Lynne & Joe Horning
Lynne and Joe have always believed in giving back to Washington, DC, a city that they love. In the late 1990s, they established the San Miguel Fund (which later became the Horning Family Fund) as a vehicle for both grantmaking and family engagement.
San Miguel Fund
Lynne and Joe Horning establish the San Miguel Fund housed at the Greater Washington Community Foundation. They began the work with their two oldest children and a few years later, brought on their two younger children. Funding was based in Washington DC to target poverty across multiple areas: education, healthcare, arts, and the environment. Grants were made in the $5-10K range totaling $35,000
Hires Grantmaking Consultant
Hires first consultant to help with grantmaking. Grantmaking increases to $135,000
Strategic Planning
Board conducts strategic planning and paused grantmaking to study an issue across the city (education) and a specific area of the city (Columbia Heights).
Focus on Education in Ward 8
Family decides to focus its giving on the issue of education and the area of greatest socio-economic inequality, Southeast DC's Ward 8 community. Name of the fund was changed to Horning Family Fund to acknowledge the joint work of the entire family and acknowledge the philanthropic dedication of Lynne and Joe.
Grantmaking Increases
Grantmaking budget increases to $400,000
Feasibility Study for The Commons
HFF decides to research the feasibility of a community program campus (The Commons) where nonprofit, philanthropy, and business could collaborate to increase outcomes for the children and families in Ft. Stanton and Hillsdale communities in Ward 8.
Supporting Advocacy
HFF begins to invest in advocacy efforts in DC with a goal to invest 80% of dollars in direct service and 20% in advocacy.
Grantmaking Increases
Grantmaking budget increases to $1M
Re-affirms Mission + Focus
Board conducts strategic planning and re-affirmed its mission and focus (addressing the impact of socioeconomic inequality and injustice in DC Ward 8); invites spouses to join board and hires program officer.
Learning Journey About Racism and Racial Equity
Board and staff participate in a year-long learning journey about racism and racial equity. The fund expands giving to Boulder, Santa Fe, and Boston three other communities where family members live.
Racial Equity Joins the Mission
Board holds a racial equity retreat and decides to make racial equity the mission of its work.
System Analysis of Education
Convened grantee partners and community members to conduct a system analysis of education.
Launched Strategic Planning and Neighbor to Neighbor
Launched strategic planning process to incorporate racial equity into all the foundation’s activities. Launched the Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) Small Grants Program – a participatory grantmaking program led by six Ward 8 residents. $25,000 available for grantmaking.
Increased N2N Grantmaking Fund to $50,000
Foundation continues with strategic planning and convenes focus groups with 30 stakeholders and next generation family members to provide input on the draft plan. Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) launches for a second year with eight Ward 8 residents on grantmaking team and increased grantmaking fund to $50,000.
New Strategy that Centers Black Children and Families
Foundation approves new strategy that centers Black children and families in order to achieve justice and equity for all. Neighbor to Neighbor launches for the 3rd year with nine Ward 8 residents.