Email from Arlington Community Foundation

"We have to dig deeper and find it in ourselves to meet this moment."

Earlier today, Arlington Community Foundation President & CEO Jenn Owens led this charge before a room of nearly 600 community members at the 32nd annual Spirit of Community Awards Luncheon.

This year's awards recognized three individuals who are no strangers to meeting the moment. Learn more about them and watch their short (and inspiring) honoree videos below.

In this spirit of meeting the moment, Jenn announced a new round of at least $500,000 in Meeting the Moment grants being deployed by Arlington Community Foundation to Arlington-serving nonprofits over the next 6 months.

She also invited all of us to consider meeting this moment through the 6th annual Nonprofit Holiday Wish Catalog, featuring the year-end needs of over 70 local nonprofits in one easy place, or to engage with the Leadership Center and Volunteer Arlington to learn more about civic engagement and volunteer opportunities.

However meeting the moment looks for you, thank you for being a part of this community and for being with us in Spirit today and all year round!

Event photos and a video recording of the program will be available soon.

Spirit of Community Award:
Claudia Ramirez Cuellar

Claudia Ramirez Cuellar turned her own challenges as a new immigrant into nearly two decades of service in Arlington’s schools and community. From Aspire Afterschool Learning to classrooms across Arlington, she is a steady presence: supporting teachers, guiding families, and sharing the knowledge she once had to find on her own so others don’t have to navigate essential services alone.

Watch Claudia's Honoree Video

Spirit on the Rise Award:
Kellen MacBeth

Kellen MacBeth has spent nearly two decades driving policy and grassroots change in Arlington. From housing equity to LGBTQ+ rights, he has founded initiatives, shaped local and state laws, and championed marginalized communities with tireless dedication. His leadership has helped move Arlington toward a more just and inclusive community in countless ways.

Watch Kellen's Honoree Video

Spirit of Leadership Award:
Nina Janopaul

Nina Janopaul has spent her life advancing housing justice and community well-being across Arlington and beyond. As former CEO of APAH (now True Ground Housing Partners), she led with the belief that housing is not charity, but justice. Today, she brings faith communities into action, building partnerships that turn moral conviction into lasting change.

Watch Nina's Honoree Video

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

About Arlington Community Foundation

Arlington Community Foundation provides the tools and expertise to personalize and maximize charitable giving, builds connections between community members, resources, and local nonprofits, and drives initiatives and advocacy to create economic opportunities and prevent displacement.

Trouble seeing this email? View it as a webpage.

Spirit of Community Award:﻿﻿Claudia Ramirez Cuellar

Spirit on the Rise Award:﻿﻿Kellen MacBeth

Spirit of Leadership Award:﻿﻿Nina Janopaul

Spirit of Community Award:
Claudia Ramirez Cuellar

Spirit on the Rise Award:
Kellen MacBeth

Spirit of Leadership Award:
Nina Janopaul