Community Foundation of Central Blue Ridge awards $571K in grants to 143 nonprofits
There were 143 great reasons to celebrate.
The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge held its annual Community Grants Program awards ceremony at Wintergreen Resort on June 18, awarding $571,083 dollars to 143 nonprofits through Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta County, Nelson County and Highland County.
Since 1992, the Community Foundation has invested over 21 million dollars in the community through grants, scholarships and education awards.
This year's grant awards total was the highest in the organization's history, according to a press release from the Community Foundation.
The 2025 community grant recipients varied widely in focus, concentrating on areas such as housing, mental health, child care, animals, the environment and many other needs.
The one thing all 143 nonprofits have in common is that they strive to make the community stronger, the release said.
Dan Layman, CEO of the Community Foundation, believes strongly in this year's recipients.
'This diverse collection of nonprofit organizations, and their talented teams, work every day to make a difference for the causes that matter to our community,' Layman said. 'Through our grants to these organizations, we have the privilege of connecting the caring people from whom these funds originated to these causes."
The recipients were happy to celebrate receiving alongside their peers in the nonprofit spaces.
'I thought the event was wonderful,' said Keisha Nicholson, founder and executive director of Love Forward Foundation. 'I thought it was warm and welcoming. I was able to reacquaint myself with a lot of great leaders in the community. A lot of these organizations really feel like family. We've really grown close.'
More: Juneteenth celebration comes to Staunton
Angela Crawford, CEO of Blue Ridge CASA for Children, agrees.
'The Community Foundation's support reminds us that we're never alone in the work that we do,' Crawford said. 'This celebration reflects the strength and generosity of the community that we serve. Blue Ridge CASA is honored to stand among all of these amazing, inspiring organizations that are making a difference in our community.'
The Community Grants Program is just one of several ways in which the Community Foundation supports the region. Through other grant programs, donor-advised funds, scholarships and education awards, the Foundation anticipates distributing over $2.5 million in 2025.
In addition to setting aside some time to be celebrated and thanked, the organizations were genuinely thankful for the financial support, the release said.
Ben Leonard, general manager at nonprofit radio station WQSV 96.3, thinks the organizations will use the funds to continue doing good in the community.
'It's a great way for us to continue our mission to bring broadcast education and creativity and culture into Staunton-Augusta County area,' he said. 'We're feeling the generosity of the community, and how they give back to us.'
More: CDC warns of Listeria outbreak in 13 states, including Virginia
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Community Foundation of Central Blue Ridge awards $571K in grants to 143 nonprofits
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