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Making A Difference: Organizations report impact of 2023-24 grants

From meals for the elderly to new downtown art, healthy pets and an insulated emergency shelter, 12 area nonprofits benefited from a total of $159,516 awarded from seven endowed funds managed by The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham.

Grant applications for the 2024-25 cycle are in the review process, with awardees to be announced in November.

A new safe floor for Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative

With a new “sprung subfloor” funded by a $17,814 grant from the Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts, dancers at the Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative are reaching new heights. Since 2014, they’ve been dancing carefully on marble, wood, and concrete floors. But with the new surface, instructors have been able to incorporate jumps in movement training. This in turn has expanded class offerings and diversified performances. The cooperative can host workshops on injury prevention and bring in specialists like dance physical therapists to use the space for a safe dance practice. The floor has helped the company grow beyond its former numbers, and to open its doors to guest choreographers such as Beau Harman, a New York City-based artist who has worked with JMU dancers. “We are excited to see what this small-but-mighty space will continue to offer our community,” said cooperative partner Lara Mack.

Horses helping caregivers

Cross Keys Equine Therapy used their $10,000 award from the Alvin J. Baird Jr. Program Endowment to develop a curriculum for a special training program to equip parents, grandparents and other caregivers for recognition of and response to traumatic stress reactions in the children they are caring for. The organization hosted monthly groups that met five or six times, and plans to host another six-week group this fall. Feedback was positive and individual caregivers expressed gratitude for the information and the unique context of learning from and with horses.

Virginia Quilt Museum invites visitors to a hands-on exhibit.

A multi-purpose space for quilt museum

The Virginia Quilt Museum invested almost $17,000 in Earlynn J. Miller funding to transform the lower level of the museum into a space for hands-on activities, classes and programs. The space also provides for artists and scholars-in-residence with a research center and a permanent exhibition. Wall repairs, drywall, painting, technology equipment, signage and furniture were among the expenses covered.

Ballet’s costumes remain pristine

Rockingham Ballet Theater fundraised for years to purchase new costumes for the annual production of “The Nutcracker.” A new climate-controlled space funded by a $875 grant from the Valley Arts & Culture Fund has helped extend the life of these expensive and beautiful gems, bringing years of pleasure to local dancers – and area audiences.

Meals on Wheels provides a month of fresh food for seniors

A Community Endowment Fund grant of $11,273 to Valley Program for Aging Services provided 935 meals for adults age 60 and older in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, equal to one month of meals for 47 individuals.

Meals are prepared by A Bowl of Good using locally sourced fresh fruits and vegetables when available. Milk is purchased from Mt. Crawford Creamery. All meals meet one-third of the daily nutrition requirements for older adults. The balance of grant funding – approximately $4,200 –  helped with costs of other items: food trays, hot and cold insulated containers, delivery costs, staff time, and related expenses.

Blue Ridge Free Clinic sees increased need

Blue Ridge Free Clinic received $34,592 from the Alvin V. Baird, Jr. Program Endowment Fund, which benefits nonprofit organizations serving unmet healthcare needs among local populations. The grant aided the clinic in serving 611 individual patients with 1,400 medical appointments. For 356 patients, a social worker provided consultation and resource navigation. The grant helped to pay for a contracted social worker, transportation, facility maintenance, interpreters, medication and supplies.

Funds help treat wildlife

A staff member aids a box turtle at the Virginia Wildlife Center.

About 12 percent of the sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife treated at the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro come from Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Nearly 900 animals were treated thanks to 2023 funding, more than $11,700 from the Hildred Neff Memorial Fund.

The Center’s treatment averages $179 per patient [2023 treatment costs]. This includes salaries and benefits for the wildlife medical care team, including veterinarians, licensed veterinary technicians, and wildlife rehabilitators, as well as food, medicine, medical and laboratory supplies, equipment costs, and more.

Saving one (of nine) lives

Cat’s Cradle staff heard plenty of thanks from the 250 cat owners aided in covering veterinary bills with $5,700 from the Hildred Neff Memorial Fund. In response to community need, the organization has expanded its pet retention program for clients needing financial assistance. The program funds veterinary bills and short-term costs of medical supplies to keep pets healthy and with their families rather than in the local public shelter. 

Anicira helps area pets

Mavin, Charlie, Toby and their owners will be forever grateful for Anicira’s Operation Free Pet Healthcare. Maven survived a life-threatening urinary blockage, Charlie endured surgery to remove a painful mass, and Toby had a major dental procedure. These are just a few of the dogs and cats aided by the Hildred Neff Memorial Fund, which supports agencies providing for the needs of domestic and wild animals. The $5,727 grant provided medical, surgical, and dental care to 80 pets, resulting in saved lives, reduced suffering, and the preservation of the bond between families and their beloved pets.

Emergency shelter protected from temperature change

The Salvation Army’s 28-bed emergency shelter needed an upgrade to the skirting and an access opening – to the tune of more than $13,000. The work was the final task left over from a successful 2022 renovation.

The Janet Sohn Endowed Fund, which awards funds to organizations that Janet supported during her lifetime, helped fund the work. In 2022, the shelter served 310 individuals and family members with basic and intensive case management, access to health and nutritional programs, and other community connections.

Artist Gemma Amendola’s window decal brightens West Water Street.

Three new installations and children’s “wild” paintings brighten downtown

Oasis Fine Art & Craft utilized an award from the Valley Arts & Culture Fund to fund three different projects. Local artist Gemma Amendola designed a window decal and banner for Beyond Restaurant. Oasis also framed two community mosaics, one constructed at the Farmer’s Market and a second mosaic featuring a family of ducks located on Water Street.

More than 300 area elementary students “captured” wild and wonderful animals in paint during a series of workshops. Oasis artists led the sessions, where children were taught the elements of line, shape, color and texture, and then practiced drawing real or imagined animals. Forty artworks were selected for an exhibit at Massanutten Regional Library. Funding from the Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts helped with the purchase of supplies, printing and the exhibit installation. The Explore More Discovery Museum hosted the field trips, and the project also involved Any Given Child Shenandoah Valley.

Making the arts accessible through events and a new website

Nearly $21,000 from the Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts, honoring the late dance professor, helped Arts Council of the Valley increase opportunities for local residents to enjoy, learn and experience the arts.

Building on the first year’s success of the community theater program ACT ONE, Arts Council of the Valley has expanded exploration of the performing and visual arts through the addition of free master classes for adults, providing welcoming, low-stress introductions for individuals who may not have outlets for artistic expression. Master classes for adults have drawn 115 participants to eight sessions.

Thirty scholarships of $299 each helped economically disadvantaged students attend summer theater camps, with each camp ending in a performance showcase.

Day of the Arts, on May 4, 2024, celebrated the vital role performing and visual arts play in our community, with some 950 people attending. The $6,000 grant supported workshops, lectures, performances, art materials; and the work of an exhibition curator.

The organization is undergoing a new website design, slated for a fall 2024 launch. Much of the work has been donated by local branding, web and marketing agency Estland, with the remainder of the costs financed through a grant from the Mary Spitzer Etter Endowed Fund. The new site will be “fresh, engaging, easy to navigate, and fully ADA-compliant,” says ACV Executive Director Jenny Burden. “The website will provide a more accessible, positive experience for online visitors, making it easier for them to connect with arts opportunities.”

 

Scholarships on WSVA: Why and How to Start One with Ann and Lauren

The Community Foundation’s scholarship program was September’s focus with WSVA host Jim Britt. Ann Siciliano, director of programs services, and Lauren Jefferson, director of marketing and programs, talked about the rewards of starting a scholarship and how the funding can impact local residents, as well as donors.

The foundation offers 25 scholarships funding students in a variety of fields and interests, with several more in the process of development. In 2024, more than $265,000 was awarded to 44 recipients.

LISTEN TO THE 15-MINUTE SHOW.

“We have scholarships for athletes, for students from different high schools, for students pursuing career paths in education and music, and for first generation students,” Siciliano said, adding that those are just a sample of the offerings.

About half the scholarships memorialize the life and legacy of a loved one – a situation which Jefferson says “can help with grieving and healing.” She speaks from experience: Two years ago, before joining the foundation, she helped to found a vocational education scholarship to commemorate her husband. The Ronnie Brunk Memorial Scholarship is available to adults pursuing specific courses at Massanutten Technical Center.

“Call us and talk to us, and tell us your dreams and your vision and we’ll work with you,” Siciliano said, emphasizing that families can be as involved as they’d like in the creation process and the ongoing awarding process.

Visit the foundation’s scholarship page.

2024 Great Community Give nets $2.2 million, marking seven years of growth

The 2024 Great Community Give generated more than $2.2 million dollars for 148 nonprofits in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. The single-day fundraising event, hosted by The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, has generated more than $7 million total. Engagement continues to grow, with the number of donors and gifts increasing each year.

Among the statistics shared:

  • 7,684 donors gave during the event
  • 48 business and corporate sponsors donated $76,550 in prizes to incentivize giving
  • 29 nonprofits took home cash prizes for winning hourly challenges.

A list of sponsors and participating organizations is published in the 2024 GCG Report.

View the report.

The 2025 Great Community Give will be April 16, 2025.

Nonprofits can register for the 2025 event beginning on Nov. 15, 2024.

The foundation has supported Great Community Give since its first year, contributing administrative resources and giving platform costs, as part of its mission to make charitable giving easy.

Donor-advised fund fees decrease

Donor-advised fund fees at The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County have been lowered to 1 percent, fulfilling a promise to donors made in 2013.

That was the year that fees were increased – to 1.25 percent – to accommodate for necessary investments in technology, cybersecurity, and staffing.

That change nearly 11 years ago was made with great reluctance, says Executive Director Revlan Hill. “At the same time as we were experiencing growth with our donors, we also had challenges in the market and with major rising operational costs. The problem was actually one a growing foundation wants to have. We raised the fees with the promise that we would return it to the lower rate as soon as possible.”

The lower fee of 1% allows for “more dollars to support nonprofit organizations as recommended by the donor,” Hill said.

It’s also a sign that the foundation is carrying more assets, building on a solid financial footing, and continuing to grow at a healthy rate.

The current fee structure helps to cover administrative costs of the donation and grants processing, annual audits, preparation of tax returns, insurance and other operating expenses – all of which are required to exceptional services TCFHR donors have come to expect.

“Fulfilling this promise is a sign of our thriving and our commitment to excellent management,” Hill said. “We’re grateful to the generosity and trust of donors, the partnership of professional advisors, and the wisdom of staff and our board which made this possible.”

TCFHR receives adult vocational studies grant funding

The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County announces a new partnership with the Virginia Ready Initiative, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to convening credential-based learning opportunities to upskill Virginians for economic mobility. Their sunset operations plan for 2024 details an investment of their remaining $1.33 million+ funds into other Virginia nonprofits, with a specific focus on workforce development.

TCFHR will be one of the five grant recipients for Virginia Ready Initiative’s investment. TCFHR will utilize grant funding to support adult learners pursuing nursing and other skilled trade studies such as HVAC, welding, plumbing, and electric at schools such as Massanutten Technical Center and Blue Ridge Community College. Funding will support adult students in Harrisonburg, Rockingham, Page, Augusta, and Shenandoah counties.

“The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County will proudly plant and grow the Virginia Ready Initiative’s legacy here in our communities. Our partnership is in line with our strategic plan to increase scholarships for students. This funding means more adult learners in the Shenandoah Valley have the opportunity for economic growth and prosperity. They can further their educational aspirations and we can help them push forward in their careers. Thank you to the Virginia Ready Initiative for seeing the potential our area has to offer.” – Revlan Hill, Executive Director.

Organizations were selected by geographic region and alignment with Virginia Ready Initiative’s mission. Other nonprofits selected for investment include United Way of South Hampton Roads, United Way of Southwest Virginia – EO, United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg, and Claude Moore Foundation/Claude Moore Opportunities.

Since inception in 2020, Virginia Ready Initiative has invested over $6.4 million to support more than 6,000 individuals seeking credentials, career readiness skills, and connection to life-changing career opportunities. Launched in response to the challenges brought on by COVID-19, VRI’s objective was to convene credential-based learning opportunities to upskill Virginians for economic mobility. Governor Glenn A. Youngkin served as co-founder and the first chairman of Virginia Ready. Amidst a volatile labor market and significant job losses, the organization has provided essential skills and credentials to help Virginians thrive, equipping them in the Commonwealth’s dynamic sectors like technology, healthcare, and the skilled trades.

Nonprofits receive 2023 funding

Giving season is upon us. The Community Foundation reports a total of $159,518 will be granted to 12 organizations in their Fall 2023 grants cycle. Programs and projects like ‘Meals on Wheels’ by Valley Program for Aging Services and ‘Operation Free Pet Healthcare’ by Anicira are among the funded grantees. Over 60 organizations submitted applications. “Our grant funding process is difficult, especially because we receive so many wonderful applications each year. All are deserving of funding. We encourage nonprofits to apply for our grants next year as our grant awards will increase substantially.” – Ann Siciliano, Director of Program Services.

Fall 2023 grant awards will be distributed to Harrisonburg-Rockingham nonprofit agencies by year end.

2023 TCFHR Competitive Grant Awards:

Fund Grantee Purpose/Project
Community Endowment Valley Program for Aging Services Meals on Wheels
Valley Arts & Culture Fund Oasis Fine Art & Craft Beyond Restaurant Mural
Valley Arts & Culture Fund Rockingham Ballet Theatre Costume Storage Improvement
Janet Sohn Endowed Fund The Salvation Army The Salvation Army Emergency Shelter
Mary Spitzer Etter Endowed Fund Arts Council of the Valley Development of New Arts Council of the Valley Website
Alvin J. Baird, Jr. Program Endowed Fund Blue Ridge Free Clinic, Inc. A Free Clinic Bridge to Health
Alvin J. Baird, Jr. Program Endowed Fund Cross Keys Equine Therapy Parent/Grandparent Caregiver Trauma Group
Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts Arts Council of the Valley ACT ONE
Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts OASIS Fine Art & Craft `Wild and Wonderful – Animals “Captured” in Paint!
Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts Virginia Quilt Museum Creating a multi-purpose space for hands-on learning and programs
Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative Sprung Subfloor
Hildred Neff Memorial Fund Wildlife Center of Virginia Treatment of Sick, Injured, and Orphaned Wildlife from Harrisonburg and Rockingham County
Hildred Neff Memorial Fund Cat’s Cradle Pet Retention for Low-Income and Other Vulnerable Populations
Hildred Neff Memorial Fund Anicira Operation Free Pet Healthcare

Grant distributions come from funds held at TCFHR and are determined by Grants committees. Nonprofit organizations awarded all participated in a competitive application process. Per TCFHR policy, grants are made without regard to factors of gender, race, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation. For more information, visit TCFHR’s website, tcfhr.org.

Contact: Ann Siciliano, 540-432-3863 or [email protected]

Website: tcfhr.org

About The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg & Rockingham County (TCFHR) 

TCFHR makes charitable giving easy, acting in the best interest of our donors and partners to facilitate bold philanthropic initiatives for a stronger, healthier community.

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The Community Foundation Awards $25,000 to….

The Community Foundation Awards $25,000 to….

Since 1998, twenty-five years ago, The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County (TCFHR) has been a champion for this community, always thinking of donors’ interests and highlighting area needs. On October 5, TCFHR hosted a celebration for their 25 years of service to the Valley. The evening, set at Explore More Discovery Museum, was filled with joyous conversation and heartening speeches by past and current TCFHR leaders. Donors, professional advisors, partners, board members, past leadership, and staff joined to share our love for the place we call home.

In honor of their 25th anniversary, TCFHR announced to nonprofit organizations in the summer that they would award a special $25,000 grant to a selected nonprofit. Nonprofits who applied to TCFHR’s Giving Back application would be considered. The event committee reviewed 66 worthy applications and selected nine for the full TCFHR Board to consider. The Board then selected the three finalists. It was then the event attendees’ turn to decide. Attendees were integral to the festivities, as they would determine the nonprofit awardee of a $25,000 grant by an anonymous ballot vote.

As the event ended, TCFHR staff announced the nonprofit that received the most votes and would accept the $25,000 award. With a drum roll, TCFHR announced to the group that First Step: A Response to Domestic Violence, Inc. would receive $25,000 towards their project, Emergency Crisis Intervention and Advocacy Services for Survivors of Domestic Violence. At 6:59 PM, Candy Phillips, First Step Executive Director, answered the call. On speakerphone with the audience, Candy heard as the attendees applauded. “We appreciate this. This really means a lot to First Step and everybody here and everyone that we serve. Thank you so much!” – Candy Phillips, on speakerphone.

The Community Foundation would like to thank all their partners for an incredible 25 years. It is an honor and absolute privilege to serve this community, and we appreciate your continued support. Additionally, thank you to Explore More Discovery Museum for providing a beautiful space for our event. THANK YOU!

About The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg & Rockingham County
The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County makes it easy to give back to the community we love.
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Great Community Give raises $2 million for area nonprofits

GREAT COMMUNITY GIVE DAY 2023: TWO MILLION RAISED  

The 6th annual GREAT COMMUNITY GIVE was held today, Wednesday, April 19, 6:30am-8pm.

Official Totals as of 8:00PM, April 19, 2023

Participating Nonprofit Agencies:  148

Dollars Raised:  $2,000,545

Total Number of Unique Donors: 7,684

Their totals for all six years: $7,118,248.

 

Past results are as follows:

2018, 53 nonprofits participated with $276,820 raised.

2019, 89 nonprofits participated with $536,300 raised.

2020, 102 nonprofits participated with $804,216 raised.

2021, 116 nonprofits participated with $1,776,878 raised.

2022, 125 nonprofits participated with $1,727,489 raised.

 

Local nonprofits receive grants

Harrisonburg, VA – It feels like Christmas over at The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg  and Rockingham County (TCFHR)! No, it is not quite time for the holiday, but TCFHR is in the giving spirit since they are soon issuing Fall 2022 grants to nonprofit organizations. This year’s grants total $152,235 to 13 local nonprofits, more than TCFHR has given out in years past. The largest distribution ($55,000) coming from the Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts. Dr. Earlynn J. Miller was honored posthumously at AFP Shenandoah’s National Philanthropy Day for her contributions at JMU as well as her generously giving approximately $5 million to establish three endowments at The Community Foundation that will support the arts forever.

The monies will go to organizations addressing needs in:
Animal welfare (Anicira, Cat’s Cradle, and Wildlife Center of VA) made by Hildred Neff Memorial Fund
Arts & Culture (Arts Council of the Valley) made by Mary Spitzer Etter Endowed Fund, (OASIS Fine Art & Craft) made by Valley Arts & Culture Fund, and (Arts Council of the Valley and Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative) made by Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts
Children and Youth of Divorced Parents (Family Life Resource Center) made by Sean Warner Memorial Fund
Healthcare (Adagio House, Blue Ridge Free Clinic, and Strength in Peers) made by Alvin V. Baird, Jr. Program Housing (Central Valley Habitat for Humanity) made by Janet Sohn Endowed Fund
Greatest benefit to Harrisonburg and Rockingham County (Blue Ridge CASA and First Step) made by The Community Endowment Fund

Grant distributions come from funds held at TCFHR and are determined by Grants committees. Nonprofit organizations awarded all participated in a competitive application process. Per TCFHR policy, grants are made without regard to factors of gender, race, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation. For more information, contact Ann Siciliano at [email protected].

 

Read more about Community Foundation grant awards.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library receives funding from Sentara Healthcare

The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County (TCFHR) and Sentara Healthcare are collaborating to bring books into the hands of all children under five years old in our community. TCFHR, a local nonprofit organization, received word that Sentara Healthcare will fund a $15,000 grant to their latest program, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. TCFHR became a local community affiliate in July 2021. In the eight months since their official launch in March 2022, 1,900 Harrisonburg-Rockingham children enrolled to receive free monthly books.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a monthly book-gifting program that mails free, quality, and age-appropriate books to all children under five years old in a designated program area. Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly began the program in 1995 for children in her home county in Tennessee. Today, the Imagination Library spans the United States, Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, and Australia, mailing over 1 million books to children each month. “As the local community partner, we are responsible for certain expenses. The cost of wholesale books and shipping is $2.10 per book, totaling $25.20 for the year for one child. This grant signifies the delivery of over 7,000 monthly books and over 500 children receiving books at no cost to their families for an entire year.” – Amanda Bomfim, Program Officer, TCFHR.

This news came as a roaring excitement to TCFHR staff. “This $15,000 grant from Sentara Healthcare will mean so much to our community. Our dream for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is that we connect all the infants, young children, and families in Harrisonburg and Rockingham with books and create a love for reading. We hope to never turn a child away and these funds will help us do that.” – Revlan Hill, Executive Director, TCFHR. In November, the program will reach the milestone of 10,000 books mailed to local children.