Chamber Insider Blog

Thanks to Amy Owen, of the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties!
Register here for the Small Business Awards on November 2, 2017. 

1.  Tell us your story of how your company got to where it is today? 

In 1999 in the tradition of community foundations across the U.S. (there are 700 in America and 30 in Virginia), a handful of citizens established a community foundation to benefit Loudoun and Fauquier Counties.  We define our work applying three core characteristics:  building local endowment, offering high-touch donor services, and community leadership.  A volunteer Board of 12 local citizens witha variety of professional backgrounds and philanthropic commitments guide and direct the programs of the Community Foundation.

Today, we provide stewardship for about $4 Million in endowment assets and churn about $650,000 into the community as grants and scholarships.  We have a long way to go before we are at scale to do all that is needed in our footprint.

2.  What would it mean to you and your company to win a Small Business Award?

Community Foundations are “odd” creatures; no other nonprofit headquartered in Loudoun does what we do.  And, when you use words like endowment, philanthropy, legacy, corpus, investment…it can take multiple conversations for folks to understand what we do.  Winning this award provides an outstanding place to further the conversation for the important niche we fill in our community as well develop name recognition.

3.  If you weren’t running your own business/working at this business, what would you be doing?

I’m a recent grandmother.  I’m quite sure I’d be recruited for even more childcare help on the clock!

4.  What book are you reading right now? / What is your favorite book?

I’m reading “Strength Finders” developed by Don Clifton., But one (because how can you have just one?) of my favorite books is the Time Traveler’s Wife.  As a busy executive director, I’d like to learn how to bend time …

5.  If you have 24-hours off, and your family was out of town, what would you do?

We own about 20 acres in Western Loudoun.  You could call it our exercise room as it keeps us very busy on the weekends.  And, I now know how to drive  a tractor.

6.  What is the smallest thing that has made the largest impact on your business?

I had a volunteer come to our doors in 2015 who, I hoped would help with some rudimentary chores, like filing and other basic admin functions.  She has turned into a genuine part of our team at the Community Foundation adding to our internal capacity in ways I never would have imagined.

7.  What did you want to be when you grew up as a child?

When I was a senior in college, one of my professor’s final exam asked, “What do you want to do in your career?” My answer was to be an executive director of a nonprofit. I’m living the dream!

8.  Who is the one person that has influenced you the most in your career?

I worked for an outstanding executive director for years who led the way in helping boards and volunteers be effective, organized, interactive, and informed. He influenced me in so many positive ways.

9.  What is your favorite thing about running a business in Loudoun County?

The level of education of our community.  There is so much entrepreneurial work and innovation.

10. If you’re not in the office where can we find you?

In meetings!

11.  What is your favorite weekend activity in Loudoun County?

Two recent weekend events come to mind, both charitable fundraisers:  the Daybreak Rotary Pig Roast and Benefit Live

Thanks to Amy Owen, of the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties!
Register here for the Small Business Awards on November 2, 2017.