The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge announces over $128,000 in competitive community grants to 30 organizations serving the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro, and the counties of Augusta and Nelson. This is the first year the Community Foundation has exceeded the $100,000 mark in its competitive grant program, representing nearly a 65% increase over last year. The milestone is reached as the Community Foundation marks its 15th year anniversary. Funding for these grants is made possible by a combination of the unrestricted and field of interest funds established and grown by the donations of generous, community-minded individuals and increasingly favorable investment returns on endowed funds.
“Our sustained effort to build a strong Community Foundation in the central Blue Ridge over the past 15 years is bringing increased benefit to the people of the area. The trust and support of individuals and organizations have helped us grow endowments and provide funds for effective grant making in the arts, education, health care, food and shelter, and human services with services to families, youth and the our senior citizens,” said Doug Noland, Chair of the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors. Grant Review Committee Chair, Dr. Rich Evans, stated to the Board at its March meeting, “All members of the grant evaluation groups feel that it is a true privilege to participate in this process. The most important people in…community foundation work are the people and groups who need help. No less important is our responsibility to the donors for efficient and careful use of their donated funds….to be able to help those who are hungry for food, as well as those hungry for culture and the arts.”
Twelve Nelson County Grants were made possible through the Nelson County Unrestricted Fund developed with the generous donations of many community-minded individuals and businesses. Nelson County grant awards total $47,425.
Ten different Augusta area charitable funds administered by the Foundation made the twenty Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro community grants possible.
Separately, these charitable funds may have had a more limited impact on community needs, but together these funds are able to help build a healthier future for our community. For additional information, see www.communityfoundationcbr.org or contact the Community Foundation, Post Office Box 815, Staunton, VA 24402, call 540-213-2150, or e-mail communityfoundationcbr@yahoo.com.
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