CHRISTIANSBURG — The Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV) announced Monday the awarding of $19,250 to NRV nonprofits affected by COVID-19 in its second round of grants
The Community Foundation announced its COVID-19 Response Grant Program in late March and has received nearly 100 applications, demonstrating the overwhelming need in the NRV. The program is awarding grants of up to $2,000 to NRV charitable organizations to help them navigate the pandemic. Applications were received from many different organizations including hunger relief agencies and those in diverse areas of the arts, education, health care and more.
Many organizations are seeing an increased demand for services, or having to make changes to how they deliver services or cover operational expenses. In response, the foundation’s leaders elected to direct a significant portion of grant funding available from its endowed funds in 2020 to COVID-19 response grants through a flexible system that allows organizations to use the grant money where it is needed most. The foundation has also raised additional funds from the community towards these grants.
The program is open to 501(c)3 nonprofits that serve the New River Valley or units of the local government such as schools or libraries. Organizations complete a simple, online application, and grants will be awarded roughly monthly until funding is exhausted. The last set of grants will be awarded in mid-June. Agencies who have not already applied may apply at cfnrv.org/grants. Those who applied and did not receive funding will automatically be rolled over to the June cycle.
The following programs and organizations received grants in May:
DePaul Community Services: $2,000 from the Andy and Susan Morikawa Capacity Building Fund, the Diana, Princess of Wales Fund and the General Endowment to help offset staff expenses.
The Dublin United Methodist Church Feeding Program: $2,000 from the Todd Family Fund, the Youth Awareness Fund, and the Ann and H.W. Huff Family Fund to continue spring and summer feeding in partnership with Pulaski County Public Schools.
Friends of the Farmers Market: $2,000 from the Annette and Lee Brown Fund and the Cottingham-Stuart Community Fund to help offset lost revenues and support online ordering.
Mayapple School: $2,000 from the Jackson S. Coperhaver Fund, the Stoop Fund and the Luba Fabrycky Memorial Fund to support building maintenance and staff.
Montgomery Museum of Art and History: $2,000 from the Arts Alliance Fund to support operations following the cancellation of several fundraisers.
NRV CARES: $2,000 from the Parenting Skills Fund, the Hulannie Jenkins and Kimberlyn Atherton-Jenkins Fund, and the General Endowment to support staff as they move their services online.
NRV Glean Team (via St. Mary’s Catholic Church): $2,000 from the Wellness Fund, the Mary Risacher Fund, and the Cottingham Stuart Community Fund to purchase supplies for their garden to increase the amount of fresh produce delivered to food pantries in the coming months.
Project CRIB: $1,250 from the Mary E. Sanders Fund and the Homer T. and Beverly Hurst Fund to provide books to students in Radford City for the remainder of the year.
The Salvation Army: $2,000 from the Joann and JB Sutphin Fund, the Margaret and Samuel F. Tollison Family Fund, and the Homer T. and Beverly Hurst Fund to support social service assistance and the increase in demand for food.
The Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society: $2,000 from the Andy and Susan Morikawa Capacity Building Fund for secure, confidential communication systems to continue serving low-income clients remotely.
Jessica Wirgau, Executive Director of the Foundation, said “We are really seeing the impact of COVID-19 in our community. Organizations are being bold and innovative in transitioning services online, moving staff to work from home and continuing to market their organizations in our new normal. We are so appreciative of the feedback we’ve received to date from grant recipients, making clear that these grants are a huge help in a challenging time.
Apple Ridge Farm was one of the April COVID-10 response grant recipients and expressed its gratitude “for the support with this generous contribution. You are making an impact in the lives of many youth in need in the Roanoke and New River valleys. Thank you for being part of the reason that many of the non-profit organizations in our communities can continue to do more good amid this pandemic.”
In addition to the COVID-19 Response Grant Program, the foundation is hosting regular nonprofit listening sessions to get a better understanding of community needs, and is encouraging nonprofits to register for and utilize the GiveLocalNRV platform to share their needs and raise much-needed funds.
GiveLocalNRV is an online platform that allows donors to give easily and securely to dozens of local charities. While the site is gearing up for its annual online giving day on June 24th, donors can support local charities on the site right now by visiting givelocalnrv.org. For more information on getting involved with GiveLocalNRV, reach out to the foundation. Additional resources and information can be found at cfnrv.org/partnerships-initiatives/covid-19/.
To make a tax-deductible gift towards the foundation’s COVID-19 Response Grant Program, go to www.givelocalnrv.org/story/Covid19grants or mail a check payable to CFNRV, P.O. Box 6009, Christiansburg, VA 24068-6009. Please mark “COVID Response” in the memo line. For additional information on how to give to this program, contact Jessica Wirgau at jessicawirgau@cfnrv.org.
