March 23, 2023 Williamsburg, Va. – Williamsburg Community Foundation presented grants totaling $91,156 to 27 organizations (listed below) at its Spring Grant Awards Luncheon this week. Rick and Lara Overy of Compass Wealth Strategies generously sponsored the luncheon, which gathered over 125 community members including both donors and leaders from the nonprofit, business and government sectors.
Heather Fletcher, Rick Overy, Laura Overy, Kate Slevin and Noah Scruggs
The Foundation’s competitive grants are made possible by local donors who over the years have given to the Foundation’s Community Endowment and Field-of-Interest Funds, which have grown over time to provide grants to area nonprofits twice a year. Several grants awarded today were made possible by partnerships with individual WCF donors.
“We are very grateful for all of the Foundation’s donors, both those who have invested for the long term and those who are supporting immediate needs. Williamsburg is fortunate to have a great number of caring individuals who are so generous with their gifts to our community,” noted Nancy Sullivan, WCF President & CEO.
Community Endowment and Field-of-Interest Funds
Arts & Culture
Open Door Concert Series ($1,000) – Funds will support free concerts by the Windborne Singers. Funding provided by the Genevieve McGiffert Memorial Fund for the Musical Performing Arts in partnership with Kathy and Bruce Hornsby.
The Village Initiative founder Jackie Brigforth-Williams with Amy Ahearn, President of An Occasion for the Arts, and Philip Canady
The Village Initiative ($2,500) – The Village Presents Juneteenth as a day in celebration of equalizing rights and building community, to include a community art project. Funding provided in partnership with An Occasion for the Arts Fund.
Virginia Racial Healing Institute ($2,500) – The grant will support the annual Heal Greater Williamsburg – Heal The Nation Community Day, a family-friendly event at Jamestown Beach including guest speakers and engaging workshops to help participants learn more about each other’s stories and the area’s rich and complex local history.
Williamsburg Choral Guild ($850) – The funds will be utilized to pay for the instrumentalists, and soloists for the March 2024 concert. Funding provided by the Genevieve McGiffert Memorial Fund for the Musical Performing Arts.
The Williamsburg Youth Orchestra ($1,000) -Grant funds will be used to provide partial/full tuition assistance to students in need for the Winter Chamber Music Program. Funding provided by Linda T. Baker.
Children & Young Adults
Colonial CASA ($1,000) – The Youth Mentoring Program at Colonial CASA provides trained, caring volunteer mentors to youth ages 10-18. Funding provided by Rick & Lara Overy.
FISH, Inc. ($5,000) – FISH will provide new and gently used shoes for children in need who visit the clothing closet.
Great Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc. (GRASP) ($5,000) — GRASP’s financial aid advisors educate WJCC high school students and families about the resources available for post-secondary education and the importance of filling out the FAFSA. Funding provided by an anonymous donor.
Barbara Watson, WCF Trustee, with Laura Lowery and Jeane Moore of No Shame. Period
No Shame. Period. ($1,206) – Erasing the shame and stigma of menstruation for students in Williamsburg by providing “period packs”, spare pants, and educational pamphlets to elementary and middle school nurses. Funding provided by the Williamsburg Fund for Women and Girls.
Williamsburg Book Festival ($1,000) – Funds will support the student writing contest at the next festival, as well as a young adult author to speak with students and provide feedback on their writing. Funding provided by an anonymous donor.
Williamsburg-James City County Community Action Agency – Project Discovery ($5,000) – This grant will support transportation costs for college visits for first-generation college bound students. Funding provided by the Benjamin R. Altshuler Memorial Fund.
Environment & Conservation
Let Freedom Ring Foundation ($5,000) –Mature oak trees at Historic First Baptist Church will be pruned to increase safety on this historic property, one of the oldest African American churches in the country.
Williamsburg Community Growers ($5,000) – Funds will support the farm manager, increasing services, providing opportunities to learn, volunteer, and to offer fresh produce to those in need.
Health & Mental Health
Patricia Gordon and Todd Martin of GRASP with Larkin Schmidt and Pam McGregor of The Arc
The Arc of Greater Williamsburg ($5,000) – The grant provides transportation for Arc clients to work and to evening enrichment programs. Funding provided by an anonymous donor.
Avalon Center ($1,000) – Funds will purchase a picnic table for the common outdoor area. This will provide communal space for residents to spend time outside and offer another location to receive counseling and group therapy.
Greater Williamsburg Trauma-Informed Network ($5,000) – The grant will support coordination of the trauma-informed network and enable diverse organizations to help build resilience in the Greater Williamsburg area.
The Lackey Clinic ($2,500) – Replace intraoral X-ray machines, which are the first step in diagnosing dental patients and providing them with a comprehensive oral health plan. Funding provided by the Mary & Hunt Berryman Fund.
Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center ($5,000) – Funds will support the postgraduate training program for counselors, allowing PPCC to see more clients who need of mental health counseling by training students seeking licensure. This also removes the financial barrier for students seeking licensure and will increase the number of trained clinicians to meet the need.
Rx Drug Access Partnership ($3,500) – Funding will enable Rx Partnership to distribute prescriptions, including insulin, to uninsured patients at Olde Towne Medical and Dental Clinic.
Economic Mobility
3e Restoration, Inc. ($5,000) – Funds will provide emergency shelter and housing for young people aging-out of foster care and unaccompanied youth. Funding provided in partnership with Kathy and Bruce Hornsby.
Habitat for Humanity Peninsula & Greater Williamsburg ($5,000) – Funds will be used to purchase building materials needed to complete home repairs for low-income elderly, disabled, and veteran homeowners. Funding provided in partnership with Kathy and Bruce Hornsby.
Latisha’s House Foundation ($3,100) – Funds will be used to add two additional part-time staff members to this residential program for survivors of sex trafficking.
Literacy for Life ($5,000) – Funds will provide English as a Second Language program instructors with the tools they need to deliver high-quality, effective instruction.
Virginia Peninsula Food Bank ($4,000) – Funds will purchase nutritious food for 75 children which will be distributed through the “Food For Kids Backpack Program” in the WJCC elementary schools. Funding provided by an anonymous donor.
Senior Services
Tidewater Arts Outreach ($1,000) – Grant funds will provide supplies and artists fees for a visual arts program for older, isolated adults in Williamsburg. Funding provided by an anonymous donor.
Williamsburg Area Faith in Action, Inc. ($5,000) – The Home Services program will provide meals, caregiver support, yardwork, and light housekeeping for seniors in greater Williamsburg.
YMCA of the Virginia Peninsula ($5,000) – Adults 65 & up will enjoy educational and social events as well as trips to local destinations of interest. Funding provided by an anonymous donor.
How to Apply for a Grant
The Foundation typically awards competitive grants twice a year. The next opportunity to apply for funding is for fall 2023, with a deadline of June 15, 2023. All application materials and guidelines can be found at WilliamsburgCommunityFoundation.org; click “Receive” then “Apply for a Grant.” 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 vgasink@williamsburgcommunityfoundation.org.
Media Contact:
Lee Folsom>
1323 Jamestown Road, Suite 103, Williamsburg, VA 23185
757-259-1660
lfolsom@williamsburgcommunityfoundation.org