Terri L. Freeman

She once joked that she did not know how to spell “philanthropy” when she was founding executive director of what became the Freddie Mac Foundation in 1991. Now, as president of the largest funder of nonprofit organizations in the metropolitan area, The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region's Terri L. Freeman is showing people how philanthropy is done. In 1996, Freeman came on board as president of the somewhat-troubled organization, that has since grown tremendously, both in its assets ~ from $52 million to $250 million ~ and in its incisive choices as to where its grants are most needed and where the funding will do the most good to serve the long- and short-term needs and challenges in our community.

The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region is part of a network of more than 650 community foundations around the country. Each is a tax-exempt public charity made up of funds that are established by many different donors, including individuals, families and corporations. Freeman, with her staff and board, provide the service, expertise and innovation that help private philanthropists realize their charitable gift-giving goals, without the tax headaches. The Community Foundation's largest fund is $80 million and its smallest is $10,000.

With unrestricted funds, Freeman and the Foundation also have a giving agenda of their own. Freeman realizes the importance of addressing long-term issues as well as emerging needs ~ never forgetting that the city's neediest citizens live in a perpetual state of crisis, and that “if an organization like Martha's Table goes under, there are children who won't eat tonight.” With Freeman's leadership, the Community Foundation takes on social and racial justice issues, including those that affect day laborers in the region, and the Foundation also works to help build community leadership to empower the poor and disenfranchised to advocate for themselves.

Additionally, the Foundation focuses funds to build community through the arts. Among other projects, they have invested generously to renovate the Atlas Theater in Northeast Washington , transforming the historic site into a performing arts center for the community. With the same astuteness, Freeman created the Survivors Fund to alleviate the long-term needs of those directly affected by the 9/11 tragedy in the Washington , D.C. area.

Freeman takes great pride in the annual Spirit of Giving Guide, which addresses a different issue affecting the region each year, and highlights organizations working to address that issue. This year, they highlighted 15 nonprofit organizations working East of the River. Identifying and supporting community leadership is essential to Freeman. Seven years ago, The Community Foundation created the Linowes Leadership Awards, which honor unsung heroes working to build community and inspire others through their service. More information about The Community Foundation can be found at www.cfncr.org.

A 1996 graduate of Leadership Washington, Freeman chairs the board of the Public Education Partnership (PEP) Fund, is a member of the board of directors of Venture Philanthropy Partners, which works to improve the lives of children from low-income communities, the Coalition of Community Foundations for Youth, and Greater DC Cares. She is also a member of the DC Public Charter School Association.

Terri L. Freeman is married to Dr. Bowyer Freeman, and they have three daughters.