2015 Grant Awardees

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts ($5,000) – will help support the Center’s Student Matinees, “Artists in Schools” program, and youth art education initiatives.
  3. Virginia Opera Association ($2,000) – will help provide program activities for Suffolk Public Schools students, with programs fully staged by professional singers.
  4. 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.
  5. Riddick’s Folly ($2,500) – will help support the House Museum education programs.
  6. Suffolk Literacy Council ($6,000) – will help support the Tutor & Student Retention & Support Program.
  7. 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.
  8. Nansemond-Suffolk Academy ($3,000) – will help continue to support the Saints Diversity Initiatives.
  9. Nansemond-Suffolk Academy ($5,000) – will help support the STEM Innovation Lab with the purchase of additional computers.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. Suffolk Education Foundation ($2,500) – will help support STEM education in B.T. Washington Elementary School.
  13. 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.
  14. Nansemond River Preservation Alliance ($5,000) – will help support The Nansemond Watershed Community Environmental Education Program, which encourages environmental stewardship.
  15. Chesapeake Bay Foundation ($2,500) – will help support environmental science training for Suffolk Public Schools teachers.
  16. Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia ($5,000) – will help support the Backpack Program in SPS Elementary Schools.
  17. Southeastern Virginia Areawide Model Program ($5,000) – will provide up to 250 trips to medical appointments for senior citizens and people with disabilities.
  18. 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.
  19. Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast ($2,500) – will support for financial assistance for program fees/supplies for up to 500 girls in Suffolk.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. The Children’s Center ($2,500) – will support the purchase of an audiometer for use in the Suffolk classroom.
  23. ForKids ($5,000) – will provide support for the Western Tidewater Hot Meals and Homework program.
  24. 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.
  25. The Up Center ($2,500) – will help support the Suffolk outpatient counseling services by providing Trauma Informed Care Counseling.
  26. 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.
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. 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

View Grants List