The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County

⭐Grants Make a Difference: "wild" and wonderful animals on exhibit⭐More than 300 area elementary students “captured” wild and wonderful animals in paint during a series of workshops. Oasis artists led the sessions, where children were taught the elements of line, shape, color and texture, and then practiced drawing real or imagined animals. Forty artworks were selected for an exhibit at Massanutten Regional Library. Funding from the Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts helped with the purchase of supplies, printing and the exhibit installation. The Explore More Discovery Museum hosted the field trips, and the project also involved Any Given Child Shenandoah Valley. Twelve area nonprofits benefited from a total of $159,516 awarded from seven endowed funds. Grant applications for the 2024-5 cycle are in the review process, with awardees to be announced in November.

Non-profit partners in the Valley, do you have a great impact story? Follow this link to learn how to your organization could be featured on the Emmy award-winning TV show “GIVE.”

⭐Grants Make a Difference: Funds help treat wildlife⭐About 12 percent of the sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife treated at the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro come from Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Nearly 900 animals were treated thanks to 2023 funding, more than $11,700 from the Hildred Neff Memorial Fund. The Center’s treatment averages $179 per patient [2023 treatment costs]. This includes salaries and benefits for the wildlife medical care team, including veterinarians, licensed veterinary technicians, and wildlife rehabilitators, as well as food, medicine, medical and laboratory supplies, equipment costs, and more. Visit www.wildlifecenter.org for more information. Twelve area nonprofits benefited from a total of $159,516 awarded from seven endowed funds. Grant applications for the 2024-5 cycle are in the review process, with awardees to be announced in November.

Congratulations to the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Child Day Care Center, which formally opened their new building on 111 East Market Street this month with a celebratory gathering. The organization has been providing day care to city and county children for 53 years — and now finally has its own 7,000-square-foot space right in downtown Harrisonburg. "Your passion has been inspirational and you cared so much for the children of this community. To walk alongside of you through this process has been a privilege. Your passion has paid off," said our director, Revlan Hill, at the gathering, pictured with TCFHR’s Director of Program Services Anne Siciliano and the day care center's board member Diane McCarthy, Executive Director Delores Jameson, and board member Martha Ross.

⭐Grants Make a Difference: A multi-purpose space for quilt museum⭐The Virginia Quilt Museum invested almost $17,000 in Earlynn J. Miller funding to transform the lower level of the museum into a space for hands-on activities, classes and programs. The space also provides for artists and scholars-in-residence with a research center and a permanent exhibition. Wall repairs, drywall, painting, technology equipment, signage and furniture were among the expenses covered. Twelve area nonprofits benefited from a total of $159,516 awarded from seven endowed funds. Grant applications for the 2024-5 cycle are in the review process, with awardees to be announced in November.

📣SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT SPOTLIGHT📣 Vincent Tran is a junior at Virginia Tech, majoring in biochemistry. He has enjoyed deepening his knowledge in organic chemistry and human anatomy, attending football games, and getting to know new people and their experiences. Vincent hopes to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant. Vincent was one of the recipients of the Community College Transfer Scholarship. Vincent says, "This scholarship means a great deal to me as it allows me to pursue my education without worrying about the financial strain on my family. Furthermore, it allows me to focus my full attention on excelling academically and forming new connections. I am incredibly grateful for your support, and it motivates me to continue striving for academic and personal success. Thank you so much for believing in my potential."

⭐Grants Make a Difference: Ballet's costumes remain pristine⭐Rockingham Ballet Theater fundraised for years to purchase new costumes for the annual production of “The Nutcracker.” A new climate-controlled space funded by a $875 grant from the Valley Arts & Culture Fund has helped extend the life of these expensive and beautiful gems, bringing years of pleasure to local dancers – and area audiences. Twelve area nonprofits benefited from a total of $159,516 awarded from seven endowed funds. Grant applications for the 2024-5 cycle are in the review process, with awardees to be announced in November.

Last week, Revlan led a discussion on how to help when disasters strike on WSVA radio. If you missed it, click the link below to learn about the things you should consider before you donate and how The Community Foundation can help!

⭐Grants Making a Difference: Meeting local healthcare needs⭐ Blue Ridge Free Clinic was the 2023 recipient of $34,592 from The Alvin V. Baird, Jr. Program Endowment Fund, which benefits nonprofit organizations serving unmet healthcare needs among local populations. The grant aided the clinic in serving 611 individual patients with 1,400 medical appointments. For 356 patients, a social worker provided consultation and resource navigation. The grant helped to pay for a contracted social worker, transportation, facility maintenance, interpreters, medication and supplies. Twelve area nonprofits benefited from a total of $159,516 awarded from seven endowed funds. Grant applications for the 2024-5 cycle are in the review process, with awardees to be announced in November.

Two weeks ago, Director of Marketing Lauren Jefferson (right) and Social Media Associate Kelsey Spickler (left) delivered Dolly Parton Imagination Library flyers around Harrisonburg. Pictured is Director of Harrisonburg City Public Schools Welcome Center RaMona Stahl (center) receiving English and Spanish flyers. Dolly wasn't wearing the right shoes for the rainy weather, so we left those at the office 😉 We are looking forward to more registrations for the DPIL!!