Press Release
From the Suffolk Foundation
December 9, 2015
If you would like more information contact:
757 923 9090 office
office@suffolkfoundation.org
For Immediate Release
Suffolk Foundation Awards $116,500
On December 9 2015, the Suffolk Foundation made its Annual Grant Distributions at the Foundation office. This year the Foundation was able to disburse $116,500 to twenty-eight (28) different nonprofit agencies. Since the Foundation received its 501 (c) (3) nonprofit community foundation status in October, 2007, it has awarded over $3,200,000 in unrestricted and donor-advised grants and scholarships. The Foundation funded agencies seeking support in the following areas: Cultural Arts, Education, Environment, Health, and Human Need. As the invested funds continue to grow, the Board anticipates being able to support more agencies, and a diversity of needs, with more funds.
The 2015 Suffolk Foundation Grant Recipients were:
- Suffolk Art League ($1,000) – will help fund professional artist workshops in Suffolk’s high schools and middle schools and allow for fourth and fifth grade talented art students to visit and participate in hands-on activities at the Suffolk Art Gallery.
- Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts ($5,000) – will help support the Center’s Student Matinees, “Artists in Schools” program, and youth art education initiatives.
- Virginia Opera Association ($2,000) – will help provide program activities for Suffolk Public Schools students, with programs fully staged by professional singers.
- Virginia Symphony Orchestra ($3,000) – will help support the symphony to continue to provide the Young People’s Concert to all Suffolk Public Schools fifth graders.
- Riddick’s Folly ($2,500) – will help support the House Museum education programs.
- Suffolk Literacy Council ($6,000) – will help support the Tutor & Student Retention & Support Program.
- Access College Foundation ($3,500) – will provide operating support of the Access program in the Suffolk Public High Schools and two middle schools as well as the colleges Suffolk Public School students are attending.
- Nansemond-Suffolk Academy ($3,000) – will help continue to support the Saints Diversity Initiatives.
- Nansemond-Suffolk Academy ($5,000) – will help support the STEM Innovation Lab with the purchase of additional computers.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia ($7,000) – will help support a tutoring program for 15 club members and the “Kid’s Café” program, which serves meals and snacks to over 200 club members.
- Children’s Literacy of Suffolk ($5,000) – will help provide tutorial reading education (Book Buddies) to at-risk students in Title 1 Suffolk elementary schools.
- Suffolk Education Foundation ($2,500) – will help support STEM education in B.T. Washington Elementary School.
- United Way of South Hampton Roads/United for Children ($5,000) – will help support the Suffolk Public Schools “LEAP” summer school program for all Title 1 at-risk students in grades pre-K through 5.
- Nansemond River Preservation Alliance ($5,000) – will help support The Nansemond Watershed Community Environmental Education Program, which encourages environmental stewardship.
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation ($2,500) – will help support environmental science training for Suffolk Public Schools teachers.
- Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia ($5,000) – will help support the Backpack Program in SPS Elementary Schools.
- Southeastern Virginia Areawide Model Program ($5,000) – will provide up to 250 trips to medical appointments for senior citizens and people with disabilities.
- Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters ($7,500) – will help support CHKD’s Child Abuse Program by providing medical, mental health, and forensic services to children who are suspected of being abused and neglected.
- Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast ($2,500) – will support for financial assistance for program fees/supplies for up to 500 girls in Suffolk.
- Suffolk Family YMCA ($5,000) – will help address the area’s childcare crisis by assisting 35 low-income children attend an after-school program and providing 10 children a week of summer camp.
- Suffolk Meals on Wheels ($6,000) – will support funding for meals for up to 20 need-based recipients in the under-served areas of Suffolk and Isle of Wight.
- The Children’s Center ($2,500) – will support the purchase of an audiometer for use in the Suffolk classroom.
- ForKids ($5,000) – will provide support for the Western Tidewater Hot Meals and Homework program.
- Virginia Legal Aid Society ($5,000) – will help support “Strengthening Families with Children” program, which incorporates legal advice and representation to strengthen low-income families in stress.
- The Up Center ($2,500) – will help support the Suffolk outpatient counseling services by providing Trauma Informed Care Counseling.
- Suffolk Salvation Army ($5,000) – will help support the basic needs programs and community center activities of the Salvation Army and the Robert Harrell Physical Health and Education Center.
- Special Olympics Virginia – Area 29 ($3,000) – will assist in funding the cost incurred for three major events: the Suffolk games, Summer games, and Fall championships.
- Voices for Kids ($3,500) – will help support the recruitment, training, and supervising of volunteers to speak for the best interests of abused or neglected children.
- Communities in Schools ($1,000) – will support the coordination of non-academic services with at-risk students in Elephants Fork Elementary School.
28 Grantees, 29 Grants
Total Unrestricted Funds Awarded $114,000
Total Donor Advised / Designated Funds Awarded$2,500
Grants Total $116,500