2025 Community Impact Fund Grantees Celebrate Strong Ties to Montgomery County 

This year, the Columbia Foundation’s Community Impact Fund (CIF) is proud to announce a total of $70,000 in grants to three outstanding organizations: Hero Dogs, Horizons Greater Washington, and Nourishing Bethesda.  From the three categories chosen by Club members -- veterans, education, and family and child welfare -- these non-profits were clear stand-outs.  Having just completed its fourth giving cycle, the CIF has set a new standard for purposeful and responsible philanthropy in our area. 

Hero Dogs ($20,000)

Based in Gaithersburg, Hero Dogs raises, trains, and provides exceptional service dogs to veterans and first responders in the DC area, free of charge.  Hero Dogs also extends its reach by placing therapy dogs in hospitals and schools.

Horizons Greater Washington ($20,000)

Horizons Greater Washington advances educational equity through tuition-free summer and school-year programs – both academic and social/emotional -- for K-8 students in underserved communities.  Takoma Park’s own Rolling Terrace Elementary is one of the organization’s primary sites.  

Nourishing Bethesda ($30,000)

Nourishing Bethesda, located minutes from the Club at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad campus, addresses food insecurity in Montgomery County by providing fresh, healthy groceries to families in need through an innovative Choice Market program. 

“The CIF Committee worked hard to narrow down the list of winners. We were impressed with the quality of each applicant as well as the specific projects to be funded. Each grantee demonstrated its strong nexus to Montgomery County.”
— Catherine Gallagher, CIF Committee Co-Chair
“After decades of giving small amounts to dozens of local non-profits, the last 5 years have seen the Foundation pivot to a more impactful concept, where larger grants are awarded to a few nonprofits. With Columbia members choosing the giving categories each year, this program is truly Club homegrown.”
— Betsy Pothier, CIF Committee Co-Chair

2025 Grant Recipients