September 2025 Newsletter

Welcome to the 2026 Grant Cycle!

We look forward to welcoming you—or welcoming you back—to our collective giving community as we continue our valuable work of high impact grantmaking.

Since 2004, the members of Many Hands have raised more than $3.5 million to support local nonprofits that serve and empower women, children, and families in socioeconomic need. We make unrestricted grants to organizations that work in economic empowerment, education, health, and housing, with the goal of supporting strong communities where all can thrive.

Members drive every step of our grantmaking, from the design of the application to the final choice of grantees. We educate and empower members to become engaged philanthropists by providing all necessary training and hosting programs about emerging issues, such as the uncertain future of government funding sources, with local experts and nonprofit leaders. We also offer time-crunched members the opportunity to discover and support small local nonprofits that stand out for their impact and mission alignment—simply by making a gift.

The only membership requirement is a contribution of $1,000 or more each year ($300 for members under 35). There is no application form or volunteer requirement. If cost is a barrier, Many Hands Many Voices offers a 50% waiver to prospective members 35 and over who live or work in the Many Hands service area. Find out more at manyhandsdc.org/membership or contact Lori Sostowski with your questions at membership@manyhandsdc.org. And be sure to join us for the 2026 Grant Cycle Membership Kickoff on Thursday, October 16.

Download the 2025 Impact Report

During the 2025 grant cycle, the 286 members of Many Hands granted a total of $325,000 to four outstanding nonprofits: DC KinCare Alliance, Urban Ed, Inc., The Child and Family Network Centers, and New Endeavors by Women.

Click here to download the 2025 Impact Report and learn more about Many Hands' grantmaking and other highlights of our 2025 grant year.

RSVP! Membership Kickoff - Thursday, October 16

We look forward to welcoming Many Hands members—past, present, and prospective—at the grant cycle kickoff on Thursday, October 16.

Marla Spindel, executive director of 2025 Impact Grantee DC KinCare Alliance, will join us to provide an update on their work and speak about the ways in which they have begun to utilize the Impact Grant. Meet fellow donors, hear the latest on plans for the year ahead, and find out how to get involved!

WHEN: Thursday, October 16 | 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!

If you have questions about Many Hands events, please contact us at membership@manyhandsdc.org.

Welcome Our New Board Members

We are delighted to welcome two new members to the Many Hands Board of Directors:

Katie Rosenthal is an attorney with a professional background in investments, community development, and organizational operations. Now a full time mother of three, she has served on numerous non-profit boards in the DC area and currently devotes her time as an active volunteer and leader in the parent organizations serving her children’s schools. She is also an advisor and board member to a STEM focused non-profit run by two young women who are students at MCPS high schools. Originally from Massachusetts, she and her family reside in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Cindy van den Beemt is the founder and president of Capital Fundraising Group, a consulting firm that provides comprehensive strategic planning and management services to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. She also serves as an Account Executive with vChief, offering fractional executive support to help organizations strengthen their capacity. With over 30 years of leadership experience, Cindy partners with leaders in the nonprofit and education sectors to advance fundraising, capacity building, and overall operational management. Her core strengths include strategic planning, project management, and building relationships and consensus.

Cindy currently serves on the board of the Heritage Humane Society Auxiliary in Williamsburg, Virginia, and is a member of the William & Mary Society of 1918 steering committee.

Many Hands is an all-volunteer organization with a working board that sets strategy and manages operations. In recruiting directors, we seek to reflect the diversity of our membership and meet our needs for specific skills. Click here to learn more about the current directors and Board responsibilities and qualifications.

Member Spotlight: Tricia Hartge

Tricia Hartge joined Many Hands in 2024, and has served on the Health Committee. She spent her career at the National Institutes of Health conducting epidemiologic research on the causes of cancer. Since retiring, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, traveling, making music, swimming, and walking.

What inspires you each day? How do you sustain your inspiration?

All around the world, people are working for fairer and freer societies and a healthier planet, despite enormous obstacles. Improving the health of the population and of the planet are critical needs. With sharply limited time and resources, we must use all the evidence we have —and conduct research to learn more — to meet those pressing needs with the urgency required. I think about my granddaughters and my grandparents, and I am reminded to think long-term.

What do you value most about your involvement in Many Hands?

I know any money I contribute will be well spent. Researching each application offers a great opportunity to grasp the general problem, investigate what's been tried before or being tried now, assess the hurdles, and picture the ecosystem of NGOs, government, educational, and commercial organizations working to address the problem. And I found that in the group discussion of each proposal, my fellow members bring wonderfully varied perspectives and extensive experience, so I always learn new ways to look at the organizations and their applications.

Describe the person who taught you about generosity.

For my first allowance, my mother gave me five pennies rather than one nickel. She explained that when you get money, you should save some, and you should always give some away. My older cousin extended the principle to giving your talent and your time. Each of these women had a steady internal compass pointing them in the direction of redressing unfairness.

What would make the greatest difference in helping Many Hands advance our work?

I wonder whether giving-circle leaders around the nation can share their ideas on how best to absorb this once-in-a-lifetime change in the health and welfare system. I also wonder whether offering grantees training in "organization resilience" would help them survive unplanned emergencies and droughts in funding.

What is at the top of your wish list or travel plans?

I'm still savoring a recent trip to Iceland. Looking across Longjukull (long glacier) in bright sunlight after a fresh snow took my breath away.

Do you have any advice for someone who is new to Many Hands?

Experiment. There are a lot of moving parts in Many Hands. Try one, and then adjust as you discover which role makes sense for this season of your life. No matter what, your time and money will be well spent.