About 175 leaders from nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government agencies attended the Annual Community Meeting and United Way National Capital Area Partner Summit, held July 24 at Van Metre Hall on George Mason University’s Arlington Campus.
The event, which focused on the intersection of philanthropy and technology, was co-hosted by the Schar School of Policy and Government’s Center for Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy, and Policy. Center Director Alan Abramson and Schar School COO Judith Wilde welcomed the audience to the school before turning over the lectern to Rosie Allen-Herring, president and CEO of the United Way National Capital Area chapter, for her keynote speech.
“Meeting participants came away with many practical suggestions about how to maximize their online presence,” said Abramson. “They learned how to design high-impact volunteer opportunities, and how to deepen their engagement in the Combined Federal Campaign, the federal government’s workplace giving initiative.”
Highlights of the event included a TED Talk-like speech by Sara Darradji, digital marketing specialist for the United Way Worldwide, on crafting a compelling story on digital media platforms; a conversation on the role of technology in increasing community engagement, including a presentation on how the Salesforce.org Philanthropy Cloud platform is advancing philanthropic efforts; and a panel discussion on corporate philanthropy and community involvement.
The meeting was sponsored by Comcast.
—Buzz McClain