Type of Work: Policy/Systems Change

Ayuda

EIN: 52-0971440

Mission Statement

Ayuda advocates for low-income immigrants through direct legal, social and language services, training and outreach in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.  

Program Summary

Ayuda provides legal, social, and language services for low-income immigrants including individuals and families affected by immigration challenges, domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and family separation, ensuring access to justice and support for vulnerable communities. 

Impact Statement

For over 50 years, Ayuda’s expert team has helped over 150,000 immigrants navigate complex legal systems and access vital services. With offices in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, we offer both in-person and virtual services to reduce barriers. We also provide emergency financial, food, and material assistance to those in crisis, ensuring immigrants have the support they need to build safe, stable lives. 

In 2024, Ayuda provided 3,109 low-income immigrants from 84 countries with immigration legal services, domestic violence, and family law services, comprehensive case management, and/or therapy. 165 language experts contributed to our interpreter bank, accessible to 118 nonprofits, allowing them to break down language barriers as they support clients. Over $228,000 in financial assistance, 21,400 pounds of diapers, and 2,800 pounds of food were distributed to help new immigrant families thrive. 

What ways can the public get involved?

There are different ways to get involved with Ayuda. Visit https://ayuda.com/get-involved/ to learn more and support our mission by: 

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

Donations to Ayuda help us provide vital immigration legal services, offer compassionate case management, extend a helping hand through mental health services, and bridge the language gap for low-income immigrant families in the DMV area. 

Information provided March 2026

National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Northern Virginia Chapter

EIN: 54-1366159

Mission Statement

Our mission is to advocate on behalf of Black women and girls to promote leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment.

Program Summary

The Northern Virginia Chapter, chartered with 35 members on January 22, 1984, in Arlington, VA, under the leadership of the late Mrs. Evelyn Reid Syphax, is committed to improving the quality of life of Black women and girls in the Northern Virginia area. The chapter is a 501(c) 3 advocacy organization dedicated to leadership development, political awareness, and enhancing career opportunities through networking and local programming. NCBW-NOVA addresses critical education, health, economic empowerment, and public policy dimensions.

Education:  NCBW delivers support services that help youth achieve their educational goals. By supporting positive experiences, fostering a positive self-perception and self-respect, encouraging excellence in education, and promoting the pursuit of positive lifelong goals, NCBW is creating future leaders.

Health: Health is a vital component of a thriving community. The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. is concerned about the well-being of the whole community and the whole person physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Our primary focuses for health advocacy are Family and childhood Obesity, Cancer/Health Disparities, and Metabolic Disease. 

Economic Empowerment: The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. views economic empowerment as critical for a just society. We define economic empowerment as the ability to self-determine dreams, pursue and realize them by establishing the mechanisms to sustain generational wealth. NCBW’s programmatic initiative “Sisters-Nomic$” promotes economic self-sufficiency through financial literacy, family wealth building, and entrepreneurship.

Public Policy: As the premier advocacy organization in Northern Virginia for Black women and girls, we have hosted the Annual Luncheon Advocacy Forum for nearly forty years to bring critical issues to our community. Through moderated discussions with thought leaders and trailblazers across various fields, the Northern Virginia Chapter has generated a dialogue amongst our attendees so that they leave the event with ways to impact their local communities. Chapter members serve on local boards, and we meet with local officials, the League of Women Voters, and Housing Authorities to address local policies that impact Black women and girls, their families, and local communities.

Impact Statement

NCBW NOVA Chapter serves the Northern Virginia communities of Arlington County, VA, City of Alexandria, VA, and Fairfax County, VA. As our impact continues to affect the population served, each of our initiatives makes focused impact:

Educational impacts are to: Eliminate disparities Improved outcomes and graduation rates Provide vocational/college preparation courses Provide S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) Education Support HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) Access Affordability.

Health impacts are Childhood and Family Obesity Initiative NCBW Cancer Health Disparities Program NCBW Metabolic Syndrome Initiative Prevention/Decrease Mortality Improve Health Outcomes Access to Affordable Healthcare Culturally Competent Research Quality of Life – Public Safety and Crime.

Economic Empowerment impacts are: Pay Equity African American Woman-Owned Business Growth Livable Wage Employment Opportunities.

Public Policy impacts are Voter Education/Rights Civic Engagement Increase Women Candidates Running for Political Office, Issue Timely Policy Alerts, and Issue Position Papers on Public Policy Platform Issues.    

What ways can the public get involved?

The public can get involved in our programmatic areas by attending listening sessions, responding to call to action alerts, e.g. voter registration, civic engagement and community organizing.

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

All monetary and in-kind donations matter and help to support our ongoing programmatic initiatives.  Charitable dollars are spent as the NCBW NOVA Chapter hosts more than twenty various activities and events each program year. Those activities include workshops on financial literacy, wealth building, leadership training and Board member development, Town Halls, webinars, and leading our robust young girls mentoring program.   

Information provided January 2025

Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC)

EIN: 54-0884513

Mission Statement

LAJC partners with communities and clients to dismantle systems that create and perpetuate poverty. We achieve this by integrating individual legal representation, impact litigation, policy advocacy, know your rights education, and organizing strategies. We work in and with communities to identify and address root causes of poverty while taking individual cases to mitigate acute impacts. We believe that the individual legal problems of our clients are inextricably linked to overarching systems of injustice and oppression, and that legal and organizing strategies can effectively dismantle the social, racial and economic systems that marginalize communities and keep people in poverty.

Program Summary

The changes to long-standing immigration policies and the mass deportations promised by the Trump administration are an existential threat to low-income immigrants; they threaten their family unity, their safety, and their ability to remain in the country. Additionally, low-income immigrants in Arlington County routinely contend with low-paying jobs and workplace abuses, substandard housing conditions, and threat of eviction.  LAJC’s attorneys, community organizers, and service navigators provide outreach, Know Your Rights education, appropriate referrals, linkages to safety-net services, and legal assistance to low-income immigrants who are facing immigration, housing, health, consumer and education related legal problems.

Our services help low-income immigrants overcome legal problems that threaten:

Impact Statement

LAJC’s Know Your Rights presentations in Arlington are tailored to address expressed community needs, topics include: changes in immigration policy, safety in the face of aggressive immigration enforcement, emergency family preparedness, housing conditions and eviction, and how to access safety-net services. These KYRs have made the difference between families remaining safe during an ICE raid and family members being detained.

Our Community Clinics provide an opportunity for community members to receive one-on-one advice and services around immigration issues, including assistance creating family emergency plans and preparing power of attorney documents. We also have service navigators, housing and consumer attorneys present at these events to help address the many challenges low-oncome households face. These clinics provide a one-stop shop for legal services and education that is specific to low-income immigrants in Arlington. 

Brief through extended legal services to low-income immigrants facing an immigration, housing, employment, consumer, health or education related legal problem. These services are crucial to household stability and financial security. Additionally, LAJC’s Immigrant Justice Program is committed to providing immigration consultations to any Arlington resident who is detained in an ICE raid.

What ways can the public get involved?

We are currently looking for people (particularly attorneys) who can help with the preparation of power of attorney documents and guiding families with the collection of information that may be needed if a family member is detained by ICE or other emergencies.  

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

Donations help us employ the attorneys and community organizers that we need in order to provide the legal services, education, and service navigation that low- income immigrants, particularly those who are undocumented or live in mixed-status households, in Arlington need to protect themselves and their families. 

A group of protesters marching, many carrying American flags and signs displaying messages in support of essential workers.

Information provided January 2025

Youth To Society Sports League (Y2S Sports)

EIN: 99-3901026

Mission

Youth suicide is one of the leading causes of death among young people, and mental health issues have reached epidemic levels. Our mission brings a proactive approach and introduces a ‘new concept’ to the youth sports industry, combining sports and community service to empower and equip youth with essential social and emotional life skills to create positive change for the betterment of humanity

Program Summary

Y2S Sports brings a new concept and combines sports and community service to develop positive mental health skills. Our program is run like an organized sport, with ten-week seasons in the fall, winter, and spring, with camps in the summer. Each season, coaches are trained in the curriculum to deliver weekly practices that build character and socio-emotional skills in a fun, non-competitive, ‘sports’ environment designed around one community service project.

Impact Statement

Our program is designed to reach and impact all youth, regardless of socioeconomic status. Through equipping the minds of the next generation, we bring a proactive approach to the decline in youth mental health that impacts the future of the world by raising a changed generation for society.   

What ways can the public get involved?

We offer various ways to get involved, including leadership roles for high school athletes and through our community and corporate partnerships. We are always looking for local nonprofits within our community to collaborate with to provide players with volunteer opportunities to positively impact and support local initiatives and cultivate a sense of altruism and empathy in future generations.

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

Measuring Our Impact: To truly demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, we need robust software to track and measure outcomes. We can show how our program positively shapes young athletes by analyzing metrics like skill development, self-confidence, and team cohesion. This data will help us improve and share our success stories with partners, communities, and funders.

Supporting Our “Every Kid Plays” Policy: At Y2S Sports, we believe no child should be excluded from participating due to financial barriers. Your grant would directly support our efforts to provide scholarships and cover essential costs, ensuring that every child—regardless of their background—has access to a safe, inclusive, and transformative sports experience.

Supporting our community service projects. To allow kids to have more hands-on experience, we don’t want to have our players raise the funds to fund the project. We partner with other nonprofit missions to help support their cause and donate whatever is needed to fulfill the project

Information provided March 2025

Center for Youth and Family Advocacy (CYFA)

EIN: 82-4681676

Mission Statement

CYFA expands educational opportunity, cultivates growth and resilience, and activates youth leadership and community contribution.

Program Summary

The Center for Youth and Family Advocacy (CYFA) expands educational opportunity, cultivates growth and resilience, and activates youth leadership and community contribution. Across Arlington, CYFA is building the infrastructure that ensures young people have access to opportunity, support, and pathways to lead.

CYFA’s work reflects a clear progression. Through Guiding Personal Success (GPS), youth access opportunity in safe, engaging environments, including The Zone for elementary students and Guiding Personal Success to Youth Employment Services (GPS2YES) for middle and high school youth. CYFA delivers these programs in Arlington Public Schools and in partnership with Affordable Homes and Communities, providing academic support, social-emotional learning, and opportunities to build healthy minds, healthy bodies, and healthy relationships, along with college and career exploration.

As youth grow, they develop accountability and leadership through the Youth Restorative Diversion Initiative (YRDI), a community-based alternative to the juvenile justice system where young people take accountability and repair harm through restorative practices, including PEER and Youth Peer Court (YPC), with advanced leadership through Youth Peer Court Ambassadors.

Youth then step into contribution. Through The Next Chapter, CYFA supports youth in the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center and through reentry, connecting them to education, workforce opportunities, and community resources. Through the Justice Leadership Club and CYFA’s Youth Advisory Board, youth lead and create meaningful change.

Impact Statement

CYFA’s work ensures that young people have access to opportunity, develop the skills and resilience to navigate challenges, and step into leadership within their communities. Through consistent, relationship-based support, youth remain engaged in school, strengthen decision-making and accountability, and build pathways toward college, careers, and long-term stability.

In 2025, CYFA served more than 320 youth, reaching hundreds of family members through engagement and connection to resources. In 2026, 100 teens participated in CYFA’s youth-led Listen Learn Lead Summit, demonstrating the power of youth leadership in action. Across afterschool programs, 60 young people are actively engaged in academic support, social-emotional learning, and skill-building.

Through the Youth Restorative Diversion Initiative (YRDI), CYFA provides a community-based alternative to the legal system, with 99% of youth successfully completing the program and 9 in 10 avoiding deeper system involvement. Every $1 invested in YRDI returns $8 in social value.

Through reentry and leadership pathways, youth not only stay connected to opportunity, but contribute to their schools and communities, strengthening the broader Arlington community.

What ways can the public get involved?

Community members can stay informed through CYFA’s newsletter and Instagram, learning more about our work and the ways we support youth and families across Arlington. Sharing CYFA’s work and using your voice to raise awareness helps expand opportunity for young people.

Financial support is critical to sustaining CYFA’s programs, including educational opportunity through Guiding Personal Success (GPS), restorative diversion through YRDI, and youth leadership initiatives.

There are also opportunities to give your time. Volunteers can support events such as the Listen Learn Lead Summit and other youth engagement activities.

You can also help connect young people to leadership opportunities by sharing pathways to get involved, including the Youth Advisory Board and Youth Peer Court and PEER Ambassador roles.

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

Your donation to CYFA directly supports programs that expand opportunity, strengthen resilience, and build youth leadership across Arlington.

Contributions sustain Guiding Personal Success (GPS), including The Zone and GPS2YES, which provide academic support, social-emotional learning, and opportunities for young people to build healthy minds, healthy bodies, and healthy relationships while exploring college and career pathways.

Your support also powers the Youth Restorative Diversion Initiative (YRDI), including PEER, Youth Peer Court (YPC), and Youth Peer Court Ambassadors, which provide restorative, community-based alternatives that help young people take accountability, repair harm, and stay connected to school and opportunity.

Donations fund The Next Chapter, supporting youth in the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center and through reentry with education, workforce readiness, and ongoing guidance, as well as leadership opportunities like the Youth Advisory Board, Justice Leadership Club, and youth-led events such as the Listen Learn Lead Summit.

Additional support makes community-based experiences like Unplugged possible, creating safe spaces for connection, well-being, and positive peer engagement.

Together, your investment ensures young people have the support, relationships, and opportunities they need to grow, lead, and contribute.

Information provided March 2026

OutLaw

EIN: 99-2386327

Mission Statement

OutLaw’s mission is to advocate for the rights and well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community, engage in meaningful dialogue and activities that promote unity and understanding, and educate the public and our members about pertinent issues. We believe in the power of diversity, the importance of visibility, and the necessity of action in pursuit of equality and justice. Together, we are OutLaw, and we stand strong in our commitment to create a world where everyone can live authentically and love freely.

Program Summary

OutLaw is a dynamic and inclusive LGBTQIA+ nonprofit organization that is dedicated to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all individuals. Our programs are designed to promote advocacy, community engagement, education, and outreach within the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond.

  1. Advocacy: We work tirelessly to champion the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community at local, state, and national levels. Our advocacy efforts include policy reform, legal support, and public campaigns to combat discrimination and promote equality.
  2. Community Engagement: We believe in the power of community. Through various events, workshops, and social gatherings, we aim to create a space where individuals can connect, share their experiences, and support each other.
  3. Education: Knowledge is power. We strive to educate the public and our members about the issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community. This includes hosting educational seminars, distributing informational materials, and providing resources for further learning.
  4. Outreach: Our outreach efforts are focused on connecting with the community to spread the word about our gender marker and name change clinics. We understand the importance of these services in the lives of many in the LGBTQIA+ community, and we strive to make them as accessible as possible. We utilize a variety of communication channels, including social media, community events, and partnerships with other organizations to reach those who can benefit from these clinics. Additionally, we offer guidance and support throughout the process, ensuring that individuals are not alone in their journey towards living their most authentic lives.

Impact Statement

Since its inception, OutLaw has made a significant impact in the lives of countless individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community. Our advocacy efforts have led to increased awareness about the rights and needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Our community engagement initiatives have fostered a sense of belonging and support, creating a safe space for individuals to express themselves and connect with others.

Our educational programs have empowered both the LGBTQIA+ community and the general public with knowledge, promoting understanding and acceptance. Most notably, our outreach efforts have made a profound difference. By spreading the word about our gender marker and name change clinics, we have helped many individuals take crucial steps towards living their most authentic lives.

The impact of OutLaw extends beyond these tangible achievements. Every conversation sparked, every mind opened, and every life touched contributes to a more inclusive and accepting world. While there is still much work to be done, we are proud of the progress we have made and are committed to continuing our mission.

What ways can the public get involved?

  1. Participate in Events:
    • Keep an eye out for our events, workshops, and gatherings. Attend these to learn, connect, and contribute.
    • Events may include gender marker and name change clinics,  panel discussions, workshops on LGBTQIA+ rights, and community-building activities.
  2. Volunteer:
    • We rely on volunteers to organize and run our programs. Consider volunteering your time and skills.
    • You could assist with event planning, outreach efforts, or administrative tasks.
  3. Spread Awareness:
    • Use your voice and social media platforms to raise awareness about our mission and initiatives.
    • Share our content, stories, and educational materials to reach a wider audience.
  4. Donate:
    • Nonprofits like ours depend on donations to sustain our work. If you’re able, consider making a financial contribution.
    • Sponsor one of OutLaw’s events or clinics. We are always welcoming new sponsors and donors. Sponsorship opportunities exist for a wide variety of items, events, clinics, and more. Please reach out to OutLaw President, Mack Freilich (he/him/his) outlaw@gmu.edu for more information. We are eager to have your support!
    • Even small donations can make a difference.
  5. Collaborate:
    • If you’re part of another organization or group, explore collaboration opportunities with us.
    • Joint events, partnerships, and shared resources can amplify impact.

Remember that your involvement matters, and together, we contribute to a more inclusive and empowered LGBTQIA+ community!

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

Donations go directly back to the community, mission, and initiatives of OutLaw, including its fundraising efforts, events, clinics, and resources. 

Information provided June 2024

Arlington for Justice

EIN: 85-2202716

Mission Statement

Arlington for Justice is a community-driven organization bringing a new era of public safety to our neighborhoods. We center and serve Black people in Arlington, Va. through advocacy, criminal legal system reform, legislation and partnerships to end systemic anti-Black racism. We recognize the many ways that white supremacy affects a wide range of communities, including people with disabilities, immigrants and other people of color and we commit ourselves to systemic change that breaks down barriers for all impacted communities.

What ways can the public get involved?

Volunteer for Court Watch Arlington: email courtwatcharlington@gmail.com

Information provided May 2024

Nature Forward

EIN: 53-0233715

Mission Statement

Nature Forward’s mission is to inspire residents of the greater Washington, DC region to appreciate, understand and protect their natural environment through outdoor experiences, education and advocacy. We seek to create a larger and more diverse community of people who treasure the natural world and work to preserve it.

Program Summary

Impact Statement

FY2026 ACCOMPLISHMENTS: OVER 35,000 PEOPLE SERVED

What ways can the public get involved?

Founded and run by volunteers for many years, Nature Forward continues to rely on their help in all areas of our mission. Nature Forward offers a range of volunteer opportunities to fit a variety of schedules, interests and abilities.

For more information about how to become a volunteer, please email Volunteer Coordinator Peihan Orestes at peihan.orestes@natureforward.org. To fill out an application, click here.

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

DONATIONS CAN SUPPORT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

Information provided March 2026

Greater DC Diaper Bank

EIN: 27-4276547

Mission Statement

Greater DC Diaper Bank supports vulnerable families across DC, Maryland, and Virginia by providing diapers and other critical hygiene items, and expanding access to essential services for those who need them most.

Program Summary

In collaboration with our partner network, we execute the following programs:

Impact Statement

Greater DC Diaper Bank (GDCDB) continues to lead the charge as the largest diaper bank in the DC region and one of the largest nationwide. Distributing diapers, formula, baby food, period products, and other hygiene essentials through partners across DC, Maryland, and Virginia, we’re making a powerful impact by reaching families in 375 zip codes.

In 2024, we increased our regional service level from meeting 20% of the diaper need to 23%-a result of both operational improvements and strategic growth-to reach record levels of impact.

This growth was made possible by the addition of eight new community partners located in geographic areas of the highest levels of unmet diaper need. These data-driven programmatic decisions had a ripple effect—expanding our geographic reach, increasing equity in distribution, and deepening relationships across our community.

We distributed 10.2 million diapers, turning a value of over $4.02 million back to local families!

Our programs – The Baby Pantry, The Nursery Project, and The Monthly – provide basic needs items beyond diapers. In 2024, the value of these items provided to families for free was nearly $1 million.

In addition, we served 46,740 babies and 39,800 families, increasing service levels by 11%and 8%, respectively, over 2023. 

What ways can the public get involved?

Give

Volunteer

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

When you give to Greater DC Diaper Bank, your dollars go twice as far, every day. For every $1 donated, we can purchase two diapers through our wholesaler—twice as many as you’d be able to buy at a store.

Your dollars help us purchase hygiene supplies such as diapers and wipes, and support our programs including the Baby Pantry and Nursery Project. Financial support enables us to flexibly respond to the community’s most urgent hygiene needs and leverage our wholesale and corporate relationships for greater purchasing power and to ensure your dollars go as far as possible.

A photo of GDCDB's warehouse, storing stacks and stacks of diapers.

Information provided April 2025