Great Community Give Raises $2 Million for Area Nonprofits

GREAT COMMUNITY GIVE DAY 2023: TWO MILLION RAISED  

Harrisonburg, VA – The 6TH annual GREAT COMMUNITY GIVE was held today, Wednesday, April 19, 6:30am-8pm.  As Harrisonburg and Rockingham County’s community-wide day of “Giving”, GREAT COMMUNITY GIVE wants nonprofits to have the resources they need to succeed in their missions. Their totals for all six years: $7,118,248. Past results are as follows:

2018, 53 nonprofits participated with $276,820 raised.

2019, 89 nonprofits participated with $536,300 raised.

2020, 102 nonprofits participated with $804,216 raised.

2021, 116 nonprofits participated with $1,776,878 raised.

2022, 125 nonprofits participated with $1,727,489 raised.

Official Totals as of 8:00PM, April 19, 2023

Participating Nonprofit Agencies:  148

Dollars Raised:  $2,000,545

Total Number of Unique Donors: 7,684

Praises to area media and financial sponsors demonstrating generosity and interest in supporting Great Community Give, the participating nonprofit agencies and the organizers of the event.  We thank you!

About The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg & Rockingham County

The Community Foundation makes charitable giving easy for the community we love. For more information, visit tcf-stage.stage3.estlandhosting.com/.

Local Nonprofits Receive Funding from The Community Foundation

Harrisonburg, VA – It feels like Christmas over at The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg  and Rockingham County (TCFHR)! No, it is not quite time for the holiday, but TCFHR is in the giving spirit since they are soon issuing Fall 2022 grants to nonprofit organizations. This year’s grants total $152,235 to 13 local nonprofits, more than TCFHR has given out in years past. The largest distribution ($55,000) coming from the Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts. Dr. Earlynn J. Miller was honored posthumously at AFP Shenandoah’s National Philanthropy Day for her contributions at JMU as well as her generously giving approximately $5 million to establish three endowments at The Community Foundation that will support the arts forever.

The monies will go to organizations addressing needs in:
Animal welfare (Anicira, Cat’s Cradle, and Wildlife Center of VA) made by Hildred Neff Memorial Fund
Arts & Culture (Arts Council of the Valley) made by Mary Spitzer Etter Endowed Fund, (OASIS Fine Art & Craft) made by Valley Arts & Culture Fund, and (Arts Council of the Valley and Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative) made by Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts
Children and Youth of Divorced Parents (Family Life Resource Center) made by Sean Warner Memorial Fund
Healthcare (Adagio House, Blue Ridge Free Clinic, and Strength in Peers) made by Alvin V. Baird, Jr. Program Housing (Central Valley Habitat for Humanity) made by Janet Sohn Endowed Fund
Greatest benefit to Harrisonburg and Rockingham County (Blue Ridge CASA and First Step) made by The Community Endowment Fund

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, contact Ann Siciliano at ann@tcfhr.org.

 

Read more about Community Foundation grant awards.

Great Community Give 2023 Nonprofit Registration Opens Today!

Great Community Give 2023 Nonprofit Registration

Will Launch on National Philanthropy Day

Great Community Give (GCG) is back for its sixth year! The GCG Planning Team will open registration for interested nonprofits on National Philanthropy Day, November 15th.

Returning and newly participating nonprofit agencies can sign up for GCG 2023 at www.greatcommunitygive.org. Registration will remain open until February 15, 2023. Eligibility requirements include having IRS 501(c)(3) tax status and located in and serving Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

Great Community Give is an initiative hosted by The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County (TCFHR), raising millions for area nonprofits since its beginning in 2018. The annual, sunrise to sunset, giving day event champions local causes by inspiring charitable giving to Harrisonburg-Rockingham nonprofit organizations. In April 2022, over 7,000 donors raised $1,727,289 for 125 organizations, bringing the initiative’s overall grand total to $5,117,703.

Nonprofits have big plans for this upcoming GCG, including Valley Associates for Independent Living. According to their Executive Director, Gayl Brunk, GCG 2023 donations will support the recently acquired, nationally ranked, Cardinals Wheelchair Basketball Team.

Amanda Bomfim, Program Officer at TCFHR is committed to making the 6th year a success. “Our team wants to be bold in our support of the nonprofits. Our GCG 2023 goals are to raise $2 million and to reach 8,000 donors. I am motivated to reach more community members in the sixth GCG especially since it will be easier to give. Donors may now contribute to their favorite organizations using the mobile payment service, Venmo.”

Great Community Give will be on the third Wednesday of April on April 19, 2023, 6:30am to 8:00pm. For questions about Great Community Give, contact TCFHR at 540-432-3863.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Receives Funding from Sentara Healthcare

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Receives Funding from Sentara Healthcare

 

The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County (TCFHR) and Sentara Healthcare are collaborating to bring books into the hands of all children under five years old in our community. TCFHR, a local nonprofit organization, received word that Sentara Healthcare will fund a $15,000 grant to their latest program, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. TCFHR became a local community affiliate in July 2021. In the eight months since their official launch in March 2022, 1,900 Harrisonburg-Rockingham children enrolled to receive free monthly books.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a monthly book-gifting program that mails free, quality, and age-appropriate books to all children under five years old in a designated program area. Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly began the program in 1995 for children in her home county in Tennessee. Today, the Imagination Library spans the United States, Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, and Australia, mailing over 1 million books to children each month. “As the local community partner, we are responsible for certain expenses. The cost of wholesale books and shipping is $2.10 per book, totaling $25.20 for the year for one child. This grant signifies the delivery of over 7,000 monthly books and over 500 children receiving books at no cost to their families for an entire year.” – Amanda Bomfim, Program Officer, TCFHR.

This news came as a roaring excitement to TCFHR staff. “This $15,000 grant from Sentara Healthcare will mean so much to our community. Our dream for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is that we connect all the infants, young children, and families in Harrisonburg and Rockingham with books and create a love for reading. We hope to never turn a child away and these funds will help us do that.” – Revlan Hill, Executive Director, TCFHR. In November, the program will reach the milestone of 10,000 books mailed to local children. To learn more about the Imagination Library, visit tcf-stage.stage3.estlandhosting.com/ or call The Community Foundation at 540-432-3863.

About The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg & Rockingham County 

The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County 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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Funding Addresses Local Needs

The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County’s annual competitive Fall grant cycle came to a close on November 17 with excited Board approval. This cycle’s grants total $78,934 to 14 local nonprofit organizations. The monies distributed will go to H-R nonprofits addressing needs in:

·         Animal welfare (Still Meadows Enrichment Center & Camp, Cat’s Cradle, Anicira, Wildlife Center of VA) made by Hildred Neff Memorial Fund
·         Arts & culture (Northeast Neighborhood Association, Arts Council of the Valley, OASIS Fine Art & Craft) made by Valley Arts & Culture Fund and Mary Spitzer Etter Endowed Fund
·         Healthcare (Adagio House, Family Life Resource Center, JMU Suitcase Clinic, Kingsway Prison and Family Outreach) made by Alvin Baird Endowed Fund
·         Housing (Central Valley Habitat for Humanity) made by Janet Sohn Endowed Fund
·         Greatest benefit to Harrisonburg and Rockingham County (Plains Area Daycare Center, Village to Village) made by The Community Endowment Fund

Grant distributions come from funds held at TCFHR and determined by a grants committee. Funds established at The Community Foundation are a result of collaboration between generous, community-centered individuals and TCFHR. For more information on how to contribute to funds held at The Community Foundation or how to establish a fund yourself, call 540-432-3863 or email Ann Siciliano ann@tcfhr.org. The Community Foundation has enjoyed a solid record of success and, through continued partnership and collaboration, they aspire to establish and manage more charitable funds that will serve this community today and in perpetuity.

Read more about Community Foundation 2021 competitive grant awards.

Giving Back – Local Nonprofit Projects That Need Your Support

Little Swiss Fund Grant Opportunity for Highland County Nonprofits

The 2021 Little Swiss Fund grant application is now available!

 

In 2018, The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County received a $10 million gift from an anonymous donor with instructions for the gift to benefit nonprofit organizations in Highland County, Virginia. The gift established a permanently endowed fund called The Little Swiss Fund, whose monies are annually invested and distributed to benefit Highland County nonprofit agencies with 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt status. This year’s grants will provide approximately $334,821 to charitable organizations. All grants will be awarded in late November 2021.

 

REQUIREMENTS

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.

CONTACT
If you have any questions about your organization’s eligibility to apply, please contact TCFHR (ann@tcfhr.org or 540-432-3863) before you begin the application. Grants are made without regard to factors of gender, race, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation.

 

Applications are due November 1, 2021 at 5:00PM.   2021 APPLICATION

Now Accepting Applications for former HR Free Clinic building

­­­­­­­­­The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg & Rockingham County is accepting proposals for the property located at 25 West Water Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia, with the goal of the property being used for unmet healthcare needs of the low income and most vulnerable members of our community.  (This property previously housed the operations of the H-R Free Clinic.)

 

The Community Foundation is looking for an organization to gift the property. Our goal is to secure a nonprofit within the next six months. Please dream with us as we honor the work of the H-R Free Clinic and its donors to find the perfect recipient.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Organizations must be tax-exempt public charities under IRS Section 501(c)3 or other nonprofit status.
  • Organizations must provide a program at the property to serve the unmet healthcare needs of the low income and most vulnerable members of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.
  • Please call TCFHR, 540-432-3863, if you have questions regarding eligibility before applying.

APPLICATION for 25 West Water Street

Application Deadline: August 31 at 5:00PM

2021 Community Foundation Scholarship Awards Announced

The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County celebrates another successful year working with donors in providing scholarships to students in our local area. Over $245,000 in scholarship were given to students of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Congratulations to all 2021 scholarship recipients! For the list of students, please visit our 2021 Scholarship Awards page.

TCFHR believes education is the key to a bright future. TCFHR administers a variety of merit based and aid scholarship programs that grant more than $200,000 annually to high school, community college and university students. The majority of our scholarships are designated for current or former residents of Harrisonburg or Rockingham County. Scholarships are made for tuition and related educational expenses and are paid directly to the educational institution.

Merit based and financial aid scholarships are established by generous local individuals, corporations or organizations to assist students with their educational pursuits. Often scholarships are created in the name of the donor or by families who wish to memorialize a loved one. Other financial aid scholarships have been established by individuals who simply want to extend a helping hand for college-bound students. Each scholarship expresses a deep belief in the power of education to help students achieve their academic dreams.

For more information on how to establish a scholarship with TCFHR, visit tcf-stage.stage3.estlandhosting.com/ or call us at 540-432-3863.

Great Community Give Returns

Great Community Give returns on April 21, 2021.  As Harrisonburg and Rockingham County’s community wide giving day, Great Community Give has had exceptional response as a one-day fundraising event in support of our area non-profit agencies. Eligible nonprofit organizations may start registering today, November 18th.

 

GCG 2020 organizers are encouraging nonprofit agencies to participate. We don’t want any eligible nonprofit organization to miss the opportunity to be part of this effort. If you are a volunteer, serve on a board or part of the staff and would like to register visit www.greatcommunitygive.org.  Nonprofit registration closes January 18, 2021.  For information contact Amanda Bomfim at 432-3863 or amanda@tcfhr.org.