particularly seeking committed volunteers to join our board. 

Giving books: RIF NOVA augments its new book purchases by soliciting new and very gently (like new) used books from the community through book drives organized by individuals, businesses, and organizations. Volunteers are also needed to organize new/gently used book drives, to sort books for quality, and to help transport and distribute books at schools and community events.

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

Every $4.00 donation purchases one book for one child. The cost to provide one book each for 23,000+ children means an annual need to raise over $90,000. Additional funding supports expanding special programming, including STEAM It Up! and Authors in Our Schools. Contributions to the Authors program can be used to bring local authors to schools for on-site visits, along with books signed by the author for each student participant. Additional funding is also used to increase the number of books given to each child annually or to increase the number of schools participating in RIF NOVA programming. The all-volunteer board that raises funds and administers book distribution programming is not paid. Mandatory expenses (such as insurance, tax preparation, etc.) are kept to an absolute minimum and totaled six percent of expenses in Fiscal Year 2024, our most recent tax filing.

Information provided March 2026

Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC)

EIN: 54-1473207

Mission Statement

We are an independent, community-based non-profit food pantry that provides dignified access to nutritious supplemental groceries to all our neighbors in need.

Program Summary

AFAC provides free groceries to Arlington residents in need at our warehouse on S Nelson St, at 20 other distribution sites around the county, and through a home delivery for home-bound individuals and families. We provide a choice of items including eggs, milk and other dairy products, fish, chicken, hot dogs, ground beef, fresh fruit & vegetables, cereals, beans, pasta, breads, pastries and a number of other items to choose from.

Impact Statement

In FY 2024, 183,558 trips to AFAC were made for groceries. All of our families are below 30% average median income – 30% more families than the prior year.  Our families are 53% Hispanic, 12% Black, 10% Caucasian and the remainder are a number of other minority groups.

What ways can the public get involved?

Individuals and families can help AFAC by volunteering in our warehouse, to assist in distributing food to our families, by collecting food for donation – over 1.5 million pounds of food is needed every year in addition to the 3.5 million pounds of food AFAC purchases every year.  Finally, AFAC receives no federal or state funds and must rely on financial donations from individuals to fulfill our mission.

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

All donated funds are allocated directly to AFAC’s food purchase budget to purchase groceries that will be distributed to individuals and families. AFAC purchases 60% of the groceries we distribute, at wholesale cost, from local and national distributors. In FY24, AFAC had a food purchase budget of $1,500,000. 40% of the groceries AFAC distributes are donated through partnerships with local grocery chains, gleaning networks, farmers markets, community food drives, schools, corporate/walk-in donations, etc. All donated food is checked thoroughly, sorted, and then distributed to AFAC’s families. AFAC distributes over 80,000 pounds of food each week to over 4,100 families in need.

AFAC's bright yellow truck is photographed in front of the AFAC Shirlington distribution site on a sunny day.

Information provided March 2026

Arlington Montessori House

EIN: 54-1594105

Mission Statement

Arlington Montessori House is a community committed to helping each child and family realize the full benefit of a complete Montessori experience that meets the needs of the whole child.  We recognize that a partnership between home and school is a critical part of the successful development of children.

Program Summary

Arlington Montessori House (AMH) holds an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Certificate of Recognition which indicates we follow Dr. Maria Montessori’s principles and practices in their original integrity and completeness.

The children at AMH spend their days in three charming houses designed to provide a nurturing environment that supports their innate curiosity, growing independence and instinctive social connections.  Our small community encourages deep relationships between school and family as partners working together for the benefit of our children.  Children attend AMH for four or five years, culminating in their Kindergarten year, allowing for the full benefit of our Montessori education.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Arlington, you will find a calm sanctuary for exploration.   Both of our primary classrooms serve up to 28 students of mixed ages. Our toddler classroom serves up to 12 students.  All our classrooms are led by AMI certified teachers.  The houses share a common driveway, a spacious playground and small garden beds which complement our safe and inviting classrooms.

Impact Statement

Arlington Montessori House has been a pillar of the Arlington community for thirty-five years and continues to grow and serve the children and families of the area by providing a high-quality Montessori education.  

Building community at AMH carries over into the greater community in Arlington, most notably in Arlington Public Schools.

In an effort to provide affordable, full-day care to low-income working families, AMH is an approved vendor with the VA Child Care Subsidy Program. AMH dedicates at least 10% of its total enrollment to the subsidy program children.  This approach guarantees that enrollment will reach families at or below 50% of the Area Median Income, and that they will pay no more than 7% of gross household income toward child care/schooling.

What ways can the public get involved?

Due to the generosity of AMH families and the greater community over the years, AMH continues to thrive and grow. Any donation is greatly appreciated.

Parent volunteering is a key part of AMH’s program. The public is welcome to participate in activities like taking care of our gardens, serving on our board of directors, or providing assistance with managing AMH’s operations using any special skills they may have.

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

Donations will help AMH fund its Child Care Subsidy Program, which allows low-income working families to enjoy all the benefits of a high-quality Montessori education.

Photo of the Arlington Montessori House buildings

Information provided October 2025

ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV)

EIN: 54-1302368

Mission Statement

Empowering People with Disabilities to Live Independently. 

The ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV) is a community resource and advocacy center run by and for persons with disabilities. ECNV’s mission is to END dependence by empowering people with disabilities to live independently. We are a cross-disability organization and work with people of all ages who have every type of disability. ECNV’s experience is extensive in peer-lead advocacy and support. We can bring best practices, strategies, success stories, and firsthand experiences to the table related to how peer-led advocacy can effectively empower people with disabilities (PWD) and promote self-advocacy.

Program Summary

ECNV is peer-led by people with disabilities, including staff, volunteers, and the Board of Directors, who have unique perspectives and understandings of living in the world with a disability. 

We offer:

Impact Statement

Our workshops equip participants with practical life skills and navigating daily challenges with greater ease. ECNV mentorship programs establish connections, provide guidance, and encourage personal growth. Collaboration with the community, schools, and our outreach efforts break down societal barriers, promoting understanding and acceptance.

What ways can the public get involved?

Volunteering/mentoring opportunities and donating gently used Durable Medical Equipment to our DME closet. Corporate sponsorships.

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

Donations go to our general operating funds used to continue to provide support and services for people with disabilities.

Photo of the END dependence staff

Information provided March 2026

National Capital Treatment and Recovery

EIN: 54-0805530

Mission Statement

National Capital Treatment and Recovery’s mission is to save lives and heal communities touched by substance use disorders. Our vision is communities free from pain and suffering associated with substance misuse. Over the past 60+ years, NCTR has served more than 60,000 patients.

Program Summary

RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS

NCTR’s residential programs are all medically monitored & clinically managed 24/7. We utilize an evidence-based, trauma-informed approach to care through individual and group counseling and offer additional medical and mental health care as needed.

OUTPATIENT PROGRAMS

At NCTR’s Counseling Center, we provide flexible outpatient services that meet patients where they are,
offering a range of treatment levels based on individual needs. Group sessions combined with one-on-one
personalized counseling, provide both clinical and emotional support.

COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS

NCTR’s commitment to community collaboration is evident through its partnerships with various organizations and institutions. Through these collaborations, NCTR enhances its ability to provide effective treatment and support, reinforcing its mission to save lives and heal communities impacted by substance use disorders.

Impact Statement

We offer several levels of person-centered treatment designed to meet the severity and unique needs of every patient we serve. In each program, our interdisciplinary staff of highly-qualified clinicians delivers treatment based on evidence-based practices in a supportive atmosphere where patients can achieve a drug/alcohol-free lifestyle.

Our programs include cognitive behavioral therapy, 12-step facilitation, trauma-informed treatment, and Medication Assisted Treatment, as needed.

Every step of the way, we are educating, empowering, and supporting the patient. We provide patients with education about the disease, how to identify the signs and symptoms of their substance use disorder, develop a recovery plan, and learn coping skills. We hold patients accountable as we support them in their efforts to change negative behaviors to positive.

In turn, we expect patients to act as responsible members of the patient community, complete treatment tasks, take part in their treatment planning, and fulfill their obligations within the Residential or Outpatient Community Structure.

What ways can the public get involved?

We welcome the community to get involved by joining one of NCTR’s Board committees: Development/Fundraising, Facilities, or Marketing/Communications.

The public can also donate in-kind goods, including clothing, books, art supplies, etc. for men and women in our residential programs. Due to strict HIPAA regulations and patient confidentiality, we are unable to accept volunteers other than Board members and professional internship opportunities.

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

Charitable donations are spent specifically to provide financial assistance to adults and adolescents who are uninsured, under-insured or without personal financial resources.

Our Patient Assistance Fund and the Young Adult Treatment Fund in Memory of John Buck, were created to provide access to treatment for patients who lack insurance or financial means to pay for treatment. Through these funds, which rely entirely on donations from the community, we ensure that all patients who turn to us – even those with no medical coverage – can access the treatment they need.   We also have our Recovery Rewards Fund. Donations to this Fund allow us to purchase patient “rewards” such as journals, gift certificates or fun experiences, to reinforce and incentivize positive patient recovery behavior.

Information provided March 2025

Goodwin Living Foundation

EIN: 54-1549749

Mission Statement

Through the power of philanthropy, we seek and celebrate generosity to carry out the mission of Goodwin Living, to provide financial security to residents, to enable staff to thrive in their careers, and to support innovation, thus enhancing the lives of older adults and those who care for them.

Program Summary

The Goodwin Living Foundation is proud to serve Goodwin Living residents through confidential financial support. Since we welcomed our first resident in 1967, Goodwin Living has never asked someone to leave because they have exhausted their financial resources through no fault of their own. We are able to keep this commitment to residents and their families, thanks to our Resident Support Fund, which is fully funded by the Foundation.

Goodwin Living excellence begins with employees who feel supported and have opportunities to thrive. Our mission is as much about staff as it is those we serve. Through gifts to the Staff Support Fund, we empower employees to grow professionally and personally, and in turn, they ensure the well-being of every member of our community.

The Goodwin Living Citizenship program offers team members grants to cover the costs of application fees to become a U.S. Citizen.

In addition to our citizenship program, we offer educational support and grants for staff who face unexpected financial hardships.

Donations in support of our Hospice Fund allow us to continue providing compassionate care and comfort when it is needed most. Gifts may be used for alternative therapies that go above and beyond traditional hospice care. Goodwin Hospice aims to approach each person we serve holistically, providing benefits such as massage therapy and end-of-life doula care.

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

Resident Support Fund, Staff Support Fund, Hospice Fund 

Information provided March 2025

Doorways

EIN: 54-1087829

Mission Statement


Doorways creates pathways out of domestic violence, sexual assault, and homelessness, leading to safe, stable, and empowered lives.

Program Summary

Doorways’ response to domestic and sexual violence spans a spectrum—from preventing violence, to supporting survivors and their families throughout our community, to providing shelter and housing. We offer a wide range of trauma-informed services designed to meet survivors’ complex needs. All services are free, confidential, and available in all languages (multiple languages spoken in-person onsite, and more available through a language line). Through the generosity of our partners and supporters, we provide safe harbor, healing, and hope.

Community Engagement

Doorways partners with our neighbors, supporters, and fellow service providers to realize our mission every day.

Community-Based Services

Doorways supports survivors throughout our community with a wide range of crisis response services, advocacy, and counseling.

Shelter, Housing, and Supportive Services

Doorways provides Arlington’s only emergency safehousing for survivors experiencing homelessness due to domestic and sexual violence. HomeStart, Doorways’ housing program, supports clients transitioning out of shelter to a home of their own.

Impact Statement

2025 was another record-breaking year for Doorways:

Read Doorways’ annual report to learn more about how supporters like you make a difference for survivors like the ones quoted here:

“Doorways saved my life and has changed everything.”

“Doorways has helped my child open up, express her feelings, and communicate. She loves to attend play therapy where we see a huge change with issues we had prior to coming.”

“I have learned to understand my situations and got help with getting custody of my son. This is a great resource for victims of domestic violence.”

“My mental health has improved greatly post-assault. I was having trouble taking care of myself because I was mentally in a sad state. Doorways’ therapy sessions have taught me how to cope and recover in a healthy way. I feel fully supported here.”

What ways can the public get involved?

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

Every year, half of Doorways’ budget comes from private donations. These monetary gifts from individuals, businesses, foundations, and corporate, faith, civic, and community groups ensure that Doorways is able to provide safe haven to every survivor in-need.  

Information provided March 2026

True Ground Housing Partners (formerly APAH)

EIN: 54-1414133

Mission Statement

We exist to provide quality affordable housing and resident-centered programming to help our residents make the most of their home.

Program Summary

Our homes provide residents with the foundation to live their dreams. Our resident services program strives to propel residents’ efforts to achieve their personal and professional goals. Together, these programs strive to elevate residents across lower levels of economic status throughout our community.

Specifically, our resident services program is centered around a mission to provide assistance to all True Ground residents and help them eliminate barriers to obtaining self-sufficiency. This is achieved through more targeted goals for four programmatic pillars: housing stability; economic mobility; health and wellness; and children, youth and families. Ultimately, it is our hope that True Ground residents either break the cycle of poverty and their children have the academic and social capital to receive post-secondary education/training and acquire a family-sustaining job, or that adults are able to age in place in their apartment living a healthy, quality life in pursuit of their own professional and personal goals

Impact Statement

True Ground’s vision guides our work: Everyone deserves a place to call home – a foundation to live their dreams.

Our growing Resident Services program and regional real estate development projects positively impact the resilient, diverse populations that True Ground serves.

What ways can the public get involved?

True Ground accepts charitable and in-kind donations as a charitable nonprofit organization.

Volunteers are critical to our regular operations; they help with supplemental nutrition distribution, after-school activities, community-building events, and much more.

Neighbors and housing advocates can support local initiatives that advance affordable housing priorities in their communities

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

Philanthropic funding at True Ground supports our mission to provide affordable housing in the region and resident-centered programming to benefit those who call our communities home. Our resident services program is funded entirely through philanthropic gifts like yours.

Information provided March 2025