As anti-Asian attacks increase across the country and the trial of the first former police officer charged in the killing of George Floyd unfolds, we stand in solidarity with all members of our community who have been targeted by racial hate, violence, and discrimination. We reaffirm our commitment to educating ourselves about racism and to supporting equity as an organization and in our own lives. As reflected in the following language recently adopted by the Board, we believe this work is rooted in our mission. (Image: UN Human Rights)

The Board has designated funding and opened a search for a consulting partner to help guide our racial equity work, which will include an equity audit and opportunities for member education next year. Members who would like to learn more about these projects and/or join our Racial Equity Working Group are invited to contact Mary Kwak at president@manyhandsdc.org.

DON'T MISS! Pregnant Girl - Thursday, April 22

There's still time to register for what will surely be an inspiring evening with Nicole Lynn Lewis, founder and CEO of 2020 Partner Grantee Generation Hope. Nicole will treat us to a sneak peak of her forthcoming book, Pregnant Girl: A Story of Teen Motherhood, College, and Creating a Better Future for Young Mothers (Beacon Press, May 2021). Dr. John King, secretary of education under President Obama, describes Pregnant Girl as "a compelling case for the multifaceted approach that is necessary to ensure that all young people--particularly our youth of color and young parents--are able to make the choice to pursue a college education, earn a degree, and lead thriving lives." Nicole is a dynamic speaker with a compelling story--don't miss your chance to join us!

Three lucky attendees will receive a free copy of Pregnant Girl from Many Hands. If you'd like to preorder your own copy, click here.

Who: This event is open to all--invite a friend!

When: Thursday, April 22 @ 7:00 pm

Where: Register to receive the Zoom link.

Questions: Please contact Membership chairs Lynne Battle and Anna Gunnarsson Pfeiffer at membership@manyhandsdc.org.

March was a busy month for our four Focus Area Committees (FACs). Collectively, the more than 80 women who comprise this year's FACs--Economic Empowerment, Education, Health, and Housing--pored over dozens of applications and conducted 21 site visits. Each committee's members have now selected three finalists and are awaiting the results of our internal financial review. They will meet later this month to vote for their committee's grantee.

The grantee from each of the four FACs will make a presentation at the Annual Meeting (see below). Following a membership vote, one will receive the 2021 Many Hands $100,000 Impact Grant. The three remaining organizations will receive Partner Grants. Thanks to our donors' generosity, each Partner Grant will be at least $50,000--and there's still time for them to grow! All contributions received between now and the Annual Meeting will increase the size of our Partner Grants.

This year's Annual Meeting will take place via Zoom on Thursday, May 13 at 7:00 pm. We urge you to join us to hear the executive directors of the 2021 grantees present their organizations' work and respond to audience questions. Following the meeting, all members will receive an email ballot to cast for the organization they believe should receive the 2021 Many Hands $100,000 Impact Grant. Voting will remain open until Sunday, May 16 at 5:00 pm.

We continue to welcome donations toward our 2021 grants. To become a member or make an additional or first-time gift, please click on the button below. In order to be eligible to vote for the 2021 Impact Grantee, please observe the following membership deadlines:

If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Gray at treasurer@manyhandsdc.org. Thank you for your support.

Many Hands members are invited to join the DMV Collective Giving Network on Tuesday, April 27 at 10:00 am for a free Zoom presentation on participatory grantmaking led by Rubie Coles, program director of the Diverse City Fund. Participatory grantmaking is an approach to philanthropy that shifts decision making power to the communities most affected by funding decisions. Since 2011, the Diversity City Fund has used this model to make more than $1 million in grants. To learn more and register, click here. Please contact Lynne Battle and Anna Gunnarsson Pfeiffer at membership@manyhandsdc.org with any questions about this event.

Our first ever member book club in March featured a lively discussion of two compelling books about life in poverty: Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive, and $2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America. Inspired by this experience, we are launching a new feature: Periodically we will check in with members to learn about titles you are reading that relate to our work.

This month we checked in with Emerita Board member and avid reader Elizabeth Bausch, who just finished a timely tale of how white institutions struggle to achieve lasting race equity and true integration. Point of Reckoning: The Fight for Racial Justice at Duke University by Theodore D. Segal depicts Duke's evolution in the 1960s against the backdrop of the crumbling Jim Crow South and the civil rights and Black student movements. Elizabeth has no ties to Duke, but says that anyone who attended what Segal refers to as "HWCUS" (Historically White Colleges & Universities) will relate to the themes of students struggling to create a community where everyone can thrive. Elizabeth's takeaway: Every historically white institution must commit to the ongoing work of achieving true equality and confront its own history in an attempt to understand how and why it has yet to achieve that goal.

What are you reading? We would love to hear from you and share your recommendations in a future newsletter. Please send your thoughts to Charis Keitelman at communications@manyhandsdc.org.

Like many organizations, 2019 Partner Grantee New Endeavors by Women (NEW) has had to reimagine much of its programming as a result of the pandemic. Fortunately, however, the van NEW purchased with the help of its Many Hands grant has allowed senior residents of the New Journeys II permanent housing program--many of whom use wheelchairs or canes--to maintain part of their routines. With the van, NEW can safely transport up to five women at a time to essential appointments. As the pandemic eases, the options may expand to include more social outings, once again offering residents opportunties to broaden their horizons and deepen relationships as they build stable futures. To learn more about how New Endeavors for Women works to end the cycle of homelessness, click here.

Many Hands is a women's grantmaking organization committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of Washington, DC area women, children, and families in socioeconomic need and to helping its members become well-informed donors. Many Hands is a 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. EIN: 51-0486987. Mailing address: Many Hands Inc., PO Box 15048, Chevy Chase, MD 20825.