$59,000 awarded to local organizations
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.
Below is a list of the grants awarded:
COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT GRANTS
- 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.
GENEVIEVE MCGIFFERT MEMORIAL FUND FOR THE 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 AND 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.
BENJAMIN R. ALTSHULER MEMORIAL FUND – TRANSPORTATION GRANTS
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.