September 28, 2022 Williamsburg, Va. – Williamsburg Community Foundation presented grants totaling $83,715 to 20 organizations at its Fall Grant Awards Luncheon this week. The luncheon was generously sponsored by Wilbanks, Smith, & Thomas Asset Management.
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. This year marks the first grant from the Peggy J. Swain Memorial Fund, supporting programs for low-income women and seniors.
Community Endowment and Field-of-Interest Funds
Arts & Culture
Access Virginia ($5,000) – Virginia Accessibility Program, open captioning and audio description will be provided at all shows at The Williamsburg Players during the 2022-2023 season.
I Am Me Initiative Foundation ($3,520) – will be presenting Disney’s The Lion King Jr., consisting of musical and theatrical performances by youth ages 5-17 as they take you on a journey through the pride lands.
Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra ($5,000) – The Williamsburg Symphony’s Masterworks Concert series will connect & educate the community. The five diverse full symphonic concerts will feature six acclaimed guest artists, pre-concert lectures, and masterclasses for local students.
Williamsburg Players ($1,000) – Williamsburg Players will provide theater tickets to underserved locals who otherwise might not be able to attend live performances. Made possible by an anonymous donor.
Children & Young Adults
Take the Journey Enterprises ($4,400) – The Power of One program is an after-school program for at-risk youth at Berkeley Middle School, that will include teaching on leadership, etiquette, and teamwork. Made possible by a donation from Larkin and Danny Schmidt.
Environment & Conservation
Williamsburg Area Botanical Garden ($3,295) – New educational signage will be developed and installed at the Williamsburg Botanical Garden to guide visitors through the different habitats and areas within the garden while educating them about the ecological importance of each habitat.
Health & Community Wellness
Child Development Resources, Inc. ($5,000) – CDR’s “Rookie Dads” and “Rookie Moms” classes are free 2-hour workshops, designed to prepare new and expectant parents for the challenges ahead. The classes cover topics focused on how to care for a newborn.
Community of Faith Mission, Inc. ($5,000) – COFM’s winter homeless shelter provides bedding, hygiene items, personal protective equipment, new shoes, printed materials, electronics and check-in office supplies, transportation, and over-the-counter medications at the host sites.
Dream Catchers Therapeutic Riding Center ($4,006) – Operation Mount Up is for veterans and active-duty military personnel, offering group horseback riding and individual and group ground-based activities to benefit emotional, physical, cognitive, and social well-being.
Grove Christian Outreach Center ($5,000) -The Grove Grocery Program provides access to fresh and perishable groceries to our Grove neighbors who do not have reasonable or regular access to a grocery store due to the proximity and lack of transportation.
Literacy for Life ($2,500) – This program seeks to increase the number of volunteer tutors, learner attendance hours, intensity of instruction, and goals achieved by learners. This grant will fund print ads to recruit new tutors. Grant funded by an anonymous donor.
Lackey Clinic ($5,000) – The Connected Care Program empowers patients to better control their hypertension or diabetes with remote monitors and a team of coaches, healthcare providers and counselors.
Williamsburg House of Mercy ($5,000) – House of Mercy served 14,597 meals last year. This grant will allow the kitchen equipment to be upgraded to better keep pace with increasing demand. Funded by the Holbach-Hill Memorial Fund
Senior Services
FREE Foundation ($3,600) – F.R.E.E. of Williamsburg provides mobility equipment for low-income residents. This grant will cover the cost high-demand items such as shower chairs, tub transfer benches, devices for people with hip fractures, and heavy-duty bariatric equipment.
Special Grant Opportunities
Postpartum Support Virginia ($5,000) – This grant will expand peer support services through the establishment of Mothers and Babies Support groups in English and Spanish and will expand care coordination. Funded in partnership with the Williamsburg Fund for Women and Girls
Respite of Williamsburg United Methodist Church ($1,394) – Purchase of two recliners and a rocking chair for seniors in the respite care program. Funded in partnership with the Peggy J. Swain Memorial Fund
Benjamin R. Altshuler Memorial Fund – Transportation
The Arc of Greater Williamsburg ($5,000) Transportation enables our clients to seek meaningful employment and become a reliable employee. Arc vans provide clients access to health, wellness, fitness, and lifelong learning evening programs while affording caregivers with much deserved respite time.
Bacon Street Youth & Family Services ($5,000) – In our diverse and expansive communities of service, lack of dependable transportation creates a significant barrier to youth and families seeking mental health and substance abuse services. This grant will cover client transportation.
BikeWalk Williamsburg ($5,000) – Bicycle Co-Op of Williamsburg provides refurbished bicycles to those in need of reliable transportation and promote cycling through the free or low-cost distribution of bicycles. Local volunteers work together to solicit, repair and distribute bicycles.
Williamsburg Area Faith in Action ($5,000) – Williamsburg Faith In Action provides door to door transportation to seniors 60 and older residing in the greater Williamsburg Area. The service is offered free of charge to qualifying seniors.
How to Apply for a Grant
The Foundation typically awards competitive grants twice a year. The next opportunity to apply for funding is for Spring 2023, with a deadline of December 15, 2022. WCF will be transitioning to a new grant application process. Please check our website for information on our upcoming software training sessions. Contact Ginny Gasink, Program Officer, at 757-259-1660 or email vgasink@williamsburgcommunityfoundation.org.
