WASHINGTON, DC, June 18, 2026 – Community of Hope has been recognized for the ninth time since 2014 as a Washington Top Workplaces. In a nonprofit sector navigating unprecedented funding pressures and growing community need, that consistency has never meant more.
The recognition is based entirely on feedback from Community of Hope’s more than 480 employees through an anonymous third-party survey conducted by Energage, a leading workplace research firm. The award is now bestowed by WTOP. Community of Hope is recognized for employees feeling respected and supported, enabled to grow, and empowered to execute, among other key measures.
“Receiving this honor for the ninth time is deeply meaningful,” said Kelly Sweeney McShane, President and CEO of Community of Hope. “The nonprofit sector has faced extraordinary pressure over the past several years: cuts to public funding, lots of uncertainty and change, and increased need in the communities we serve for housing stability and access to healthcare. And yet our staff have shown up every single day with care, creativity, and commitment. This award reflects that. Culture isn’t just something we talk about — it’s something our team builds together, every day, in service of something much bigger than any one of us.”
Kessia Cruz, Chair of the Board of Directors, pointed to the role of sustained leadership in building that culture: “Twenty-five years of consistent, values-driven leadership under Kelly has shaped an organization where staff feel genuinely supported — and that shows up in what our teams are able to accomplish for families across DC.”
That connection between staff culture and community outcomes was on clear display over the past year. Community of Hope completed an evaluation of its HONEY program — an innovative model supporting pregnant people experiencing homelessness through prenatal care and dedicated perinatal coordination — serving 191 clients in 2025. The third party evaluation demonstrated that participants experienced preterm birth rates at roughly half the DC Medicaid average. The organization also converted its Girard Street location into a family overflow shelter, stepping up to meet the growing need for family housing in the District. Critically, Community of Hope continued to advocate for system change at the local level on both housing and health systems and for stable funding for programs that connect community members to resources.
Previously recognized as a Top Workplace in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2024, and 2025, Community of Hope has also earned national honors from Top Workplaces in 2023 for Nonprofit Industry and Women-led Organizations.
The Top Workplaces celebrated honorees at an awards ceremony on Thursday, June 18. View the full list of winners, here. We are the only Federally Qualified Health Center in DC to receive this year’s designation.
About Community of Hope
Founded in 1980, the mission of Community of Hope (COH) is to improve health, end homelessness, and partner with communities to make Washington, DC more equitable. We operate three community health centers, a community resource hub, and a Family Success Center. Our health services include medical, dental emotional wellness, and pharmacy services and extensive patient support for 15,403 patients in 2025. We work to end and prevent homelessness by providing housing and supportive services for 1,653 families and individuals in 2025. A Family Success Center connects over 500 people a year to resources. Community of Hope is building a strong and sustainable organization that is caring for families, improving lives, and leading change.
About Energage
Making the world a better place to work together.TM
Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 20 years of culture research and the results from 30 million employees surveyed across more than 80,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.
###
