Catalogue Milestones: 2012

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Spur Local

By Marie LeBlanc, Community Partnerships Coordinator

After looking back over the past ten years, the Catalogue is excited to reflect on our last year (2012!) and the exciting accomplishments that we’ve seen in the past twelve months.

In 2012, the Catalogue counted over 100 individuals and 20 corporations as supporters of the Catalogue initiative — partners invested in our mission of connecting caring citizens with worthy community causes across the Greater Washington region. Among these were two new corporate portal partners, including our first university partner.

The Catalogue expanded its full-time staff in 2012, to include a Community Partnerships Coordinator, in addition to the Executive Assistant to the President, who started in 2011. The team of four (plus a webmaster and part-time social media coordinator) works closely together to spread the word about Catalogue nonprofits and strength the Catalogue nonprofit community.

Finally, in 2012 the Catalogue passed the $19 million mark for total dollars raised for Catalogue nonprofits since 2002. This is a significant milestone for us, and we’re looking forward to celebrating ten years of the Catalogue’s success at our annual event — Inspiration to Action — next week. While we’re proud of the accomplishments behind us, we hope to increase those successes exponentially in the decade to come. We hope you’ll join us in the effort.

Give It Up, DC!

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Julia Cain

We couldn’t be more jazzed about the second year of our partnership with Washington City Paper — the result of which is the 2012 Charitable Donation Guide in last week’s edition, featuring our new class of nonprofits:

[...] But if Thanksgiving is the traditional kickoff to the holiday shopping season, it can also be the kickoff to some holiday-minded generosity, which is where this week’s Washington City Paper comes in. For the second year in what we intend to become an annual tradition, City Paper has worked with the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington to produce Give It Up, DC, our guide to local nonprofits that need — and deserve — your support.

Thanks to a handy “Donate” button, you can support any of these great community-based nonprofits directly from the City Paper’s site. So learn more about them right this way!

Day of Giving

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Julia Cain

Happy Thanksgiving week! If you’re looking to support or volunteer with a nearby nonprofit, we have the list for you. Check out what’s needed and what you can do at some of Catalogue’s human service organization (And we’ll be back to our regular GoodWorks programming on Monday)

ALIVE! — Alexandria, VA: Volunteers needed at 8AM on Thursday for the Turkey Trot at George Washington Middle School; learn more here.

Carpenter’s Shelter — Alexandria, VA: Check out the “How Can I Help This Holiday?” page; you can take part in pantry clean-up and at the Winter Shelter or volunteer as a group.

FACETS– Fairfax, VA: Executive Director Amanda Andere writes about “Holiday Hunger: A Recipe for Change” on Huffington Post; you can read about FACET’s supply drives here.

Food For Others — Fairfax, VA: Food For Others provides Thanksgiving groceries annually to those in need; here is a list of key items that you can donate.

Manna Food Center — Gaithersburg, MD: Email fooddrive@mannafood.org to receive a simple how-to guide and food drive list.

Our Daily Bread — Fairfax, VA: Check out the immediate volunteer needs right here, including food collection and delivery and a Fall Food Drive this coming Saturday.

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries — Chantilly, VA: Learn more about donating food to the pantry or organizing a drive for WFCM right here.

* And remember: when looking for volunteer opportunities, be sure to visit Greater DC Cares and Volunteer Fairfax!

Catalogue Milestones: 2011

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Julia Cain

As we approach our celebration of the 10th Catalogue for Philanthropy, we look back to see how the Catalogue has grown and evolved.

Just one more year and then … we’re at this one! Let’s look at what was new in 2011:

- The Catalogue’s corporate portal, Community Connections, launched with five beta partners — bringing giving and volunteering into the workplace every day of the year. Community Connections offers an interactive medium that facilitates engagement for employees who want to attend events, volunteer, donate, or get more deeply involved in philanthropic activities. Learn more right this way.

- Speaking of connections, the Washington City Paper teamed up for the first time with Catalogue for a December Giving Guide (“Give it Up, DC!“) that reached 72,000 people. The partnership will continue in 2012 and we’re looking forward to the second issue. Keep an eye out!

And remember: our tenth anniversary celebration and Catalogue launch is coming soon …

Around Town: November 16-18

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Julia Cain

Have a good weekend, Greater Washington! And check out what’s happening at our nonprofits …

Educational Theatre Company (McKinley Elementary, 1030 N. McKinley Road, Arlington, VA)

ETCs Main Stage Residency Program, with McKinley Elementary School, presents Robin Hood — an original musical production created and performed by children in grades 2-5 — on Friday & Saturday.

Anacostia Watershed Society (Malcolm X Avenue & 2nd Street SE)

Volunteers will work to restore the natural splendor of one of DC’s most neglected wooded areas on Saturday at 9:00 AM; gloves, bags, and lunch will be provided. RSVP right here.

Horizons Greater Washington (Politics and Prose, 5051 Connecticut Avenue NW)

Stop by and choose a book for you or your child, or select from one of the Wish List Books for the Horizons program, this Saturday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. At the register, remember to mention Horizons and Politics and Prose will donate 20% of the the proceeds.

We Are Family Senior Outreach Network (Metropolitan Community Church, 474 Ridge Street NW)

On Saturday at 10:00 AM, deliver Thanksgiving baskets to over 250 low-income seniors in the North Capitol and Shaw neighborhoods with the We Are Family team. Sign up here!

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In The News …

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Marie LeBlanc

By Marie LeBlanc, Community Partnerships Coordinator

20 DC schools targeted for closure (Washington Post) “One in six traditional DC public schools is targeted for closure under a plan put forth Tuesday by Chancellor Kaya Henderson, the latest sign of a system facing budget pressures and increased competition from fast-growing charter schools. The 20 schools marked for closure are spread across six city wards but are concentrated in Northeast Washington and east of the Anacostia River. The chancellor said her plan would shift resources from maintaining under-enrolled schools to focus on improving academic programs,” Find a list of all proposed public school changes here.

Partnership Leads to New Beginning for Homeless Veterans (Huffington Post: DC Impact) “Across the country, men and women who served in the armed forces are becoming homeless at a rate that is higher than the civilian population. Sadly, this is consistent with a history of overrepresentation of veterans in the homeless population. This year, Veteran’s Day marks a new beginning for many homeless veterans in the District who are benefiting from an innovative housing program and critical community partnerships. Our organizations — Pathways to Housing DC and Miriam’s Kitchen — are working together to identify chronically homeless veterans with mental illness and/or disabling medical conditions in the District who are eligible to move into their own apartments as part of a pilot project sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Housing and Urban Development.”

Region leaders hoping for federal spending cuts compromise (Washington Examiner) “The region’s leaders say they’ve prepped their 2013 budgets for what will be hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue if federal spending cuts start in January. But they are also holding out hope those cuts — and the devastation they say it would bring to the region — never come. ‘It’s like Hurricane Sandy — there’s only so much you can do with powers beyond your control,’ said Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. at a Greater Washington Board of Trade panel discussion Thursday.” How is your organization preparing for possible cuts and sequestration?

Guest Post: Empowered Women International

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Spur Local

Empowered Women International creates entrepreneurs and community leaders through women’s empowerment. Marga C. Fripp, the Founder and President, shares Three Reasons to Mentor a Woman, while EWI’s Media and Outreach Intern Jeremy Brandt-Vorel shares the stories of two women active in EWI’s programs. Both articles were originally published on EWI’s blog.

Why mentor a woman? Well, there are many reasons, but I want to share 3 compelling aspects that move most of our mentors.

Passion is infectious.

I often hear our mentors and even donors finding EWI’s passion for social change real and infectious. It’s true that once you meet our women entrepreneurs and experience the passion behind their work, you too will catch the bug and be transformed. We’re in the business of changing lives, but doing this without passion we wouldn’t be the same organization.

Once empowered, women give back.

It’s truly remarkable to see our immigrant or low-income women students struggling to recover from difficult life circumstances, yet working on business models that aim at social change. Income or profit is important for women. But what is most important is the change these women want to see in their communities. And their business enables them to do just that.

Mentoring is inspiring and rewarding.

We all want to feel good about being of help to someone in need. We love to support and invest in people who passionately believe in what they do. We love champions, and being part of their journeys is as rewarding as seeing them reaching the final destination.

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Catalogue Milestones: 2010

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Spur Local

By Marie LeBlanc, Community Partnerships Coordinator

As we approach our celebration of the 10th Catalogue for Philanthropy, we look back to see how the Catalogue has grown and evolved.

The Catalogue’s review team is a staple of the work we do — providing the knowledge and expertise needed to determine which small charities truly are “one of the best.” From 55 in 2007, the review team grew to 100 in 2010 — and brought together individuals from foundations, corporate giving programs, giving circles, government agencies, and peer nonprofits.

2010 was also a landmark year for the Catalogue in terms of dollars raised. In our eighth year, Catalogue recorded over $2.8 million dollars raised by our nonprofits — a significant number, despite continuing economic challenges across the country.

Veterans Day

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Julia Cain

Each year, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we pause — as a nation, and as a people — to pay tribute to you. To thank you. To honor you, the heroes, over the generations, who have served this country of ours with distinction. [...] Today, a proud nation expresses our gratitude. But we do so mindful that no ceremony or parade, no hug or handshake is enough to truly honor that service. For that, we must do more. For that, we must commit — this day and every day — to serving you as well as you’ve served us.

– President Obama, 11/11/12, Arlington National Cemetery

Today, learn about several Catalogue nonprofits dedicated to servicemembers, veterans, and their families:

- Comfort for America’s Uniformed Services (CAUSE): ensures that recuperating service members have opportunities for recreation and social interaction.

- Operation Homefront DC Metro Chapter: acts as a problem-solver and facilitator to provide swift emergency assistance: goods, financial aid, and skilled hands-on support.

- Yellow Ribbon Fund: supplies the personal services that government programs don’t cover with the help of over 1,200 volunteers.

Around Town: November 9-11

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Julia Cain

Many great, nonprofit places to go this weekend! Check it out …

FotoDC (Central Hub: 1299 Pennsylvania Avenue NW)

The annual FotoWeek Festival begins this Friday and continues through the 18th; expect to see the very best in art, photography, and photojournalism! You can see the list of locations right here and sign up at the Volunteer Hub this way.

Educational Theatre Company (1030 N. McKinley Road, Arlington, VA)

Parents, students and volunteers come together for Community Build Day on Saturday at 9:30 AM to build sets, costumes and props in preparation for the upcoming production. Learn more here.

Anacostia Watershed Society (Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg, MD)

On Saturday at 10:00 AM, plant trees along the Anacostia River; bring a friend and be prepared to have fun. You can RSVP right here.
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