Introducing new board members Matthew W. Light, Beverly McGowan, and Annette Paxton

Photos by Jon Styer, At Ease Design Co.

Three new members have joined the board of directors of The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham.

“At our November board meeting, we welcomed Beverly McGowan, Matthew W. Light, and Annette Paxton to service. We thank them for their commitment and dedication of their expertise to the foundation and to our community,” said Revlan Hill, executive director.

TCFHR’s board is comprised of professionals from a range of backgrounds. To view all board members, click here.

Matthew W. Light

Matthew W. Light has practiced law in Harrisonburg for 23 years. He is a partner at BotkinRose PLC, assisting clients with corporate and general business matters, contracts, real estate, succession planning, and a broad range of financing, purchase, and sale transactions. He often guides families through the estate administration process. His experience with local governments includes his current role as town attorney for Broadway and a current appointment as commissioner in chancery for the county circuit court.

Matt represents Harrisonburg as a director of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Regional Sewer Authority. Past service includes the Shenandoah  Valley  Technology  Council  and Massanutten Regional Library.

He is also an adjunct professor at his law school alma mater, Washington  and  Lee  University in Lexington.

Before joining BotkinRose, he practiced law for 13 years at a large local firm and also served for five years as associate pastor of an evangelical church.

A recognized expert in Fenton Art Glass, Matt maintains a hobby business dealing in vintage Fenton pieces. He lives with his wife and two children in Harrisonburg.

Beverly McGowan

Beverly McGowan and her husband Dr. John McGowan have been Harrisonburg city residents since 1987. She has been active on church and community boards for nearly 30 years.

Beverly currently serves on the Rockingham Health Care Board.

While on the Blue Ridge Community College Board, she was the appointed representative to the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation Board and participated in finance, facilities and development committees. Other board service includes First Step, the Massanutten Regional Library, and the Owner’s Club at The Homestead, where she was both secretary and treasurer.

At Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, she has served on the Parish Council and the Finance Council. Among memorable special projects, Bev led a two-year restoration of the church’s stained-glass windows and a one-year renovation of the entrance to the sanctuary.

Beverly and John have three adult children.

Annette Paxton

Annette Paxton, a retired educator, has served on the foundation’s grants and scholarships committee for two terms. She worked as a school counselor in Rockingham County Schools, with her final role as director of counseling at Broadway High School. Annette also worked in student affairs at James Madison University and as a licensed professional counselor at Harrisonburg Rockingham Community Services Board.

She earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees at James Madison University.

Annette volunteers with the Corner Cupboard Food Pantry and other ministries at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, where the couple have been members for more than 40 years.

Annette and her husband Joe, a retired county administrator, live in the Broadway area. They enjoy travelling and spending time with their three children and five grandchildren.

 

TCFHR hosts first Little Swiss Fund reception in Highland County

In December, representatives of 17 nonprofit organizations came together in celebration and gratitude to the anonymous donor whose gifts continue to support Highland County. The reception and check presentation at The Highland Center was hosted by staff from the Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham.

Betty Mitchell accepts a check from Ann Siciliano (left) and Kelsey Gerber, managers of the grants program at The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham.

“The impact of this donor is incredible,” said Betty Mitchell, executive director of the Blue Grass Resource Center. “The beauty of an endowment such as this is that those donations continue to make an impact in the community for generations.” 

View projects funded by the 2025 Little Swiss grants.

A total of nearly $3 million has been distributed since 2018, with the amount increasing each year as the invested balance grows. 

This year, $598,197 was distributed to 17 organizations. 

TCFHR staff have visited Highland County several times since 2018, but this was the first time to host an event expressly to meet many of the area’s longtime nonprofit leaders.  

“We loved putting faces with names and meeting people so invested in caring for their neighbors, stewarding natural resources, and providing so many necessary services,” said Ann Siciliano, senior director of scholarships and grants.  

Kelsey Gerber, program manager, and Lauren Jefferson, director of programs and marketing, also attended the event. 

The Little Swiss Fund has supporting area nonprofits since its inception in 2007, with the anonymous donor advising on the awards. After the donor’s death, the fund moved to a competitive grants process. A group of citizens with local ties and knowledge of the area works as a committee to review the applications each year. 

For many organizations, the funding validates their mission, hard work, and visionary planning. Callie Smith, the executive director of Highland Children’s House, was grateful for financial support that will help retain committed, professional staff providing care and education to children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old at the Monterey location. 

“This gift reaches far beyond wages,” she said. “It empowers us to offer competitive pay while providing and sustaining exceptional care for our children. Your support affirms the value of the work we do and makes clear that the depth of care is only possible when our teachers are cherished just as much as the children they nurture.” 

The Highland County Fair received support for the 75th anniversary event, with funding helping to provide for programming, entertainment, and marketing. 

“The fair is more than just an event,” said Treasurer Michael Botkin. “It’s a celebration of who we are as a rural, close-knit community. This generous funding allowed us to invest in key areas that help keep the fair vibrant, accessible, and rooted in tradition. We were able to accomplish things that simply wouldn’t have been possible otherwise, and we’re deeply grateful for the foundation’s support in helping us carry this legacy forward.” 

One of the largest 2025 Little Swiss Fund awards went towards the interior renovations of the historic Highland Inn, a multi-year project that when completed will offer lodging, a restaurant and tavern in downtown Monterey. Past awards of the fund have supported the exterior renovation. The project recently won $1.75 million in funding from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.  

“For a large capital project like the inn revitalization project, there are substantial carrying costs each year. Support from the Little Swiss Fund means that donations made by individuals in our community go directly to this historic project,” Mitchell said. 

The Little Swiss support means that Mitchell can make this “powerful talking point” with donors as she and her team work to pull together funding to start the second phase of renovation in 2026. 

 

Giving Back Guide 2025 highlights 76 organizations and their funding needs

The 2025 Giving Back Guide is here! Readers are invited to learn more about 76 area nonprofits and their funding needs in this annual magazine from the Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham.

View the digital edition.

Print copies are available at the following locations:

  • the Massanutten Regional Library locations (main library and Rockingham County branches only),
  • the Friendly City Food Co-op,
  • Dayton Farmers Market, and
  • our office at 317 South Main Street.

Inclusion in the guide is a voluntary process that is aligned with TCFHR’s annual Community Grants cycle.  Submissions are taken over three months in the summer. Nonprofits located in and serving Harrisonburg and Rockingham County are invited to access the submission application and share about their organization’s mission, vision, accomplishments and funding needs.

This resource is promoted and circulated to the public, professional advisors, and media, in print and digital form, in mid-November. TCFHR utilizes the guide as a tool in donor conversations throughout the year. Many donor-advised grants as well as gifts from community members are made to local organizations as a result of this resource.

Thanks again to Jon Styer and the At Ease Design Co. crew for their design work.

TCFHR’s 2025 grant awards to support the work of 17 area nonprofits

The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham announces that a total of $182,411 will be awarded to 17 area nonprofit organizations for the 2025-26 Community Grants cycle.

The organizations are focused on a range of areas, including arts and culture, food insecurity, animal welfare, education, and healthcare.

For more information, view 2025 project summaries.

Thirty-seven organizations submitted applications, said Ann Siciliano, senior director of grants and scholarships.

Grant awards are made by committees involving a total of 12 community members.

Grantee organizations will receive their funding by the end of the year and are required to file impact reports by late summer 2026. The next Community Grant cycle begins in the summer.

Click here to view the 2025 Little Swiss Fund awards for organizations located in and serving Highland County.

Fund Grantee Project and Award Amount
Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts Arts Council of the Valley Court Square Theater renovations

$25,730
Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts Red Wing Academy Foundation Scholarship Program

$6,500
Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts OASIS Fine Arts & Craft Scholarship Program

$7,380
Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival  Event support for the 2026 season

$7,500

 
Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts Rocktown School of Music Signage, soundproofing, instruments, PA system

$19,084
Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts Silk Moth Stage Salaries and general operating expenses for 2026 season

$3,000
Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts

Valley Arts and Culture Fund

 Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative Upgrades to studio management software

$1,260 : $263 from Miller; $997 from Valley Arts and Culture
Valley Arts and Culture Fund Shenandoah Valley Pride Alliance, Inc. Support for Shenandoah Valley Pride Festival 2026

$2,500
Mary Spitzer Etter Endowed Fund Any Given Child Shenandoah Valley Barefoot Puppet Theater performances for 1,500+ second graders

$ 4,981

 
Alvin V. Baird, Jr. Endowed Fund Harrisonburg Community Health Center New dental equipment

$ 27,095.50
Alvin V. Baird, Jr. Endowed Fund Blue Ridge Free Clinic Expansion of onsite dental services

$ 27,095.50
Donna F. Simmons Family Endowment Second Home Learning Center Scholarship Program

$7,844
Harrisonburg Rockingham Food Pantry Endowment Corner Cupboard Food Pantry Babies to Boomers Program, Phase III

$ 2,011.50
Harrisonburg Rockingham Food Pantry Endowment Patchwork Pantry Extension of fresh vegetable provision program

$ 2,011.50
Hildred Neff Memorial Fund Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA Owned Pet Voucher Program

$12,402.50
Hildred Neff Memorial Fund Wildlife Center of Virginia Wildlife care (earmarked for local animals)

$12,402.50
Janet Sohn Endowed Fund Central Valley Habitat for Humanity Critical Home Repair Program

$ 13,613

 

Little Swiss Fund announces grant awards to Highland County nonprofits

The 2025 Little Swiss Fund grant awards will distribute a total of $589,197 to 18 nonprofit organizations serving Highland County.

The fund began in 2018 with a $10 million gift from an anonymous donor. Monies from the permanently endowed fund are annually invested and distributed to eligible 501 (c)(3) organizations through a competitive grant process managed by The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham.

Organizations must be physically located in Highland County, Va., and the project or program to be funded must serve the Highland County area. Religious organizations are welcome to apply. Nonprofit organizations must have annual revenues in excess of $25,000 to be eligible.

All grants will be awarded in November/December 2025.

The next Little Swiss Grant cycle begins in the summer of 2026.

For more information, view 2025 project summaries.

Click here to view the 2025 Community Grant awards for organizations in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

Organization Project Award Amount
Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance James River Headwaters Protection:  Cowpasture River monitoring and expansion of programming to the Jackson River watershed  $15,000
Allegheny Mountain Institute Education and community engagement around ecology and healthy foods  $15,000
Blue Grass Resource Center Highland Inn Renovation Project $70,000
Bolar Volunteer Fire Department General operating expenses $20,000
Bolar Volunteer Rescue Squad Operating costs  

$16,000

 
Dare To Dream Therapeutic Horsemanship Center Facility and horse care expenses $15,000
Elegius Mini Equine Sanctuary Operating costs (veterinary care, farrier, feed, etc.) $10,000
Highland Children’s House Payroll expenses $80,000

 
Highland County Arts Council Operations expenses; salaries for two new part-time positions in programming/events and marketing/operations $15,000
Highland County Fair Association Operating costs (programming, entertainment, and marketing related to 75th anniversary event) $50,000
Highland County Humane Society, Inc. General operating costs $45,000
Highland County Volunteer Fire Department New building at Blue Grass firehouse $15,000
Highland County Volunteer Rescue Squad Support for Quick Response Vehicle unit and training expenses $50,000
Highland Historical Society Mansion House structural repairs $20,000
Highland Medical Center Purchase of flu and COVID-19 vaccines and related supplies $40,000
McDowell Volunteer Fire Department New tanker truck and new equipment $50,000
The Highland Center Operating costs $50,000
Little Swiss Educational Fund new scholarship for Highland High School students and alumni $13,157

Organizations must be tax-exempt public charities under IRS Section 501(c)3 or other nonprofit status. Organizations must be physically located in Highland County, Va., and the project or program to be funded must serve the Highland County area. Religious organizations are welcome to apply. Nonprofit organizations must have annual revenues in excess of $25,000 to be eligible. Local clubs (civic and otherwise), and recreational facilities are NOT eligible to apply.

 

New Little Swiss Educational Scholarship to benefit Highland High students and alumni

Since 2018, the Little Swiss Fund has poured more than $2.3 million into support for Highland County nonprofits. Now that same fund is supporting a new scholarship for Highland High School seniors and alumni. The Little Swiss Educational Scholarship is a $1,000 award, renewable for up to four years, to support studies at a public or private college or university. 

The application process is administered by The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham, which also runs the grant cycle for the nonprofit awards. 

“The initial $10 million gift to establish the Little Swiss Fund focused on supporting area nonprofits, but there was also a special provision to start this scholarship to celebrate and support students and alumni of Highland High School,” said Ann Siciliano, senior director of scholarships and grants at The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham. “This annual award will honor the hard work of individual students, but also the investment of the broader Highland community in molding and inspiring the next generation.” 

The application closes April 5. 

Scholarship criteria

Students must have been residents of Highland County since the ninth grade, have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0, and have a 90% attendance record. 

Only students who have been accepted to attend an accredited public or private college or university may apply.  

A final criteria is that applicants must be able to show that their family has planned in advance and made a financial commitment to support the student’s college education. 

Other available scholarships

Highland students and alumni may qualify for two other scholarships offered by the foundation.

  • Virginia Ready Initiative scholarships provide financial assistance to adult students pursuing certifications in IT/tech, healthcare, and the skilled trades at Massanutten Technical Center, Laurel Ridge Community College, or Blue Ridge Community College. 
  • Any community college graduate transferring from Mountain Gateway, Blue Ridge, or Laurel Ridge community colleges to a four-year Virginia Public institution can apply for the Community College Transfer Scholarship. 

How you can help local food pantries bracing for increased need

What’s Happening?

More than 800,000 Virginians, including 10,006 residents  of Rockingham County and Harrisonburg rely on federal SNAP benefits to feed themselves and their families each month.

As of Nov. 1, those benefits are no longer available.

Courtesy of Blessed Sacrament Food Pantry.

State Action

A new temporary program, Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance, will pull funds from Virginia’s revenue surplus to provide relief. The payments will be weekly rather than monthly.

Local Action

Area food pantries are already experiencing record demand because of a confluence of factors, including rising grocery costs and other costs of living. Recently, other food assistance programs have been cut, paused, or cancelled, including The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Local Food Purchase Assistance program.

We are deeply grateful to the nonprofit organizations stepping up to make sure families impacted by the SNAP benefit pause have access to food and other essential resources.

To Locate a Food Pantry

Blue Ridge Area Food Bank hosts a directory of local food pantries.

211Virginia also has a directory. Use these resources to find food or explore ways to help pantries in your area.

The local directory Rockburg Feeds is an initiative of the Food Coalition of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, in partnership with the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and Sentara RMH Medical Center.

TCFHR’s HR Food Pantry Endowment

We encourage donors to consider giving to our Harrisonburg-Rockingham Food Pantry Endowed Fund, which provides an annual distribution to a local food pantry. Food pantries benefit from USDA food and from donated food, but cash contributions help to purchase additional food to meet client demand.  In 2025, funds went to The Corner Cupboard at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Read WMRA coverage of how The Corner Cupboard used this grant here.

CLICK to give to the HR Food Pantry Endowment.

Give to Local Pantries

Here is more information from the food pantries who responded by our deadline with information about donations and volunteer opportunities. There are many more local food pantries: find a listing at 211Virginia or use the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank’s Food Finder.

All of these food pantries receive USDA food and purchase other food from the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, receive donations, and cultivate other sources, such as unsold food from grocery stores or local businesses.

  • Patchwork Pantry is currently feeding between 65-70 families each week, with more anticipated. They also purchase and provide food for the backpack program at Waterman Elementary School, supporting an additional 60 families.

Monetary donations are the most helpful as this provides more flexibility in purchasing the most needed items. If organizations want to do a donation drive, contact the pantry first. We ask that at least 70 of a needed item, so we can offer it to all of our guests that evening. Hygiene items are particularly costly to purchase, so we often encourage an organization to donate 70 of an item like toothpaste, shampoo, diapers, etc.  Smaller donations (about one shopping cart or less) can typically be dropped off on Wednesdays between 9-11 a.m.

Delivery of larger donations (more than one shopping cart) must be arranged with the donation coordinator and can be arranged by emailing patchworkpantry@gmail.com. 

  • Blessed Sacrament has seen a 20 percent increase in clients.

Monetary donations are always appreciated, as we can make a dollar go further than an average consumer. We will accept items like peanut butter, jelly, canned fruit and vegetables, cereal, pasta products, pasta sauce, canned soup. Hygiene products are also very desirable. Diapers are also a high demand item. All donated items may be taken to our pantry at 2 East Wolfe Street Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and Friday from 9-11:30 a.m..

  •  The Corner Cupboard at Emmanuel Episcopal Church has seen numbers of clients increase each month of 2025. and are far ahead of their usual numbers of total pounds distributed.

Monetary donations are helpful, as the pantry has to purchase most of its food and protein is especially costly. Other donations are welcome: especially canned meat or fish, healthy breakfast cereals, cans of fruit, bags of rice, and peanut butter. We do not accept expired canned goods. Bring donations to the pantry Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m.-noon or to the church office Wednesday and Thursday 9 a.m. -2 p.m. Checks can be made out to Emmanuel Church and designated in the memo line for the food pantry.

Strong volunteers are also needed for about 30 minutes to help unload supplies on the first Thursday of the month at noon and third Wednesday, also at noon.

  • Salvation Army – Harrisonburg Corps serves approximately 170 families a month and 627 individuals with food from Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, donations from the general public and from local restaurants and businesses.

We accept donations of shelf-stable food that is in date Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. It can be brought to our office at 185 Ashby Ave in Harrisonburg.

TCFHR joins 211 Virginia as ambassador

Did you know that Virginia has a comprehensive, accessible resource to connect citizens with area community services, no matter where you live?

The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham has joined 211 Virginia as an ambassador, promoting the program among its networks and on digital platforms.

211 Virginia is a free, confidential, and multilingual service that connects people with health and human services throughout the state.  This state-mandated and nationally accredited information resource is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Trained employees provide pre-screenings and referrals to programs the individual is eligible for.

211 Virginia recently launched a new user-friendly database and search function and is actively expanding its listings of nonprofit service organizations with the goal of building a strong, coordinated system of care and community services.

“Following the lead of our local United Way of the Central Shenandoah Valley, we are joining in efforts to connect our residents and local nonprofit partners,” said Lauren Jefferson, the foundation’s director of programs and marketing. “Our phone often rings with questions about how to locate and access resources. 211 Virginia can connect citizens to services they need, many of which are offered by nonprofits we work with and support.”

Growing Efficiencies and Resource Development

Funneling inquiries for resources to one place helps to “reduce the burden on service providers and cuts costs associated with managing information and referrals,” said Mary Monaco, the directory’s northwest region representative.

The gathered data also circulates back into the local community through partners like the local United Way, one of 150 organizations invited to 211 Virginia’s Anchor Agency Collaborative.

“The AAC brings together key partners to examine data on inquiries received, identify gaps in service, find opportunities for advocacy, and increase overall community awareness and utilization of local, regional, and statewide resources,” said Jim Sacco, United Way of the Central Shenandoah Valley’s director of development.

Across the state, local United Way organizations provide similar support and collaboration; funding for the service is provided by the Virginia Department of Social Services.

Check The Listing

Service providers are encouraged to search the 211 Virginia website first to see if an organization is already listed and then review inclusion criteria before applying. Among the criteria, the agency must serve Virginia residents and have been in existence for more than six months, with priority given to those offering scarce, free, or low-cost resources.

Visit the 211 Virginia website to learn about standards for for-profit agencies that provide a health and human service free of charge or on a sliding base, as well as childcare/preschool providers.

The 2-11 directory includes more than 5,000 government, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations and agencies that help with the following and more:

  • Basic human needs: Food banks, shelters, rent or utility assistance
  • Physical and mental health resources
  • Work initiatives: Job training, English classes, GED preparation, financial and transportation assistance
  • Support for seniors and those with disabilities: Adult day care, meals at home, respite care, home healthcare
  • Support for children, youth and families: After-school programs, tutoring, mentorship programs, counseling, child care.

To access resources, call 2-1-1 or search at 221virginia.org. For the hearing impaired, dial 7-1-1 and then 1-800-230-6977. You can also text CONNECT to 247211. If you have a question but live outside of Virginia, call 1-800-230-6977.

Nonprofit agencies looking for more information can also contact Mary Monaco, Community Engagement Team Lead, at marym@councilofcommunityservices.org or 540-597-8903.

Nonprofit grant recipients report 2024 community impact

Grants to 14 area organizations in 2024-5 from The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham supported work in the areas of mental health, food pantries, animal care, and arts and culture. Approximately $159,500 was awarded from seven endowed funds managed by TCFHR.

Grant applications for the 2025 cycle are in the review process, with awardees to be announced in November.

Expanding Access for Mental Health Care

The following organizations were supported by the Alvin V. Baird Jr. Endowed Fund, benefiting nonprofit healthcare organizations that address unmet healthcare needs in the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County community:

A $5,000 grant to Adagio House’s Compassion Fund contributed approximately 50 of 162 free and reduced fee psychotherapy sessions to those in need. The organization helps to address the critical need for support services for individuals with disabilities and their families. Some of the people served by this grant are single mothers parenting autistic children, young adults trying to navigate the world with co-occurring diagnoses, and young women who are newly diagnosed autistic, according to founder and executive director April Hepler. “This support has made a tangible difference in the lives of those impacted, lowering their report of symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, and helping to prevent their need for higher level (and more costly) services,” she shared.

Family Life Resource Center used their $2,935 grant to provide sliding-scale scholarships for 21 clients to access mental health sessions. Those clients included children, couples, those awaiting Medicaid/Medicare, and families, all of whom had lost a loved one to suicide.

Musicians perform at the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival in summer 2025.

A $25,000 grant supported the work of The Foundation for Rehabilitation & Endowment, known as FREE of Harrisonburg. This organization focuses on helping low-income residents with mobility needs by employing a national medical reuse model program that utilizes collaborations and local partnerships to generate community-sourced donations.

Healthy Community Health Centers purchased infant bilirubin monitoring equipment and reusable blankets with a $16,100 grant. Monitoring can now be done without taking a blood sample. Blankets are available to loan to patients in need of jaundice treatment.

Supporting the Arts

The following organizations were supported by the Earlynn J Miller Fund for the Arts, to encourage arts nonprofit organizations to dream about the possibilities to significantly grow the arts:

The Arts Council of the Valley hosts the year-long Arts for All program, including exhibitions, concerts, a chalk art festival, international mural collaboration, and the Super Gr8 Film Festival. More than $45,000 from the Earlynn J Miller Fund for the Arts supported the 2025 programs, most of which were free to attend.

Grant funding helped OASIS Fine Art & Craft promote the arts through scholarships. Here a student shows off his 3D printed nameplate with JuiceWorks 3D Executive Director Andrei Dacko (left). 

Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative utilized grant funding to purchase sound panels and offset costs of performances in their downtown studio. The organization offered a pay-what-you-can show and tiered ticket prices, making performances more accessible to community members. Additionally, the support helped to maintain our current studio rental prices, with resulting increased use and increased collaboration with community groups.

OASIS Fine Art & Craft used Miller funding to provide scholarships for students to attend classes at Friendly City Clay & Art Center and Juice Works 3D. Classes for children at the Second Home shelter were also offered.

The Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival’s 2025 season was funded in part by a Miller grant, which helped the organization provide programming and transition with fiscal health.  In the last year, due to the diligence and leadership of the board, the organization successfully navigated independence from its previous host, Eastern Mennonite University, and now has separate 501(c)3 status. said Les Helmuth, interim executive director.

Support for Food Pantries

The following organization was supported by a grant from the Harrisonburg- Rockingham Food Pantry Endowment:

The Corner Cupboard Food Pantry at Emmanuel Episcopal Church expanded their offerings, in response to client requests, to include feminine hygiene items, adult diapers, and culturally appropriate food. The program was supported by a grant from the pantry endowment, a fund set up by TCFHR’s board to address area hunger needs. The pantry has seen a 20 percent increase in clients served this year. Receiving the grant “also had the effect of setting an example for individual donors to donate,” wrote David Seiter. “The donors saw the grant and knew it was a worthwhile project. We expect, once the final figures are calculated, we will surpass [fundraising] expectations.”

Caring for Animals

The following organizations were supported by the Hildred Neff Memorial Fund benefiting nonprofit organizations that provide for the needs of domestic animals or wildlife.

The Wildlife Center of Virginia – the oldest and largest wildlife veterinary hospital in the Commonwealth –treats more than 4,000 patients each year, with about 13 percent of those coming

Nosey the cat, a feral resident of the area, benefited from funding to the HRSPCA’s Community Cat Program.

from Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.   The grant supported treatment for 479 local sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals, with an average cost of $195 (this cost includes specialized food, medications, medical and laboratory supplies, equipment, and salaries and benefits for the wildlife veterinary and rehabilitation care team).

Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA’s Community Cat Program received $11,685 to provide spays and neuters, microchips, and vaccines for outdoor cats in Rockingham County. In collaboration with Anicira Veterinary Center, the SPCA offers guidance on trapping and voucher access, with the goals of reducing shelter intake and focusing resources on animals already in their care.

Growing the Arts for All

The following organizations were supported by the Valley Arts and Culture Fund, benefiting small and medium sized arts organizations, and the Mary Spitzer Etter Endowed Fund, promoting arts in the area.

More than 1,500 area second-graders in the city and county attended Barefoot Puppet Theater’s performance of “New Squid on the Block” over four-day span in October 2024.  This was one of several learning opportunities hosted by Any Given Child Shenandoah Valley.

Another grant paid for stipends for professional actors appearing in two musicals at Bridgewater-based Silk Moth Stage. The professional theater has been able to increased their ticket sales and expanded educational offerings in schools and libraries.

Expanding Youth Mentorship Opportunities

Children from city and county elementary schools enter Court Square Theater to enjoy a puppetry performance. A grant awarded to Any Given Child Shenandoah Valley enabled every second-grader to enjoy a live arts experience.

Funding in support of mentor recruitment has helped Big Brothers Big Sisters of HR expand and strengthen their volunteer program. The $13,220 grant from the Janet Sohn Endowed Fund provided staff time to recruit more mentors, created a designated fund to cover the cost of background checks, and sponsored regular match events. The positive results have encouraged the organization to seek more funding, in hopes of speeding matches, increasing compatible matches, and helping relationships between matches grow.

“We are thrilled to share that we met the goals associated with the grant request and continue to see increased volunteer interest and engagement,” said Director of Development Lindsey Douglas. “Youth need mentors and our work continues to provide mentors to every local youth who needs and wants one. Thank you for your partnership that helped match and support 109 youth so far in 2025, with nearly 25 more volunteer mentors started in the process of being matched.”

Providing Play Therapy

The Sean Warner Memorial Fund helped the Family Life Resource Center purchase play therapy tools and resources. Purchases included sensory toys, role-play sets, and other therapeutic tools requested by counselors. Approximately 73 children ages 15 and younger have been served by the program this year.

 

Kelsey Gerber among chamber’s 2025-26 Leadership Harrisonburg-Rockingham class

Kelsey Gerber, program manager at The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham, was selected among 23 area professionals for the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce’s annual leadership program.

As a member of the 2025-26 Leadership Harrisonburg-Rockingham cohort, Gerber will participate in monthly sessions to build awareness of and engagement with the local community, enhance team leadership skills, create networks, and work on a service project.

“Though I’m a county native, there’s always more to learn about this community as it grows and changes,” Gerber said. “I love meeting new people and hearing their perspectives, so I am excited to grow as a professional within this cohort. I’m also looking forward deepening my knowledge of the needs of this community and gaining useful problem-solving skills relevant to my work.”

Revlan Hill, the foundation’s executive director, recommended Gerber for the program. She noted that the foundation’s staff work diligently to steward more than $88 million dollars on behalf of donors for the philanthropic benefit of the community and that each team member plays an important role in this work.

Gerber’s first position with the foundation was in donor services and social media. She was recently promoted to program manager.

“Kelsey’s new role will require a nuanced understanding of city and county government, area demographics and needs, nonprofit organizations, and overall deficits and challenges,” Hill said. “I’m certain that her participation in the Leadership Harrisonburg-Rockingham program will grow her knowledge and capabilities in ways that will serve our work and the larger community. We’re thankful for this program and the way it brings together professionals to benefit the larger region.”

Gerber joins individuals representing a range of area businesses, including Interchange Group, Inc., LD&B Insurance and Financial Services, Rockingham Cooperative, Dupont Community Credit Union, and Massanutten Resort.

The day-long sessions explore topics such as agriculture and sustainability, nonprofits, local government and public safety, economic development, education, arts and entertainment, and professional development.

Since 1979, more than 1,000 individuals have graduated from the program. A steering committee of program alumni representing prominent area businesses and educational institutions develop the curricula.

Gerber earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology at University of Lynchburg, where she was a Westover Honors Fellow, a four-year participant in the Bonner Leaders program, and the 2023-24 Richard Clarke Sommerville Scholar, the university’s highest academic honor.

A similar program at Lynchburg made a discernable impact on the community, Gerber said. “It was encouraging to see a group of professionals who were not only eager to learn more about their city, but who wanted to put their learnings into action by meeting a need in their community. I look forward to seeing what my team and others contribute when we conclude our time together.”