CACF Approves $285,000 in Grant Awards to Area Nonprofits

The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation announces $285,000 in grants to eight local nonprofits. The Community Endowment Fund is the Foundation’s unrestricted grantmaking program that provides support to nonprofit organizations working to improve the quality of life in the CACF service area.
 
In the spring cycle, CACF considers proposals for grants between $10,000 and $100,000 and targeted to strategic, transformative projects in the community.  CACF was pleased to be able to fully fund two of the proposals.
 
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Virginia (BGCCVA) received $55,000 to increase its capacity to serve more youth at their Southwood unit by expanding the clubhouse facility there.  James Pierce, Executive Director of BGCCVA expressed, “Southwood Boys & Girls Club members will thrive as a result of this vital support from the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation.  As a result, the Club will double in size, thereby better serving nearly 100 young people per day after school and during the summer.  Programs will expand as well—especially those involving field trips.  The Board, Staff, and Members of the Central Virginia Clubs appreciate CACF for their recognition of the Boys & Girls Club mission at Southwood through this grant of support.  The Club is proud to provide kids hope and opportunity and to come through on our promise that Great Futures Start Here”
 
The Community Investment Collaborative (CIC) received $50,000 to support a four-month entrepreneurship training program for existing and aspiring entrepreneurs, including micro financing and ongoing advisory and peer support in order to strengthen local entrepreneurship. 
“We are thrilled with the extraordinary generosity of CACF and by its support for this new micro lending effort in our area,” said CIC co-founder Wendy Brown.  “Through wonderful collaboration with business owners, bankers, students and faculty at UVA and generous donors, CIC is bringing entrepreneurial training and future financing to a segment of our region's population that did not previously have access to these elements.   CACF's grant is a vote of confidence in CIC's mission and will help many in our region realize their dreams.” CIC provides training, funding and mentoring and this grant will assist in this mission.
 
Six additional nonprofits benefitted from these grants:
 

1. Charlottesville Tomorrow received $35,000 to support its work with local media by providing in-depth coverage of community issues and contributing to informed decision making.
2. Local Food Hub, City Schoolyard Garden received $32,000 to expand their innovative academic, health, environmental stewardship and community engagement program to the Charlottesville City Schools in 2012-2013.
3. Piedmont Council of the Arts received $20,000 to support the development of a Charlottesville Area Cultural Plan through an active, collaborative process as they enable community stakeholders to prioritize and strategically respond to important needs in the area’s cultural sector.
4. Stream Watch received $40,000 to support the long-term monitoring in the Rivanna Watershed in collaboration with the Rivanna Conservation Society (RCS) and Rivanna River Basin Commission (RRBC).
5. The Women’s Initiative received $28,000 to support expansion of its Mental Health Services Program in response to the community’s need.
6. Virginia Supportive Housing received $25,000 to support case management and volunteer services for the 30 formerly homeless tenants of The Crossings at Fourth and Preston.

 
Twice a year, CACF awards gifts through the unrestricted funds in Community Endowment in a competitive grant cycle.  Applicants seeking a grant for the December grant cycle of up to $10,000 must apply no later than October 1, 2012.  Additional information on cycle can be found at http://www.cacfonline.org/grant/community-endowment.