Helping rural areas of Virginia is a consistent focus of the Virginia General Assembly, even if it is not the priority of all of its members. We witness for example the Commonwealth’s investments in high speed internet in rural areas, its placement of community colleges in areas that need workforce development, and its financial incentives for business ventures in remote locations.

Can philanthropy really make an appreciable difference, compared with these direct investments? In the short run the answer is, “Yes, a little.” In the long run the answer is, “Yes, and maybe a lot.” 

How can I make such an assertion? Let me start with an admittedly urban example, which is where I work at The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia. Like all community foundations, we hold endowed funds established by people like you who want to give back to their community in some way. We invest these endowment dollars for long-term growth, and a significant amount of the income is given away to local nonprofits each year.  

The donors decide which charitable causes their funds will support. Their wishes can be specific or very general. Donors can advise the grant making during their lifetimes, and often they pass their passion for philanthropy to their children and grandchildren. Philanthropy can be a great family-builder as well as a community-builder. 

What has been the impact in Central Virginia? In 1984, we were giving away $27,000 a year to local charities. It wasn’t a very big deal, to be honest. In 2006, we gave away $56 million, which I think you will agree is quite a big deal. Now, keep in mind these gifts come largely from endowed assets, which means that these grants will keep flowing and growing forever. 

Where did all this money come from? About 650 people have started funds in our community foundation totaling about $660 million. Some funds are small (as little as $10,000), and some are very large (over $100 million). Every donor shares a passion to make Central Virginia a better place to live. And, I can tell you that a strong sense of community and personal gratification has come to each of our 650 donors who are making a meaningful impact where they live.

 “Okay,” you may ask, “But how will this work in a rural community? We don’t have that many people out here.” We have three rural affiliates in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula counties along the Chesapeake Bay. Their assets grew from $600,000 in 2000 to over $9 million last year. In all, 105 donors have started funds in these rural areas, and the grants are becoming significant. These rural affiliates are on the cusp of being a big deal! 

So, how many community foundations are there in Virginia? There are 31 community foundations, including six regional affiliates of larger foundations. Many of these foundations are in rural areas such as Shenandoah County, the Northern Piedmont, New River Valley, Martinsville, Danville, Eastern Shore, Suffolk and Colonial Beach. In every one of these foundations, there are local leaders who are laying the groundwork for growth, and hopefully all will be successful in time. 

Time and patience are needed. Growing endowments takes years, even decades. The largest gifts often come by bequest, and it takes time for generations to pass on. The community foundations need operating support until they grow sufficiently to make a difference. Yet, the reward for patience and persistence is great. 

Sadly, many rural areas of the Commonwealth have yet to get started. This is particularly true in many of Southwestern and Southside Virginia’s counties, as well as some along the northern part of the Blue Ridge and some along the northern part of the Northern Neck.  

How can we help these un-served communities start a community foundation? Thanks to the leadership of Glen Sink at the Center for Rural Virginia, we are hopeful that help is on the way! Glen has collaborated with Community Foundations of Virginia to address the issue. Together, we have approached Virginia’s General Assembly for assistance. 

With the leadership of Senator Frank Ruff and Delegate Steven Landes, we have asked the Commonwealth to amend the general fund budget for the Center for Rural Virginia by $235,000 next year and $140,000 the following year, which we hope to leverage with grants from national foundations interested in helping rural areas. These funds will be used to build the needed infrastructure to support the establishment of community foundations in rural areas and to train local leaders.

It is our hope that all of Virginia’s localities will have access to a community foundation within a decade, and that some will become substantial within two decades. We endeavor that each rural region will realize the greater sense of community that comes from building and growing a community endowment. And, we aspire to see rural communities enjoy the fruits of lifetime gifts and bequests that their citizens set aside to create a better future.

Is this a pipe dream or a possibility? Ask the nonprofits in Central Virginia. In 1981, they would have said it was a pipe dream. Today, they will tell you it is a reality.  

It can happen in your community too.

February 2008