We are pleased to announce we have been selected as a featured organization in the 2008-09 Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington. Supported by local foundations (Harman, Meyer, Cafritz, Freddie Mac, Marriott and Fowler) and local corporations (CGI, Chevy Chase, Landon Butler & Co) as a service to the community, the Catalogue profiles environmental, cultural, educational, human services, and international organizations with budgets below $3 million. Sixty-eight nonprofits were chosen this year from a field of approximately 235 candidates. A committee of sixty experienced grant makers from area foundations, corporate giving programs, family foundations, nonprofit organizations, and the DC government participated in the review process.

This year's Catalogue includes 30 nonprofits that were first featured in the '03-'04, and '04-'05 Catalogues; they were chosen both for their intrinsic excellence and because they help to illustrate the impact that the Catalogue has had on area nonprofits.

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 $5.4 million in donations for local nonprofits.

Barbara Harman, Executive Director of the Harman Family Foundation and President of the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington noted "The Catalogue is designed to be a showcase for DC-region philanthropy and an inviting way for individuals and families to participate in charitable giving." The Catalogue is an annual invitation to read and learn about smaller organizations making a big difference in the lives of people throughout our community.

"Charities were selected for excellence, innovation, cost-effectiveness, and financial transparency--and for what they can teach us about the extraordinary ways that philanthropy works,” Harman said. “These are certainly among the best small charities in the Washington, DC region.”