Our Mission

Our mission is to empower individuals to lead, grow, and transform their communities through leadership development, mentorship, and transformative experiences.

"Building Leaders. Changing Worlds."

At the Derrick Wood Foundation, we believe that strong leaders create lasting change. We are dedicated to investing in people, because a better world starts with equipping leaders to make an impact—both locally and globally.

The Derrick Wood Foundation is committed to developing leaders who change the world. We focus on mentorship, community investment, and global impact by:

✅ Equipping youth with leadership skills through hands-on mentorship programs.
✅ Providing scholarships to help students reach their educational goals.
✅ Supporting communities in need through service projects and international initiatives.

Locally, we provide resources and recognition to outstanding community leaders. 

Globally, we are focused on shifting mindsets and creating opportunities in developing nations like Ghana, where we supply food, school materials, and entrepreneurship training.

Signature Events

Our annual fundraising events are at the heart of our mission, directly supporting scholarships, youth leadership programs, and our global outreach efforts.

🎉 Mayor’s Ball – A prestigious celebration honoring community leaders while raising funds for scholarships and youth initiatives. Last year, we raised $10,000, recognizing local heroes like Fox 5’s Dumfries Hometown Hero Tisha Lewis and Living Legends like Clyde and Gwen Washington.

⛳ Father’s Appreciation Golf Tournament – A day of golf to honor fatherhood while funding mentorship and international service projects.

Programs & Initiatives

Through our targeted programs, we ensure that leadership development is accessible and impactful:

🚀 Youth Leadership Program – Designed for high school students, this mentorship initiative provides young leaders with guidance, skills, and real-world leadership experience. Our pilot program launched with five mentees in 2025.

🎓 Scholarships & Charitable Giving – Since the foundation’s inception, we’ve awarded over $50,000 in scholarships to help students reach their full potential.

🌍 International Service Projects – For the past two years, we have provided food and school supplies for over 80 youth in Ghana. We are currently raising funds to repair a school roof and build an indoor hydro-garden that will teach gardening and entrepreneurship to local students.

How You Can Get Involved

Want to make a difference? Here’s how you can support our mission:
✅ Attend Our Signature Events – Join us at the Mayor’s Ball or Father’s Golf Tournament to support our programs.
✅ Nominate a Young Leader – Know a high school student who could benefit from our leadership program? Send them our way!
✅ Recognize a Community Hero – Help us honor outstanding local leaders at our Community Awards Gala.

Contact Us

Be a part of the movement. Join us in building leaders and changing worlds.
📧 Email: info@derrickRwood.com