WILLIAMSBURG — As part of its 25th Anniversary celebration year, the Williamsburg Community Foundation continues to award surprise grants aimed at addressing critical needs in the community, with this month’s grant awarded to Housing Partnerships, Inc.
To illustrate the impact of philanthropy and connect people who care with causes that matter, WCF held a special drawing during its 25th Anniversary Campaign & Kickoff. Ten supporters received the opportunity to choose local nonprofits to receive surprise grants from WCF.
Housing Partnerships, Inc. (HPI) is a nonprofit that provides emergency home repair services for families facing low-income or disability challenges. Williamsburg Community Foundation (WCF) member Amy Ritchie presented the grant in honor of her daughter, a social worker in Richmond who is deeply committed to affordable housing.
Housing affordability in the community has reached a crisis point, the foundation said.
The average household income of clients served by HPI in the Historic Triangle is $35,000, while the Area Median Income (AMI) for a family of four in 2024 is $100,700, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Meanwhile, the housing value index has skyrocketed, with home values in James City County, York County, and the City of Williamsburg now averaging around $450,000.
“The work that HPI does is more critical than ever, ensuring that our most vulnerable neighbors have a safe, warm, and dry place to call home,” said Nancy C. Sullivan, President and CEO of WCF.
Since 1985, HPI has been serving the Williamsburg community and surrounding areas, helping those who are unable to afford essential home repairs, WCF noted. The demand for its services has surged in recent years, with the cost of building materials tripling. Despite these challenges, HPI continues to rely on its dedicated corps of volunteers to keep repair costs as low as possible.
“The need is becoming more significant,” said HPI Executive Director Brandie Weiler. “We do a lot with a little, but with the rising costs and increasing demand, every bit of extra support makes a huge difference. This grant will go a long way in helping our neighbors in need.”
The impact of HPI’s work is profound, WCF said, citing the case of an elderly couple faced with an unaffordable roof repair who turned to HPI for help after exhausting all other options. The leak had caused significant water damage to their home, and without HPI, they would have been forced to choose between the repair and basic necessities like groceries and medication.
Thanks to HPI’s volunteers, the couple’s home was repaired, and they were able to remain in a safe and secure home, WCF said.
These grants are a key component of WCF’s ongoing campaign to grow the Community Endowment, with a goal of raising $750,000 to ensure that it can continue to support organizations like HPI that are making a difference in the community.
This increase in endowment will enable WCF to award an additional $25,000 in grants every year, in perpetuity, ensuring sustained support for local nonprofits, it said.
Gifts to the 25th Anniversary Campaign allow the foundation to make grants every year to nonprofits like HPI and are matched 1:2 by several generous individual donors.
Donors can choose to direct their gift to WCF’s unrestricted endowed fund or to one of the foundation’s field-of-interest funds.
To learn more, donate, or explore grant opportunities, visit Williamsburg Community Foundation.
