Claude Moore Opportunities has created the J Hamilton Lambert Endowed Fund to honor the legacy and accomplishments of a leader who led Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, and whose decades of public service helped shape Northern Virginia into a vibrant, equitable, and forward-looking community.
As Fairfax County Executive and later as Executive Director of the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, Mr. Lambert has championed thoughtful governance, access to opportunity, and the power of civic engagement. A quiet force behind landmark initiatives in land preservation, education, and health equity – he has worked behind the scenes to make a lasting impact on people’s lives.
After his retirement from local government, Mr. Lambert was appointed Executive Director of the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, where he transformed its scale and impact from a relatively modest philanthropic entity into a powerful force for equity, education, and community development across Virginia. Drawing on his experience in regional planning and public service, Mr. Lambert professionalized the foundation’s operations and dramatically expanded its strategic vision. Under his leadership he grew the initial endowment from $12 million to over $250 million, allowing for a significant expansion of grantmaking capacity. The Foundation aligned its strategic priorities towards human services within Loudoun county, K-12 education and workforce development, especially those affecting underrepresented and underserved communities. And he founded its signature programs, including the Claude Moore Scholars Program, support for community health clinics, and investments in STEM and literacy programs.
The Foundation’s influence has now expanded beyond Loudoun County to impact every region of Virginia, often in partnership with public institutions, school divisions, and other foundations, becoming a sought-after partner for initiatives requiring both strategic leadership and flexible funding. Today, the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, and its sister organization Claude Moore Opportunities, has become known not just for its philanthropy, but for its thought leadership in the nonprofit and public sectors. Under Lambert’s stewardship, it combined visionary goals with practical, high-leverage investments—quietly transforming thousands of lives and entire systems of access.
The Fund will support the Claude Moore Scholars Program, one of the most impactful initiatives of the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation. His vision was to create a comprehensive pipeline program that provided education, certification, and career placement support—starting as early as high school. The program has transformed how high school students – particularly in underserved and rural communities – access health science careers in Virginia. Since its creation, the program has empowered thousands of students with the tools, training, and confidence to pursue meaningful careers in healthcare and beyond.
“The creation of this fund is not only a tribute to Mr. Lambert’s life’s work—it’s an investment in the future of Virginia’s healthcare workforce.”
— William Hazel Jr., M.D., CEO, Claude Moore Opportunities
The J Hamilton Lambert Endowed Fund will be awarded annually and will help ensure that Mr. Lambert’s values – vision, service, humility, and excellence – continue to guide and inspire for generations to come.
We invite you to join us in honoring his legacy by making a gift to the Fund.
