The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties will present its first annual gala on November 17 to honor top philanthropists and community leaders with special awards, and to create new charitable endowment funds on behalf of each winner.
“We’re excited about the phenomenal growth and increasing community impact we’ve had in our 24-year history,” said Nicole Acosta, president and CEO of the foundation. “It’s time to create a new tradition for the Community Foundation to honor individuals and organizations who change our community for the better.”
The event, entitled Roots & Legacies, will soon announce three awards to be presented at the event: Philanthropist of the Year, Changemaker of the Year, and the Nonprofit Achievement Award.
“The Philanthropist of the Year award will recognize an individual who has demonstrated exceptional generosity, outstanding civic and philanthropic responsibility, and has providedexemplary leadership in advancing giving in our community,” explained Acosta.
The Changemaker of the Year award will honor an individual or organization that has directly influenced and advanced systemic change or innovation through leadership or volunteerism within the community, and the Nonprofit Achievement Award will recognize an organization in Loudoun or Northern Fauquier that has created internal service-delivery, organizational systems innovation or growth leading to increased impact within the community.
Acosta said the announcements of the winners and details of each endowment in the name the winners would be made by the beginning of September. Each winner will have the opportunity to name a $10,000 charitable endowment fund and recommend the fund’s charitable purpose. The endowment funds will be established by the Community Foundation with funding from event sponsors.
Root & Legacies, which will take place at the historic Middleburg Barn at Fox Chase Farm, will feature each of the award winners and highlight their work in the Loudoun and Northern Fauquier community.
“The Community Foundation got its start in Middleburg, and it’s only fitting that this inaugural event takes place where we planted our roots,” said Acosta. “The Middleburg Barn is the perfect venue for us to provide our attendees with an elegant dining and beverage experience. Just like our work is hyper-focused on our local community, we’ll feature local wine, local talent, and local leadership during our event.”
Music, dinner, local wine and an auction to raise funds for the Community Foundation’s work will also be part of the event. For more information about the Roots & Legacies event or the Community Foundation, visit www.communityfoundationlf.org.
About the Community Foundation
The Community Foundation of Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties, launched in 1999 by local volunteers and community leaders, is an emerging community foundation in one of the fastest growing communities in the United States.
The Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to accelerate community giving for common good in Loudoun and northern Fauquier counties, surrounding areas and across the nation and is a nationally accredited community foundation.
In the last decade, the Community Foundation’s assets have grown from $1.3 million and 25 funds in 2012 to $10 million and 115 funds in 2023 while grant making has grown from $149,000 to more than $2.6 million. Donors who include the Community Foundation in their philanthropic vision benefit from high-touch donor fund services, knowledgeable staff, and personal assurance that legal and accounting issues are managed under one cost-effective banner provided by the Community Foundation. For more information about the foundation go to www.communityfoundationlf.org.
