About AGGW

Alternative Gifts of Greater Washington, Inc. (AGGW) was founded on the premise that sometimes the most thoughtful gift you can give someone is a donation to charity in their honor. Alternative gifts fill a direct and tangible need, such as books for children in transitional housing or a water filter for a family in Haiti. Family members and friends are touched to know that the gift they have just received will have a very real and meaningful impact on people and communities in need.

Beneficary organizations address some of the most pressing problems in our world today. They are working to eradicate poverty and hunger, provide disaster relief, shelter the homeless, give children access to education, attend to medical needs and protect our environment.

Inspired by the work of Alternative Gifts International, AGGW sponsors alternative gift fairs in the Washington, DC area. AGGW also works to spread the word about opportunities to visit the many gift fairs and markets in the DC region. At an alternative gift fair, a shopper finds causes to match the interests and passions of everyone on their holiday shopping list.

Alternative Gifts of Greater Washington, Inc. (AGGW) grew out of a project started by the Center for a New American Dream. In 1999, the Center hosted the first annual Takoma Park Alternative Gift Fair. The Takoma Park fair was embraced so warmly by the community that a group of volunteers realized there was an opportunity to create a separate organization dedicated to promoting the giving of alternative gifts in the DC area. In 2004, the project evolved into an incorporated, nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors.

Board of Directors:
Gina Duffin, Co-Chair
Colin O’Brien, Co-Chair
J McCray, Treasurer
Caron Whitaker, Secretary
Sean Sheehan