Crossroads Jobs has received a Platinum Achievement Award from the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties “for significant internal growth and operational improvements since beginning as an all-volunteer startup organization in 2012.” The $2,000 grant was the outcome of a competitive process to select one Loudoun nonprofit in each of three size categories who have demonstrated outstanding internal innovation and improved operations over the past five years.
Among the results cited in the award to Crossroads Jobs were: increased capacity to expand services; improved accessibility to serve the Spanish-speaking community: board development: upgraded data systems to measure outcomes; partnerships with local employers and nonprofits; and community leadership in workforce development and human services.
“Today, we applaud what’s ‘under the hood’ of a nonprofit,” said Community Foundation Board Chair Tracey White. “From strategic planning to software upgrades to staffing expansion, our grants review team was looking for local charities that have invested in their internal systems and advanced their operations in ways that made their business model better, stronger, and with greater impact to support their mission.”
Crossroads Jobs provides individualized job search and placement services at no cost to Loudoun area applicants and employers. Since the organization began operations in 2012, they have found more than 350 jobs for local residents, many of whom faced significant barriers to securing and maintaining employment.
“We are proud to receive this recognition of our stewardship in building a small, solid organization to serve a vital need in Loudoun,” said Executive Director of Crossroads Jobs Carol Smith. “Our dedicated staff and volunteers, as well as our supportive board and generous donors, deserve this affirmation of their hard work to help their jobless and underemployed neighbors.”
Funding for the Platinum Achievement Award grants was provided by donations made to the Community Foundation’s Faces of Loudoun Grantmaking Fund, and marks the celebration of their 20th anniversary.
“We are so grateful for the Foundation’s support of local nonprofits,” Smith said. “They are truly a positive force in the Loudoun community.”