nonprofit | ALXnow

ALX Pink Gala supporting breast cancer care returns Friday to Old Town

Published September 23, 2026 at 2:45PM

As seen at the ALX Pink Gala (via ALX Pink Gala)

It’s time to dig the pink dress or suit out of the closet, because tickets are still available for the third annual ALX Pink Gala.

The ALX Pink Gala will return to the ALX Community Atrium at 277 S. Washington Street in Old Town on Friday, Sept. 25. Tickets cost $125 apiece, and $175 to attend a rooftop VIP reception. Proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Collective, an Alexandria-based nonprofit that helps women in underserved communities get access to breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment.

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Washington Commanders players visit Alexandria school, pack bags of free food for students

By James Cullum

Published September 22, 2026 at 3:45PM

Mount Vernon Community School students react to Washington Commanders players at their school, Sept. 22, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Washington Commanders players helped pack 500 bags of food for students at Mount Vernon Community School in Del Ray on Tuesday (Sept. 22).

Hundreds of students welcomed wide receiver Jaylin Lane, cornerback Rasul Douglas and mascot Major Tuddy in a pep rally in the school auditorium. This was the Commanders’ third annual visit to MVCS in collaboration with the nonprofit Blessings in a Backpack.

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EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Abigail Spanberger tours Alexandria nonprofit Cornerstone Craftsman

By James Cullum

Published September 15, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated September 15, 2026 at 3:02PM

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger shakes hands with Cornerstone Craftsman pre-apprentices, Sept. 15, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger (D) got a firsthand look at Alexandria-based nonprofit Cornerstone Craftsman Tuesday morning (Sept. 15).

Spanberger made expanding workforce programs for children a part of her Growing Virginia Plan when she ran for governor. She toured the space and met with Cornerstone Craftsman’s stakeholders, including Alexandria Sheriff Sean Casey, Alexandria City School Board Chair Chris Harris and Clark Mercer, chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Around Town

Kid-focused nonprofit hosting music fundraiser in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published September 1, 2026 at 3:45PM

A recent trip in the Shenandoah Valley (via Wilderness Kids of Alexandria/Facebook)

An annual music festival is returning to Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood this month, and it’s all about the kids.

Wilderness Kids Alexandria is hosting its fourth annual community music festival from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27, at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square (2311 Mount Vernon Avenue). The event is free to attend.

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Alexandria nonprofits receive support from regional Builders for Babies diaper drive

By Emily Leayman

Published August 20, 2026 at 9:15AM

The 2026 Builders for Babies diaper drive (via HomeAid National Capital Region)

Alexandria nonprofits were among the 52 nonprofit recipients of nearly 1.3 million diapers and wipes from HomeAid National Capital Region’s latest donation drive.

HomeAid, which builds housing and programming space for nonprofits serving the homeless, organized the 2026 Builders for Babies diaper drive to benefit organizations serving families in the D.C. region and Richmond. Builders, trade partners, suppliers, community collection sites and donors helped HomeAid distribute a record 1,292,097 diapers.

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Racial equity fund awards $200K to 29 Alexandria nonprofits and leaders

By James Cullum

Published July 9, 2026 at 2:45PM

Act for Alexandria CEO Heather Peeler (center) at an event celebrating Fund for Racial Equity grantees (via ACT for Alexandria)

ACT for Alexandria’s Fund for Racial Equity has awarded more than $200,000 in grants to 29 local organizations and individuals, the organization announced in a new report.

The nonprofit created the fund in 2020 and established a resident community advisory board to lead grantmaking in 2024. The advisory board led three rounds of grantmaking over the next two years, awarding flexible, unrestricted grants to the organizations and individuals, according to ACT for Alexandria’s A Journey in Hope report.

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Alexandria charity sends disaster relief to earthquake-ravaged Venezuela

By Emily Leayman

Published July 2, 2026 at 10:00AM

Relief in Venezuela after earthquakes (via Global Empowerment Mission)

In the wake of deadly earthquakes in Venezuela, an Alexandria charity is among the U.S. organizations lending a helping hand.

Various regions of Venezuela are reeling from a humanitarian crisis as the earthquakes have resulted in thousands of confirmed casualties and tens of thousands unaccounted for, as well as building collapses and structural damage.

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JUST IN: Tall Ship Providence to suspend operations on the Potomac River

By James Cullum

Published June 22, 2026 at 4:15PM

The Tall Ship Providence sails to its new home, The Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center at Waterfront Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria-based Tall Ship Providence Foundation is suspending its educational and tour programs on the Potomac River, effective Friday, June 26, the organization announced today (Monday).

The decision, which was recently made by the nonprofit’s board, means Tall Ship Providence will be sold if significant funding is not found, the organization’s Executive Director Kathy Seifert told ALXnow. As it stands, the bar at the floating pier at Waterfront Park will stay open to pay for upkeep of the ship, which Seifert says will stay docked in Alexandria until the end of the summer.

Around Town

Ukulele Club strikes a chord at Alexandria’s William Ramsay Elementary

By James Cullum

Published June 4, 2026 at 9:15AM

The second grade Ukulele Club at William Ramsay Elementary School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Kids are clamoring to be part of the Ukulele Club at William Ramsay Elementary School.

The nine-week after-school program for second graders only started in the spring. With the end of the school year around the corner, the 15 kids in the club are rehearsing for an upcoming school assembly and a performance in front of their parents.

Around Town

Volunteer musicians to play for Alexandria shelter animals through new program

By Emily Leayman

Published May 28, 2026 at 2:45PM

Musician plays at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (via AWLA)

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s animal shelter will now regularly be filled with the sound of live music.

AWLA is partnering with Wild Tunes, a nonprofit started by 10-year-old Yuvi Agarwal, to introduce live music by volunteer musicians at the animal shelter (4101 Eisenhower Avenue). The program kicked off Thursday (May 28).

News

Community Lodgings secures $73K grant to boost youth education in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published May 19, 2026 at 11:45AM | Updated May 20, 2026 at 11:40AM

Community Lodgings Executive Director Lynn Thomas makes a presentation at the Many Hands Annual Meeting on May 12, 2026 (via Many Hands)

Alexandria nonprofit Community Lodgings has won a $73,000 grant from D.C.-based philanthropic organization Many Hands, Inc.

After a months-long application process that included an in-person presentation from applicants, Many Hands awarded $73,000 each to Community Lodgings, AfriThrive Inc., and DC Greens. It also awarded $100,000 to the D.C.-based School Justice Project, for $319,000 in total donations. There were 88 applicants for the organization’s annual grants.