The Community Foundation’s Afghan Relief and Resettlement Fund for Northern Virginia was established on September 1, 2021 to support Afghans fleeing their country who either passed through or were resettled here in Northern Virginia.
Grants from the Fund first focused on their immediate unmet human and basic needs, such as food, shelter, acute health, acute mental health services. Subsequent grants supported longer term resettlement efforts, including legal, mental health, physical health, housing, transportation, education, language, and other coping skills.
No fee was charged by the Community Foundation on Fund assets. All donations to the Fund were used to support local and regional nonprofits who are optimally positioned to provide immediate assistance and longer-term aid and support.
This is a trying time for the Afghan refugees and evacuees. The least we can do is our very best to welcome and embrace them, to convey our deepest concern for their welfare, and to let them know they are not alone.
Impact
According to a recent InsideNova report, about 4,000 refugees were resettled in Northern Virginia by the end of 2021, and thousands resettled in Northern Virginia by the end of 2022. To date, the Afghan Relief and Resettlement Fund for Northern Virginia has distributed $270,990 in grants. Read more about grantees from each of the rounds of funding:
Round One Grantees:
- Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, $33,000
- Ethiopian Community Development Council, $33,000
Round Two Grantees:
- FACETS, $10,000
- Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc., $10,000
- Homes Not Borders Inc., $10,000
- Literacy Council of Northern Virginia, $10,000
- FAMIL – Potomac Rotary Charities, $10,000
- Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, $10,000
Round Three Grantees:
- Afghan Medical Professional Association of America, $10,000
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BRAWS, $10,000
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Express Care, $10,000
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Messiah United Methodist Church, $10,000
- Muslim Association of Virginia, $10,000
- Resettlement Action DC (REACT DC) and Honor the Promise, $20,000
- The Fenwick Foundation, $10,000
- The Kugler Family Education Fund, $9,990
- The Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation, $10,000
Round Four Grantees:
- Annandale High School, $6,000
- AsylumWorks, $9,500
- Neighborhood Health, $9,500
Round Five Grantees:
Annadale High School, $2,300
FAMIL, $3,200
Women for Afghan Women, $5,000
READ MORE
“I served in Afghanistan in 2003. So many of the Afghan refugees and evacuees who will reach our shores helped us when we were there. They are leaving so much behind. They need and deserve our support. That is why ITility is a donor to the Community Foundation’s Afghan Relief and Resettlement Fund. “
— Pete Sload, President and CEO, ITility
