Williamsburg Community Foundation Announces Grants to Area Charities

On February 10, 2010, the Board of Trustees of the Williamsburg Community Foundation presented grants totaling $20,621 to ten nonprofit organizations during a grant award ceremony. $8,000 was awarded from the Community Endowment, $1000 was awarded from the Genevieve McGiffert Memorial Fund for the Musical Performing Arts, $9,621 from the Benjamin R. Altshuler Memorial Fund, and $2,000 from the Robert E. Kiley Family Fund.

Foundation Chairman, Vernon M. Geddy III announced that The Chairman’s Challenge was completed with 73 new funds established as part of the Community Endowment, the source for the Foundation's competitive grants to the community. With the funds raised through the challenge, the Foundation will be able give out $35,000 annually to local organizations. The Foundation now holds nearly $3.5 million in assets.

The Benjamin R. Altshuler Memorial Fund at the Williamsburg Community Foundation was established in 2009 with contributions from the estate of Benjamin R. Altshuler. Ben was an avid supporter of amateur sports and an enthusiastic community activist and has endowed his passions through his estate. Each year, earnings from the estate are used to award grants to deserving local organizations involved in amateur sports or other causes beneficial to the community.

Agencies that received grants from the Community Endowment Fund:

Flute Frenzy will use this grant to acquire an alto flute that will relieve its dependence on borrowed instruments. This will allow students more independence and flexibility in rehearsal and in performance throughout the Historic Triangle community.

Rita Welsh Adult Literacy Program ($1,500)

The Rita Welsh Adult Literacy Program will use this grant to help expand its health literacy curriculum and develop health literacy assessments in an effort to improve the personal health outcomes of its learners.

This Century Art Gallery ($1,000)

Arts/Culture

This Century Art Gallery will use this grant to outfit rented classroom space in the Williamsburg Crossing Shopping Center. The classroom will be used for art classes for children and adults.

United Way of Greater Williamsburg ($1,500).

Health / Human Service

The United Way of Greater Williamsburg will use this grant to help fund its Information and Referral Program. The Information and Referral Program is a central source of vital assistance for people needing information as simple as a phone number or a referral as critical as shelter.

Williamsburg Area Meals on Wheels ($2,000).

Health / Human Service

The Williamsburg Area Meals on Wheels will use this grant to help fund a cost-sharing project to provide hot meals to individuals who are unable to prepare food and unable to pay for their meals.

Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Department ($1,000).

Community Improvement

The Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Department will use this grant help purchase one “Lifepak CR Plus” Automated External Defibrillator for use in sudden cardiac arrests that may arise at an emergency scene or community event.

Agencies that received grants from the Benjamin R. Altshuler Memorial Fund:

The Poquoson Athletic Association will use the funds to replace and upgrade exercise bikes, a washer, a dryer, scales and wrestling singlets

FISH ($5,000)

FISH will use the funds to support those in need in the greater Williamsburg area.

Agencies that received grants from the Genevieve McGiffert Fund for the Musical Performing Arts:

The Williamsburg Symphonia ($1,000)

Arts/Culture

This grant will help fund The Williamsburg Symphonia's annual Holiday Pops Concert which celebrates Grand Illumination weekend in Williamsburg with four concerts providing seasonal music, highlighted by talented vocalists, for an adult audience.

Agencies that received grants from the Robert E. Kiley Family Fund:

WHRO ($2,000)

Arts/Culture

This grant will be use to help WHRO expand its services to the Williamsburg community through maintenance of a satellite office / studio, studio broadcasts, community events and remote broadcasts of programs such as Hear Say with Cathy Lewis.

Each year the Foundation distributes a percentage of its endowment to be awarded as grants to nonprofit organizations in our community.  As the Foundation’s permanent endowment grows through its investments and gifts from individuals and businesses, so will its ability to fund new and innovative local programs.  The Foundation also makes grants from donor-advised funds through recommendations by the funds’ donors.  Last year, grants from all funds at the Foundation totaled $213,901.  The Foundation gives donor-advisors and other philanthropic minded individuals in our community the opportunity to support programs that the Foundation is unable to fund through its community endowment, leveraging more dollars for the community.

The grants fall into the categories of Arts/Culture, Community Improvement, Education, Environment/Conservation, and Health/Human Services.  To apply for a grant, please click here. Please call 757-259-1660 with any questions about eligibility prior to filling out an application.