Your Philanthropy Matters

Christian Dorsey, Chairperson of the Arlington County Board who retired in December 2023, discusses philanthropy in the community and his own personal philanthropy.

Arlington Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Anita Friedman discusses how her department uses a racial equity lens to serve the needs of the community.  The Department of Human Services serves as the foundation of the community’s safety net to strengthen, protect, and empower Arlingtonians in need.  DHS is Arlington’s largest department which consists of five divisions including:  Child &...

Arlington County Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Anita Friedman discusses the causes of rising mental health and substance abuse including the rising use of deadly opioids and the wide variety of approaches that other department along with other community partners, law enforcement, nonprofits and healthcare providers, to address these critical human services and societal issues.     Di...

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital/ALSAC is a nonprofit. founded by the late actor and philanthropist Danny Thomas who many may remember starred in the television comedy Make Room for Daddy .   His daughter actress Marlo Thomas (who starred in the television comedy That Girl! ) continues her dad’s important philanthropic legacy today.  St. Jude’s serves seriously ill children from across the co...

Lucy Bowen McCauley joins the  Your Philanthropy Matter s show to share her fantastic journey of 25 years leading the nonprofit Bowen McCauley Dance Company.  Tune in to hear Lucy's journey from the ballet student at the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School in New York to starting an urban contemporary dance company that performed locally and internationally, to starting an outstanding nonprofit...

Project PEACE (Partnering to End Abuse in the Community for Everyone) is a  coordinated community response dedicated to advancing the most effective and efficient array of education, prevention, protection and support services to end domestic and sexual violence in the community.  Katie Cristol, a former local government board chair shares how one community, Arlington Virginia, coordinated the eff...

During Black History Month, the Your Philanthropy Matters show featured The Black Heritage Museum of Arlington, Virginia, just across the river from Washington DC.   Dr. Scott Taylor, President of The BHMA, joined us for a lively conversation about the museum,. Arlington was home to many former African American slaves who had settled in Freedman's village only to be displaced for the creation...

This episode of Your Philanthropy Matters is an interview with Cheryl Beversdorf, radio and TV show host on a wide range of aging topics.  As our country ages and the boomer generation reaches retirement, there are lots of resources for information on health, safety, finance and lifestyle.  Cheryl, veteran,  former nurse and nonprofit executive director produces radio and You tube programs to bene...

If you teach a person to fish...   Paty Funegra, founder of nonprofit LaCocina VA, discusses why and how she started this innovative nonprofit organization.  As an immigrant from Peru focused on international business, Paty never imagined she would establish a nonprofit that helps people learn culinary skills and be placed in good paying jobs in the hospitality industry.   La Cocina VA’s mission i...

An innovative nonprofit provides free health care services to 1,600 ethnically diverse and mostly low-literacy individuals struggling with chronic health conditions and social factors that impact their health.  Dr. Nancy White, President of  the Arlington Free Clinic, shares how -- with the help of over 500 volunteers, the Arlington Free Clinic provides a wide range of health services for those ne...

In this interview a local government leader discusses a wide range of topics related to philanthropy in the community – even her own!   County government officials deal with everything from complaints about potholes to, public health issues, human services, schools, public safety to relationships with nonprofits, small businesses, large corporations and more.   Former Arlington Virginia County boa...

Sometimes philanthropists are right in our own backyard and community --neighbors helping neighbors donating their skills and resources.  In this podcast we feature a fascinating discussion with Dr. Alfred Taylor, Jr. author, educator, and historian who shares terrific information about historic community philanthropists .  Here are a few of the community philanthropists that also appear in his bo...

  During Women’s History Month, we had a fascinating conversation with former Virginia State Senator Mary Margaret Whipple about the Virginia Women’s Monuments being built on the grounds of the Virginia capitol.  The monuments consist of 13 important women in Virginia’s history featuring a diverse range of ethnicities, occupations and contributions to Virginia’s history.

Arlington Historical Society's President Cathy Hix discusses the mission of uncovering and promoting Arlington's true history.  AHS operates two museums and has special initiatives that research Arlington's complete history - the good, the bad and the ugly.  They work to educate and share with all members of the community.

Phoenix Bikes is a local  nonprofit that uniquely combines youth education programs with a full-service professional bike shop and retail store.   They harness the power of bikes to help youth build passion, purpose, and a place in the community    Their motto is "Empowered youth, thriving communities and a second life for every bike"

Join me as I speak with Kelvin Manurs, Founder & Community Relations Director for Arm & Arm , a nonprofit that addresses substance use and addiction process at three levels – individual, group, and community. Their services include mentoring, specialized workshops, one-on-one sessions, and participation in small group sessions. Arm & Arm began with a focus on returning citizens and mil...

In tis episode we spotlight a local volunteer matching program .   Volunteer Arlington helps match volunteers with terrific volunteer opportunities at dozens of nonprofits.  The CEO  shares the special volunteer initiatives targeting seniors, young professionals and youths as well as other activities that promote and celebrate volunteerism.  A special re-occurring volunteer event offers numerous o...

Did you know there is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding opera to diverse audiences including children, minorities and older adults at affordable prices?  In this podcast we share a lively and fun interview with the ENERGETIC AND FABULOUS President of Opera Nova, Miriam Miller .   Opera Nova’s goal is to make opera affordable to everyone.  Hear about Opera Nova’s annual children’s opera as well as...

How do we support our fellow citizens who have served their time and are returning to the community?  They have a much harder time finding a job, a place to work, r-connecting with families  and enjoying the pursuit of happiness that everyone deserves, Join me for a uplifting conversation with Elizabeth Jones Valderrama, the Executive Director of Offender Aid & Restoration.  OAR is a community...

Anyone listening to news lately know that social injustice and inequalities continue to be a part of the nation's conversations.  To help other millennials find ways to bridge the divides, millennial Whitney Parnell co-founded Service Never Sleeps, nonprofit whose mission is to empower individuals and communities to catalyze social justice through service and allyship.  What is allyship?  Tun...

Did you know that studies show that the zip code you are born in can make a huge difference in your economic opportunities?  Today on Your Philanthropy Matters we are joined by Joseph Leitmann-Santa Cruz, Executive Director of Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB) .  CAAB is a nonprofit that works to ensure that all residents in the Greater DC area regardless of zip code have opportunities to save an...

On today's Your Philanthropy Matters episode, guest host Savannah Pierce interviews podcast host Wanda Pierce on her life and career in philanthropy and about the variety of Your Philanthropy Matters episodes that have aired.