Washington, DC, November 1, 2007 - Seventeen Northern Virginia-based nonprofit organizations were selected as featured charities in the 2007-2008 Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington. The nonprofits were chosen from a competitive field of over 250 candidates for “excellence, innovation, and cost-effectiveness—and for what they can teach us about the extraordinary ways that philanthropy works,” said Barbara Harman, Executive Director of the Harman Family Foundation. “These are certainly among the best small charities in the Washington, D.C. region.”

The Harman Foundation will host an official launch of the Catalogue’s fifth annual edition on Monday, November 5, at the new Harman Center for the Arts in Washington, D.C. The Catalogue profiles environmental, cultural, educational, human services, and international organizations and is supported by the Harman Family Foundation, Meyer Foundation, Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, Freddie Mac Foundation, John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation, and Corina Higginson Trust and local corporations CGI, Chevy Chase Trust, Fannie Mae, and Landon Butler & Co.

After an inaugural year in the District of Columbia, the Catalogue expanded to the Greater Washington region—adding nonprofits in Northern Virginia and nearby Maryland counties. 30,000 individuals and hundreds of foundations will receive copies of the Catalogue in mid-November. To date, the Catalogue has helped to raise over $3.7 million in pledges and gifts for local nonprofits.

According to Harman, “The Catalogue is designed to be a showcase for D.C. region philanthropy and an inviting way for individuals and families to participate in charitable giving.” A single check sent to the Catalogue’s D.C. office, or an online donation at its website, www.catalogueforphilanthropy-dc.org, can be allocated to as many charities as the donor pleases. Donors may also contact the charities directly. “Because the Catalogue is fully paid for by its philanthropic partners,” Harman notes, “100% of every donation goes to the designated nonprofits.”

Northern Virginia Nonprofits

Contact: Elenor Hodges, Executive Director
Telephone: (703) 228-6427
E-mail: elenor@arlingtonenvironment.org