Overview of Board Commitment and Service

ACT for Alexandria, Alexandria’s community foundation, seeks nominees for its board of directors and community members to serve on board committees.   

ACT for Alexandria is Alexandria’s home for philanthropy and for people who want to make a difference. We are a community foundation dedicated to improving the lives of people in Alexandria, Virginia.   ACT partners with people who care about Alexandria, helping them amplify the impact of their giving.  We support Alexandria nonprofits to help them provide critical services to our community.  ACT mobilizes the community on key issues and develop solutions for Alexandria’s most pressing challenges. 

ACT’s key priorities include youth success, economic mobility and racial equity.  ACT played a pivotal role helping Alexandrians hard-hit by the pandemic, distributing $5.76M to nonprofit organizations that provided critical services and support.  Currently ACT is partnering with the City of Alexandria on the Community Access and Emergency Support grant program which connects residents to critical services and support such as rental assistance, food distribution programs, and emergency financial assistance.  In addition, ACT houses the Youth Support Network, a network of more than 80 organizations committed to youth success. ACT has a long standing history of investing in the organizational capacity of nonprofit organizations;  marquee capacity-building initiatives include: Spring2ACTion, the IMPACT Forum and our Racial Equity Capacity Building Initiative. 

About ACT’s Board of Directors 

ACT has an engaged, committed board of directors that provides mission-based leadership and strategic governance. Member responsibilities include: 

1. Link ACT with the community, supporters and individuals served by ACT.  
2. Review and uphold the mission, vision and values of ACT.  Work with staff to set organizational strategy to fulfill ACT’s mission.  Assess organizational & CEO progress towards achieving its mission. 
3. Annually contribute to the organization and participate in fundraising efforts.   

Board terms/participation
Board members serve a three-year term to be eligible for re-appointment for one additional term. There are three board meetings per year.  All board members are required to serve on a committee.  Committees include:  Executive, Audit, Community Investment, Finance, Development, Investment, Leadership Development, and Racial Equity.   

Qualifications 

Board service is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about ACT’s mission and who is committed to ensuring that Alexandria is a vibrant place for all. Ideal candidates will have an understanding of Alexandria and strong relationships across the community. Specifically, ACT seeks individuals with professional experience in accounting and financial management, investment management, nonprofit law, marketing and nonprofit management and fundraising.   

About Committee Service 

ACT has robust committee structure that provides mission-based leadership and strategic governance.  ACT seeks to engage community members to serve on board committees.  Committees that include community member participants are:  Community Investment, Finance, Development, Investment, Leadership Development, and Racial Equity.   

Responsibilities for serving on an ACT board committee include: 

• Serves as ambassadors to key stakeholders, networks and neighborhoods in Alexandria.  
• Ensures the organization builds strong and strategic relationships with City of Alexandria residents and that resident voices and perspectives are included in organizational discussions.  
• Review and uphold the mission, vision and values of ACT. 
• Bring professional and other expertise to discussions.  
• Regularly attend committee meetings and support Committees in achieving their goals and objectives.     

Committee members are encouraged to annually contribute to the organization and participate in fundraising efforts.   

Committees meet at regular intervals based on the work at hand.  Some committees meet quarterly and some meet monthly.   

Committee terms/participation 

Community members serve a one-year term to be eligible for re-appointment by the Board Committee Chair.  

Qualifications 

Committee service is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about ACT’s mission and who is committed to ensuring that Alexandria is a vibrant place for all. Community members have diverse experiences and expertise relevant to the Committee’s work. 

Interested parties should reach out to Heather Peeler, President & CEO for more information.  Heather can be reached at 703-739-7778 or via email at heather.peeler@actforalexandria.org.