The origin story of ACT, like many other origin stories, includes both joy and heartbreak. Founder Gene Steuerle and his daughters, Kristin Steuerle and Lynne Schofield, wanted to find a way to invest a sum of money that his family had received — $1 million, to be exact. The Steuerles were adamant that the money would not be funneled into amenities or vacations… Instead, they wanted something very different. The reason was simple: the funds came from the Victims’ Compensation Fund, after Gene’s wife Norma lost her life during the 9/11 tragedy. The Steuerle family wanted to honor Norma with the money they’d received.
And so, the seeds of ACT were planted in a small room, where a group of people met for many months — Gene says it was a year or two — to come to a dream of a community foundation. “We weren’t quite sure that it was going to work,” Gene says. It wasn’t easy. In the beginning, ACT had to figure out how to survive after using their small initial endowment. They worked through various funding strategies, always keeping their sights set on the goal of investment in the community, mainly through its great nonprofit organizations.
These days, the picture looks a lot different. In 2024, ACT raised just shy of $3 million within 24 hours of giving for Spring2ACTion. “I was always scared we were overreaching,” Gene says, “But our great staff has led the way for two decades.” He views ACT’s work with the eyes of an economist — practical and grounded. It’s this fortitude that set the stage for 20 years of progress.
Gene loves to share that the genesis of ACT was a collaborative effort. “I’m always aware that articles often omit many important contributors,” he says, acknowledging individuals like John Porter, Lori Morris, Lyles Carr, Elizabeth Boris, Debra Collins, Lauren Stack, David Speck, and a host of others. There are so many who helped in the early days, and those who assist today — in campaigns like Spring2ACTion and our work on racial equity. “In Alexandria, we’re really lucky to have this community spirit,” he adds. “We were engaged with the charities and the people of Alexandria to make things happen. I think our efforts have helped bring the community together as well.”
As ACT looks to the future, Gene is unfailingly modest and steadfastly determined. “We have resources and talent and people,” he says. “It brings obligation, not just a pat on the back for what we’ve done.”
When he reflects on what Norma would think about ACT, Gene says she’d be proud. His late wife was someone who hated meetings, Gene says. “She couldn’t stand people sitting around and not getting much accomplished.” It was this dedication to positive momentum that would live on in the foundation inspired by her life.
It’s with this vigor and optimism that ACT looks backward on 20 years well spent and forward to the next 20.