Across the region, thousands of people are struggling to get the basics—food, shelter and clothing--and the safety net organizations that are supposed to help them are struggling to keep up with growing demand for their services while their funding continues to dwindle. The Neighbors in Need Fund of The Community Foundation is making sure the safety net stays strong.

In late 2008, The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region launched the Neighbors in Need Fund to help critical safety net organizations provide the basics—food, clothing, and shelter to thousands of families and individuals across the region. It is the largest fund of its type in the region and one of the largest in the country, and includes a component fund established by donors of The Community Foundation for Montgomery County.

Since its inception, donors of all ages and income levels have given generously, with more than $3.7 million of contributions to the Fund, which has in turn made grants of $1.9 million to 70 nonprofits providing food, shelter, clothing, financial assistance and foreclosure prevention. The Fund is supporting two types of efforts:

• Direct service: general operating support for our region’s most effective nonprofits providing basic safety net services
• Systems reform: investing in efforts to improve the delivery of safety net services by local governments, faith groups and nonprofits

Give Now to the Neighbors in Need Fund.

Apply for support from the Neighbors in Need Fund.

Learn More about how the economic recession is affecting our community.

Read About donors and grantees of the Neighbors in Need Fund.

Get More information on The Community Foundation and its regional affiliates.