The 100WomenStrong 2024 Grant Cycle application window closed on November 1st. Please see our Grant Process page for more information about the application process. Nonprofits who were selected to move on to the next stage will be notified by December 18, 2023.

Archive for Year: 2022

May 5, 2022

100WOMENSTRONG EXCEEDS $3.5 MILLION IN GIVING TO NONPROFITS IN SUPPORT OF SHELTER, HUNGER, HEALTH AND EDUCATION

2022 grants of $475,000 awarded to nonprofit organizations offering services in Loudoun County

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Margaret Brown
margaret@mlbpr.com
703-898-9443

 

Leesburg, Va. – May 4, 2022 – This year, 100WomenStrong is giving $475,000 to 42 nonprofits headquartered or providing services in Loudoun County, bringing their total funding to Loudoun County nonprofits to $3,593,391 million since 2009. The group has reverted to its normal grant-giving cycle of once per year after pivoting in 2020 to COVID-19 emergency grants. COVID emergency grants were designed to meet the immediate essential and emergency needs of Loudoun County residents. During the pandemic, the organization gave more than $760,000 in 10 monthly rounds of funding and, in addition, created the “Pay it Forward” Direct Assistance loan program, which continues to offer help to area residents to cover basic expenses.

Many of the nonprofit organizations’ 2022 grants are in support of affordable-housing initiatives because safe and affordable housing is an element of economic stability, which is one of the main Social Determinants of Health. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), housing instability can encompass the inability to pay rent, overcrowding or spending the majority of your income (more than 30%) on housing. These experiences can negatively affect physical and mental health.

“The founding members of 100WomenStrong understood the crucial role that safe and stable housing has in our ability to live healthy and productive lives, so it is built into our core mission,” said Kirsten Langhorne, chair of 100WomenStrong’s affordable housing committee. “It has been proven that even short-term housing challenges can create poor health outcomes and stress and that those who face chronic homelessness have higher rates of physical and mental health issues than the general public.

“Before the pandemic, we had the opportunity to fund several shelter-oriented programs, but the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed many more of our neighbors out of stable housing,” Langhorne continued. “It is incumbent upon our community to do all we can to stabilize housing because we also know that unstable housing can affect the health of a neighborhood and community. With our focus this year on mental health and housing, we hope to alleviate some of the pressing issues that many in Loudoun County face right now. We also are so thankful we can support the wonderful organizations working hard to help our neighbors stay in their homes or find other safe housing solutions.”

The 2022 100WomenStrong grants are as follows:

John Wolff, 100WomenStrong treasurer, has been an active member for more than six years and has been involved with local nonprofits for more than 25 years. Being the treasurer for 100WomenStrong is one of his favorite roles among the many that he holds as a business owner, restauranteur and venture owner.

“I have enjoyed watching the real impact that our grants make right here in Loudoun County,” Wolff said. “I can see that impact every day through the nonprofits that can help more people in Loudoun County with our funding.

“This year is especially gratifying because our total funding now is more than $3,500,000 – an incredible milestone for us and one we are very proud of,” he continued.

 

About 100WomenStrong

Formed in 2008, 100WomenStrong is a group of concerned philanthropists seeking to strategically invest in organizations and programs that enrich the lives of Loudoun County residents. They are committed to improving the quality of life for residents of Loudoun County, Virginia, through strategic grants to non-profits working in the areas of shelter, health, hunger and education. Members of 100WomenStrong connect and collaborate to leverage their philanthropic resources as a component fund of the Community Foundation of Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties.

For more information about 100WomenStrong, visit www.OneHundredWomenStrong.org or contact Pam Ray at Pam@OneHundredWomenStrong.org

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100WomenStrong is a proud fund of Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties