BEN ALTSHULER was a longtime Williamsburg resident and wrestling coach who left money in his estate to establish an endowment for sports and transportation.
December 5, 2022, Williamsburg, Va. – Williamsburg Community Foundation recently awarded $25,629 in grants to seven youth sports organizations made possible by a bequest from a local resident Benjamin R. Altshuler. The grant recipients are the following:
Bruton High School Wrestling – $2,629
Girls in Gear (bicycling) – $2,000
Lafayette High School Wrestling – $5,000
New Kent High School Wrestling – $5,000
Tabb High School Wrestling – $4,500
We Ball Foundation – $1,500
Williamsburg Wrestling Club – $5,000
Ben Altshuler was a longtime Williamsburg resident who had a passion for amateur sports, in particular wrestling. Upon his passing in 2007, a memorial endowment fund was created from his estate to support amateur sports as well as Ben’s other passion – increasing access to transportation so more people can participate fully in the life of the community. Now in its 12th year, the Altshuler Fund has distributed over $500,000 in grants to the community over the years.
The Altshuler Fund supports high school wrestling and other amateur sports programs that are not typically accessible to the general public. The grant aims to promote participation in sports by youth who would not otherwise be able to participate, particularly in sports that are not as well-known or as well-funded. The wrestling grants awarded this year will allow these teams to purchase necessary equipment, uniforms, and pay for other essential costs to run their matches safely. The grant to New Kent High School Wrestling will also help ensure that all athletes can get a nutritional meal while attending competitions on the road. This creates a more equitable system for all athletes to participate and be ready to perform at their best.
In addition to wrestling, this year’s grants support two organizations dedicated to mentoring youth through sports. Girls In Gear teaches “life skills through bike skills” to adolescent girls and strives to encourage inner strength, confidence, and kindness. Their grant will provide scholarships for girls to participate so that anyone who wants to learn to bike will have the opportunity to do so, and in many cases those girls will be provided a gently used bike as well. We Ball Foundation works largely in the Highland Park Neighborhood to support boys and girls through basketball training and conditioning.
Girls in Gear
Since 2010, this organization has been mentoring youth in the community with an emphasis on excellence both in sports and in the classroom.
How to Apply for a Grant
The Foundation typically awards competitive grants twice a year. The next opportunity to apply for funding is for grants to be awarded in spring of 2023, with a deadline of Dec. 15, 2022. All application materials and guidelines can be found at WilliamsburgCommunityFoundation.org; click “Receive” then “Apply for a Grant.” (The next round of sports grants will be offered in September of 2023.) If the organization has never received a grant from WCF, they should contact the foundation office for guidance before beginning a new application. Contact Ginny Gasink, Program Officer, at 757-259-1660 or email [email protected].
Media Contact:
Lee Folsom>
1323 Jamestown Road, Suite 103, Williamsburg, VA 23185
757-259-1660
[email protected]