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Local Nonprofit Bulletin (01.06.23)

Local Nonprofit Bulletin

(01.06.23)

Events

Sunday, January 8, 8:00 PM, The Hamilton Live | Best Buddies is hosting a tribute show on Elvis’ birthday with Alex Dellatti, Best Buddies Ambassador and Elvis impersonator

Wednesday, January 11, 10:00 – 11:45 AM, Online | Join Volunteer Fairfax for a keynote presentation and panel discussion on “More than Just Volunteering: From Transaction to Community Transformation”

Friday, January 13, 6:00 PM at Mehari Sequar Gallery | DC Strings Workshop presents Joshua Banbury in concert

Friday, January 13, 7:00 – 10:00 PM, The Little Theatre of Alexandria | Support Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services’ fundraiser while watching Sister Act, a feel-good musical comedy smash based on the hit film

Saturday, January 14, 9:00 – 11:00 AM, Various | Join Potomac Conservancy for a river cleanup for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service in Washington, DC (Theodore Roosevelt Island), Alexandria, VA (Four Mile Run), or Silver Spring, MD (Matthew Henson Trail)

Tuesday, January 17, 7:00 – 8:00 PM, Cleveland Park Library | Learn about an Architectural History of Connecticut Avenue in Cleveland Park with Camilla Carpenter, the Cleveland Park Historical Society, and District Bridges’ Cleveland Park Main Street

Thursday, January 19, 10:00 – 11:00 AM, Online | CaringMatters’ Panel Discussion on How to Support Grieving People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Thursday, January 19, 5:00 – 6:00 PM, Online | Get involved with Mother’s Outreach Network and the DC Guaranteed Income Coalition at their General Body Meeting, where they will be presenting their Advocacy Toolkit material

Community Resources, Opportunities, & Sharing

Volunteer with Casa Chirilagua this year! Their various opportunities on weekday afternoons and evenings include one-to-one mentoring, Spanish adult literacy tutoring, and volunteering with their Kids Club (elementary school age), Casa to College program, as well as Teen Study Hall (middle and high school focuses). Email Kate Denson for more information.

Enjoy cooking? Share your skills with Rainbow Place Shelter by volunteering to provide food! Visit their website to view the list of food accepted, sign up to volunteer, and/or contact their Volunteer Coordinator with any questions. You can also consider hosting an online fundraiser to help them with operating costs.

If you are a young person in 7th-12th grade who loves to sing, wants to grow as an artist, get paid to perform, and dreams of being on stage or collaborating with other DMV musicians, sign up to audition for The MusicianShip‘s Washington Youth Choir, who will be performing at The 35th Annual Wammie Music Awards on Saturday, April 1!

BIPOC emerging filmmakers who are working on a short film or their first feature that addresses a timely environmental issue are encouraged to apply for the $12,500 DC Environmental Film Festival (DCEFF) Vantage Grant! Applications close on January 20, after which 4-6 filmmakers will be selected to present their project in a live pitch at the 31st Annual DCEFF on March 26. Learn more about the process and how to apply!

The Fund for Investigative Journalism is accepting proposals for grants of up to $10,000 for stories that break new ground and uncover wrongdoing in the public or private sectors. Read their FAQs, RSVP for their webinar on January 13, and apply by January 30.

The Dream Project offers $3,000 scholarships for Virginia students whose immigration status (undocumented, DACA, TPS, or asylum applicant) creates barriers to success in college. Applications close on February 1. View their eligibility criteria and apply now!

Looking to get more comfortable with public speaking this year? Listen to the newly launched “Public Speaking the Actor’s Way” podcast by The Theatre Lab with acting teacher, public speaking coach, and Theatre Lab Director Buzz Mauro!

Generation Hope offers free College Readiness Workshops in English and Spanish for any young parents in the DMV. Parents will have the opportunity to learn about their college access and the transition to college. Both virtual and in-person workshops are available. Use this form to express interest and schedule a workshop!

The Foster & Adoptive Parent Advocacy Center (FAPAC) is looking for experienced CFSA foster parents to mentor newly licensed foster parents in DC. Mentors will receive training, a monthly stipend, and be considered AmeriCorps members. Learn more and apply to become a mentor on their website!

Local Nonprofit Bulletin (12.09.22)

Local Nonprofit Bulletin

(12.09.22)

Events

Friday, December 9, 6:30 – 8:00 PM | The Art League’s Opening Reception for December Exhibits

Saturday, December 10, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Art Enables & Friends Holiday Market (2204 Rhode Island Ave NE)

Saturday, December 10, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Main Street’s 2nd Annual Holiday Market at The Soulfull Cafe

Saturday, December 10, 1:00 – 3:00 PM | Family Art Day: DIY Holiday Sparkle

Saturday, December 10, 2:00 – 3:00 PM | Capitol Hill Arts Workshop’s 50th Anniversary Film Premier

Saturday, December 10, 4:00 PM | Atlas Presents Furia Flamenca: Navidad Flamenca (Flamenco Holidays) | $30-35

Saturday, December 10, 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Columbia Heights Tree Lighting (with Tiny Timber!) at the Columbia Heights Civic Plaza

Saturday, December 10, 5:00 – 8:00 PM | Homeless Animal Rescue Team’s Holiday Social & Fabulous Silent Auction | $20

Saturday, December 10, 7:00 PM | Washington Bach Consort Presents: J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio | $25-89

Saturday, December 10, 9:00 PM | Fiesta Latina: Washington Improv Theater’s celebration of improvisers identified as Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine/Hispanic | $5-25

Sunday, December 11, 1:00 – 3:00 PM | VisAbility Art Lab’s holiday open studio (Pop-Up, 36F Maryland Avenue)

Sunday, December 11, 2:30 PM | Free screening of Boheme in the Heights, an animated Spanish-language reimagining of Puccini’s classic opera set in the Columbia Heights neighborhood

Monday, December 12, 5:00 – 8:00 PM | Holiday Sing-Along with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington

Monday, December 12, 7:30 – 10:00 PM | The Theatre Lab’s Honors Acting Conservatory Final Showcase

Tuesday, December 13, 5:00 – 9:00 PM | PhreeSpace Collective and Capitol Hill Arts Workshop presents “RoofTop Underground” with an indoor live performing arts concert, open mic, and “Melanated Market”

Tuesday, December 13, 7:00 – 8:30 PM | Washington Improv Theater’s jam for LGBTQ improvisers

Wednesday, December 14, 4:00 – 6:00 PM | Shop at the Suited for Change Holiday Boutique Sale

Wednesday, December 14, 7:00 – 9:00 PM | Queer Stories, the debut performance of The Theatre Lab’s free intergenerational class designed to give LGBTQIA participants a unique platform to develop, share, and perform stories based on their lived experience in the DMV area

Thursday, December 15, 5:30 – 7:30 PM | Hear students argue about the social issues that matter to them at the One World Challenge

Thursday, December 15, 6:30 – 8:00 PM | CreativeWorks Showcase: Emporium Galore, a musical performance combining digital media, songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance

Monday, December 19, 5:30 – 6:30 PM | DC Night of Action and Chanukah Candle Lighting with Jews United for Justice

Volunteer Opportunities

On Tuesday, December 13, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, help Earth Sangha plant over 150 native tree species at Laurel Hill Park Central Green.

Volunteer with Leveling the Playing Field during the holiday break! Volunteers can help organize their warehouse with staff, inventory incoming donations, and more.

Do you like working with children and art? Apply to be a Winter Camp volunteer with VisArts!

Invest in Northern Virginia high school seniors to equip them for college. Apply to become a mentor with The Dream Project.

From tutoring virtually to becoming a Childcare Volunteer to joining the Career Corps & providing career support to volunteering as a Resource Family, Generation Hope has lots of ways you can get involved.

Looking ahead to 2023, join The Arc of Northern Virginia for DD Day of Advocacy in Richmond on Thursday, January 26. Meet with Northern Virginia General Assembly members, visit the legislative session, and have lunch.

Other Ways to Engage

Help Strathmore and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company support youth leadership! The 2023 Arts & Social Justice Fellowship program centers young people’s vision of the future and seeks to identify the next generation of artists whose activism reflects Octavia E. Butler’s dynamic lineage. Applications are open till January 2 — spread the word!

The 35th Annual Wammie Music Awards season is here! Presented by The MusicianShip, the Wammie Music Awards will be bestowed upon a multi-genre “playlist” of top DMV music talent. Nominate your favorite artists by January 10!

Local Nonprofit Bulletin (11.11.22)

Local Nonprofit Bulletin

(11.11.22)

Attend Something!

Make Something!

Do Something!

Local Nonprofit Bulletin (Spooky Edition)

Local Nonprofit Bulletin

(Spooky Edition)

From time travel to “human spiders” occupying the Underworld, Scena Theatre’s The Time Machine is a wonderful, spooky-vibes play for all sci-fi lovers. It runs from October 21 – November 13 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. More into fairytales? Try Kalanidhi Dance’s The Ballad of Belle (October 28 & 29), an original take on Beauty and the Beast inspired by the style of storytelling from the Indian classical dance tradition of Kuchipudi. (+ Are you an artist or know someone who is? Applications for the Atlas Arts Lab close tomorrow! This program facilitates artistic growth & development for artists whose work explores the ideas and issues of our time, and runs from January – June, 2023.)

Catch the debut of La Llorona at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop. An adaptation of the Latin American legend of the weeping woman in white, this is a story of young love, loss, betrayal, and despair that runs from October 28 – November 19, with a single Monday performance on October 31. Written by Gabby Wolfe and presented by We Happy Few.

Drug use and addiction are health issues. Participate in an Overdose Awareness Community Art Build on October 28 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM at the Petworth Library with the Decrim Poverty Coalition and its members — HIPS, the Fair Budget Coalition, and the Drug Policy Alliance, with support from Movement Matters.

LGBTQIA+ youth are invited to SMYAL‘s Halloween party on October 28 at their youth center in Eastern Market! Show up in costume, grab some treats, and hang out at their haunted house.

Here’s a party where you’re invited to boo the hosts — shout BOO at improvisers on October 28 at the Washington Improv Theater‘s Halloween fundraiser bash! Come in costume starting at 8:00 PM and be ready to dance at Hawthorne’s outdoor deck.

Volunteer as a debate judge at the Washington Urban Debate League‘s Spoookiest tournament of the year on October 29 at EL Haynes High School. They are looking for four more judges, especially for their afternoon shift between 12:30 – 5:30 PM!

Dress your dog up and go trick-or-treating in Shirlington Village on October 29 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM to raise funds for Lucky Dog Animal Rescue! Enter their costume contest, collect homemade treats from Dogma Bakery, and do it all for a great cause.

Alternatively, if you are looking to bring home a dog, head to Petsmart Chantilly on October 29 from 12:00 – 3:00 PM, where Homeless Animals Rescue Team is holding their next adoption event!

Join Common Good City Farm for a Fall-O-Ween on October 30 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. From free chili & snacks to a costume contest (and then costumes & karaoke starting at 5:00 PM), it’ll be a good day of enjoying all things fall and Halloween.

Decorate bandanas for you or your pet! VisArts is hosting a free, family-friendly Halloween Bandana Workshop on October 30 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM in Rockville Town Square.

Trick-or-treat in Chevy Chase! On October 31 from 3:00 – 6:00 PM, District Bridges‘ Chevy Chase Main Street has organized a Spooktacular with participating businesses.

Help Good Shepherd Housing & Family Services pull off some Halloween magic on October 31! Sign up to volunteer at their Trunk-or-Treat — they have slots available between 2:00 – 8:00 PM.

Local Nonprofit Bulletin (10.14.22)

Local Nonprofit Bulletin

10.14.22

13 ways you can connect with the critical work of small, local nonprofits this month:

  1. DMV Food Recovery Week runs from October 16-22! Join Manna Food Center, the DC Food Recovery Working Group, the Montgomery County Food Council, and Prince George’s County Food Equity Council for in-person and virtual events to learn about reducing food waste and increasing food security for all.
  2. Learn more about the work of Tahirih Justice Center and how you can help them support immigrant survivors of violence at their virtual Bighearted Kickoff Celebration on October 17 from 5:00 – 5:30 PM!
  3. On October 18 at 6:00 PM at the Martin Luther King Jr Library, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and DC Justice Lab, along with Sunrise-DC, Metro-DSA, ACLU-DC, and Advance Project, will be launching their Police Out of Traffic Enforcement Campaign. Join them for a panel discussion and start the conversation on what a safe and sustainable transportation system looks like!
  4. Join Main Street staff on October 18 from 6:00 – 7:00 PM in-person or virtually to learn and talk about invisible disabilities, which are disabilities that exist beyond one’s appearance.
  5. In need of professional attire for the fall? Stop by the Suited for Change October Boutique Sale on October 19 between 4:00 – 7:00 PM! With every purchase, you are helping empower the women in their community as they secure and sustain professional employment.
  6. The film Voices of Reentry explores the challenges of reentry and the role communities can play in reducing these barriers. Justice Arts Coalition will be screening this film virtually on October 19 from 7:00 – 8:30 PM, followed by a conversation between the audience and one or more of the film’s storytellers, local providers of reentry support services, and formerly incarcerated members of their community.
  7. For people with disabilities and their families, it’s absolutely critical to make careful plans for their financial futures. Join The Arc of Northern Virginia on October 21 at 10:00 AM for their quarterly online roundtable discussion with certified financial professionals, “Thank Goodness It’s Financial Fitne$$ Friday.”
  8. On October 21 at 11:30 AM, tune into a webinar about developing and producing investigative podcasts with one of the country’s most successful investigative podcast teams, who also serve on the board for the Fund for Investigative Journalism.
  9. The documentary film MIXED offers a new lens into race and the lives of the first generation of mixed-race kids and families to be counted in the U.S. Census. Watch a free screening of this film virtually on October 24 at 7:00 PM, followed by a live Q&A with the filmmakers, as part of the Silver Screen Series by Docs In Progress!
  10. On October 27 at 6:30 PM, join IN Series at metrobar for a Directors’ Salon on Requiem!
  11. It’s a Garlic Planting Party! On October 29 from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, the Washington Youth Garden will celebrate the end of the growing season with garlic planting, family-friendly activities, food tastings, vegetable harvesting, and more.
  12. Check out The D.C. Homeless Crisis Reporting Project, compiled by Street Sense Media, and including a guide to reporting on homelessness.
  13. Listen to a new podcast by The Giving Square, “Kids are Philanthropists, Too!” This podcast is for people of all ages to explore important social challenges, with kids ages 10-12 as your guides. The first episode covers physical health challenges as experienced by kids and adults.

Local Nonprofit Bulletin (10.04.22)

Local Nonprofit Bulletin

10.04.22

Things to Do This Month

October 8, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM or 1:00 – 3:30 PM | Learn and practice relief block printing with Art Enables at their free 2nd Saturday workshop

October 8, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Dreaming Out Loud presents their 5th Annual Fall Festival at The Farm at Kelly Miller, featuring delicious farm to table food, pony rides, face painting, music, and more!

October 8, 1:00 – 3:00 PM | Paint and Sip with Project Create at their Family Art Day, where Curt Cunningham will facilitate a free arts workshop

October 12, 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Meet your neighbors and get involved with the Chevy Chase community — stop by Blue44 Restaurant & Bar for Chevy Chase Main Street’s Volunteer Info Happy Hour, or sign up here to volunteer

October 13, 6:30 – 8:00 PM | Help pass a Green New Deal for Housing in DC and join Jews United for Justice’s Social Housing Sukkot Kickoff

October 13, 7:00 – 9:00 PM | Attend A Night of Immigrant Stories at Busboys and Poets in Arlington, VA with Restless Books Immigrant Writing Labs and many in the Dream Project community

October 15, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Collect and identify seeds in Arlington National Cemetery with Potomac Conservancy! Seeds will go to local nurseries that grow trees for reforesting efforts across the region

October 15, 6:30 – 9:30 PM | Support Nueva Vida’s Latinas with cancer at VIDART 03, their fundraising art auction to honor cancer survivors & caregivers

October 16, 2:00 PM | Join National Philharmonic for A Very Silly Vaudeville, an original children’s show featuring magic, dancing, singing, and lots of audience engagement

October 19, 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Celebrate the 77th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month with Best Buddies at their virtual panel discussion focusing on ACCESS in the workforce

October 20, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Create a Community Mural with My Sister’s Place at the American University Quad and honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month at their signature #PurpleThursday event

October 20 – 23 | Watch international, documentary, short, and feature films at Reel Affirmations: Washington DC’s International LGBTQ Film Festival. All films will be available virtually, with in person screenings available too

October 21, 6:30 – 9:30 PM | PEN/Faulkner’s Literary State of the Union, a one-of-a-kind DC literary gathering just before the mid-term elections

October 22, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Celebrate FRESHFARM’s 25th anniversary at their Monroe Street Market Block Party

October 22, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Shop and learn local with The Platform of Hope pop up at the Adams Morgan Farmers Market

October 22, 12:00 – 3:00 PM | Girls Rock! DC Clothing Swap. Exchange clothes, stories, and superb tunes!

October 25, 12:00 – 2:00 PM | Lunch and Life with SCNOVA in Reston, VA: How Hope Functions as a Motivator for Healthy Behavior

October 26, 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month with JCADA, When Gun Violence and Domestic Violence Meet: Kate Ranta Tells Her Story

October 30, 1:00 – 4:00 PM | Fall-o-Ween at Common Good City Farm, with free chili & other snacks, a costume contest, pumpkin decorating, and more!

Other Ways to Get Involved

Become a BUILD Mentor and help ignite the potential of youth in under-resourced communities! Mentors work with students as they learn teamwork and collaboration skills, create and grow their businesses, pitch to investors, and manufacture and sell their products. No prior experience necessary!

Sign up to volunteer with DC SCORES — they’re looking for support with their Fall Frenzy event on October 22 from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, as well as for game day referees to help throughout their fall season on Thursdays between 3:00 – 6:00 PM (email Will Sutton, their Program Director for Soccer Leagues).

Nominate or apply for The Giving Square Fellowship, an intergenerational program designed to bring caring individuals together to explore the role that children play in community. This 6+ session program will run on Mondays at 5:00 PM from November 7 – December 12, with sessions conducted on Zoom and lasting between 45-60 minutes. Email nominations and requests for applications by October 7.

Volunteer with Leveling the Playing Field — they provide weekly opportunities, from organizing their warehouses to assisting with inventorying incoming donations to running a collection drive.

This Halloween, help Good Shepherd Housing & Family Services host their third annual Trunk or Treat event! Sign up to donate candy or treats, or to volunteer with them in person in Alexandria, VA.

Spread the word — children in grades K-5 can register for the Audubon Naturalist Society’s Unplug & Play and Days Off Camps, where they’ll get to learn about nature, explore the Woodend Nature Sanctuary, get muddy in the pond, and play games! Upcoming dates include: October 5, October 24, November 7, and April 21.

Build Grow@Home kits with the Washington Youth Garden. Over the last two years, they’ve provided more than 5,000 kits to students throughout the region to inspire them to learn, experiment, and grow their own food! You can also volunteer to work in the garden.

Resources to Learn From

How are we doing at building a world grounded in equity, accountability, and loving kindness? What needs to change? Explore these questions and more in Avodah’s Transformative Teshuvah: A High Holiday Resource for a More Just World, now featuring a special section on bodily autonomy.

Stay connected with local artist opportunities and area art exhibits & events with Creativity in Action, The Art League’s blog!

Check your voter registration status and prepare for Virginia’s election day on November 8 with The Arc of Northern Virginia’s plain language voting guides & other resources.

Local Nonprofit Bulletin (09.16.22)

Local Nonprofit Bulletin

09.16.22

In this week’s round-up, we’re presenting a Choose Your Own Fall Adventure: Social Impact edition!

For Music & Arts Lovers

Join pianist Steve Baddour for a recital-conversation tomorrow, Saturday 17, at 3:00 PM. Proceeds benefit Capitol Hill Arts Workshop‘s music tuition assistance.

Washington Bach Consort‘s 45th season begins with a world premiere of A New Song from critically acclaimed composer Trevor Weston. Get your tickets for this Sunday, September 18, at 4:00 PM.

Join Porchfest DC, Art All Night, and Hillcrest Day for a Weekend on the East End, with Penn Ave East’s Art All Night on Friday, September 23, from 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM and Hillcrest Day on Saturday, September 24, from 2:00 – 6:00 PM. Then, on Sunday, September 25, from 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM, catch the Catalogue and several of our nonprofit partners — Mamatoto Village, The Safe Sisters Circle, Alliance of Concerned Men, AppleTree Institute, Urban Ed, East of the River Steelband, Project Create, FAN, and Southeast Ministry!

The first run of the Washington Improv Theater‘s 25th Anniversary season is a music-themed performance series, Playing It By Ear. Tickets are on sale now. Check out their schedule from September 30 – October 22.

Girls Rock! DC is hosting a happy hour at Lyman’s Tavern on October 8 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM, which includes an open jam. All adult supporters are invited and children are welcome to attend with parents.

Start your day off well on Saturday, October 15! From 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM, enjoy coffee from artisanal roaster Misha’s Coffee while making beautiful artwork to take home. Proceeds support The Art League.

For Kids, Young Adults, and the Adults Who Support Them

Be a one-on-one tutor to middle and high school age youth in foster care. Volunteer with Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso (FAN) in their after-school programs.

Volunteer with Casa Chirilagua to support middle school students and more! View their opportunities, which range from one-time to year-long commitments and allow for various levels of experience.

This Sunday, September 18, from 2:30 – 4:30 PM, create some art at Common Good City Farm‘s Fall Kids Art Party. Afterward, they’ll also have a Learning about the Environment, Agriculture, and Food (LEAF) class.

The new Arts Institute for Creative Advancement (AICA) is looking for young adults interested in their paid technical theater job training program. If you’re a young adult or a community organization who might know some prospective candidates, connect with them in-person on Monday, September 19, from 5:30 – 7:00 PM at The Theatre Lab or on Wednesday, September 21, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM over Zoom (hosted by Life Pieces To Masterpieces).

Join Vernee Green, the CEO of Mikva Challenge, and their youth and teachers for an interactive town hall on Tuesday, September 20, at 5:00 PM, where they’ll also share their upcoming strategic plan that will drive their work moving forward.

Dive into Generation Hope’s latest report exploring the post-graduation experiences of their alumni — all former teen parents — and the impact of their college degree on their employment, economic status, and more. RSVP for their special webinar on Thursday, September 22, at 2:00 PM.

Participate in Raffle for Rainbow by October 15 and help raise funds for Rainbow Place Shelter as they expand to serve transitional age youth 18-24.

Not only will the Children’s Science Center have a Haunted Lab all October, but they’ll also be hosting a Costume Party on Saturday, October 22, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Prizes will be awarded for creative and original Halloween costumes and the spooky fun includes a 3-D printed frog dissection and a view of a sheep brain dissection!

For Gardeners, Plant Parents, Environmentalists, and Food Justice Advocates

Help fill Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services‘ food pantry shelves by either dropping off donations at their office (view their grocery shopping list) or by donating so they can bulk-purchase food.

Volunteer with Earth Sangha this fall! There will be opportunities to help at their Wild Plant Nursery and restoration sites. Volunteer slots begin as early as this Sunday, September 18, from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, so be sure to check out their full schedule.

Stop by the Olive Lounge in Takoma Park on Thursday, September 22, at any time during the day to enjoy Mediterranean favorites while raising funds for the Crossroads Community Food Network.

The National Parks Conservation Association and Prince William Conservation Alliance is hosting a day of service at Prince William Forest Park on Saturday, September 24, from 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Sign up to help with trail maintenance and repair, and historic cemetery restoration.

Enjoy a lovely 8-course lunch at a unique country French restaurant and support the work of Legacy Farms. Their fundraiser on Sunday, October 2, from 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM also includes musical entertainment and a silent auction.

For DC Lovers and Neighborhood Advocates

Volunteer with the Mother’s Outreach Network (MON) and aid families in claiming their rightful tax credits to increase their family income and overall well-being. Though regular tax season has ended, many families have yet to claim their Child Tax Credits, so MON is hosting community-based tax workshops with brief advice clinics. Sign up for volunteer tax training today! No legal or tax background required.

District Bridges is celebrating Petworth this Sunday, September 18, from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM with a free neighborhood festival featuring kids’ programming, music, dance, a Dog Show, oral history storytelling, and so much more. Sign up to volunteer! They’re also organizing Georgia Avenue Open Streets on Saturday, October 1, from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, which you can sign up to volunteer for as well.

Christ House is hosting a virtual Speaker Series on Homelessness and Health Care on September 29 at 6:00 PM, where you can learn more about the causes of homelessness, the challenges individuals experiencing homelessness face, as well as solutions and organizations working to support this population.

We’ve partnered with Game Genius on the 2022 District Hunt, their 4th annual puzzle hunt in DC that promotes local organizations by solving a fun mystery. This year’s game, The Wordsmith’s Wriddle, is a fun, literacy-themed event that celebrates local literacy organizations, including many of our nonprofit partners like the DC Creative Writing Workshop, Story Tapestries, Reading Partners, and more. Participate as a team on October 1 or finish the hunt at your own pace through October 10!

Local Nonprofit Bulletin (Labor Day Edition)

Local Nonprofit Bulletin

09.05.22 (Labor Day Edition)

Happy Labor Day! We hope you’re having a restful and rejuvenating weekend.

Check out some upcoming ways to learn more about, support, and get involved with our nonprofit partners!

What’s Happening these next four weeks?

September 7, 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM | Swing by the Council for Court Excellence’s Open House to sign “thank you” cards for D.C. jurors, participate in their 40th Anniversary Oral History Project, grab their community guides, and more. RSVP by email

September 8, 6:30 – 8:00 PM | Hear about the many art forms that come together in the IN Series’ “The Nightsong of Orpheus” at their Director’s Salon, “Now I Know About Noh”

September 10 | Craft Japanese paper lanterns with Art Enables from 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM or 1:00 – 3:30 PM, then stay for their opening reception for “Outside Forces” from 4:00 – 7:00 PM

September 13 | Learn about Safe Streets for All: A Safe System Approach at the 2022 Washington Region Vision Zero Summit with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, including a post-summit meetup at Buena Vida Gastrolounge from 7:00 – 9:00 PM

September 14, 7:00 – 8:30 PM | Join the PEN/Faulkner Foundation and acclaimed authors for a conversation about representations of reproductive choice in their work

September 14, 8:00 – 9:30 PM | Get a refresher on what the DC Council does and how it works before they’re back in session with Jews United for Justice’s DC Politics Crash Course 101: DC Government

September 15, 5:00 – 6:00 PM | Hear from guest speaker Taylar Nuevelle, Executive Director of Who Speaks for Me?, at the next Guaranteed Income Coalition meeting

September 15, 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM | Catch in-person screenings of “Boy Culture: The Series,” presented by Reel Affirmations XTRA

September 17, 12:00 – 6:00 PM | Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Potomac Riverkeeper Network’s RioPalooza, a free and family-friendly fun day

September 21, 7:00 PM | Honor trafficking survivors and the community that stands with them at The Human Trafficking Legal Center’s 2022 On My Side Awards

September 23 – 24 | Art All Night! District Bridges will be organizing Mount Pleasant’s first Art All Night on September 23 from 5:00 – 10:00 PM, as well as U Street’s Art All Night the next day on September 24 from 6:00 – 11:00 PM

September 24 – 25 | Don’t miss CapitalBop’s NEXTfest ’22, a free music and arts festival at Malcolm X Park, with a focus on D.C. statehood this year

September 29, 6:00 – 9:00 PM | Join the DC Justice Lab’s inaugural Movement Mixer at the Ivy City Smokehouse during the Congressional Black Caucus’ Annual Legislative Conference

October 6, 6:00 – 9:00 PM | Join Senior Services of Alexandria’s Oktoberfest at the Port City Brewing Company for an evening of award-winning brews, traditional German foods, and music while helping support their programs that help older adults continue to live independently

October 8, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Celebrate the end of farm season at Dreaming Out Loud’s fifth annual Fall Festival behind Kelly Miller Middle School

Save the Dates & Fundraisers

September 17, 6:00 – 10:00 PM | C&O Canal Trust’s Park After Dark

September 23, 6:30 PM | 2022 So What Else Outdoor Palooza

September 29, 6:30 – 9:00 PM | New Endeavors by Women’s Moving Out of Homelessness Fall Fundraiser and Auction

October 1, 6:00 PM | Grassroots Health’s 2022 Grassroots Gala

October 5, 5:30 – 7:30 PM | St. Ann’s Center’s Fall Celebration

October 8, 6:00 – 10:00 PM | Potomac Riverkeeper Network’s Party on the Pier Annual Gala

October 12, 6:30 – 8:00 PM | Family & Youth Initiative’s Establishing Roots: A Fundraising Reception

October 19, 6:00 – 9:00 PM | FRESHFARM Feast

October 20, 7:00 – 8:30 PM | Community Reach of Montgomery County’s Resilience, Rebuilding, Rejuvenation: Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic Virtual Celebration 2022

October 23 – 31 | Homeless Animals Rescue Team’s Pups ‘N Pints 2022 Virtual 5K with a kickoff party on October 23, 12:00 – 5:00 PM, at Dogfish Head Alehouse

October 24 | SafeSpot’s 2022 Champions for Children

October 24, 12:00 PM | Mercy Health Clinic’s 19th Annual Golf Classic

October 28, 6:00 – 9:30 PM | Toast to Hope: a blue tie gala benefitting SCAN of Northern Virginia

November 3 | Network for Victim Recovery of DC’s 11th Annual Benefit: Rise & Reimagine

November 4, 6:00 – 9:00 PM | Community Youth Advance’s 2022 Unleashing Brilliance Gala

November 13, 5:00 – 9:30 PM | The Theatre Lab’s Cabaret Benefit Dinner + Auction

November 14, 7:00 PM | Only Make Believe’s 23rd Annual Gala: Back on Broadway

December 9, 6:00 – 10:00 PM | The National Reentry Network for Returning Citizens’ 7th Annual Fundraiser & Awards Celebration

The Local Nonprofit Bulletin is compiled biweekly — have a shoutout, event, volunteer opportunity, or something else you want to share? Reach out to Amanda Liaw, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, to collaborate!

Local Nonprofit Bulletin (08.19.22)

Local Nonprofit Bulletin

08.19.22

Learn More & Get Involved

“Warehouse space has been in high demand since the pandemic,” Jacob Fenston writes in DCist. Now that landlord Washington Gas is forcing Community Forklift out of their current space in Edmonston, Maryland, the nonprofit and salvage business is looking for a new location. Not only does Community Forklift rescue items from the waste stream for reuse, but they also provide well-paying jobs with benefits for people who might otherwise have a hard time finding work. Additionally, they donate supplies to schools, community organizations, and low-income households. As Nancy Meyer, chief executive of Community Forklift, told Daniel Wu in the Washington Post, they’re “part of this dynamic, grass-roots economy in the local community.” Their warehouse will remain open as they search for a new home and have launched the “Forklift Forward” campaign — if you are able, help provide financial support, assistance in identifying funding resources, and/or connections in the commercial real estate, public relations, political, and nonprofit fundraising spheres!

Nominate an individual or organization for the Council for Court Excellence‘s Justice Potter Steward Award! This Award is presented annually to leaders who exemplify the very best in the pursuit of justice, with former Award winners including individuals whose work with the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, DC Volunteer Lawyers Project, Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop, DC Affordable Law Firm, Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia, and more have made a significant contribution to the law, the legal system, the courts, or the administrative process in our community. Submit your nomination by Friday, September 23!

The Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia is looking for office volunteers to help with answering the phone, scheduling rides, and taking messages for fundraising activities. Able to help for four hours on Thursday or Friday afternoons? Call them at 703-281-0538 or email office@scnova.org to let them know!

Congratulations to the National Philharmonic‘s Summer String Institute 2022 musicians! These talented middle school and high school students spent an intensive week in rehearsals, lessons, and more, culminating in final performances that you can now watch.

Calling youth performers! The Young Artists of America is now auditioning for its 2022/23 “Season of Premieres.” Singers, actors, and dancers in grades 9-12 or taking a gap year can audition for their YAACompany; instrumentalists in grades 9-12 or taking a gap year can audition for their YAAOrchestra; and singers, actors, and dancers in grades 6-8 can audition for their YAAjunior. BIPOC students can also apply for their new BIPOC performing arts scholarship.

The schedule for Improvapalooza 2022 is live! Help make the Washington Improv Theater‘s last Palooza at Source a success. They’re looking for volunteers to greet patrons, check vaccine cards, and videotape shows. Fill out this form to learn more about volunteering or email their Operations Manager at jordana@witdc.org.

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop‘s vestibule at 545 7th St SE is open daily for contact-free donation drop-offs to Serve Your City and the Ward 6 Mutual Aid Network! Take a look at the list of needed items. They are also collecting new art supplies for art kits distributed through the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project in the vestibule.

The Theatre Lab is looking for people ages 14-24 who identify as a member of the LGBTQIA community to join a group of participants ages 25-70 for QUEER STORIES, a free 13-week class designed to give participants a unique platform to develop and share stories based on their lived queer experiences in the DMV. Participants will use their personal stories and experiences as fabric to construct and perform an original work in December. Seasoned performers and those with no previous acting experience welcome! Learn more and apply. The class runs from September 14 – December 14.

Vote for Byte Back to get to SXSW 2023! In partnership with the Urban Alliance and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, they submitted a proposal for a panel on digital equity, education innovation, and sharing their impact with a national audience. Voting closes at 11:59 PM ET on August 21.

Volunteer with Generation Hope this fall. They are looking for people to provide childcare at their Family Dinners starting September 15 and 29. If you’re interested in mentoring, individuals and groups can also apply now to support and build lasting bonds with young parents in college. You can also sign up to tutor Scholars virtually, especially if you can help with nursing classes, engineering, and other STEM-related topics.

Attend an Upcoming Event

August 20, 12:00 – 5:00 PM | Bread for the City’s annual Good Hope Family Community Day at their old Southeast Center on 1640 Good Hope Rd SE. This back-to-school block party will have a moon bounce and game zone, along with free book bags, food, clothing, school supplies, hair cuts and braiding, and more!

August 21, 2:00 – 3:00 PM | The Art League’s Artist Talk with August Solo Artist Andrea Cybyk about her exhibit “Wild Suburbia.” Hear about her artistry and how her exhibit finds beauty in common weeds.

August 23, 7:00 PM | Community Voices & Visioning: Collaboration After Harm. Join Network for Victim Recovery of DC, Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop, and Community Mediation DC as they explore the impact of restorative justice practices and discuss how DC as a community can better respond after harm.

August 24, 6:00 – 7:30 PM | Navigating Holistic & Western Medicine through the Pandemic with Hamkae Center. A virtual discussion about the values of practicing both western and non-western medicine in exercising best health and wellness!

August 25, 6:30 – 7:45 PM | Rainbow Families’ Legal Talk Series: Impact on ART & Adoption. Join this virtual chat with two attorneys and a reproductive physician on how legal changes are affecting Assisted Reproductive & Adoption.

August 27, 12:00 – 4:00 PM | Great and Small’s 2022 Summer Open House at 17320 Moore Rd in Boyds, Maryland. Catch a therapeutic riding demonstration, occupational therapy demonstration, Q&A, tours, learning opportunities, and more! No RSVP needed.

August 27, 7:00 – 8:30 PM | Spirit of Summer Series: Pan Masters Steel Orchestra at Joe’s Movement Emporium. Catch Pan Masters’ outstanding musical repertoire that reflects the unique musical arrangements of its members — from Calypso to Jazz, Soca to R&B!

August 28, 3:00 – 4:30 PM | Jews United for Justice’s Montgomery County Summer Meetup. Family-friendly event with relationship-building and postcard-writing!

August 29, 6:30 PM | Art Drives Statehood with Art Enables and DC Vote at the Atlas Theater. Join Washington Nationals Pitcher Sean Doolittle, Pie Shop owner Sandra Basanti, and more at the launch of this project, which interprets the iconic “Statehood” license plate that has been used for years as a symbol of the fight for equality.

August 30, 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Potomac Riverkeeper Network’s Alexandria Coal Tar Pollution Public Forum. Get an up-close look at an active pollution source in Old Town, Alexandria, and learn about how to take action for clean water.

The Local Nonprofit Bulletin is compiled biweekly — have a shoutout, event, volunteer opportunity, or something else you want highlighted? Reach out to Amanda Liaw, Communications and Marketing Coordinator, to collaborate!

Local Nonprofit Bulletin (08.05.22)

Local Nonprofit Bulletin

08.05.22

Happy August! In this week’s edition of the bulletin, we’re rounding up ways you can get involved with small, local nonprofits across the DMV through exciting events, volunteer opportunities, and more! Know of another opportunity to engage that you want featured in our next edition? Reach out to Amanda, Communications and Marketing Coordinator, to collaborate!

Upcoming Events

The DC Funk Parade returns on Saturday, August 6, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM! Produced by The MusicianShip, this 8th Annual DC music celebration will take place along the U Street corridor, complete with a main stage, soul station, community corner, and more!

Support the next generation of rockstars and see brand new DC youth bands share their original music! Join Girls Rock! DC for their August showcase on Saturday, August 6, at 11:00 AM at the Black Cat.

This weekend is District BridgesThe Dog Days of Summer 23rd Annual Sidewalk Sale! Stop by Logan Circle and/or U Street between 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM this Saturday, August 6, and Sunday, August 7.

Common Good City Farm‘s upcoming calendar is filled with exciting events, such as Herbal Abundance, a class on how to source herbs sustainably, on Monday, August 8, from 6:00 – 7:00 PM.

View new work by incarcerated artists in Justice Arts Coalition‘s network at ArtLinks on Tuesday, August 9, between 7:00 – 9:00 PM. Participants are encouraged to share feedback, reflections, and encouragement with the artists through hand-written letters, which they will send to the artists!

The Insight Memory Care Center has a full calendar of upcoming events and trainings, including a virtual class on Wednesday, August 10, from 1:00 – 2:30 PM about how you can reconnect with someone with dementia through personalized activities.

Get your tickets to The Theatre Lab‘s teen summer shows, starting August 11! Catch Urinetown, presented by The Musical Theatre Institute for Teens, and Audrey Cefaly’s Tell Me Something Good, presented by The Summer Acting Institute for Teens.

Travel the world with Story Tapestries and Game Genius at the FRESHFARM market in Silver Spring on August 13 and September 17, with a scavenger hunt and performances by professional storytellers at 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 12:30 PM.

Catch The Dream Project at the Salvadoran Festival in Manassas, Virginia, on August 14 from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM! Can’t make it that day? They’ll also be at the Arlington County Fair from August 19 – 21 at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center.

Calling all nonprofit professionals! Join Keesha Ceran, associate director of Teaching for Change, on August 15 from 2:00 – 3:30 PM for a virtual coworking space to provide time and thought partners to build out and document those long-term goals that you haven’t yet gotten to.

Don’t miss Potomac Riverkeeper Network‘s remaining RiverPalooza Paddles! Their next upcoming one is a guided, interpretive paddle through Mallows Bay on August 20. Plus, they’ll be tubing at Harpers Ferry and hosting a Good-bye Summer Blow Out on the Shenandoah. For a more informative hour, you can also join them virtually on Wednesday, August 17, at 12:00 PM to learn about acid mine drainage, a water quality issue in the Upper Potomac.

Don’t forget to get your tickets to Washington Improv Theater‘s Improvapalooza, a five-day festival of experimental improv happening August 24 – 28! You can also catch them at a picnic on Sunday, August 14, from 3:00 – 7:00 PM at Rock Creek Park.

In recognition of National Recovery Month, BEHIND THE MASK is a free art workshop by VisArts for every person, family, and community member with a connection to addiction. Join them on Thursday, September 8, from 5:00 – 8:50 PM.

Experience the mission and creative energy of the Sitar Arts Center at Sitar on the Piazza on Thursday, September 8, at 5:30 PM on the piazza of Ristorante i Ricchi!

Support Local

Interested in identifying future leaders? Help The Posse Foundation select the students who will become Posse Scholars! Using their unique evaluation method, you can work with them to identify young leaders who might be missed by traditional admissions criteria, but who can excel at selective colleges and universities. In this first phase of their process, they narrow down approximately 1,500 students who have been nominated for the Posse Scholarship to 600 by engaging them in activities that demonstrate their teamwork, strategic thinking, and other leadership skills. Learn more and sign up to volunteer with them!

Volunteer with Earth Sangha at their Wild Plant Nursery and do some potting, weeding, and labeling!

Strut Your Mutt with Lucky Dog Animal Rescue and help raise money to save the lives of Lucky Dogs and Cats!

There are still three shifts you can join for the Mother’s Outreach Network Summer Canvas for Guaranteed Income! Help increase public awareness and education around guaranteed income by canvassing from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Saturdays August 13, August 20, and August 27.

Community Family Life Services is hosting a Back 2 School Bash and you can help them ensure families have the tools they need to be successful in the upcoming school year. From backpacks to calculators to notebooks, check out their donation list and drop off your donations by August 16 at their headquarters on 305 E Street NW.

Become a fall volunteer with Casa Chirilagua! They are looking for volunteers to support elementary school students with homework help, facilitate small group discussions for mental health curriculum with middle school students, help high school students prepare for college, and more.

Justice Arts Coalition is recruiting outside pARTners who would like to work with incarcerated youth as part of a special partnership. If you have experience working with youth, sign up to be paired with a Free Verse Project youth writer or artist as a pen pal, with art as the center of correspondence!

Craving a sweet treat? Order from Sunflower Bakery — they have an August special, shipping this month only!

September is National Recovery Month. VisArts invites individuals to submit photographs/images/designs/artworks that address the struggle of addiction, the process of recovery, portraits of those we have lost to addiction and portraits of those who’ve found a path forward through recovery. Submit your work for inclusion in their five-night projected installation by September 2.

The Fund for Investigative Journalism is accepting proposals for grants of up to $10,000 to cover the expenses of investigative stories that break new ground and uncover wrongdoing in the public or private sectors. Attend their webinar on August 12 at 11:30 AM and submit your application!

Dress up as your favorite superhero and join SafeSpot for a 5K & fun run on Saturday, September 17. All proceeds will benefit children and families impacted by abuse in Fairfax.

Attend or volunteer for C&O Canal Trust‘s Park After Dark on Saturday, September 17. Proceeds support the mission of the C&O Canal Trust and fund preservation programs of the C&O Canal NHP.

Join Street Sense Media for Artshow on September 29 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM at metrobar and share an evening of art, community, and entertainment celebrating their artists/vendors! There will be food trucks, visual art, performances, and more.

On Thursday, September 29, from 6:30 – 9:00 PM, New Endeavors by Women will be celebrating the NEW women overcoming homelessness and the supporters who help them thrive! Join them for their fall fundraiser and auction at the Jackie American Bistro in Navy Yard.

Your story matters! The Arc of Northern Virginia works to show the community that people should not be defined by a disability. What really resonates is a personal story. Fill out their form to share yours.

From now through October, volunteer with Food for Others on the fourth Thursday of the month between 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Skyline Park, where you can assist in serving 150-300 families by packaging and handing out food. On Sunday, September 25, you can also participate in their Tysons 5K and Fun Run.

Save the Dates

September 15 | Common Good City Farm’s A Night on the Farm (September 29 rain date)

September 16, 6:00 – 9:00 PM | City Blossoms Garden Fiesta

October 1, 2:00 – 6:00 PM | Healwell’s Birthday Bonanza

October 6, 4:00 – 7:00 PM | Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia Pickleball Mixer & Happy Hour

October 6, 6:00 PM | DC SCORES’ One Night One Goal

October 7, 6:30 PM | Story Tapestries Elevate Voices – Celebrate Community

October 9, 1:00 – 4:00 PM | VisArts turns 35! Free anniversary open house

October 13 | Insight Memory Care Center’s Paintings & Pairings

October 14, 6:00 – 10:00 PM | Byte Back’s EVOLUTION: 25 Years of Transforming Lives Through Technology

October 19, 6:00 – 9:00 PM | FRESHFARM Feast

October 19, 6:30 – 8:30 PM | Georgetown Ministry Center’s The Spirit of Georgetown

October 19 | Family PASS Annual Golf Tournament

October 20, 6:00 – 7:30 PM | Community Reach of Montgomery County’s Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic Virtual Celebration

October 20, 6:30 PM | Sitar Arts Center’s CREATE CHANGE Benefit Gala & Auction

October 21 | PEN/Faulkner’s Literary State of the Union

October 24, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | So What Else & Mamma Lucia’s 6th Annual Golf Tournament

November 5, 6:00 – 11:00 PM | The Arc of Northern Virginia’s 60th Anniversary Gala Celebration

November 13, 5:00 – 9:30 PM | The Theatre Lab’s Cabaret Benefit