Washington, D.C. (February 17, 2021) – The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) today announced that Mayor Bowser had honored Wacif as a 2020 DC Spirit of Service Award honoree in the Public-Private Partnership: Achievement in Collaboration category. This award acknowledges Wacif’s innovative approach to advance equity and opportunity through public-private partnerships. The DC Spirit of Service Award is an annual distinction given by the Executive Office of the Mayor for Volunteerism and Partnerships– Serve DC that spotlights residents, community-based organizations, and multi-sector partnerships advancing positive change in the city through service and civic engagement. The “Public-Private Partnership: Achievement in Collaboration Award” recognizes effective cross-sector partnerships that result in equitable solutions addressing the city’s most pressing needs.
“It is an honor to accept the 2020 Public-Private Partnership: Achievement in Collaboration Award.” said Wacif CEO Harold Pettigrew, Jr. “The spirit of our small business community is resilient, and we will continue to stand alongside entrepreneurs as they navigate their way through this uncertain period, and rebuild their businesses, and their lives.”
This honor exemplifies Wacif’s holistic efforts throughout the National Capital Region to provide small businesses with essential advisory services and financial relief. In response to the COVID-19 health and economic crisis, Wacif deployed more financial capital and advisory services than any year in the organization’s history, totaling to over $10 million in capital through grants, debt relief, and loans. This essential relief was made possible through notable high-impact public-private partnerships that continue to provide small businesses with critical resources as they undergo recovery.
The 2020 DC Spirit of Service Virtual Red-Carpet Event will be live on March 18, 2021. To watch the event, follow this link for further updates.
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About the Washington Area Community Investment Fund
The Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif) is one of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan’s area’s leading Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) focused on small business development. Wacif’s mission is to increase equity and economic opportunity in underserved communities in the Washington, D.C. area by investing knowledge, social, and financial capital in low-and-moderate-income entrepreneurs. To learn more about Wacif’s mission, visit www.wacif.org.