Our Work
Civic Tech Live Speaker Series
The Foundation is deeply honored to have sponsored the launch of an inspiring new speaker series, Civic Tech Live, hosted by the Beeck Center for Social Impact & Innovation and in memory of Erica. The inaugural speaker was Ambassador Susan Rice, whose powerful message resonated with all in attendance. She shared her profound insights on the importance of public service, staying true to the mission, and the transformative role of civic technology and innovation in shaping a better future.
The Civic tech Live 2025 featured DJ Patil and Lisa Singh, who discussed fostering dialogue at the intersection of technology, public service, and civic responsibility.
The I Care initiative
When speaking with friends, family, and colleagues about Erica, a consistent theme emerged: “She was so kind and truly cared.” In that spirit, we created the I-Care Initiative. A reflection of Erica’s name and, more importantly, her way of being. The purpose of I-Care is to provide mini-grants to individuals and communities facing immediate and meaningful need, offering timely support where it can make a real difference.
Mini Grants
#MakeEricaProud Challenge
The Arabesque Foundation invites everyone to join us to #MakeEricaProud! Each year between June 15 and July 8, we will remember Erica and celebrate her life. We ask you to commit to do one thing each of the 24 days that would make Erica proud.
Social Justice
The Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching, and Service (CSJ) at Georgetown University focuses on activism, advocacy, service, volunteerism, and community-based learning and research.
One of their programs that was particularly meaningful to Erica was the First-Year Orientation to Community Involvement (FOCI) which is an intensive pre-orientation program that serves as an introduction to community service, activism, and social justice. The Arabesque Foundation is proud to support the CSJ through an annual scholarship/award for the FOCI co-captains.
The Erica Pincus “Not Yet” Initiative: Civic Engagement & Innovation
Erica believed that innovation starts with possibility. She was passionate about finding creative solutions to everyday challenges and believed that big ideas can come from anyone, not just established hubs of innovation.
The Erica Pincus Not Yet Project supports everyday innovators and emerging leaders to think beyond what has been done, explore what’s possible, and bring new ideas to life. It’s about imagining what could be better, even if it hasn’t been done…yet.
Our first initiative supports the Youth Climate Program at The Wild Center in the Adirondacks, a place Erica truly loved. This program empowers young people to take meaningful action on climate change through Youth Climate Summits, where they develop and implement Climate Action Plans in their schools and communities. Through a global network and accessible tools, these efforts are helping to cultivate the next generation of climate leaders.
Performing Arts & Diplomacy
The Erica Pincus Arabesque Foundation is proud to support the Art of Care Initiative at The Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University. The Lab’s innovative, interdisciplinary work, bridging the performing arts with diplomacy, health, and global engagement, continues to reflect Erica’s vision of fostering a more just and joyful world.
Grounded in the belief that art and care are deeply interconnected, the initiative advances the idea that artistic expression can be a form of care, and that care itself is an art. At a time when communities are reimagining connection, healing, and belonging, this work centers on the deeply human capacities that cannot be replicated such as shared presence, vulnerability, storytelling, ethical reflection, and meaningful relationships. Through this initiative, the Foundation supports efforts to cultivate more compassionate systems, improve well-being, and reframe what it means to care for one another in an increasingly complex world.
