About Care To Lunch...
It started as a casual idea in October 2010 to gather a group of friends together for lunch in support of a worthy cause (October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month). As I was helping to plan a luncheon (celebrating Tigerlily Foundation's founder Maimah Karmo), it occurred to me that there should be regular lunches to highlight the work of local non-profits. None existed. After contemplating the idea with some friends, the decision was made to launch with an inaugural luncheon the following month with nearly 20 supporters lunching for the Pajama Program. In a few short months, the idea blossomed into a regular lunch series to support the area's deserving non-profit organizations by giving a forum to raise awareness and a portion of the
lunch proceeds. We currently lunch in Tyson's Corner, VA.
In 2013, we began a wonderful collaboration with The Community Foundation for the National Region ("CFNCR") and are immensely grateful for their support. Every organization featured now receives a mini grant from CFCNR, thus allowed us to reduce the price to cover just the cost of lunch.
Care To Lunch is a personal reflection; inspired in part, by all the worthy causes I have had the priviledge of coming in contact with - and perhaps more importantly by the amazingly dedicated individuals who do great and selfless work. But quite frankly, the concept was born of somewhat selfish motivations too. The simple format of having lunch with friends, making connections and giving back, serve my needs to efficiently use my time and resources as a mom to young children. As much as I would love to attend every fundraiser and gala I am invited to, I simply cannot. The idea is to incorporate the best of all things - in a comfortable format that encompassed all those things I love to do - eat, share and contribute in my own small way. And if nothing else, I hope to have inspired you to look at charitable giving not by measuring the size of a check but rather by considering all the simple things you can do to help...look, listen, share & perhaps most important, volunteer and get involved. That often makes the greatest impact, especially for a smaller organization.
So whatever your particular needs are - whether social, business or philanthropic, I hope Care To Lunch will satisfy one or all of those needs. There is no commitment other than an invitation to join in the efforts to make a small difference in our communities. I hope you will lunch with us soon - I look forward to meeting you!
Warmly,
Nina Un
Founder
Some Frequently Asked Questions...
Who are the attendees?
Our supporters reflect a cross-section of the multicultural demographic that is the Washington, DC metropolitan area. We are professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, community members, and yes, "ladies who lunch" too! I hope to bring everyone to the table! This is easy networking...with a heart!
Why the price?
A reduced price of $25 is possible due to the generous support of The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region. Originally it was $35 and a portion was donated to the featured non-profit. Obviously, a portion of $35 will not translate to a huge check, but nor is it the intent of Care To Lunch to be a big fundraiser for any organization. It's about giving a platform for the organizations to raise awareness and to make connections; for possible future volunteers, members, donations. Recognizing that networking and philanthropy can get expensive, my goal is to make it as reasonable as possible so that all may attend without the burden of the checkbook. The mathematics behind the $35 was quite simple: what's left over after the cost of lunch goes to the non-profit.
How do you choose the organization?
There are countless organizations making a difference everyday. I hope to touch on different issues and shine a spotlight on local groups - those that may have been overlooked or overshadowed by larger organizations, or ones that inspire me, or even perhaps just something of personal significance to me. As this series has evolved, the number of requests from non-profit organizations have grown. Even with a monthly schedule, it is impossible to accommodate every request immediately. A level of due diligence is required and I do my best to research the organizations I wish to profile. I love finding little gems of organizations but I recognize that even in philanthropy, there's a fair share of a rotten apples in the barrel. It is important to me that the organizations highlighted are ones worthy of your time and attention. Fortunately, I also have the resources of CFNCR to support due diligence efforts. In order to receive the CFNCR grant, the organization must be registered as 501c3.
lunch proceeds. We currently lunch in Tyson's Corner, VA.
In 2013, we began a wonderful collaboration with The Community Foundation for the National Region ("CFNCR") and are immensely grateful for their support. Every organization featured now receives a mini grant from CFCNR, thus allowed us to reduce the price to cover just the cost of lunch.
Care To Lunch is a personal reflection; inspired in part, by all the worthy causes I have had the priviledge of coming in contact with - and perhaps more importantly by the amazingly dedicated individuals who do great and selfless work. But quite frankly, the concept was born of somewhat selfish motivations too. The simple format of having lunch with friends, making connections and giving back, serve my needs to efficiently use my time and resources as a mom to young children. As much as I would love to attend every fundraiser and gala I am invited to, I simply cannot. The idea is to incorporate the best of all things - in a comfortable format that encompassed all those things I love to do - eat, share and contribute in my own small way. And if nothing else, I hope to have inspired you to look at charitable giving not by measuring the size of a check but rather by considering all the simple things you can do to help...look, listen, share & perhaps most important, volunteer and get involved. That often makes the greatest impact, especially for a smaller organization.
So whatever your particular needs are - whether social, business or philanthropic, I hope Care To Lunch will satisfy one or all of those needs. There is no commitment other than an invitation to join in the efforts to make a small difference in our communities. I hope you will lunch with us soon - I look forward to meeting you!
Warmly,
Nina Un
Founder
Some Frequently Asked Questions...
Who are the attendees?
Our supporters reflect a cross-section of the multicultural demographic that is the Washington, DC metropolitan area. We are professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, community members, and yes, "ladies who lunch" too! I hope to bring everyone to the table! This is easy networking...with a heart!
Why the price?
A reduced price of $25 is possible due to the generous support of The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region. Originally it was $35 and a portion was donated to the featured non-profit. Obviously, a portion of $35 will not translate to a huge check, but nor is it the intent of Care To Lunch to be a big fundraiser for any organization. It's about giving a platform for the organizations to raise awareness and to make connections; for possible future volunteers, members, donations. Recognizing that networking and philanthropy can get expensive, my goal is to make it as reasonable as possible so that all may attend without the burden of the checkbook. The mathematics behind the $35 was quite simple: what's left over after the cost of lunch goes to the non-profit.
How do you choose the organization?
There are countless organizations making a difference everyday. I hope to touch on different issues and shine a spotlight on local groups - those that may have been overlooked or overshadowed by larger organizations, or ones that inspire me, or even perhaps just something of personal significance to me. As this series has evolved, the number of requests from non-profit organizations have grown. Even with a monthly schedule, it is impossible to accommodate every request immediately. A level of due diligence is required and I do my best to research the organizations I wish to profile. I love finding little gems of organizations but I recognize that even in philanthropy, there's a fair share of a rotten apples in the barrel. It is important to me that the organizations highlighted are ones worthy of your time and attention. Fortunately, I also have the resources of CFNCR to support due diligence efforts. In order to receive the CFNCR grant, the organization must be registered as 501c3.
About Nina
Nina is a suburban wife and mom who rediscovered a passion for volunteerism and non-profit work while working as a campaign volunteer for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in early 2010. She supports numerous charitable causes and is an active volunteer in her community. Her most recent commitments include spearheading the Jade Philanthropy Society, a project she co-founded to encourage leadership & facilitate local philanthropy by Asian Americans in the metropolitan area. Professionally, Nina returned to her financial services career in late 2011 after a hiatus to be a stay-at-home-mom and is currently with the Juergensen Group at Merrill Lynch in Washington, DC. With her volunteerism, Nina hopes to make a small difference & facilitate meaningful connections for organizations & participants, but above all else, set a standard for volunteerism and service for her young boys.
