Scholarship applications are now open! View Scholarships Here

2010 Grant Awardees

Suffolk Foundation Awards $70,000

By Heather McGinley
Staff Writer, The Suffolk News-Herald

Sometimes, everyone needs a helping hand. The Suffolk Foundation offers just that to deserving and qualified organizations, which received grant awards from the foundation in a Tuesday breakfast at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts.

Seventeen organizations received a total of $70,000 to support their programs.
It is a difficult decision to make, said Billy Hill, executive director of the foundation. We fund a piece of the total program. We identify what does a lot of good for a lot of people, so we can get the most bang for the buck for that program.

The foundation was able to fully fund the requests of four organizations this year: ForKids, Southeastern Virginia Areawide Model Program, Access, and Suffolk Literacy Council. Only half of the organizations that requested funds received a grant. Because of the economic climate, Hill explained, programs that support human needs and services particularly those serving children and the elderly” were placed above other requests.

The Suffolk Foundation is a non-profit organization with the mission of developing and facilitating philanthropy in Suffolk and the surrounding areas. The organization was incorporated in 2006, and received its non-profit status in 2007.

The organization distributes funds received from businesses, individuals, foundations, and other non-profit organizations in the form of grants to non-profit groups in the community.

What other organization is giving away 70,000 today or this year? George Birdsong, vice president of the Suffolk Foundation, said at the awards breakfast. This shows me that this foundation is already making a difference and will continue to do so.

Hill said the committee ranked applications and identified the organizations that best met the criteria, had the greatest need and shared the Suffolk identity. Grants typically fund only a particular program or service offered by the organization.

2010 GRANT RECIPIENTS

  1. Access – Funds the SAT Preparation Workshop held in one of Suffolk’s Public High Schools – $2,500
  2. Boys and Girls Club Suffolk Unit – Funding supports 3 programs KidzLit, Passport to Manhood, andKids – $4,000
  3. CHKD – Provides program services for the CHKD Child Abuse Program serving Suffolk (31 children   and families served last year) – $4,000
  4. EDMARC – Provides help to families of children with life-threatening illnesses and to families who have had a child die. – $2,000
  5. ForKids – Helps provide essential services for homeless families in Western Tidewater. Matching grant from State Shelter Grant totaling $39,219 dollar for dollar. – $10,000
  6. P.D.C.C. College Foundation – Funds used to support the cost for maintaining a Career Coach Program in 7 high schools (3 in Suffolk) – $2,000
  7. Southeastern VA Areawide Model Program – Provides 250 medical appointment trips for Suffolk residents 60 years of age and adults with disabilities – $5,000
  8. Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts Supports the funding of need based scholarships and improved education programming providing a wide array of tools ensuring the advancement in quality art ed. – $2,000
  9. Suffolk Family YMCA – Assist with the renovation of the YMCA Summer Day Camp and Program Center. Funds also used to bring low-income children into the Y Afterschool (over 520 youth signed up) Lastly, supports ow-income families, who need assistance sending their children to summer camp – $5,000
  10. Suffolk Literacy Council – Helps strengthen the adult literacy services of the Council to better assist adults in obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency. – $2,500
  11. Suffolk Meals on Wheels – Helps subsidize meals for those who are financially need-based in Suffolk and Isle of Wight – $5,000
  12. Suffolk Salvation Army Corps – Funds help provide basic services of food, shelter, and energy (Suffolk, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry, Smithfield and Franklin) – $5,000
  13. Suffolk Special Olympics – Area 29 – Assists with the cost incurred for competitions, equipment and travel associated with preparation and participation of  individuals involved in the Special Olympics and lead-up  activities.-  $4,000
  14. The Children’s Center – Provides scholarships for children in the Early Intervention/Pediatric Therapy program who need additional services to enhance therapy – $2,000
  15. The Genieve Shelter – Supports CJ’s Place and helps to provide direct client assistance in the form of daycare, transportation and other employment related services. – $5,000
  16. VA Legal Aid Society –  Supports the Strengthening Families with Children program, which incorporates legal advice and representation to strengthen low-income families in stress – $5,000
  17. Western Tidewater Free Clinic –  Assists in providing direct medical services for patients who are eligible for care by WTFC  (In-house LAB testing supplies for point of care testing and test sent to Obici – $5,000