September 2026 Newsletter

Welcome to the 2027 Grant Cycle!

We are thrilled to have you join us as we launch a new grant cycle to continue our valuable work of high impact grantmaking.

Since 2004, the members of Many Hands have raised more than $3.8 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.

We educate and empower members to become engaged philanthropists by providing all the necessary training, and by hosting programs about ongoing issues 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 process 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 2027 Grant Cycle Membership Kickoff on Wednesday, October 14.

During the 2026 grant cycle, the Many Hands membership selected four outstanding nonprofit organizations to receive grants: School Justice Project received the 2026 $100,000 Impact Grant. AfriThrive, Community Lodgings, and DC Greens received Partner Grants of $73,000 each. Click here to learn more about our 2026 grantees.

Many Hands Featured in Bethesda Magazine

We're excited to share that Many Hands was prominently featured in a recent Bethesda Magazine article about several DMV-area giving circles, focusing on our impact and selection processes. Click here to read the full article.

RSVP! Membership Kickoff - Wednesday, October 14

We look forward to welcoming Many Hands members—past, present, and prospective—at the 2027 grant cycle membership kickoff on Wednesday, October 14.

Heather O'Malley, CEO of SafeSpot Children’s Advocacy Center of Fairfax, our 2024 Impact Grantee, will join us to provide an update on their exceptional work to provide a safe environment and support services for child abuse victims and their families. Please join fellow donors, hear the latest on plans for the year ahead, and find out how to get involved!

WHEN: Wednesday, October 14 | 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 four new members to the Many Hands Board of Directors:

Joy Bates Boyle has spent more than 40 years helping organizations tell their stories, build partnerships, and create positive social change. During her career, she held leadership roles at the Case Foundation and FleishmanHillard, taught graduate students at Georgetown University, and worked with nonprofit, corporate, and government clients across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Africa. She also founded a communications consultancy that helped nonprofit organizations clarify and advance their missions through strategic communications. A Kansas City, Missouri native, Joy began her career on Capitol Hill and is proud to bring her communications expertise and passion for social justice to Many Hands.

Jacqueline Carney earned her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in 1992 and has built a diverse career spanning public accounting, private industry, software, and accounting consulting. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of a manufacturing company, where she brings extensive financial expertise and strategic insight.

Throughout her career, Jacqueline has dedicated her time and financial expertise to supporting nonprofit organizations, finding particular fulfillment in helping mission-driven organizations strengthen their financial stewardship. Outside of her professional and volunteer work, Jacqueline enjoys gardening, visiting museums, traveling with her husband, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Martha Marmo-Fernandes is the founder and president of Rowen Concrete, Inc., a

Maryland-based construction company recognized for its commitment to quality and

customer service. Martha is a graduate of American University and holds an MBA from

the University of Maryland. Deeply committed to community engagement, Martha serves on the Board of Directors of Bethesda Cares and previously served on the Board of Trustees of Concord Hill School. She has also contributed her industry expertise as a board member of the Maryland Ready Mix Concrete Association. Martha resides in Chevy Chase with her family.

Virginia Pommer is an attorney with a background in public interest and special

education law. A long time member of Many Hands, she joins the Board having been a volunteer, committee member, Focus Area Committee Chair, and Grants Committee member. During her years raising her three now adult children she was an active volunteer at their schools and various other charitable organizations. She and her husband live in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

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.

A Closer Look: Food Insecurity and Hunger in the DMV

In Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, Jean Valjean steals a loaf of bread for his sister and her seven starving children. The consequences were unthinkable. Although food insecurity today is not as severe as it was in France in 1862, many people face impossible decisions when they cannot afford food.

For many families the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has been a lifeline. It is the largest federal program to provide food benefits to low-income families. It enables them to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the food essential to health and well-being. 

However, in July 2025 the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act set in motion the most consequential changes to the federal food safety program in its fifty year history. For the more than 37 million Americans who depend on SNAP to meet their basic food needs, the law’s implications are wide-ranging, from restrictions on eligibility to cuts to monthly benefits.

Despite being home to affluent communities, the DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region faces a persistent food insecurity crisis. Food insecurity is defined as lacking consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Data from the Capital Area Food Bank's Hunger Report reveals that approximately 36% of regional residents (1.5 million people) struggle to access adequate meals.

When a household cannot reliably afford enough nutritious food, children may skip meals, eat less healthy food, or depend on schools and community programs for meals. Parents may skip meals so their children can eat, work multiple jobs while still relying on food banks, or choose between buying groceries and paying for rent, transportation, medicine, or utilities.

Children who experience hunger are more likely to struggle with physical health, cognitive development, academic performance, and emotional well-being. Women, particularly single mothers, often sacrifice their own nutritional needs to ensure their children have enough to eat. Families facing food insecurity experience increased stress, poorer health outcomes, and greater financial instability, making it more difficult to break the cycle of poverty.

Throughout this grant cycle, Many Hands will seek opportunities to better understand the challenges and implications of food insecurity, sharing our research and findings with our members. Food insecurity is a critical issue that impacts the four focus areas of our grantmaking either directly or indirectly. We encourage you to examine this important issue with us.