The Crimsonbridge Foundation is an entrepreneurial philanthropic organization that builds bridges of collaboration to create transformative solutions to improve the lives of our nation’s youth and families. We innovate and strategically invest in education, leadership development and capacity building programs to help America’s youth and nonprofit organizations achieve their potential.
#Community
#Community is the Crimsonbridge Foundation’s commitment to participate, engage, listen, and learn with the communities we support. It is a team driven social philanthropy initiative to take relationships beyond grant proposals and engage directly with partners to better understand challenges, identify solutions, leverage new resources, celebrate success, and build community. It’s our approach to philanthropy and community partnership.
Latest News
The Invaluable Role of Coaches in College Success
In this new video, meet CollegeTracks, which serves more than 1,600 Montgomery County students and is a community partner in our College Completion Colleagues (C3) Initiative. The video features College Access Director Lindsey Barclay (an incoming Crimsonbridge Leadership Fund recipient in the Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program at Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership) who speaks to the value of coaching in college success.
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Growing Networks and Diversity in Partnership with Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership
Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership and the Crimsonbridge Foundation have partnered since 2016 to conduct targeted outreach to attract local nonprofit leaders of diverse backgrounds and provide scholarships to support their participation in the Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program. To date, the partnership has supported more than 30 diverse leaders, strengthened the capacity of nonprofits serving our local community, and significantly increased the diversity of the Certificate Program.
In this new piece, learn how program alumni are joining the effort and leveraging their networks and experience to support local leaders and nonprofits. Click below to read “Growing Networks and Diversity: CPNL and Crimsonbridge Foundation Partnership,” written by Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership.
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Schools Strengthen Connection with Hispanic Families
In 2018, the Crimsonbridge Foundation awarded more than $20,000 in grants through its Bridges for Schools program, which provides communications capacity building support to schools to serve, reach, engage, and enroll Hispanic students and families. The Foundation partnered with 12 Catholic elementary and high schools in the Archdiocese of Washington that collectively serve more than 5,000 students across DC and three counties in Maryland.
One year later, schools are sharing stories of impact through photos, translated documents, and quotes.
Spanish-language communications materials created through Bridges for Schools included marketing brochures, enrollment and financial aid information, Parent Handbooks, and monthly newsletters for families. Additionally, several schools provided stipends for school representatives to translate for parents at school events.
“This grant opened my eyes as a teacher to how I am and can be communicating with my current Spanish speaking families,” said Jennifer Eller, 8th grade teacher at Holy Redeemer School. “It also allowed us to welcome more people into our community.”
SHINE THE LIGHT: Leadership Matters
Saint Michael’s, a K-8 school in St. Mary’s County, MD, used the Bridges for Schools grant to hire a part-time employee who could provide Spanish-language assistance in the school front office. Principal Lila Hofmeister realized this need when she noticed parents bringing bilingual friends or children to the school office in order to communicate with school staff. Saint Michael’s has the highest Hispanic enrollment in the Southern Maryland region of the Archdiocese, with 34% of students identifying as Hispanic or Latino. Hofmeister is working to ensure that the school serves all families and students well.
Mrs. Melendez, who began the new part-time role in September, “has become an invaluable part of our staff.” She translates the weekly school newsletter into Spanish, helps parents complete school paperwork, and facilitates communication between faculty and parents. She plays a crucial role in assisting families to complete BOOST applications, which brings in additional funding to the school through tuition support. Most importantly, according to Hofmeister, Mrs. Melendez is helping to foster a culture of welcoming in the school.
A 3rd grade teacher at the school observed, “Saint Michael’s School serves many Hispanic families. It is a great comfort to them when they are greeted by a familiar, welcoming person who speaks their language. Mrs. Melendez has become an integral part of the strong bonds formed between the school and our parents. Her presence conveys to them how deeply we care for every child who is part of our school family.”
“Working with Saint Michael’s has reaffirmed our belief that meaningful change requires strong school leadership,” said Crimsonbridge Foundation Program Officer Caitlin Furey Mayo. “Hofmeister made it clear from the beginning of our partnership that investment in bilingual staff was a priority and the school community quickly felt the benefits of this new capacity.”
Stay tuned for future “SHINE THE LIGHT” stories of impact from Bridges for Schools 2018. To learn more about Bridges for Schools, please visit the Crimsonbridge Foundation’s website.
read more read lessLatino Student Fund Recognizes Crimsonbridge Foundation
During its 25th Anniversary Gala the Latino Student Fund (LSF) recognized Crimsonbridge Foundation with the Community Builder Award. Watch the below video to learn more about our partnership.
#DidYouKnow by 2020, 65% of all jobs will require some form of post-secondary education. And, that while 1/3 of all… https://t.co/2WTvtmLaFj
Fri May 24, 2019
