Many Hands

We were thrilled to celebrate Many Hands’ 20th anniversary last night at Hogan Lovells with members, friends, and grantees. In this short video, released at the event, founding board members share what they set out to achieve and grantees talk about the difference Many Hands has made for their work. Video production by ShareLiveVideo.

During the 2024 grant cycle, the 275 members of Many Hands granted a total of $307,000 to four outstanding nonprofits: SafeSpot Children's Advocacy Center of Fairfax, Community Bridges - Maryland, Healthy Babies Project Inc., and Together We Bake. Download the 2024 Impact Report at https://lnkd.in/eHja6JSE and learn more about Many Hands' grantmaking and other highlights of our 20th anniversary year!

At Many Hands, we believe that valuing and empowering a wide range of voices is critical to effective grantmaking. Many Hands Many Voices supports this goal by offering a waiver of 50% of the minimum membership gift to individuals 35 and over who: - Live or work in the Many Hands service area (District of Columbia; Montgomery County, MD; Prince George’s County, MD; Arlington County, VA; Fairfax County, VA; Alexandria City, VA; Fairfax City, VA; Falls Church City, VA); - Plan to participate actively in Many Hands. New and returning members are eligible for the waiver. The Board maintains the identity of waiver recipients in confidence. If you have any questions, please email Lori Sostowski at membership@manyhandsdc.org. If you're ready to join, request your waiver today at https://lnkd.in/eafd5bYM #givingcircles #collectivegiving #womensphilanthropy

Former board member Mary Kwak participated in this weekend’s Philanos board retreat in Montgomery, Alabama, which included a visit to the powerful Legacy Sites created by Equal Justice Initiative, allyship training with Whitney Parnell of Service Never Sleeps, and lots of lively discussion of what lies ahead for women’s collective giving. Many Hands is proud to be an affiliate of Philanos, the leading women’s collective giving network, with 90+ affiliates who have granted more than $230 million. Many Hands affiliates have free access to Philanos webinars, affinity groups, and other online resources. To access these benefits, please email us at info@manyhandsdc.org to set up your Philanos account. #givingcircles #collectivegiving #womensphilanthropy #philanosaffiliate

Three weeks until we kick off the 2025 grant cycle with Many Hands members and friends! Join us on October 24 to hear from Dr. Rustin Lewis, executive director of 2023 $100,000 Impact Grant recipient Communities In Schools of the Nation's Capital, and learn about plans for the new grantmaking year. Bring a friend and find out how you can get involved! RSVP at manyhandsdc.org/events. Email us with questions at membership@manyhandsdc.org. #givingcircles #collectivegiving #collectivegrantmaking

Join Many Hands at the 2025 Grant Cycle Membership Kickoff on Thursday, October 24! Dr. Rustin Lewis, executive director of 2023 Impact Grantee Communities In Schools of the Nation's Capital, will join us to provide an update on their work and speak to the impact of Many Hands' grantmaking. Meet fellow donors, hear the latest on plans for the year ahead, and find out how to get involved! WHEN: Thursday, October 24 | 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm (program begins at 7:00 pm) WHERE: Chevy Chase Village Hall | 5906 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD or watch the live stream WHO: Current/former members and anyone interested in learning about membership. Invite a friend! RSVP at manyhandsdc.org/events QUESTIONS? Email us at membership@manyhandsdc.org We hope to see you soon! #givingcircles #collectivegiving #collectiveimpact #impactdc #givingtogether #womensphilanthropy #nonprofitgrants #philanosaffiliate

A little over 20 years ago, a small group of thoughtful, committed women set out to support women, children, and families in need in the DMV. They created Many Hands, an organization that has continued to grow and get stronger. This mission is vital, and we hope you will join and help to strengthen these efforts by renewing your membership, joining, or making a first-time gift. Since its inception, Many Hands has made more than $3 million in large-scale grants to community-based nonprofits that support and empower women, children, and families in socioeconomic need. These grants have helped innovative organizations like Communities In Schools of the Nation's Capital, Nueva Vida, Beacon House DC, and many others, transform thousands of lives. We have also helped hundreds of donors strengthen, focus, and energize their philanthropy. As a Many Hands member, you will get to know and support some of the most effective small nonprofits in the Washington region. You'll learn about issues in economic empowerment, education, health, housing, and philanthropy by participating in our member-driven grantmaking process or attending events. And you will join a community of givers and doers who are committed to investing in our region. Whether you're interested in application review or choose to support our grantees primarily through your gift, we welcome and encourage you to become a valued member of Many Hands in 2024–2025. To learn more, please join us at the 2025 Grant Cycle Membership Kickoff on Thursday, October 24. The program, featuring Dr. Rustin Lewis, executive director of 2023 Impact Grantee Communities In Schools of the Nation's Capital, will take place at Chevy Chase Village Hall from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm and will be live streamed starting at 7:00 pm. RSVP at manyhandsdc.org/events. If you are ready to join us for the 2025 Grant Cycle, thank you! Please go to https://lnkd.in/dHmmSFQ. If you have questions, please contact us at membership@manyhandsdc.org. We look forward to working with you this year and appreciate your commitment to women, children and families in need! #givingcircles #collectivegiving #womensphilanthropy #philanosaffiliate

In her latest piece for Vox, Rachel Cohen reflects on how the growing emphasis on structural solutions to issues like climate change, inequality, and homelessness has fueled a generational decline in formal volunteering, donating, and social and individual well-being--and shares her personal journey back to volunteering, which began as a member of Many Hands' Housing Committee. Read her thought-provoking essay at the link below. And if you'd like to learn more about membership, visit us online at manyhandsdc.org! #collectivegiving #givingcircles #volunteering

#NationalNonprofitDay is the perfect time to learn more about our 2024 grantees! 🌟 Economic Empowerment: Together We Bake provides a comprehensive workforce training and personal development program to help underserved women gain self-confidence, transferable workforce skills, and hands-on experience, which will allow them to find sustainable employment and move toward self-sufficiency. 🌟 Education: Community Bridges - Maryland empowers girls from diverse backgrounds to become exceptional students, positive leaders, and healthy young women by addressing the developmental needs of immigrant and minority girls and their families living at or below the federal poverty level in Montgomery County. 🌟 Health: SafeSpot Children's Advocacy Center of Fairfax provides a safe environment and support services for child abuse victims and their families as they navigate the investigation and aftermath of abuse. By coordinating the Fairfax County response to child abuse, SafeSpot puts the interests of the child first. 🌟 Housing: Healthy Babies Project Inc. empowers DC youth to build healthy, stable lives by providing life skills training to prevent youth pregnancy; evidence-based, one-on-one case management and peer support to homeless and transient pregnant/parenting youth; and job readiness and advocacy training. The members of Many Hands are proud to have granted a total of $307,000 in unrestricted funding to these four high-impact, community-based organizations in May. Find out how you can become a member at manyhandsdc.org/membership! #givingcircles #collectivegiving #collectivegrantmaking #womensphilanthropy #nonprofitgrants

The future is now at Many Hands! Find out how you can become a member and help support local nonprofits at manyhandsdc.org/membership. And see what Sara Lomelin, CEO of Philanthropy Together, has to say about how the transfer of $30 trillion to women over the next decade will reshape philanthropy at https://lnkd.in/eAxt7-Vk