Community Foundation Awards More Than $59,000 in Grants

An array of local nonprofit groups found much-needed support Tuesday. The Williamsburg Community Foundation presented its second round of grants for 2017 at a luncheon inside the Ford’s Colony Country Club, awarding 17 nonprofit organizations $59,117 for a plethora of causes.

“It really brings all of these groups of people together,” said Nancy Cote Sullivan, the foundation’s executive director. She added that the event also allows the foundation’s donors to connect with the groups they’re supporting and exchange ideas.

Since its inception in 1999, the foundation has distributed $5.7 million in grants and scholarships.

The latest recipients span the arts, health and wellness, senior care and more. The Williamsburg Women’s Chorus, Williamsburg Choral Guild and Williamsburg Music Club received a total of more than $3,000 for future programs.

Funds awarded to the Arc of Greater Williamsburg, the Avalon Center, Colonial Behavioral Health, the Peninsula Agency on Aging and the Williamsburg House of Mercy will enable access to affordable transportation for the organizations’ clients.

As a part of the Williamsburg Fund for Women and Girls, the Postpartum Support Virginia received $1,000 to fund a free support group for those experiencing postpartum depression.

The Jamestown 4-H Educational Center, the Armed Services Arts Partnership, the Fairfield Foundation, the Colonial Court Appointed Special Advocates, Williamsburg Area Faith in Action, the Angels of Mercy Medical Clinic and the Lackey Clinic round out the other beneficiaries.

“These endowment funds will continue to grow over time,” Sullivan said.

Representatives from the recipient organizations spoke about how the money would be used while radiating gratefulness for the assistance.

“It’s going to do such amazing things for us,” said Jennifer Jenkins, co-founder of the One Child Center for Autism. The center received a $5,000 grant to support its monthly kids’ night, where children ages 1-16 can gather to have fun and focus on their abilities, rather than their disabilities, in a safe environment.

That parallels what the grants for each organization are really about: focusing on the good at work throughout the community in which there’s no shortage of struggle.

“There is so much good, and we are doing our best to try and add to it,” foundation staff member Kate Slevin said.

The recipients

Williamsburg Women’s Chorus: $834

Williamsburg Choral Guild: $1,500

Williamsburg Music Club: $855

Postpartum Support Virginia: $1,000

Angels of Mercy Medical Clinic: $4,795

Armed Services Arts Partnership: $1,068

Jamestown 4-H Educational Center: $5,000

Lackey Clinic: $5,000

One Child Center for Autism: $5,000

The Fairfield Foundation: $1,068

Williamsburg Area Faith in Action: $5,000

The Arc of Greater Williamsburg: $4,000

The Avalon Center: $4,500

Colonial Behavioral Health: $4,500

Peninsula Agency on Aging: $5,000

Williamsburg House of Mercy: $4,562

Anonymous donors provided some additional support.

Want to get involved?

For more information, to donate or to apply for the next round of grants, visit williamsburgcommunityfoundation.org.