Williamsburg Community Foundation Awards Over $20,000 in Grants to Local Nonprofits
In its first grant round of the year, the Williamsburg Community Foundation presented grants totaling $20,700 to 8 local nonprofit organizations at its Grant Award Luncheon on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. at the Ford’s Colony Country Club. An additional $8,603 was awarded by donors to the foundation who chose to underwrite some of the applications received this grant round. The luncheon was underwritten by generous gifts from Middle Peninsula Insurance and Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center.
These grants come from WCF’s permanent Community Endowment funds. These funds have been established and supported by local donors who are interested in improving the quality of life for all Williamsburg residents.
Agencies that received grants from the Community Endowment Fund:
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra ($4,497) – Arts & Culture
The Williamsburg Library Series consists of four free, public concerts played by VSO musicians. This grant will support the concerts as well as enabling these musicians to go into Williamsburg public schools to lead free workshops for music students.
Young Audiences-Arts for Learning-Virginia, Inc. ($2,297) – Children & Young Adults
YAV’s award-winning Curriculum Plus Project connects K-12 students with core curriculum concepts and the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) by providing arts-infused, educational performances and workshops with professional performing and teaching artists.
Child Development Resources, Inc. ($2,497) – Children & Young Adults
CDR’s Infant & Parent Program provides family-centered services, supports and specialized therapies for infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays and their families, to maximize child health and development.
James River Association ($3,020) – Environment & Conservation
The James River watershed professional development will let science teachers from Williamsburg- James City County schools spend and overnight experience at the Ecology School, where these teachers will learn hands on lessons for their classrooms.
Literacy for Life ($2,397) – Health & Community Wellness
Literacy for Life will train tutors in the Barton Reading and Spelling System, specially designed to help those with dyslexia learn to read, so the organization can better meet the needs of its dyslexic clients.
Olde Towne Medical Center ($1,297) – Health & Community Wellness
Olde Towne will use this grant to purchase medical equipment to better serve our patients. Which will enable the organization to care for its growing numbers of uninsured and chronic care patients.
The Arc of Greater Williamsburg ($2,397) – Health & Community Wellness
Arc Awareness 911 will be a health, wellness, safety and self-advocacy initiative in partnership with local community police departments and area first responders providing training so that they will better be able to assist residents with special needs.
Williamsburg Area Meals On Wheels ($2,297) – Senior Services
We deliver hot nutritious noonday meals to those in our community who for a physical or mental impairment are unable to prepare their own meals.
Agencies that received grants from Donor-Advised Funds:
In addition to our endowment funds, the Foundation also works with generous donors who have established donor-advised funds to support the causes they care about. The following organizations received donor-funded grants:
The Arc of Greater Williamsburg ($1,103) – Health & Community Wellness
Arc Awareness 911 (see above).
Peninsula Agency on Aging ($5,000) – Senior Services
The Memory Cafe will provide a transitional program for individuals with memory loss and their partners (i.e., caregivers), to have a monthly gathering in a safe, supportive, and engaging environment.
Williamsburg Area Faith in Action ($2,500) – Senior Services
Visiting Canines bring to the homebound elderly and those suffering from a disability the joy and companionship that only a dog can bring. Visiting Canines enriches the lives of the care receivers and the volunteers.