CLA announced 2026 VBC Fund grantees, with 11 nonprofits receiving $70,000 through the CLA Foundation.
Today, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), one of the largest professional services firms in the United States with a growing global presence, announced the 2026 Virtual Belonging Communities Fund grantees. This year, 11 nonprofit organizations will receive a total of $70,000 in funding through the CLA Foundation, including eight general operating support grants and three program support grants.
The Virtual Belonging Communities Fund is an annual, employee-driven grantmaking program that supports organizations aligned with CLA’s affinity groups, focusing on education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
“The Virtual Belonging Communities Fund reflects the passion our people bring to the communities around them,” said Susan Carter, Executive Director of the CLA Foundation. “These grants support organizations whose work aligns with our mission and honors the interests of our people. We are proud of the program.”
The 2026 Virtual Belonging Communities Fund grantees are:
- Easterseals Midwest
- Pegasus Farm
- Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, Inc.
- Museum of Chinese in America
- The Center for Teen Empowerment
- Operation Fresh Start
- LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland
- Front Porch Arts Collective
- CREO DuPage
- Newhouse
- Women’s Business Enterprise Center – East
*Final funding decisions are made by each VBC grant review committee, reinforcing the program's employee-led nature.
“Each grantee was specifically chosen because they reflect the values of the VBC Fund and the thoughtful process behind it,” said Saundra Beatty, Director of Employment Practices at CLA and CLA Foundation Board Chair. “It is important and an honor to support organizations whose work helps strengthen access to opportunity in the communities they serve.”
Through the Virtual Belonging Communities Fund, CLA and the CLA Foundation continue to support organizations whose work aligns with the firm’s values while encouraging deeper employee engagement throughout the year. The program is also designed to help build lasting relationships with grantees beyond the initial grant cycle.
Since its inception, the CLA Foundation has granted more than $16.5 million in communities nationwide. The Foundation does not accept external grant proposals; all nominations originate from CLA family members and support the mission of connecting diverse networks to create career opportunities through education, employment and entrepreneurship.
About CLA
CLA exists to create opportunities for our clients, our people, and our communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. With nearly 9,300 people, about 120 U.S. locations, and a global vision, we promise to know you and help you. CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) is an independent network member of CLA Global. See CLAglobal.com/disclaimer. Investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor.