The Maceo H. Jones Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to carrying on the lifelong work of Ms. Maceo H. Jones, a devoted servant leader focused on uplifting communities throughout the D.C. metropolitan area. Her vision began over 46 years ago with the Annual Free Thanksgiving Dinner—an event created to ensure that no one, regardless of circumstances, would be without a warm meal or a sense of belonging during the holiday season. The dinner welcomed families, seniors, veterans, the unhoused, and individuals facing hardship for more than four decades.
In June 2011, Ms. Jones expanded her outreach by hosting a Father’s Day Dinner to honor veterans of all wars. Throughout her 36 years of community service, she consistently distributed food, clothing, and essential items to those in need across Washington, D.C., and Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Ms. Jones’s work has been recognized by many leaders and institutions, including the late Mayor Marion Barry, Mr. David Allen Clarke, and Mr. Calvin and Wilhelmina Rolark. In 2011, she was honored as The United Black Fund’s “People’s Champion.” In 2016, she received a letter of appreciation from Councilmember Jack Evans for her uplifting and inspiring work in the District of Columbia. She has also received multiple Certificates of Appreciation and Proclamations from Prince George’s County Councilmembers.
Born in Washington, D.C., in 1926 to Richard and Pearl Basil, Ms. Jones attended D.C. Public Schools and later worked throughout the region. At age 26, she married the late Charles M. Jones, becoming an instant mother to one son before welcoming seven more children—four daughters and three sons. She is now blessed with 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. A devoted Christian, she attends Eastern Community Church with her eldest daughter, Mary E. Jones.
Founded in 2015, the Maceo H. Jones Foundation continues her legacy and expands her vision. Today, Ms. Jones—at 99 years old—remains an active volunteer and an inspiration to all who serve alongside her. In 2019, the Foundation received the Corporate Volunteer Service Group Award for its work at the Deanwood Rehabilitation & Wellness Center. For us, love is a verb—and we are committed to putting it into action every day as we feed families, support seniors and veterans, stand with the unhoused, invest in youth, and serve our community with dignity and compassion.
Our Mission
The Maceo H. Jones Foundation is committed to fighting food insecurity, uplifting families, and supporting seniors, veterans, and the homeless in communities across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Established to carry on Ms. Maceo H. Jones’s 36-year legacy of compassion and service, the foundation has spent the last decade providing free meals, groceries, clothing, and vital resources for individuals and families in need.
We are also dedicated to investing in our youth. By offering essential supplies, encouragement, and opportunities for growth, we help young people become confident, capable adults who can positively contribute to their communities and uphold a spirit of service.
At the heart of our mission is a simple belief: no one should ever feel forgotten.
We serve with dignity, love, and unwavering commitment, building stronger communities, one act of kindness at a time.
Moving forward, we plan to implement various programs to help people become job-ready, provide job training opportunities, offer temporary emergency shelter for those without a home, assist people in preparing for and recovering from disasters, and work towards preventing and reducing chronic homelessness.
We plan to provide meals for kids who would otherwise go without by having a food pantry and a dining hall for daily meals for anyone in need.
Will you join us to create a significant transformation in the lives of so many?
