At Spur Local, formerly the Catalogue for Philanthropy, strengthening communities is our life’s work. As the region’s only locally-focused guide to civic engagement, we believe in the power of small nonprofits to spark big change together. A gift to Spur Local has a huge multiplier effect. It helps us amplify and support over 400 critical local nonprofits. Over the last 20 years, our organization has both raised nearly $60M for local nonprofits and grown to become the largest nonprofit capacity builder in the region, designing resources specifically for nonprofits operating with small teams and budgets. Join us in making a difference, close to home.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 6

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; MD-Montgomery County; MD-Prince George's County; MD-Frederick County; VA-Arlington County; VA-Fairfax County; VA-Loudoun County; VA-Prince William County; VA-City of Alexandria; VA-City of Fairfax; VA-City of Falls Church

Age Groups Served: Infants (0-2); Pre-K (3-4); Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24); Adult (25-49); Seniors (50+); All

Population(s) Served: Not applicable


  • Greater Washington nonprofits featured in the Catalogue for Philanthropy since 2003:   Over 500
  • Dollars raised by our nonprofit network since 2003:   $40 million and counting
  • Size of Catalogue review team, including representatives from all sectors of the nonprofit and philanthropy communities:   120
  • Number of nonprofits who've grown beyond our $3 million budget threshold while a part of the CFP network ("growth nonprofits"):   48

Awards & Recognition

GOLD (print Catalogue) and GOLD (web site) award winner for excellence in communications by the 2009 Wilmer Shields Rich Awards Program, sponsored by the Council on foundations. This was the fifth year in a row that the print Catalogue was recognized with a gold, and the first gold award for the website.

Recognized with the Harman Family Foundation as Outstanding Foundation Partner, National Capital Philanthropy Day, 2009

Featured as “one of the more innovative local philanthropic initiatives” by the Washington Post’s Steve Pearlstein, December 2007...

Barbara Harman (Founder & President recognized twice by Washingtonian Magazine as one one of the most powerful women in Washington for her work on the Catalogue for Philanthropy (2013, 2015)



Press

Budget (FY2024)

  • $3 million or higher
  • The current budget for Spur Local is: $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

About Spur Local

Every year, 190+ local nonprofits (with budgets under $4M) apply to join the Spur Local network. 170+ community volunteers assess these applications for impact. 100% of organizations are site visited and financially reviewed. Finally, 76+ critical, local nonprofits are selected for inclusion in Spur Local's annual print and digital catalog, and enter a four-year partnership with us. Since 2003, we have raised over $65 million for nonprofits across the Greater Washington region. We charge no fees and raise funds separately to support our work.

Spur Local looks to friends like you to keep our services independent and entirely free of charge. Consider a small contribution to Spur Local to cap off your gift and help the causes you care about get the full support they deserve!

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