Visions in Leadership

The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region is one of the largest philanthropic foundations of any type in the United States. In FY2007, The Foundation and our donors distributed more than $95 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions throughout the Greater Washington area and beyond.

We are committed to ensuring equity, access and opportunity for all residents of the Washington metropolitan area by leveraging philanthropic investment in our region’s most effective nonprofit organizations.

Our Mission

The mission of The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region is to strengthen the Washington metropolitan region by encouraging and supporting effective giving and by providing leadership on critical issues in our community.

We and our three regional affiliate foundations -- Alexandria Community Trust, The Montgomery County Community Foundation and The Prince George's Community Foundation -- are part of a network of some 700 community foundations nationwide. Each is a tax-exempt, public charity made up of funds established by individuals, families, corporations and other organizations. We currently manage more than 600 donor funds whose assets total more than $360 million.

Like most community foundations, we play many roles -- fund manager, grantmaker, fundraiser, convener, and more. Click on the topic tabs above or visit the "What We Do" section of our website to learn more about which of our activities is right for you.

Our History in Brief

We were founded in 1973 by a group of visionary leaders committed to bettering the Washington metropolitan area through philanthropy.

Over the years, our board of trustees has included such prominent Washingtonians as Katherine Graham, John Hechinger, Jr., Eleanor Holmes Norton, R. Robert Linowes, Mario Morino, Lawrence Hough, Victoria Sant, Lee Folger and Henry Strong, to name just a few. This tradition continues today with our current board of trustees consisting of a diverse, volunteer group of 23 Washington-area citizens representing excellence in the corporate, education, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.