ANCC: Integrating Service, Sustainability and Stewardship

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

Army Navy Country Club has intentionally embedded community engagement, sustainability, and service into its daily operations, strengthening the club’s role as both a premier private club and a responsible community partner. Through environmental stewardship, public safety partnerships, workforce development programs, and charitable initiatives, ANCC has expanded its operational impact beyond member services to create meaningful community value.

These efforts have enhanced club operations by fostering a strong culture of purpose among employees, encouraging leadership development, and reinforcing ANCC’s commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and civic responsibility. Programs such as LEED certification, partnerships with Arlington Fire and Police Departments for training exercises, and internship opportunities for students with disabilities demonstrate operational excellence while supporting broader community needs. Collectively, these initiatives elevate staff engagement, strengthen community trust, and reinforce ANCC’s reputation as a values-driven organization.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

This approach was implemented through long-standing partnerships with local organizations, schools, nonprofits, and public agencies, integrated thoughtfully into club operations and programming. ANCC collaborates with Arlington County Schools through the Program for Employment Preparedness, supports job readiness through internships and Hire Autism, and encourages employee-led volunteerism with organizations such as Canine Companions and Aspire Afterschool Learning. The club also supports food insecurity initiatives through Arlington Food Assistance Center, maintains public spaces through Adopt-A-Stop, and provides ongoing support for military families through Deploy Our Dress and Toys for Tots.

Member engagement plays a key role, particularly through signature events such as the Yellow Ribbon Fund Golf Classic, which has raised over $1 million in support of injured service members, and annual Brunch with Santa events that benefit Toys for Tots. Members have responded very positively to these efforts, expressing pride in belonging to a club that actively supports its community, honors military families, and invests in future generations. These initiatives have strengthened member loyalty, enhanced the club’s identity, and reinforced a shared sense of purpose between the club, its staff, and its membership.

• We are a LEED-certified golf course and clubhouse, demonstrating our commitment to environmental sustainability.
• We work closely with Arlington Fire and Police Departments, providing our property and ponds for training exercises, including water rescue drills and drone launches.
• We partner with Arlington County Schools through the Program for Employment Preparedness (PEP), offering students with disabilities valuable, hands-on internship opportunities in a real-world work environment.
• Among our employees, some volunteer as puppy raisers for Canine Companions, preparing service dogs to assist individuals with disabilities.
• Other employees support students through Aspire Afterschool Learning, an organization that helps historically underserved youth expand their academic and personal potential.
• Adopt a Bus Stop, ensuring cleaner and safer public spaces.
• Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), which fights food insecurity in our community.
• We are also proud supporters of Deploy Our Dress, which provides free formal attire to military families.
• The Arlington Police and Fire Golf Tournament, which benefits first responders and local initiatives.
• The Yellow Ribbon Fund has hosted its Golf Classic at ANCC for over fifteen years during which time, ANCC has helped the charity raise over $1,000,000. Each participating foursome consists of three donors plus an injured service member. Many of these young heroes are playing with prosthetic arms or legs or both. In addition to the golf tournament, ANCC’s Swim & Dive Team holds an Aquathon where donations they bring in go directly to the Yellow Ribbon Fund.
• Leadership Arlington is a nine-month program at the Leadership Center for Excellence. It is for established leaders, designed to strengthen and build community. ANCC’s involvement means an increased source of quality leaders in the community, assistance to our ANCC leaders in their development, matching their skills and interests with the needs of the community; and a leadership base with broadened perspectives, prepared to more effectively guide our community into the future. ANCC’s GM along with four members have successfully completed the program.
• The Arlington Career Center offers a unique job internship program for high school students with mild to moderate disabilities. ANCC accepts up to three students each semester and provides them with an opportunity to intern in our kitchen, restaurant, and housekeeping departments. This mutually beneficial partnership helps provide these students with the basic skills required for jobs in the workplace.
• ANCC has worked with Hire Autism which connects job seekers with autism to businesses in need of their skills. Their job board allows a business to post a job for these candidates, review their profiles, and contact applicants directly.
• ANCC supports more than 10 local high schools, colleges, and universities between both its Arlington and Fairfax campus by giving their golf teams the ability to utilize the practice facilities and golf courses free of charge throughout the year.
• ANCC partners with Arlington Transportation Partners & Arlington Transit and has committed to being a good neighbor within the community by volunteering to Adopt-A-Stop. In the past, ANCC was awarded Champion of the Month by Arlington County Transportation in 2015.
• Every December, we hold three large events (2,650 people attend) for our members called Brunch with Santa. We ask our members to bring new unwrapped toys that we then donate to Toys for Tots.