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2011 Grant Awardees

Suffolk Foundation Awards $75,000

Press Release: December 15, 2011 from the Suffolk Foundation. If you need further information please contact Mr. William Hill, Executive Director – Office 923-9090, Home 539-8520, Cell 469-1860

The Suffolk Foundation made its Annual Grant Distributions on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at the Foundation office. This year the Foundation was able to disburse $75,000 to eighteen (18) different nonprofit agencies. Since the Foundation received its 501 (c) (3) nonprofit community foundation status in October, 2007, it has awarded nearly $1,000,000 in unrestricted and donor-advised grants and scholarships, Mr. Ryan Harrell, Distribution Chairman stated that the Foundation was able to expand its funding this year to agencies with a diversity of needs. The past several years, considering the challenging economy, the Board voted to support agencies that were assisting organizations who were primarily assisting individuals meets their basic human needs. The Foundation funded agencies seeking support in the following areas: Cultural Arts, Education, Environment, Family, Health, Human Needs, Seniors, and Youth. As the invested funds continue to grow, the Board anticipates being able to support more agencies, with a diversity of needs, with more funds.

The 2011 Suffolk Foundation Grant Recipients were:

  1. ACCESS COLLEGE FOUNDATION – $5,000 (FULLY FUNDED REQUEST): Assist with the operating funds of the Access program in three Suffolk public high schools and in two middle schools.
  2. BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA – $5,000: Funding will support two programs – KidzLit and Passport to Manhood, as well as the Kids Café program in the Suffolk Unit.
  3. CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION – $2,500: Help provide Suffolk Public School teachers with environmental education professional development, which will allow the educators the resources to integrate field and classroom-based environmental education into core academic studies.
  4. FOODBANK OF SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA – $4,250 (FULLY FUNDED REQUEST): Assist with providing for basic needs and to benefit the health of Suffolk’s most vulnerable residents by supporting the expansion of the Mobile Pantry Program (a targeted, direct food delivery system).
  5. FORKIDS – $5,000: Providing partial funding for homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing and stabilization services for families and individuals in Western Tidewater.
  6. NANSEMOND RIVER PRESERVATION ALLIANCE – $2,500: Assist with the funding to help restore the impaired Nansemond River, Chuckatuck Creek, Bennetts Creek, and their tributaries to full health by supporting the NRPA Comprehensive Community Environmental Stewardship Program.
  7. SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA AREAWIDE MODEL PROGRAM – $5,000 (FULLY FUNDED REQUEST): Funds will be utilized to provide 250 trips to medical appointments for Suffolk residents 60 years of age and adults with disabilities.
  8. SUFFOLK CENTER FOR THE CULTURAL ARTS – $5,000 (FULLY FUNDED REQUEST): Assist with funding the Center’s Student Matinees and “Artists in Schools” Program for 2011 – 2012 Season which will expose 5,000+ students to the magic of live theater and provide field trip opportunities which bring the arts to the schools.
  9. SUFFOLK LITERACY COUNCIL – $3,000: Support the major project goal which is to strengthen the adult literacy services of the SLC to better assist adults in obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency.
  10. SUFFOLK SALVATION ARMY CORPS – $4,000: Help provide basic services of food, shelter, and energy to individuals in Suffolk and surrounding areas.
  11. SUFFOLK SPECIAL OLYMPICS AREA 29 – $2,500: Assist with the costs incurred for competitions, equipment for new sport activities being added, and travel.
  12. SUFFOLK YMCA – $5,000 (Fully Funded Request): Funds will be used to support the area’s child care crisis by helping provide scholarships to public school children coming from low-income families, so the individuals may have the possibility of attending Afterschool and/or Summer Camp.
  13. THE CHILDREN’S CENTER – $2,700 (FULLY FUNDED REQUEST): Funding will allow the placement of “Raising a Reader Program” in three new Early Head Start Classrooms at the Suffolk Children’s Center.
  14. THE GENIEVE SHELTER – $5,000: Funds will help support victims fleeing domestic violence situations, with the ultimate goal to decrease the number of domestic violence incidences through education and services that focuses on preventing and ending domestic violence in homes, schools, and communities.
  15. THE SUFFOLK PARTNERSHIP FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY, INC. – $2,500: Assist in funding the cost of implementing a community-wide comprehensive wellcare management program called Positive Lifestyle Commitment Program.
  16. VIRGINIA LEGAL AID SOCIETY – $7,500: Helps support the VLAS Strengthening Families with Children, which incorporates legal advice and representation to strengthen low-income families in stress.
  17. WESTERN TIDEWATER COMMUNITY SERVICE BOARD – $3,550 (FULLY FUNDED REQUEST): Funds will be used to purchase 3 washers and dryers for use in a proposed “Adult Daily Living Skills Lab” for use by individuals who suffer from serious and persistent mental illness attending Western Tidewater’s rehabilitation program.
  18. WESTERN TIDEWATER FREE CLINIC – $5,000: Help support the funding of medical services for the Women’s Health Program for 500 women who are eligible for care which will improve the health of the uninsured woman in Suffolk and the surrounding area.