WASHINGTON – Howard University, in coordination with the Office of Research, hosted the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers’ (WRAG) CEO and Trustee Fall Reception. WRAG is a network of the area’s leading foundations, corporate giving programs and philanthropic institutions. Members of the association share a common commitment to invest in our region to improve the vitality of the Washington, D.C. area. 

Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick, introduced by Vice President for the Office of Research Bruce Jones, Ph.D., described the opportunity to host the annual reception as a distinct honor for the University.

“It is a pleasure to host the members of the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers at Howard University and have our students interact with some of the region’s most notable philanthropists and business leaders,” said President Frederick. “We look forward to continuing this relationship as another vehicle to enhance our student’s exposure to charitable giving, corporate responsibility and civic engagement.” 

WRAG’s CEOs and Trustees received a warm welcome from Howard student Ambassadors and while walking across the campus learned about Howard’s history and were among the first visitors to the new exhibition at the Founders Library Gallery, supported by the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, which now features a historical perspective of the University from the leadership of University founder and Past President General Oliver Otis Howard, to the current administration, headed by President Wayne A. I. Frederick.

WRAG boasts a network of more than 100 philanthropic organizations, with a various programmatic and geographic priorities, and grantmaking strategies. According to WRAG President and CEO Madye Henson, D. Mgt., MBA, the association utilizes shared learning, aligned giving and collaborative action to impact change in its primary focus areas – Census 2020, children, youth and families, corporate social responsibility, healthy communities, HIV/AIDS, racial equity and housing. 

During Henson’s opening remarks, she confirmed that the focus of the convening was housing and transforming area neighborhoods. Henson stated that “Howard University is rich in its history and is centered in the Shaw community, which is rapidly changing through development and investment, gentrification and displacement. Housing affordability is important in every neighborhood throughout the District and across the region.” Henson invited David Bowers, Vice President & Market Leader for Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., and Vice-Chair of WRAG’s Board of Directors, to share details of the multi-faceted, regional effort to secure $1B of new capital commitments for housing affordability by the end of 2020.

###

Photograph 1: Members of the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers (WRAG) accompany WRAG President and CEO Madye Hensonand Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick for a group photo

Photograph 2: Vice President for the Office of Research Bruce Jones, Ph.D. addresses attendees inside the Founders Library Browsing Room

ABOUT THE WASHINGTON REGIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GRANTMAKERS

Founded in 1992, the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers is a nonprofit membership association comprised of over 100 of the Greater Washington, D.C., region's leading foundations and corporate giving programs. Since 2016, WRAG has had a sustained focus on the breadth, depth, and impact of racial inequities on our region. In 2018, WRAG’s Board of Directors voted to elevate the pursuit of racial equity to an ongoing organizational commitment. Dedicated to improving the health and vitality of the region and all who live here, WRAG provides a robust arena for grantmakers to collectively learn, problem-solve, and develop cross-sector solutions to achieve greater community impact. Visit https://www.washingtongrantmakers.org for more information.

ABOUT HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

Media contact: Ramzey Smith, Office of University Communications, ramzey.smith@howard.edu