If you want to make a financial donation that counts but you aren’t even sure where to begin, here are a few starting points. These area nonprofits are our safety nets. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, they remain at the forefront of providing emergency aid.
Arlington Community Foundation
ACF has created a COVID-19 Prompt Response Fund to channel funding where it is most urgently needed, including to organizations focusing on food insecurity, health care for the uninsured and support for displaced workers. Donated funds are being distributed daily to local charities in the form of emergency grants. The fund has been bolstered by a $1 million grant from Amazon, $350,000 of which is earmarked for targeted use in Arlington, and by the Washington Forrest Foundation, which supported 25% of the first $300,000 in awarded grants. To date, the fund has awarded more than $500,000 to 42 area nonprofits. To make a donation to the fund, visit arlcf.org. The organizations below represent just a few that have received ACF funding, and are also accepting direct donations.
Arlington Food Assistance Center
The county’s primary food pantry, AFAC provides dignified access to nutritious, supplemental groceries. Food insecurity has risen sharply with the onset of the pandemic, particularly as local families have lost wages and, in some cases, access to free and reduced-price school lunches for kids.
Arlington Free Clinic
The free clinic provides free, high-quality medical and dental care for low-income, uninsured Arlington County adults.
Arlington Housing Corp. (AHC)
AHC provides quality affordable housing for low-income families, along with on-site education and literacy programs, college and career readiness, and a summer camp. It’s currently focusing on meeting residents’ emergency needs such as groceries, diapers and other supplies.
Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH)
APAH is a nonprofit focused on increasing the number of committed affordable apartments in the D.C. Metro area for our low-income neighbors. Many of its buildings integrate health, workforce success and education programs. It’s currently focused on providing its Arlington residents with financial assistance for rent, food and other emergency purchases.
A-SPAN
A-SPAN works to end homelessness in Arlington by helping to secure permanent housing and providing life-sustaining services for vulnerable individuals. It’s currently focusing on increased meal demand, and is in need of emergency nursing and medical supplies, including protective gear, thermometers and hospital grade cleaning supplies.
Arlington Pediatric Center (Virginia Hospital Center Pediatrics)
Virginia Hospital Center Pediatrics offers comprehensive, affordable, quality health care in a culturally sensitive environment to Arlington children (newborns to age 18) with family incomes at or below
200% of the federal poverty level.
Arlington Thrive
Arlington Thrive delivers same-day emergency financial assistance to neighbors in crisis, so they can be secure in their jobs, health and homes. Thrive’s newly formed Arlington Emergency Relief Fund raised more than $70,000 in its first 10 days. It’s currently focusing heavily on increased needs for rent and food assistance.
Bridges to Independence
Bridges to Independence offers a continuum of shelter and support for homeless individuals and families, helping them attain financial security and moving forward into self-sufficiency. It’s currently focused on providing families in the shelter and rapid rehousing program with groceries, cleaning and personal supplies. Donations also support food for its pantry, application fees for apartments, and holding fees to landlords.
Culpepper Garden
Culpepper Garden is an affordable senior living community with two independent senior living facilities comprised of 267 apartments. Current donations help to support food and transportation needs of assisted-living residents, as well as additional personal protective and technology equipment.
For information about additional local nonprofits that need your support, refer to this list of Arlington Community Foundation grant recipients, which includes a brief overview of each nonprofit’s mission.