North Capitol Main Street receives grant from Cafritz Foundation

See this North Capitol Main Street announcement from President Pat Mitchell:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NORTH CAPITOL MAIN STREET RECEIVES FIRST GRANT FROM THE MORRIS AND GWENDOLYN CAFRITZ FOUNDATION
Major DC Foundation Makes Investment in North Capitol Corridor

Washington, DC—May 4, 2010

North Capitol Main Street, Inc. (NCMS) announced today that it has been awarded a $20,000 grant from The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. The Cafritz Foundation gift—the most significant grant from a private foundation in NCMS history—will help to sustain the organization’s economic revitalization agenda for the North Capitol corridor in 2010.

“The support of the Cafritz Foundation comes at a critical time for NCMS, as we work to expand our base of funding to ensure the future of our programs,” said NCMS President Patricia Ellis Mitchell. “The North Capitol corridor has so much promise, and
this significant investment by one of DC’s most prominent foundations is a vote of confidence in the future of our neighborhood—and in North Capitol Main Street’s ability to make a difference.”

The funds from the Cafritz Foundation will enhance the organization’s capacity to promote and support area businesses and the community through programs underwriting aesthetic enhancements, cultural activities highlighting the neighborhood, and technical assistance. The grant will also catalyze efforts to define a cohesive “identity” for the area.

Founded in 1948, the Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life for residents of the Washington, DC area. The largest private, independent, local foundation focused exclusively on the D.C. metropolitan area, the foundation has made awards totaling more than $314 million since 1970. In the last 10 years, $169 million has been awarded to more than 960 organizations in the areas of Community Services, Arts and Humanities, Education, Health and the Environment. North Capitol Main Street was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2003 to revitalize the North Capitol corridor by investing in its commercial district.

Designated an official “Main Street” program and funded by the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development in 2008, NCMS promotes economic revitalization for the benefit of the community through initiatives to highlight local businesses, strengthen businesses through information and training, and improve the safety and aesthetics of the corridor.

CONTACT: Jonathan Taylor
Executive Director
North Capitol Main
Street, Inc.
202-905-6039
jtaylor@ncmsinc.org

###