In its second grant round of the year, the Williamsburg Community Foundation presented grants totaling $59,117 to 17 local nonprofit organizations at its Grant Award Luncheon on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at the Ford’s Colony Country Club. The luncheon was underwritten by generous gifts from Village Bank and Middle Peninsula Insurance Agency.
These grants come from a variety of sources including the Foundation’s Community Endowment Funds, permanently endowed funds for specific interests and still others from our Donor-Advised Funds. These funds exist thanks to the very generous support of many local individuals, families, organizations and businesses. Thanks to their support, Williamsburg Community Foundation grants impact many areas of our community life, with a particular focus on Arts & Culture, Environment & Conservation, Children & Young Adults, Health & Wellness, Senior Services, and Scholarship.
The next grant deadline will be January 17, 2018 and all application materials and guidelines can be found on the Foundation’s website. In addition, the Foundation’s WJCC Scholarship Fund has a number of college scholarships available for high school seniors from Jamestown, Lafayette, and Warhill High Schools; the online application will be available in mid-February of 2018.
Below is a list of the grants awarded for the Fall of 2017:
Genevieve McGiffert Fund for Musical Performing Arts
Established by Linda and Donald Baker and Michael McGiffert to support vocal performances for adults. Each of these organizations also received additional support from an anonymous donor.
Williamsburg Women’s Chorus: Holiday Concert with new choral music, with the Williamsburg Youth Chorale, and professional guest musicians.
Williamsburg Choral Guild: May 2018 concert, “A Program of Director & Guild Favorites” with the Williamsburg Youth Chorale, four professional vocal soloists, piano, and organ.
Williamsburg Music Club: Three vocal performances to take place during the free monthly musicales.
Williamsburg Fund for Women & Girls
Established by Stephanie and Bob King to support programs for women and girls in need in the greater Williamsburg Area.
Postpartum Support Virginia: Grant for free peer support group for women experiencing postpartum depression.
Community Endowment
Angels of Mercy Medical Clinic: Medical equipment and supplies needed to expand medical services in a satellite location in downtown Williamsburg.
Armed Services Arts Partnership: Grant to support a free Veteran’s Day Weekend creative writing workshop at William & Mary for veterans, service members, and military families.
Jamestown 4-H Educational Center: Grant will support weekend family retreats for military families to address the challenges of post-deployment life.
Lackey Clinic: Healthy Lifestyle program to provide a Diabetes Nurse Educator and Healthy Lifestyle Coach to improve patients’ ability to self-manage their diabetes.
One Child Center for Autism: Monthly Kids’ Nights offer parents of children with special needs ages 1-16, a night of qualified childcare while providing a fun environment for the children.
The Fairfield Foundation: To engage the Williamsburg community in hands-on educational archaeology events at New Quarter Park.
Williamsburg Area Faith in Action: To expand the reach and capacity of the in-home services program to meet more of the needs of seniors. (*Grant given in partnership with anonymous Donor.)
Donor Advised Grants
These grants are awarded by our generous donors to assist agencies that WCF was not able to fund through the Community Endowment or other funds. The grants below were made possible by an anonymous donor:
Avalon: A Center for Women and Children: This grant will provide for needed kitchen repairs at the emergency shelter.
Colonial Court Appointed Special Advocates: This grant will support activities in the community to promote child abuse awareness and prevention during the month of April.
Benjamin R. Altshuler Memorial Fund: Transportation
Established by the Estate of Benjamin Altshuler to make transportation accessible and affordable enabling all residents of the area to participate in community life.
The Arc of Greater Williamsburg: Grant supports purchase of two new customized, handicapped-accessible vans to transport clients to and from Arc activities.
Avalon: A Center for Women & Children: Van transportation for emergency shelter residents so they can get to work, medical appointments and other basic services.
Colonial Behavioral Health: Supports a portion of the cost of three vehicles, used to transport individuals with developmental disabilities participating in day programs, and seniors to medical appointments, grocery shopping, etc., in order for them to maintain independent living.
Peninsula Agency on Aging: RIDES provides safe, reliable transportation to seniors with reduced ability to transport themselves or who lack alternate transportation resources.
Williamsburg House of Mercy: The Get to Work! Program provides funding to purchase bus passes and gas card vouchers for low income, working poor, offering reliable means to commute to work.
Williamsburg Community Foundation will host a “Lunch & Learn” for those interested in learning more about how the Foundation works and its impact on the community. Upcoming Dates: Nov. 8, Nov. 30, and Dec. 12, noon-1:30pm at the Foundation’s office on Jamestown Road. Contact us at [email protected] or 757-259-1660 for more information and to register.
Background:
Established in 1999, the Williamsburg Community Foundation is a collection of gifts from generous local citizens, mostly invested in long-term endowment funds, which will benefit the community forever. Each fund provides grant-making dollars for community needs. Over the past 18 years, the Foundation has distributed $5.7 million for grants and scholarships combined.
The Foundation serves as a philanthropic center with the mission of connecting people who care with causes that matter forever. Local residents can make a contribution to the Foundation’s Community Endowment, and trust that their gift will be combined with others, invested wisely, and continually generate income over time that will be a source of support for local nonprofits in the long-term. The Foundation is governed by a board of trustees who are members of the Williamsburg community, and grants are made through a competitive process that responds to the changing needs of our area.
To learn more, visit WilliamsburgCommunityFoundation.org or call 757-259-1660.
Submitted by Ginny Gasink
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