It’s giving Tuesday, and many want to contribute in ways that will help their neighbors hardest hit by the pandemic.
It is a critically important time for the helping organizations, many of whom receive the bulk of the donations funding their work in the last two months of the year.
Arts organizations are suffering as guests stay away from galleries, theatres and events. The demands are higher for many non for profits, as they work to help individuals and families hit by the pandemic.
At the same time, COVID-19 has made fundraising activities extremely challenging. With in-person fundraisers cancelled, major sources of revenue have been cut right when these organizations and the people they serve need it the most.
It is always important to give, but this year, it may be more important than ever.
Here are some locally-based organizations for your consideration this Giving Tuesday:
Capitol Hill Community Foundation
The Capitol Hill Community Foundation (CHCF) has been working to support Hill organizations, helping individuals, families and businesses make it safely to the other side of the pandemic. Over the last 30 years, CHCF has given more than $9 million in grants to support the community. All of that money has come from the neighborhood and goes back to supporting the work, said President Nicky Cymrot.
Close to half of the funds go to support schools or education, but the CHCF also funds arts projects, community gardens and festivals. In April, CHCF provided $50,000 in special grants to four organizations working to mitigate the mitigate the effects of the Coronavirus on the community.
Donate to CHCF by mail: Capitol Hill Community Foundation, 419 East Capitol St. SE Washington, DC 20003 or visit www.capitolhillcommunityfoundation.com/donate
Everyone Home DC
Nonprofit Everyone Home DC works with District residents to find housing solutions for those who are without or at risk to lose housing. The organization does everything from initial crisis intervention to permanent supportive housing, offering homelessness prevention, street outreach, rapid re-housing for families and case management. The nonprofit also operates four accessible shelter units as well as Shirley’s Place Day Center (1338 G St. SE), a drop-in day center.
You can support the work of Everyone Home DC online, by phone at 202-544-0631 x104, by check to 415 Second St. NE, Third Fl, Washington DC 20002 or visit https://everyonehomedc.org/get-involved/make-a-gift/
Little Lights Urban Ministry
Steven Parks started Little Lights Urban Ministry in 1994 to provide sanctuaries of encouragement, hope and practical assistance to children and families in Southeast DC. The organization continues that work today, providing meals, necessities such as diapers and PPE and tutoring support every day at Potomac Gardens, Hopkins and Benning Terrace Housing complexes.
“I think all the nonprofits right now are feeling vulnerable and trying to weather this different time,” he said, “and there are some not for profits that aren’t going to make it.”
Donate to Little Lights via phone 202-548-4021, by mail 760 Seventh St. SE Washington DC, 20003 or online at www.littlelights.org/give/
Greater DC Diaper Bank
Founded on the Hill 10 years ago, the Greater DC Diaper Bank aims to provide essentials to families. It started with diapers and wipes, but has expanded to feminine hygiene products, toiletries as well as baby food and essential baby gear.
1 in 5 families in the District live at or below pverty level. With diapers and wipes uncovered by food stamps and a 5 percent ‘luxury’ tax on feminine products, many are jeopardizing their health because of their need.
On Giving Tuesday, doations are being matched up to a total of $50,000. Help the Diaper Bank help families in need. Donate at greaterdcdiaperbank.org/give-dollars/
Serve Your City DC x Ward 6 Mutual Aid
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, Ward 6 Mutual Aid activities have expanded exponentially, reaching neighbors whose situations were illuminated and aggrevated by the pandemic.
In addition to distributing more than $30,000 worth of groceries, W6MA has partnered with more than 35 organizations to help deliver devices, tutoring and grocery delivery. It has delivered more than 25,000 masks and 20,000 public health fliers; refurbished more than 110 used computers; distributed 300 new devices, internet hotspots and supply packages through the DC Back to School Bash; and delivered weekly packages of groceries, masks and information to the homeless encampments living under the K and L Street overpasses.
“There’s enough love from the people to be able to take care of everyone,” Cook said. “There just is. Our work is to capture it and bring it together.”
Give love: email Ward6MutualAid@gmail.com, or call the Ward 6 Mutual Aid hotline between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. at 202-683-9962. Get more information or make financial donations at ServeYourCityDC.org
ARTS
Anacostia Playhouse
In late summer 2013, The Anacostia Playhouse left H Street to repen at 2020 Shannon Place, SE. Uniquely positioned to serve the local community east of the river, one of the goals of the theatre is to spur local economic development as they provide a place for the many established artists to showcase their work.
This will be the first December in years that the playhouse will not host the Anacostia Coordinating Council (ACC) Multicultural Holiday Celebration and youth gift drive, where hundreds of toys are donated for local children. This is all lost to the community for the foreseeable future, said Robey.
“I feel like this community has been so short-changed for so long that this would be an unconscionable loss for our community that has come to love and partake in the work that we all do,” she said.
You can donate to the Anacostia Playhouse by visiting www.anacostiaplayhouse.com/
Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW)
CHAW aims to build community through art, a mission that seems more important now than ever. A partner of Ward 6 Mutual Aid, CHAW supports creativity, community, and conversation between all members of community.
It means sustaining the inclusive, joyful place our founders dreamed up almost 50 years ago, and that has evolved, grown, and thrived thanks to a strong community.
You can donate to CHAW programs and initiatives here
Before COVID, more than 50,000 visitors a year came to the Hill Center for classes, concerts, lectures, art exhibits and other quality programs in the beautifully refurbished building. The carriage house that once held horse-drawn ambulances now houses a Michelin-starred café. The main building is fully accessible and responsibly green.
The Hill Center was intended to be self-sustaining, and for the last nine years it has succeeded. All bills from payroll to water are paid with proceeds from events that take place at the venue.
COVID ended all that, and since programming was cut, the Hill Center has lost 65 percent of its revenue. To keep the lights on for the next six months, the organization is asking donors to designate funds for operations through its “All Hands on Deck” Campaign.
To donate to “All Hands on Deck” go to https://www.hillcenterdc.org/donate/ or mail your tax-deductible donation to Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington DC, 20003.
