Expanded Partnerships in Leadership, Belonging, and Sustainability

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Summer 2024

Dear << Test First Name >>,

What does it take to address the most pressing challenges in our country? The equitable participation and inclusion of all people is a start. When women, girls, nonprofit leaders of color, English-language learners, and immigrant parents are represented and supported, our communities grow together toward a better future.

To this end, we announced a significant expansion ([link removed]) of our Women and Girls' Leadership and Civic Engagement program area by tripling investments. This includes one-time wellness grants to bolster the crucial efforts of our partners who work tirelessly every day to foster an inclusive, equitable, and engaged future for women and girls across the country.

Nonprofit leaders are integral to driving positive change in the Greater Washington DC region. In response to direct feedback from leaders, we formed strategic partnerships with Apogee Executive Coaching and The Idari Collective ([link removed]) . Together, we curated leadership development experiences centering on self-care and coaching, building more offerings in the LeaderBridge Network ([link removed]) of 200+ local nonprofit leaders.

Inclusive community engagement in our Environmental Sustainability ([link removed])  program area is important to building access to restorative green spaces, clean water, breathable air, and more. This spring, we approved seven grants ([link removed])  to locally-serving organizations focused on increasing tree canopy coverage, reducing invasive species, promoting native plants, and growing green workforce initiatives throughout the DMV. Through local action in the communities we live and work, we can create and maintain an environment where people and nature exist in harmony.

We invite you to explore these initiatives, their impact, and more, by continuing to read below.

Sincerely,

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Recognized by Peers in Philanthropy: The FADICA Catholic Philanthropy Network awarded the Crimsonbridge Foundation Founder & Executive Chair Gabriela Smith with the St. Mary Magdalene Medal of Service ([link removed]) for her leadership, active engagement, and innovation in launching partnerships and nationwide initiatives to improve education outreach and services to students and families. Congratulations Gabriela!
Sharing What Works with Others! Gabriela Smith was a featured panelist at the FADICA Catholic Philanthropy Network Symposium ([link removed]) , where she presented our Education Imperative -  ([link removed]) Bridges for Schools Program Guide ([link removed]) , a new resource informed by the Crimsonbridge Foundation’s many school and diocesan partnerships to help Catholic schools welcome, enroll, engage, and retain Latino students and families.
Creating a Community of Funders Working on Post-Secondary Education. Robyn Ellis, Program Officer for College Success and Women & Girls Leadership program areas, serves as one of three co-chairs of Grantmakers for Education's Postsecondary Funders Impact Group ([link removed]) along with Jenny Achilles of Trellis Foundation and Jonathan Reid of ECMC Foundation. Together, they attended meetings and hosted a reception at the Achieving the Dream Annual Conference ([link removed]) , to facilitate greater connection, learning, and sharing among postsecondary funders, basic needs funders, and others supporting community college student success.
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Thousands of Adults Living in the Greater Washington Region are learning English. Since our founding, Crimsonbridge has partnered with organizations that offer innovative programs ([link removed])  to help adult learners acquire the English language skills they need to fully participate in the civic, social, and economic life of our country. Current grantee community partners receiving multi-year funding include: BEACON ([link removed])  for Adult Literacy, Classroom 2 Community ([link removed]) , English Empowerment Center ([link removed]) , Washington English Center ([link removed]) , Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington’s Spanish Catholic Center ([link removed]) , Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington ([link removed]) , the Literacy Council of Frederick County ([link removed]
rederickliteracy.org/) , and MCAEL ([link removed]) . Looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity? Visit our partners' websites for volunteer opportunities and to learn more about these programs.
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More Representation, Power, and Equity for Women and Girls. We are excited to announce an expansion of our Women and Girls' Leadership and Civic Engagement ([link removed]) program area with $340,000 to both national and local DMV nonprofits focused on building representation for women and girls in leadership roles and promoting civic engagement. With these new investments, we seek to support innovative programming and connections, provide space for organizations' team wellness, and expand capacity in this field. Read more here ([link removed])  and learn how to get involved.
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Building Support for Leadership Development. As a leader of color in the nonprofit sector, Crimsonbridge President & CEO Danielle M. Reyes feels strongly about advocating for leadership development. Over the past year, she has co-written a series of three articles alongside LeaderBridge partners Georgetown's Center for Public & Nonprofit Leadership ([link removed]) , Leadership Greater Washington ([link removed]) , and Spur Local ([link removed])  to encourage support, challenge concerns, and raise awareness about this responsive high-impact way to support nonprofit leaders.

“For funders considering strategies that build equity in the nonprofit sector, increasing investments in leadership development and network building are essential," says Danielle, in the most recent article with Spur Local.

Are you considering leadership development for yourself, or a colleague? LeaderBridge has upcoming  ([link removed]) opportunities ([link removed])  including the return of Executive Coaching and the Public Narrative Workshop, both with early August application deadlines. Visit the LeaderBridge calendar ([link removed])  for more info!
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Reaching a Larger, More Inclusive Audience through Bilingual Communications. The Crimsonbridge Foundation’s Bridges Program ([link removed])  provides strategic capacity building support to increase the availability of Spanish-language and multilingual communications to connect people with resources that will support their success and full community participation. One of the Foundation’s Bridges Program partners, Leadership Roundtable ([link removed]) , a national organization seeking to elevate and implement best practices in management and leadership in the Catholic Church, recently launched a fully bilingual website ([link removed]) . This new resource is part of a comprehensive effort, led by Leadership Roundtable’s Bilingual/Bicultural Communications Manager, to use fully bilingual and inclusive communications. By communicating in both
English and Spanish, Leadership Roundtable will reach a broader group of leaders in the Church who might have otherwise felt that they didn’t belong at the proverbial table. In their 2023 Impact Report ([link removed]) , Leadership Roundtable invited Crimsonbridge Foundation Founder & Executive Chair Gabriela Smith to share how her Catholic faith motivates her philanthropy, and how the Foundation partners with organizations to promote bilingual communications and education.
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Supporting Our Region’s Climate Resiliency through Stewardship of Green Spaces, Promoting Native Plants, and Building Inclusive Community Engagement. This spring, the Crimsonbridge Foundation grew E ([link removed]) nvironmental Sustainability ([link removed])  partnerships with $130,000 ([link removed])  in grants to seven nonprofit organizations ([link removed])  in the Greater Washington DC region: Casey Trees, Chesapeake Natives, Friends of Anacostia Park, Nature Forward, Potomac Conservancy, Rock Creek Conservancy, and Ward 8 Woods. Partner Casey Trees wrote a guest blog post about Re-Greening Efforts in DC Public Spaces
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Introducing the Philanthropy Fellow ([link removed]) s ([link removed]) joining the Crimsonbridge team for the summer!

Emily Fairbanks is a rising senior at The Catholic University of America studying Theology and Secondary Education. She is passionate about the transformative power of Catholic education and hopes to be a Catholic school teacher after she graduates.

Beatriz Huerta is a graduate of Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School and Saint Anselm College, who recently completed an English Teaching Assistantship in Spain. Beatriz brings valuable experience in communications to the team, from New Hampshire Public Radio and the Meelia Center for Community Engagement.
#Community ([link removed])
Our commitment to participate, engage, listen, and learn with the communities we support.
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Explore #community ([link removed])


** Top News
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* ACCT, NHSA Launch Kids on Campus Partnership to Expand Child Care for Student Parents ([link removed])
* Center for First-Generation Student Success Releases New National Data ([link removed])
* Crimsonbridge Founder Presents Bridges for Schools Guide at FADICA National Conference ([link removed])
* We Strengthen Communities by Investing in People ([link removed])
* Crimsonbridge Foundation Increases Environmental Sustainability Partnerships ([link removed])
* Checking in on Casey Trees' Conservation Easements ([link removed])
* New LeaderBridge Partnerships with Apogee and Idari Collective Integrate Coaching and Care for Leaders ([link removed])
* Crimsonbridge Triples Funding to Support Women’s and Girls' Leadership and Civic Engagement Programs ([link removed])

Read More ([link removed])

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