The Innovation Fund at the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia invests in inventiveness, creativity and new design. It uses a venture philanthropy model of grant making in which donors to the Innovation Fund, in partnership with the Community Foundation board and staff, find investment opportunities in Northern Virginia that help:
- Diversify the local economy
- Launch the very first cyber security course of study in our local high schools
- Level the playing field for disadvantaged youth
- Promote grass roots innovation
The venture philanthropy model goes far beyond the writing of checks to address an immediate need. Grants from the Innovation Fund are truly “venture” in nature, supporting nascent programs that, but for the Innovation Fund support, may not have launched. The Fund invests in community to help solve local problems, strategically partnering with local nonprofits and schools to launch promising, innovative programs and initiatives that have the potential to transform our region.