Community Changemakers
Wednesday, November 5, 2025, 6:00 PM | Hook HallMeet the organizations in our 2025 class of nonprofit partners! Learn more about their critical impact and get involved at this celebration of local community.
All photos at Community Changemakers by Nyseyez
About the Event
By taking small steps together, we sustain communities for the long-term. Spur Local's nonprofit partners work in tandem to address today's challenges while building a stronger future for our region. And we each play a part.Community Changemakers is a place for you to meet your nonprofit neighbors! Throughout the evening, connect with 60+ local nonprofits about what they do, how you can get involved, and where we envision going together.Join us on Wednesday, November 5, at 6pm for food, fun, drinks, and community.
Tickets
2025 Changemakers
Every year, Spur Local recognizes three individuals and organizations working to make a difference in our Greater Washington region, and celebrates their commitment, passion, and focus on relationships at our annual Community Changemakers event.This year is the first time we've opened one of our three awards to a community nomination process among our nonprofit partners. The people and stories behind these nominations moved and inspired our team deeply, and we elected to recognize more than one individual.We are thrilled to announce that our 2025 Changemaker awards will honor Charlean Rice, nominated by Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Prince George's County, Charles Hopkins, nominated by Voices for a Second Chance, and Tonia Wellons, President & CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation.
Charlean Rice
2025 Changemaker
Meet Charlean Rice, a person with a passion for helping school-aged children and young people who need hope and assistance as they transition to living independently. In 2011, she became a volunteer with Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Prince George’s County, advocating for the best interest of youth in foster care. She has worked effortlessly, advocating for several young people over the years, while also showing compassion, empathy, patience, and understanding in the process.
Charles Hopkins
2025 Changemaker
Charles Hopkins is a 73-year-old African American man whose life story is a testament to resilience, transformation, and service. After serving 48 years, 9 months, and 5 days in prison, Mr. Hopkins emerged determined to give back to his community. Today, Mr. Hopkins serves as Peer Engagement & Advocacy Coordinator at Voices for a Second Chance (VSC), where he mentors returning citizens and helps them navigate the path of reentry with dignity and hope.
Tonia Wellons
2025 Barbara Harman Changemaker in Philanthropy
Tonia Wellons is the President & CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, the largest public foundation in the Greater Washington region. Under her leadership, The Community Foundation launched a bold 10-year strategic vision to help close the region’s racial wealth gap by directing capital, strengthening civic and philanthropic infrastructure, and centering economic justice.
Sponsorship
Community Changemakers is a celebration of the nonprofit partners who work day in and day out to make our community stronger for us all. At this event, we champion the people who are on the front lines of the social issues facing our region and who make change possible.When you partner with Spur Local as a sponsor, you help us amplify the work of these critical nonprofits, fuel their growth, and continue to advocate for communities across Greater Washington. Join us today in building relationships and making meaning, together.For more information or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact Sarah Hall Aguila, Development Director, at [email protected] / 202-838-3015 x2. Additional and custom sponsorship opportunities are available.
$25,000
Presenting Sponsor
Complimentary virtual donor education event for your employees or clients, hosted by Spur Local
Opportunity to deliver spoken remarks during Community Changemakers
Named sponsorship of 4 capacity building events for local nonprofits
Named sponsorship of an All-Day prize challenge for GivingTuesday
Tickets for 10 to Community Changemakers
Table for 8 at the 2026 Give Local Gala
Recognition in the 2026 print and digital catalogs, reaching 50,000+ local households
$15,000
Regional Benefactor
Live sponsor mention during Community Changemakers
Named sponsorship of 4 capacity building events for local nonprofits
Named sponsorship of a Power Hour prize challenge for GivingTuesday
Tickets for 10 to Community Changemakers
Table for 8 at the 2026 Give Local Gala
Recognition in the 2026 print and digital catalogs, reaching 50,000+ local households
$10,000
Community Patron
Live sponsor mention during Community Changemakers
Named sponsorship of 2 capacity building events for local nonprofits
Named sponsorship of a Power Hour prize challenge for GivingTuesday
Tickets for 10 to Community Changemakers
Table for 8 at the 2026 Give Local Gala
Recognition in the 2026 print and digital catalogs, reaching 50,000+ local households
$5,000
Area Advocate
Recognition in print and digital materials at Community Changemakers
Named mentions in 4 email newsletters to local nonprofits
Tickets for 5 to Community Changemakers
Recognition in the 2026 print and digital catalogs, reaching 50,000+ local households
Sponsors
Regional Benefactor
Community Patrons
Barbara Harman and William E. Cain
Area Advocates
Aprio Advisory Group, LLC
Jennifer and Vincent Browning
The Korzeniewski Family Foundation
Advanced Patrons
In-Kind Sponsors