Community Corner

McLean Foundation Celebrates 30 Years of Service

Fundraiser for Foundation Friday at Salona

The McLean Community Foundation celebrates its 30th birthday Friday night with a fund-raising party at Salona, McLean's well-known and most historic home located on Dolley Madison Boulevard.

The Foundation, created by the McLean Citizens Association (MCA),  is like the old-fashion Community Chest ---- it gives money to help finance very local McLean organizations.

"The McLean Community Foundation. MCA’s charitable arm, is celebrating 30 years of giving to McLean’s non profits," MCA president Rob Jackson said in an invitation he sent the MCA board and a huge group of neighbors. "MCF has provided more than $1 million in local community grants to our charities, schools and civic organizations over their history.  We should all be supporting their efforts.  The more our community supports MCF, the more MCF supports our community," Jackson wrote.

Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Dranesville Supervisor John Foust said, "The McLean Community Foundation has a long history of making strategic investments in organizations that make McLean a better place to live. In addition to funding very worthy and important projects, the Foundation’s activities contribute to our efforts to create a real sense of community in McLean. Our community is a much better place because of the charitable activities of the MCF."

The foundation, created in 1981* has no paid staff, a small group of trustees and holds few fundraisers. Chairman of the board: Pamela Danner, a McLean lawyer, who is running as a Democrat for the 34th District state delegate seat now held by Republican Barbara Comstock.

Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In the past year, the McLean Community Foundation (MCF)  awarded $63,364.99 to eight McLean organizations including:  Longfellow Middle School, $13,868  to construct a conservation rain garden as part of its school renovation. The Fairfax County Park Foundation, $5,000, renovation of the Kent Gardens Park playground. Share, Inc., two grants for $5,000 each to assist in providing for the needy individuals and families in McLean community.

The Foundation also  again sponsored the Children’s Art Walk at the McLean Project for the Arts’ Artfest in October. In December, the MCF again sponsored the McLean WinterFest, McLean’s community parade that is highlighted by the Reindog Contest. (You just have to be there to see this.)

 The Foundation received  $12,910 this past year  which is  down by about $4,000 from last year, according to the Foundation's annual report. Even McLean feels the recession.

The hosts for Friday's party, Karen and Dan DuVal, owners of Salona. Business sponsors include: Chain Bridge Bank, Wheat’s Landscaping, Inc., The Monett Foundation, Rembert Pendleton Jackson, Salona Jewelers. Music donated by The Parklawn Ramblers courtesy of the McLean Orchestra. Catering by Equinox Restaurant.

When: Friday, June 24th, from 6:30 to 8:30p.m.

Where:  Salona.  You can buy a ticket by contacting Trish Butler,(click on her name)  or at 703-917-0611. She's also a Foundation trustee.

McLean Community Foundation History: On May 24, 1978, the General Membership of the McLean Citizens Association voted to sell a 5.147-acre tract of land between Dolley Madison Boulevard and Balls Hill Road, with the proceeds to be used to establish a charitable foundation to benefit the residents of McLean.

The first nine Trustees were nominated in January of 1980 and elected that May. The Foundation was incorporated on June 4, 1980. The first Foundation challenge grant was authorized by the Board on April 16, 1981. Exemption from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code was granted in a letter dated October 22, 1981.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here