More than $390,000 launches TCFHR scholarship winners into fall studies

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Forty-five students were awarded scholarships this year from The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham. Awards total $393,000, with thousands more dollars going out to more than 30 recipients of renewable scholarships based on academic performance.

Seventeen Valley high schools were represented among the recipients. Turner Ashby was well-represented, with seven recent graduates earning top awards and an additional four juniors being named to the Brighter Futures mentoring program.

TCFHR offered 28 scholarships this year, with nine of those scholarships offering awards to multiple students. The awards range from tuition for one class at Massanutten Technical Center to $10,000 a year for four years to a student pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

Learn more about TCFHR scholarships.

Recipients are selected by committee members comprised of 100 Valley community members. Students from 22 Valley high schools can apply. A few scholarships are open to local students attending area community colleges and universities.

Below are the 2025 recipients:

Arthur John Leavenworth – Eureka Lodge #195 Scholarship ($500)

  • Clay Shantz, Turner Ashby
  • Kaylee Dolan, Fort Defiance

Brighter Future Mentoring Award ($750)

  • Abigail Floyd, Broadway
  • Kayla Mata, Turner Ashby
  • Natasha Nikitchuk, Turner Ashby
  • Daniela Santos Lopez, Turner Ashby
  • Leylani Espinoza, Turner Ashby

Claude and Frances Warren Scholarship ($5,000)

  • Mason Smith, Harrisonburg
Community College Transfer Scholarship ($8,000 for 2 years/$16,000 total)
  • Love Joshi

Debi Emrich Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

  • Claire Mathias, Broadway

Dennis R. and Patricia R. Early Scholarship ($4,000/4 years/$16,000 total)

  • Benjamin Tomei, Spotswood

Early Ace Scholarship ($7,000/4 years/$28,000)

  • Evan Day, Waynesboro
  • Jackson Amaya, Harrisonburg
  • Ashley Chavez Gomez, Harrisonburg
  • Kevin Ruiz, Rocktown

Emory & Henry College Scholarship ($2,000/4 years/$8,000 total)

  • Beau Baylor, Turner Ashby

Fund for Education Scholarship ($5,000)

  • Jade McCarley, Madison County
  • Abigail Brown, Eastern View

Harold & Faye Teer Scholarship

  • Monica Espinoza-Martine, Rocktown ($10,000/4 years/$40,000 total)
  • Bryan Sagastume, Harrisonburg ($6,000/4 years/$24,000)

Laymon H. and Ruth S. Lantz Scholarship ($1,000)

  • Grace Tuttle, EMU MA in Counseling program

Leo Slusher Award ($2,500)

  • James Vincell, Pendleton

Mark & Kimberly Vocational Scholarship ($1,200)

  • Getsemany Pineda, Turner Ashby
  • Cai Johnstone-Yellin, Turner Ashby

Luis A. Mendez, Jr. Scholarship ($2,000)

  • Brett Eye, Turner Ashby

Marion James & Anna Ressler Hess Memorial Scholarship (for Oxford, PA students)

  • Rebecca Powell ($2,000)
  • Riley Fitzgerald ($1,000)

Andy King Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

  • Brieanna Moreland, James Wood

HEF – Gregory S. Kuykendall Memorial Scholarship ($1,000/4 years/$4,000)

  • Andrew Lankford, Turner Ashby

Just One Scholarship ($1,000)

  • Legacy Wright

Bev Good Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

  • David Gipson, Spotswood

Randy Michie Memorial Scholarship ($3,000)

  • Ryleigh Fix, William Monroe

Matthew Mahnesmith Memorial Scholarship ($4,000)

  • Matthew Bailey, Waynesboro

Ronnie Brunk Memorial Scholarship ($640)

  • Taha Abdulrahman, MTC

Samuel R. Bowman II Endowed Scholarship for BRCC ($2,ooo/2 years/$4,000 total)

  • Anahi Reyes Hernandez, Turner Asbhy
  • Bryan Sagastume, Harrisonburg
  • Camila Suarez Nunez, East Rockingham

Samuel R. Bowman II Endowed Scholarship for JMU

  • Fernando Sagastume, BRCC and Harrisonburg ($4,000/2 years/$8,000)
  • Brisel Valdez, Turner Ashby ($3,700/4 years/$14,800)

Society of Seniors Foundation Scholarship ($2,500/4 years/$10,000 total)

  • Thomas Kittler, Broughton HS

Steve May Runner of the Year Award ($1,000)

  • Kaedon Howley, Harrisonburg

W.P. & T.M. Phillips Memorial Scholarship ($5,000/4 years/$20,000 total)

  • Ayla Janney, Broadway
  • Clay Shantz, Turner Ashby
  • Taylor Leland, Central
  • Sarah Craun, Turner Ashby

Six area schools win Technology Student Association chapter grants from the Appleseeds Foundation

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Each year students around the Shenandoah Valley compete in the Virginia State Technosphere competition, showcasing their skills over four days in a variety of competitions. Unlike other competitors in the state, however, these students have a special opportunity.

The Appleseeds Foundation donor-advised fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham, promotes technology learning in area public schools with a competitive grant opportunity. Awards are made to middle and high school chapters of the Technology Students Association (TSA) with the best cumulative performances at the state event.

In May, students from Stuarts Draft Middle School and Spotswood High School racked up the wins — and helped their chapter win a $1,500 award. Montevideo Middle School and Wilson tied for second place among area middle schools, and were each awarded $1,000.

Among high schools, Wilson Memorial and Sherando, also tied for second and received $1,000.

The awards are often used to fund travel to the national competition — the 2025 event is this week in Nashville, Tenn. TSA is a national career and technical student organization for students engaged in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). More than 300,000 students nationwide participate.

Innovation in charitable giving

“Supporting education is of paramount importance in today’s society, and TSA is a particularly important program for teaching our young folks awareness and skills that will be essential in the future,” said fund advisor Fred Showker. “These students, some day, will be responsible for our quality of life!”

The TSA awards are a great example of how the Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham supports innovations in charitable giving, says Executive Director Revlan Hill.

“This kind of funding is a really unique way of making a difference through charitable giving. Rather than the funds simply going to the chapters, this funding structure set up by the Appleseeds Foundation fund rewards competitive excellence,” she said. “The students see that their efforts can help both their peers, their teacher-advisors, and the program in the future. We love that the advisors are given flexibility in deciding how the funds are used, because they’re the ones who know best how that funding can best serve their students.”

The award structure doesn’t require any involvement from the donors and fund advisors, who can count on TCFHR to continue annual administration. TCFHR staff make sure new and returning advisors are aware of the grant and that points are totaled and sent in after each year’s state competition.

Wilson Middle School advisors John Sellers and Taylor Bauer said the grant helps support the ongoing activities of the chapter — and changes lives as a result.

“Technosphere not only makes a lasting impression on students in shaping their futures, but also provides an opportunity for students to practice life-long skills: team work, problem solving, communicating and presenting ideas, and time management,” they said in a thank-you letter. “Many thanks for being part of this.”

Spotswood brings home six medals

The Spotswood High School TSA chapter took its largest group of students ever to the state competition, winning six medals in the fashion design and technology, geospatial technology, structural engineering and design, technology problem-solving, and manufacturing prototyping contests.

Sherando notched a first-place finish in the technical problem-solving event, creating the longest suspending bridge (by 17 inches) that balanced to two tennis balls without falling.

Wilson Memorial took first place in the CAD-architecture division (their advisor also noted that next year’s president of the Valley region, State Council, comes from Wilson).

Eleven Stuarts Draft Middle School students competed, bringing home three top three finishes in CAD foundations, video game design, and electrical applications.

Montevideo’s best finish was a second place in problem-solving. Wilson took first place in this contest.

All of these six chapters recorded “finalist” finishes as well.

Eligible chapters for this grant include middle and high schools in the counties of Augusta, Bath, Frederick, Greene, and Rockingham counties  and Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro and Winchester city schools.

 

How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act impacts philanthropy

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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025.

The OBBBA, with nearly 900 pages of provisions, reshapes policy across major sectors of the U.S. economy. Included in the OBBBA are several provisions that impact philanthropy. Three major takeaways are of particular importance as the community foundation helps donors, fund holders, and nonprofits–as well as attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors–navigate charitable planning opportunities over the months and years ahead. 

Insight #1: Standard deduction goes higher

What’s in the OBBBA?

The new law makes permanent the standard deduction increases under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA), increasing the standard deduction for 2025 to $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 to taxpayers who are married and filing jointly. The new law also expands the “bonus” deduction for taxpayers 65 and older through 2028.

What’s more, under the new law, individuals who itemize may take charitable deductions only to the extent the charitable deductions exceed 0.5% of adjusted gross income. Furthermore, taxpayers in the top bracket can only claim a 35 percent tax deduction for charitable gifts instead of the full 37 percent that would otherwise apply to their income tax rate. Note also that the final bill permanently extended the 60% of adjusted gross income contribution limitation for cash gifts made to certain qualifying charities.

What does this mean for charitable giving?

With even fewer taxpayers eligible to itemize, and deductions capped for high-income earners, we’re likely to see a continuation of the chilling effect on charitable giving that occurred in the wake of the TCJA.

What can you do?

If you regularly support charities, it’s important to continue to do so whether or not you’re benefiting from a tax deduction. Our community needs you, now more than ever. If you’re a nonprofit, or if you’re an attorney, CPA, or financial advisor who works with charitable clients, remember that people do not give to charity solely to secure a tax deduction. Keep in mind that many other factors motivate charitable giving, and philanthropy is an important priority for many families. (This article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review has stood the test of time.)

Insight #2: Deduction for non-itemizers

What’s in the OBBA?

The new law includes a provision, effective after 2025, allowing non-itemizers to take a charitable deduction of $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for taxpayers who are married and filing jointly. As has been the case in the past, gifts to donor-advised funds are not eligible. Unlike a previous (but smaller) similar provision, though, this law is not set to sunset. 

What does this mean for charitable giving?

After the TCJA went into effect, households that itemize deductions dropped to under 10%. Parallel to this trend, the number of U.S. adults who give to charity in any given year has dropped over the last 20 years from nearly two-thirds to less than half, according to some studies. Against this backdrop, the OBBBA’s deduction for non-itemizers has the potential to re-motivate charitable giving among a significant number of households. 

What can you do?

For everyone, now is the time to take a serious look at your charitable giving plans to support the causes you care about over the years ahead, especially if you are early in your career and not yet itemizing deductions. If you’ve already established a fund or you’re working with the community foundation in another way, please reach out to learn how we can help you make the most of the new tax laws, and even get your children and grandchildren involved.

If you’re a nonprofit, now is the time to attract and engage brand new donors.

And if you’re an attorney, CPA, or financial advisor, make sure you talk about charitable giving with your clients who don’t itemize; a $1,000 or $2,000 deduction could be just the motivation they need to begin a journey of philanthropy. 

Insight#3: No sunsetting estate tax exemption

What’s in the OBBA?

For affluent taxpayers updating financial and estate plans, and for the attorneys, CPAs, and wealth managers advising them, the last couple of years have been a roller coaster because of the looming possibility that the TCJA’s increase to the estate tax exemption would sunset at the end of 2025. Finally, there is clarity: Under the OBBBA, the sunset will not happen. The new law makes permanent the increase in the unified credit and generation-skipping transfer tax exemption threshold. The 2025 exemption is $13.99 million for single filers and $27.98 million married filing jointly. In 2026, these numbers increase to $15 million and $30 million respectively.

What does this mean for charitable giving?

Purely estate tax-based incentives to give to charity continue to apply only to the ultra-wealthy, likely resulting in a continuation of the taxpayer behavior triggered by the TCJA. In other words, most people will give to charity during their lifetimes and in their estates for reasons other than a tax deduction.

What can you do?

There is no guarantee that the estate tax exemption will stay high forever. As families work with their tax and estate planning advisors, many are viewing the next two years as an important window to plan ahead. The upshot of the new law is that high net-worth taxpayers now have more time to thoughtfully consider estate planning strategies, including charitable giving. For nonprofit organizations, this means that continuing to focus on long-term planned giving strategies is wise.   

This information is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice.

Father’s tribute leads to commemorative scholarship for son and daughter

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Kim Price Lapsley and Mark Price are honored with a new scholarship for Turner Ashby High School students. Both graduated from TA.

Two Turner Ashby High School students were the recipients of new scholarships offered this year in memory of a brother and sister who graduated from the Dayton school.

Local resident Joseph Price set up the awards to honor his son Mark Hamilton Price and daughter Kimberly Jo Price Lapsley. Mark graduated in 1982 and Kimberly in 1991.

“As we worked with Mr. Price, he shared memories of his children’s success at TA,” said Revlan Hill, executive director. “Mark was manager of TA’s ‘Dirty Dozen’ football team and enjoyed his classes in art. Kimberly participated on the VACE academic bowl team, fielding questions about literature and language. Turner Ashby was obviously a big influence on their lives, and it made the most sense for Mr. Price to set up a scholarship to benefit current students at the high school that had supported his children’s interests and helped them grow as students and people.”

Awardees Getsemany Pineda and Cai Johnstone-Yellin both plan to attend Massanutten Technical Center.

Donate to the Mark & Kimberly Vocational Scholarship.

Pineda, a midfielder for three years on the Knights soccer team, is heading into the electrical field, with the goal of owning a business in the future. He is planning a full schedule of courses to expedite his learning before apprenticeship, so the funding will help defray some of those costs, he said.

Asked to name someone who has inspired him through high school, Pineda named his father. “He works hard for our family and you will never see him with a sad face. He is always joyful and makes his family happy as well.”

Pineda says he is honored to be a recipient: “I really appreciate the help and will be putting it in good use for my future as an electrician. It means a lot winning this award!”

Johnstone-Yellin comes from a family of tradesmen. He plans to pursue welding. He’s taken several courses at MTC already, where a simulated workplace environment is used to prepare students for the workforce. As project manager, Johnstone-Yellin led a crew of peer “subcontractors” through several projects, earning praise from instructors.

For Joseph Price, the scholarship offers a way to remember his children while giving hope and support to a younger generation of TA graduates. He continues to miss both of his children — Mark died in 2024 and Kimberly in 2014.

Though neither his son nor daughter worked in the trades or attended vocational school, Price decided after reviewing other local scholarship offerings that creating an award for vocational education met his goals. One vocational education course has the potential to change the trajectory of a life – and offer immediate skills to apply in the labor force.

Mark, a Dayton resident, was the byproducts coordinator at Lakeside Books in Harrisonburg. He loved the outdoors, hunting, riding horses and motorcycles, as well as cooking for friends and family. His homemade barbecue sauce is still remembered and his pitchfork turkey in peanut oil was always a Thanksgiving treat. Mark was a drummer and enjoyed making and listening to music. His last dog, Zeba, was a constant companion.

Kimberly was also a musician, performing with her husband and the 100 Proof bluegrass band. She was a great gourmet chef. She loved spending time on St. John’s in the U.S. Virgin Islands with friends she’d made there over many trips. She graduated with honors and a degree in English literature from Mary Baldwin University, studied at Oxford University (U.K.), and was a member of Sigma Tau Delta, the national English majors honor society. As did her brother, she loved her dogs and was a member of the “Save A Lab” program.

In future years, the Mark and Kimberly Vocational Scholarships are to be awarded to one graduating male student and one graduating female student at Turner Ashby High School.

It’s an Emory & Henry alumni reunion every time this scholarship committee meets

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PHOTO: Members of the Emory & Henry University Scholarship committee at their April meeting, the 10th anniversary of the scholarship. All are alumni and current residents of the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County area. Standing, from left: Jay Webb, Sid Smith, scholarship founder David Driver, Olivia Haimani, Karen Ford. Seated, from left: Kate Nardi, Amanda Nott.

Every year, committee members meet to interview candidates for the Emory & Henry University Scholarship and every year, that meeting is something of a reunion.

Members of the selection committee — all E & H graduates and current city or county residents — are scholarship founder David W. Driver, Karen Ford, Olivia Haimani, Kate Nardi, Amanda Nott, Sid Smith, and Jay Webb.

Driver, a 1970 alumnus, started the scholarship 10 years ago with the goal of “providing local students the opportunity to explore the benefits of a smaller university community.”

The scholarship has provided 24 grants for a total of $33,500.

The 2025 scholarship was awarded to Beau Baylor, a senior from Turner Ashby High School, Dayton, Va.
Candidates for the annual award/s must be from any high school in Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, or Augusta County and meet the following further criteria: a 2.5 minimum GPA, community involvement, and demonstration of good character, determination, and leadership qualities.
Contributions to this permanent endowment will benefit Valley students in perpetuity. Click here to donate.

Making A Difference: Organizations Report Impact of 2023-24 Community Foundation Grants

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From meals for the elderly to new downtown art, healthy pets and an insulated emergency shelter, 12 area nonprofits benefited from a total of $159,516 awarded from seven endowed funds managed by The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham.

Grant applications for the 2024-25 cycle are in the review process, with awardees to be announced in November.

A new safe floor for Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative

With a new “sprung subfloor” funded by a $17,814 grant from the Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts, dancers at the Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative are reaching new heights. Since 2014, they’ve been dancing carefully on marble, wood, and concrete floors. But with the new surface, instructors have been able to incorporate jumps in movement training. This in turn has expanded class offerings and diversified performances. The cooperative can host workshops on injury prevention and bring in specialists like dance physical therapists to use the space for a safe dance practice. The floor has helped the company grow beyond its former numbers, and to open its doors to guest choreographers such as Beau Harman, a New York City-based artist who has worked with JMU dancers. “We are excited to see what this small-but-mighty space will continue to offer our community,” said cooperative partner Lara Mack.

Horses helping caregivers

Cross Keys Equine Therapy used their $10,000 award from the Alvin J. Baird Jr. Program Endowment to develop a curriculum for a special training program to equip parents, grandparents and other caregivers for recognition of and response to traumatic stress reactions in the children they are caring for. The organization hosted monthly groups that met five or six times, and plans to host another six-week group this fall. Feedback was positive and individual caregivers expressed gratitude for the information and the unique context of learning from and with horses.

Virginia Quilt Museum invites visitors to a hands-on exhibit.

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.

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.

Meals on Wheels provides a month of fresh food for seniors

A Community Endowment Fund grant of $11,273 to Valley Program for Aging Services provided 935 meals for adults age 60 and older in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, equal to one month of meals for 47 individuals.

Meals are prepared by A Bowl of Good using locally sourced fresh fruits and vegetables when available. Milk is purchased from Mt. Crawford Creamery. All meals meet one-third of the daily nutrition requirements for older adults. The balance of grant funding – approximately $4,200 –  helped with costs of other items: food trays, hot and cold insulated containers, delivery costs, staff time, and related expenses.

Blue Ridge Free Clinic sees increased need

Blue Ridge Free Clinic received $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.

Funds help treat wildlife

A staff member aids a box turtle at the Virginia Wildlife Center.

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.

Saving one (of nine) lives

Cat’s Cradle staff heard plenty of thanks from the 250 cat owners aided in covering veterinary bills with $5,700 from the Hildred Neff Memorial Fund. In response to community need, the organization has expanded its pet retention program for clients needing financial assistance. The program funds veterinary bills and short-term costs of medical supplies to keep pets healthy and with their families rather than in the local public shelter. 

Anicira helps area pets

Mavin, Charlie, Toby and their owners will be forever grateful for Anicira’s Operation Free Pet Healthcare. Maven survived a life-threatening urinary blockage, Charlie endured surgery to remove a painful mass, and Toby had a major dental procedure. These are just a few of the dogs and cats aided by the Hildred Neff Memorial Fund, which supports agencies providing for the needs of domestic and wild animals. The $5,727 grant provided medical, surgical, and dental care to 80 pets, resulting in saved lives, reduced suffering, and the preservation of the bond between families and their beloved pets.

Emergency shelter protected from temperature change

The Salvation Army’s 28-bed emergency shelter needed an upgrade to the skirting and an access opening – to the tune of more than $13,000. The work was the final task left over from a successful 2022 renovation.

The Janet Sohn Endowed Fund, which awards funds to organizations that Janet supported during her lifetime, helped fund the work. In 2022, the shelter served 310 individuals and family members with basic and intensive case management, access to health and nutritional programs, and other community connections.

Artist Gemma Amendola’s window decal brightens West Water Street.

Three new installations and children’s “wild” paintings brighten downtown

Oasis Fine Art & Craft utilized an award from the Valley Arts & Culture Fund to fund three different projects. Local artist Gemma Amendola designed a window decal and banner for Beyond Restaurant. Oasis also framed two community mosaics, one constructed at the Farmer’s Market and a second mosaic featuring a family of ducks located on Water Street.

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.

Making the arts accessible through events and a new website

Nearly $21,000 from the Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts, honoring the late dance professor, helped Arts Council of the Valley increase opportunities for local residents to enjoy, learn and experience the arts.

Building on the first year’s success of the community theater program ACT ONE, Arts Council of the Valley has expanded exploration of the performing and visual arts through the addition of free master classes for adults, providing welcoming, low-stress introductions for individuals who may not have outlets for artistic expression. Master classes for adults have drawn 115 participants to eight sessions.

Thirty scholarships of $299 each helped economically disadvantaged students attend summer theater camps, with each camp ending in a performance showcase.

Day of the Arts, on May 4, 2024, celebrated the vital role performing and visual arts play in our community, with some 950 people attending. The $6,000 grant supported workshops, lectures, performances, art materials; and the work of an exhibition curator.

The organization is undergoing a new website design, slated for a fall 2024 launch. Much of the work has been donated by local branding, web and marketing agency Estland, with the remainder of the costs financed through a grant from the Mary Spitzer Etter Endowed Fund. The new site will be “fresh, engaging, easy to navigate, and fully ADA-compliant,” says ACV Executive Director Jenny Burden. “The website will provide a more accessible, positive experience for online visitors, making it easier for them to connect with arts opportunities.”

 

Scholarships on WSVA: Why and How to Start One with Ann and Lauren

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The Community Foundation’s scholarship program was September’s focus with WSVA host Jim Britt. Ann Siciliano, director of programs services, and Lauren Jefferson, director of marketing and programs, talked about the rewards of starting a scholarship and how the funding can impact local residents, as well as donors.

The foundation offers 25 scholarships funding students in a variety of fields and interests, with several more in the process of development. In 2024, more than $265,000 was awarded to 44 recipients.

LISTEN TO THE 15-MINUTE SHOW.

“We have scholarships for athletes, for students from different high schools, for students pursuing career paths in education and music, and for first generation students,” Siciliano said, adding that those are just a sample of the offerings.

About half the scholarships memorialize the life and legacy of a loved one – a situation which Jefferson says “can help with grieving and healing.” She speaks from experience: Two years ago, before joining the foundation, she helped to found a vocational education scholarship to commemorate her husband. The Ronnie Brunk Memorial Scholarship is available to adults pursuing specific courses at Massanutten Technical Center.

“Call us and talk to us, and tell us your dreams and your vision and we’ll work with you,” Siciliano said, emphasizing that families can be as involved as they’d like in the creation process and the ongoing awarding process.

Visit the foundation’s scholarship page.

Donor-advised fund fees decrease

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Donor-advised fund fees at The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County have been lowered to 1 percent, fulfilling a promise to donors made in 2013.

That was the year that fees were increased – to 1.25 percent – to accommodate for necessary investments in technology, cybersecurity, and staffing.

That change nearly 11 years ago was made with great reluctance, says Executive Director Revlan Hill. “At the same time as we were experiencing growth with our donors, we also had challenges in the market and with major rising operational costs. The problem was actually one a growing foundation wants to have. We raised the fees with the promise that we would return it to the lower rate as soon as possible.”

The lower fee of 1% allows for “more dollars to support nonprofit organizations as recommended by the donor,” Hill said.

It’s also a sign that the foundation is carrying more assets, building on a solid financial footing, and continuing to grow at a healthy rate.

The current fee structure helps to cover administrative costs of the donation and grants processing, annual audits, preparation of tax returns, insurance and other operating expenses – all of which are required to exceptional services TCFHR donors have come to expect.

“Fulfilling this promise is a sign of our thriving and our commitment to excellent management,” Hill said. “We’re grateful to the generosity and trust of donors, the partnership of professional advisors, and the wisdom of staff and our board which made this possible.”

What happens when I leave a bequest to my fund at The Community Foundation?

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What happens when I leave a bequest to my fund at The Community Foundation?

Many donors and fund holders at The Community Foundation have updated their estate plans to leave a bequest to their donor-advised or other type of fund.

Some bequests take the form of a “specific bequest,” which means that the fund at The Community Foundation receives a specific amount of money from the donor’s probate estate or trust. For example, for a specific bequest, your advisor might include a provision in your will as follows:

I bequeath $15,000 to The Community Foundation (taxpayer ID number and/or mailing address), a tax exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), to be added to the [Name of Your Fund], a component fund of The Community Foundation, and I direct that this bequest become part of the Fund.

In these situations The Community Foundation will be ready to receive your bequest, typically as soon as the estate is settled.

In other situations, you may want to leave a bequest of a portion of the remainder of your estate after all specific bequests, expenses, and taxes have been paid. These types of bequests are called “residuary” bequests. The language can look something like this:

I leave all the rest and residue of my property, both real and personal, of whatever nature and wherever situated, and assets, including all real and personal property, tangible or intangible, to The Community Foundation (taxpayer ID number and/or mailing address), a tax exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), to be added to the [Name of Your Fund], a component fund of The Community Foundation, and I direct that this bequest become part of the Fund.

Because the amount of a residuary bequest cannot be determined until all of the assets in an estate have been identified and valued, and all expenses and taxes have been paid, the designated charity (in this example, your fund at The Community Foundation) will not receive the full amount of a residuary bequest until the estate is completely settled. Typically, however, the estate’s personal representative or trustee will make what is known as a “partial distribution” to the residuary beneficiary (or beneficiaries as the case may be), as soon as the personal representative has enough information about the assets and liabilities to confidently do so.

When you leave a residuary bequest to your fund at The Community Foundation, our team will be involved at various steps during the administration of your estate until final distribution. For example, The Community Foundation will receive regular communications about the estate related to assets, expenses, taxes, and periodic accountings. The Community Foundation will execute documents, such as receipts, related to distributions and other estate transactions.

The team at The Community Foundation looks forward to working with you and your advisors to establish bequests to fulfill your charitable legacies.

 

This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. 

Local Nonprofits Receive 2023 Funding from The Community Foundation

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Local Nonprofits Receive Funding from The Community Foundation

Harrisonburg, VA – Giving season is upon us and The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County is celebrating. The Community Foundation reports a total of $159,518 will be granted to twelve organizations in their Fall 2023 grants cycle. Programs and projects like ‘Meals on Wheels’ by Valley Program for Aging Services and ‘Operation Free Pet Healthcare’ by Anicira are among the funded grantees. Over 60 organizations submitted applications. “Our grant funding process is difficult, especially because we receive so many wonderful applications each year. All are deserving of funding. We encourage nonprofits to apply for our grants next year as our grant awards will increase substantially.” – Ann Siciliano, Director of Program Services, TCFHR. Fall 2023 grant awards will be distributed to Harrisonburg-Rockingham nonprofit agencies by year end.

2023 TCFHR Competitive Grant Awards:

Fund Grantee Purpose/Project
Community Endowment Valley Program for Aging Services Meals on Wheels
Valley Arts & Culture Fund Oasis Fine Art & Craft Beyond Restaurant Mural
Valley Arts & Culture Fund Rockingham Ballet Theatre Costume Storage Improvement
Janet Sohn Endowed Fund The Salvation Army The Salvation Army Emergency Shelter
Mary Spitzer Etter Endowed Fund Arts Council of the Valley Development of New Arts Council of the Valley Website
Alvin J. Baird, Jr. Program Endowed Fund Blue Ridge Free Clinic, Inc. A Free Clinic Bridge to Health
Alvin J. Baird, Jr. Program Endowed Fund Cross Keys Equine Therapy Parent/Grandparent Caregiver Trauma Group
Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts Arts Council of the Valley ACT ONE
Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts OASIS Fine Art & Craft `Wild and Wonderful – Animals “Captured” in Paint!
Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts Virginia Quilt Museum Creating a multi-purpose space for hands-on learning and programs
Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative Sprung Subfloor
Hildred Neff Memorial Fund Wildlife Center of Virginia Treatment of Sick, Injured, and Orphaned Wildlife from Harrisonburg and Rockingham County
Hildred Neff Memorial Fund Cat’s Cradle Pet Retention for Low-Income and Other Vulnerable Populations
Hildred Neff Memorial Fund Anicira Operation Free Pet Healthcare

Grant distributions come from funds held at TCFHR and are determined by Grants committees. Nonprofit organizations awarded all participated in a competitive application process. Per TCFHR policy, grants are made without regard to factors of gender, race, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation. For more information, visit TCFHR’s website, www.tcfhr.org.

Contact: Ann Siciliano, 540-432-3863 or ann@tcfhr.org

Website: www.tcfhr.org

About The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg & Rockingham County (TCFHR) 

TCFHR makes charitable giving easy, acting in the best interest of our donors and partners to facilitate bold philanthropic initiatives for a stronger, healthier community.

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