news & updates

It is 2024 – What are we celebrating this Pride season?

Written by: britt walsh, Director of Gender Affirming Care at 55 years ago, Marsha P. Johnson threw the first brick at the Stonewall Inn, as police clashed with patrons at the famous NYC gay bar. The LGBTQ Community in New York was familiar with the police raids on queer spaces and by this night in1969, people were tired of the harassment and discrimination. Throwing the brick, bashing back, and literally fighting the police around them, riots ensued, and Stonewall became a catalyst for the LGBTQ rights movement as we know it. Stonewall activists were not the first to challenge the status quo, however this uprising left a larger mark. LGBTQ political activism sprung upward with the formation of numerous gay rights organizations and one year later, on the first anniversary of the riots, thousands of people marched in Manhattan streets in the first ever “Christopher Street Liberation Day. ”The march was considered the first Pride parade, as people chanted “Say it loud, Gay is proud.” Pride season has begun in DC, and with Trans Pride kicking us off in May, I braced myself for another whirlwind year of parades and celebrations in towns and cities of all sizes, around the country.…

read more
150 150 Kelcie Glass

The Greater Washington Community Foundation Releases the VoicesDMV Report

VoicesDMV Fellowship supports individuals deeply rooted in our priority areas to facilitate deeper engagement between The Community Foundation, residents, and organizations in the priority areas to ensure authentic community voice is at the center of our work. Click here to read the full report and to learn more. For questions, contact VoicesDMV@thecommunityfoundation.org.

read more
150 150 Kelcie Glass

Celebrating the Appointment of Deborah Aubert Thomas as President & CEO of United Philanthropy Forum

United Philanthropy Forum (the Forum) is thrilled to announce Deborah Aubert Thomas as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 24, 2024. After a rigorous national search in collaboration with  With a remarkable career spanning over three decades in philanthropy and nonprofit management, she brings a rich tapestry of expertise and visionary leadership to her new role. Deborah joins the Forum from 

read more
150 150 Kelcie Glass

Philanthropy DMV Announces Gloria Nauden as Interim CEO

DC Community Development Consortium. The organization's mission focuses on closing the 81x racial wealth gap in Washington, DC, by providing crucial support to credit-invisible entrepreneurs and small businesses through innovative economic equity strategies.  Gloria has a track record of working with donors, businesses, and local governments to manage effective community investments and create tangible, lasting change in the region.  “We are excited to welcome Gloria Nauden as our new Interim CEO,” said Dr. Marla Dean, Chair of the Philanthropy DMV Board of Directors. “Gloria’s profound commitment to community, combined with her extensive experience and proven leadership, make her uniquely qualified to guide our organization through this pivotal period. Her track record of strategic innovation aligns perfectly with our mission to transform the philanthropic landscape in the DMV area. Gloria will serve as more than a traditional interim; she will boldly lead Philanthropy DMV into our next chapter.” In her new role, Gloria will oversee the organization's strategic direction, program development, and operations, ensuring that Philanthropy DMV continues to meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves. She will work closely with the Board of Directors, staff, and key stakeholders to expand the organization's reach and impact. “I am honored…

read more
150 150 Kelcie Glass

Deepening Racial Equity in Regional Philanthropy

Philanthropy DMV and Equal Measure convened a small, invite-only group of funders to explore together how organizations and their people are defining and measuring racial equity. As funders arrived, they filled in around a large conference room table inside the historic True Reformer Building in Washington, DC. There was palpable energy and laughter as longtime colleagues reconnected, as well as a tentative intrigue from those newer to the space. Genuine relationships—along with the care and empathy that stem from connections—were the grounding force, setting the stage for the authentic sharing necessary for conversations around equity and justice. After some grounding and centering, the group shared key individual learning moments from the last year. What emerged was a robust conversation that captured the challenges of individual and organizational racial equity journeys, highlighting questions such as: What risks are posed to those with deep lived experience as they engage with philanthropy? How do genuine relationships across race form and struggle through philanthropic partnerships together? Can you be your full, authentic self in philanthropy in unapologetic ways? ACKNOWLEDGING HARD TRUTHS IN PHILANTHROPY Through these discussions, participants found themselves wrestling with the origins of philanthropy and the underlying reasons foundations have accumulated wealth and…

read more
150 150 Kelcie Glass

Looking Ahead to 2024: Updates from the Board of Directors

Dear Philanthropy DMV members,    We hope your new year has renewed your energy and commitment to supporting the incredible work occurring throughout our region.  The Philanthropy DMV (PDMV) Board of Directors would like to share several important updates as we kick off 2024. These updates are effective immediately unless otherwise noted.  CEO Transition: CEO Ruth LaToison Ifill and the Board would like to announce a planned CEO transition.  Ruth will serve as Liaison to incoming board chair, Dr. Marla Dean, who, along with the rest of the Executive Committee, will support the staff with day-to-day operations. The Board is in the final stages of identifying an Interim CEO, who will then lead the organization while a search is conducted for the next CEO.   As CEO, Ruth played an important role in the growth of Philanthropy DMV. Ruth guided the organization through the tremendous challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, developed a Celeste James. Over the coming months, CA James Consulting will provide PDMV with the strategic programmatic support needed to meet the goals of our framework.  In the very near future, once an interim CEO has been identified, we will update members.  Board Transitions: Kelly Lynch and Julie Wagner have completed their Board…

read more
150 150 Kelcie Glass