WILLIAMSBURG — The Williamsburg Community Foundation (WCF) recentlyannounced its first Capacity Building grants have been awarded to Real People Educating Others (RPEO) and the Rob Till Community Garden.
With nearly 25 years in the business of community grantmaking, the Williamsburg Community Foundation has found that often grassroots organizations that are doing great work may not have the financial resources to expand their programs, it said, thus, WCF developed Capacity Building grants to help strengthen local organizations.
“The Williamsburg Community Foundation is excited to award these two capacity-building
grants to Real People Educating Others and the Rob Till Community Garden. The grants will
help these organizations continue to realize dreams, strengthen infrastructure, and increase their ability to have community impact.” said Barbara Watson, WCF Distribution Committee Co-Chair.
Real People Educating Others (RPEO) was founded by Reneldo Randall and PJ Piggott, both
Williamsburg natives.
Focused on community engagement, youth development and community building, RPEO works through mentorship, education, service and extracurricular activities, primarily with young people of color.
RPEO also hosts annual back-to-school and holiday events for the community.
The Capacity Building grant of $1,500 will allow RPEO to use a virtual assistant and contracted bookkeeper to do the administrative tasks that need to be done so that the founders can focus on delivering a quality program to our youth, according to WCF.
The Rob Till Community Garden is located at James River Elementary in the Grove
community of eastern James City County, which has historically been a food desert, WCF noted.
It will use its Capacity Building grant of $2,500 to install an underground fence to protect the garden from wildlife, so that gardeners can be more productive.
The garden is utilized by James River Elementary students, as well as Grove neighbors, and partners with Grove Christian Outreach Center and a variety of volunteer groups.
Nonprofits serving greater Williamsburg may apply for funding in the upcoming grant cycle, WCF said, for grants to be awarded in March of 2024. The deadline to apply is Dec. 15.
To learn more and apply, visit the Williamsburg Community Foundation.
