Our Approach
The Beginning
In 1993, GWAC established a charitable arm - the GWAC Foundation, Inc. ("the Foundation"). The Foundation received its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service in 1995. That same year, GWAC provided the Foundation with its original endowment, which it has more than tripled in the past five years. The work of the Foundation is performed entirely by volunteers with no paid staff.
Our Story
Since 1995, the Foundation has provided funding for numerous community outreach and charitable projects. The Foundation also has provided funding to the D.C. Children's Advocacy Center, which provides services to abused and neglected children; Deborah's Hayride to Christmas, which provides food to needy families during the Christmas holiday season; and Running to Recovery, which assists recovering substance abusers through training for marathons.
In addition, the Foundation provides ongoing funding to GWAC for its Community Outreach Program, which includes support for quality of life projects at the Washington Center for Aging Services. The Foundation and GWAC also have hosted an awards program since 1988 to present the Charlotte E. Ray Award to women trailblazers in the law.
The Foundation, in conjunction with GWAC, sponsors a fundraising auction each year that is the primary means by which the Foundation raises funds to support its charitable works. The Foundation also receives financial support from the members of GWAC, as well as local law firms and corporations.
Meet our Board of Directors
GWAC Foundation, Inc is governed by a thirteen (13) member board with staggered terms, led by annually elected officers.
Brandes S. G. Ash
Chairperson
Carla Jordan-Detamore
Vice Chair
Renee Mims
Secretary
Nicola Grant
Treasurer
Karen A. Newton Cole
Parliamentarian
Meredith P. Graves
Registered Agent
Melanie Barr-Brooks
Erin Martin
(Ex Officio)
President, Greater Washington Area Chapter Women Lawyers Division National Bar Association (GWAC)
Ashley E. McFarland
Tracey L. Mullins
Charlyn Stanberry
Lisette M. Taylor
Jaynell White
Student Board Member
Megan Moffett
(Howard University School of Law)
Committees
Charlotte E. Ray Award. Foundation Programming
Fundraising Gavel For Good
Scholarship Awards
Support Us...
Please consider making a donation toward GWAC Foundation, Inc., GWAC's 501(c)(3) non-profit association. Funds are used to support programs such as L.I.P.P., book and bar review scholarships, and community service projects.