After seven years, the executive director of local nonprofit Arlington Thrive, Andrew Schneider, is stepping down.
“After much reflection and discernment, I have decided to step down as Executive Director of Arlington Thrive to pursue other opportunities,” Schneider announced in an email Wednesday evening. “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you to deliver Arlington Thrive’s mission over the past seven years.”
Arlington Thrive provides direct, emergency financial assistance to eligible residents to pay for unexpected medical expenses, rent and utility payments, “and other crippling expenses,” according to the website. Originally a faith-based nonprofit addressing community needs, the nearly 50-year-old organization rebranded in 2013 as Arlington Thrive to “embrace our vision of progress, which includes all Arlingtonians regardless of creed.”
During the first year of the pandemic, requests jumped seven times over requests made in 2019, and the nonprofit worked with Arlington County and many other nonprofits to ensure people weren’t evicted and had food on the table.
Schneider said the health crisis pushed Thrive to build “an incredible team who have responded to the pandemic, and the needs of the thousands of families we serve, with compassion and professionalism” while “managing more than $10 million in eviction prevention assistance.”
During his tenure, and accelerated by the pandemic, the organization transitioned “from a volunteer driven non-profit to a technology-forward operation that is almost completely virtual,” Schneider said.
His achievements included stepping up initiatives to connect residents with affordable child care and establish the Arlington Interfaith Network, which brings together clergy, local leaders and Thrive staff to address community needs. In addition, the nonprofit has worked with local nonprofit Arlington Community Foundation, elected officials and the Arlington County Department of Human Services to improve the safety net for vulnerable residents.
“Throughout the last seven years, one thing has remained constant, Thrive’s vision — a community where all have homes, are financially stable, and thrive,” he said. “While it is not yet fully realized, I know we are closer than we once were, and, with continued collaboration and investment, we will get there.”
His former organization sent well wishes on social media.
After seven years guiding Arlington Thrive, Andrew Schneider is stepping down as ED this month. Andrew has been a driving force in the success of Thrive. We are grateful for Andrew’s commitment and dedication, and we wish him all the best. pic.twitter.com/aHXtQNrlgV
— Arlington Thrive (@ArlingtonThrive) January 11, 2023
Susan Cunningham will serve as the interim executive director while Arlington Thrive searches for a permanent leader. She recently served as the interim CEO of affordable housing nonprofit AHC, Inc., steering the ship after Walter Webdale retired amid reports of poor conditions and maintenance at its Serrano Apartments complex on Columbia Pike.
“Susan brings extensive experience leading nonprofits and community organizations,” Schneider said. “She is already working closely with us to ensure a smooth transition.”
During the pandemic, Arlington Thrive saw an uptick in donations as well as applications from locals who needed emergency assistance, per a 2020-21 audit available on the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. At the time, auditors recommended Arlington Thrive improve how employees submit timesheets, as well as how they document and evaluate the financial needs of clients. Thrive concurred and made several changes, such as upgrading its database for case management and hiring a quality assurance specialist.
In the current budget, Arlington County set aside $25,000 to go toward the salary of the nonprofit’s child care coordinator, who is working to help nearly two dozen clients find child care. Over the last two fiscal years, the county paid nearly $40,000 to the nonprofit for a case management pilot aimed at helping families at risk of homelessness.
