WILLIAM AND LANAEA C FEATHERSTONE FOUNDATION INC
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our overarching portfolio consists of programs that fit into two main categories: Economic Advancement and Equality. We exist to provide services that help immigrant families achieve equitable economic growth.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Computer Literacy: Empowering Immigrants One "Click" at a Time
The Featherstone Foundation organizes its signature, eight-week, digital literacy program: Empowering Latinos, One “Click” at a Time.
Our robust computer literacy program taught the Latinx community digital literacy skills with the goal of increasing their employment opportunities and enhancing their ability to support their children academically. As a result of the course, our trainees achieved tremendous outcomes. For the first time, they learned to use the Internet, create resumes for professional development and improve their overall digital footprint.
During the course of the program, we served 22 adults from the following countries: El Salvador, (32%); Mexico (23%), Ecuador (14%), Honduras (14%) and 17% from other countries (Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Peru and Venezuela).
Workforce Development: Reaching New Heights
The Featherstone Foundation’s work creates career pathways for underrepresented communities. Our Workforce program, Reaching New Heights has placed candidates from international backgrounds and those from Latin communities into promising careers in the financial services industries.
We continue to help underemployed and unemployed communities receive jobs through our flagship initiative, Reaching New Heights program. The promising multilingual candidates are selected through a competitive application and interview process to participate in our 8-week, workforce program to receive job training and secure meaningful careers. The program incubates multilingual talent and provides a pipeline for employers to tap qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds.
Economic Impact: Our trainees now work at Bank of America, Fulton Bank, Howard Bank, Maryland Live Casino, MECU, PNC, Pandora, SECU, State Farm, Truist, Wells Fargo, and other organizations, earning between $9,000 and $42,000 more
Featherstone College Scholarship Program
The Featherstone College Scholarship program works to mitigate the economical strain and empower students from underrepresented communities to achieve academic equity in higher education. In 2023, twenty-seven outstanding students, who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education, will receive $3,000 Featherstone College Scholarships.
Since 2017, we have provided over $230,000 through 101 scholarship awards to students in Baltimore and the surrounding countries with financial support, plus training, mentoring and professional development workshops. Our robust program has a track record of providing opportunities for stellar students from economically challenged backgrounds to attend college. Our scholarships lessen the financial burden on families, make graduation
Our scholarships lessen financial burdens, making graduation attainable for many first-generation students. We hav strong academic partnerships: The University of Baltimore, Coppin State and Morgan State.
Where we work
Awards
Community Service Award 2022
Latino Providers Network
James W. Rouse Excellence in Diversity Award 2021
Chesapeake Human Resources Association
Resolution 2019
Councilman Zeke Cohen
Citation 2016
Former Governor Larry Hogan
Baltimore Gas and Electric 2016
Community Service Award
Greater Mondawmin Coordinating Council 2016
Community Service Award
Nonprofit of the Year 2015
Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Community Service Award 2015
Latino Providers’ Network
MELLFIN Family Engagement Award 2015
English Language Learner Family Involvement Network
Community Service Award 2008
Winchester Homes
External reviews

Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of employment placements defined as temporary or seasonal
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Women and girls
Related Program
Workforce Development: Reaching New Heights
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of participants who gain employment
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
Related Program
Workforce Development: Reaching New Heights
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Average change in income of clients served (in dollars)
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
Related Program
Workforce Development: Reaching New Heights
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
We are so proud that our 2019-2020 graduates secured employment at Bank of America, BB&T now Truist, Fulton Bank, Live Casino, and PNC and other organizations, earning between $16,000 and $39,000 more
Number of employer partners offering jobs to clients
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
Related Program
Workforce Development: Reaching New Heights
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
We are so proud that our 2019-2020 graduates secured employment at Bank of America, BB&T now Truist, Fulton Bank, Live Casino, and PNC and other organizations, earning between $16,000 and $39,000 more
Number of clients receiving health care benefits as part of wage package
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Workforce Development: Reaching New Heights
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
All participants that received positions in this cohort received benefits for the first time - or are eligible for benefits from the employer.
Additional revenue and wages generated attributable to the organization's efforts
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Immigrants and migrants
Related Program
Workforce Development: Reaching New Heights
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The combined salary increase of the 9 individuals that received employment is $156,160
Number of entrance scholarships and awards and exit scholarships
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Featherstone College Scholarship Program
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Since 2017, the Featherstone Foundation has provided over $230,000 through 101 scholarships to students from 20 countries who now attend 12 institutions.
Total dollar amount of scholarship awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Featherstone College Scholarship Program
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of students who receive scholarship funds and/or tuition assistance
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
In 2023, twenty-seven outstanding students, who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education, will receive $3,000 Featherstone College Scholarships.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Strategic
Expand the Board of Directors
Grow the organizations’ budget to $300,000
Invest heavily on monitoring and evaluation to capture the impact of our work
Build a solid alumni network
Programmatic
Expand our footprint in the Black community
Invigorate our work in the Latino community
Develop new programs aligned with our mission, including support for high-school graduates and Black and Latino Girls in school and college
Develop paid multicultural awareness and language immersion corporate courses that brings additional revenue to the foundation
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
2023 Fundraising Plan
1.) Invite long-term supporters and funding partners to increase giving levels
2.) Redirect program support to general support for long-term sustainability
3.) Attract new corporate donors that align with our mission
4.) Leverage existing resources with matching grants
5.) Host an annual fundraising event
6.) Generate corporate courses that bring cash flow to the organization
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The William & Lanaea C. Featherstone Foundation, an award-winning nonprofit (501c3), has an unparalleled reputation for advancing economic outcomes of underrepresented communities. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation has been supporting first-generation students to achieve higher education with college scholarships and tackling unemployment and underemployment through our innovative workforce program that places participants in meaningful careers. To date, we have worked with hundreds of families from 29 countries who speak more than 40 languages. We have an unparalleled reputation for advancing economic outcomes of underserved and underrepresented communities.
Featherstone Scholarship Program: In 2023, Twenty-seven outstanding students, who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education, will receive $3,000 Featherstone College Scholarships. Since 2017, the Featherstone Foundation has provided over $230,000 through 98 scholarships to students from 20 countries who now attend 12 institutions.
Workforce Development Program: Reaching New Heights, our hallmark workforce development program, creates career pathways for underrepresented, underemployed and unemployed communities. Our program provides a pipeline for employers to tap qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds. Our graduates now work at Bank of America, Fulton Bank, Howard Bank, MECU, PNC, SECU, State Farm, Truist, Wells Fargo, earning between $9,000 and $79,000 more in wages, plus benefits. Our multilingual candidates are selected through a competitive application and interview process to participate in our 10-week program.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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Who are the people you serve with your mission?
As of February 2022, The Featherstone Foundation has successfully developed proven methodologies to narrow the opportunity gap as demonstrated by our track record, our solid partnerships and improved economic outcomes of individuals, families and communities. We take into account the systems, policies and practices that have shaped the City’s economic disparities because of race. Leadership: Founder: Black, Spanish-speaking female 100% minority-owned Foundation Team: 100% female run leadership team 100% Black/African-American Board Composition: 50% Black/African-American 25% Hispanic/ Latinx 25% White Our Audience/Beneficiaries: The Featherstone Foundation has a deep commitment to providing solutions that change the lives of historically marginalized communities, particularly
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
WILLIAM AND LANAEA C FEATHERSTONE FOUNDATION INC
Board of directorsas of 03/25/2023
Mr. William Featherstone
William & Lanaea C. Featherstone Foundation
Term: 2008 -
Johnny Yataco
The Washington Hispanic Newspaper
Lanaea Featherstone
The Featherstone Foundation
William Featherstone
The Featherstone Foundation
Peter V Savage
Passport Health, Inc.
Juliana Lopez
The Featherstone Foundation
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
Equity strategies
Last updated: 03/25/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.