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Jackson, Mississippi has experienced increased rain and subsequent flooding of the Pearl River, impacting the city. This flooding has exacerbated the city’s water issues, causing failures at the O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plant. The City of Jackson and State of Mississippi, through the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and Mississippi Department of Health, are working together under several states of emergency to address issues. For the latest information on how to support Jacksonians impacted by this water crisis, we look to our peer organization, the Community Foundation for Mississippi. Their website has a list of places where your donations can help residents who are most impacted. Community Foundation for Mississippi Website
On February 6th, 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated the southeastern region of Türkiye and northern Syria, causing untold damage to infrastructure and an even larger toll on the humanitarian crises in the area. Türkiye hosts the largest refugee population in the world, especially in the cities affected by the quakes. In Syria, there are over a million internally displaced Syrians who have been impacted by the earthquake and need to rely on humanitarian assistance.
While there are numerous organizations sending aid to both countries, if you are inspired to help, we recommend making a gift to one of the nonprofits listed here.
MARCH 4, 2022 — The Richmond region is tremendously generous. Time and time again, you step up to address the critical needs of our community to ensure a better quality of life for all who live here. While we continue to focus on the important work being done here at home, we know you also may be searching for ways to support the people of Ukraine as they face tremendous loss and displacement. The United Nations estimates that 12 million people inside Ukraine will need relief and protection, while more than 4 million Ukranian refugees may need protection and assistance in neighboring countries in the coming months. Right now the best way to help is with philanthropic dollars for humanitarian aid in Ukraine and the surrounding countries.
Below we have compiled a list of trusted organizations offering guidance and funding opportunities for your consideration.
Local Organizations
The following organizations provide refugee resettlement services for individuals who arrive in the region seeking safety and a new start.
HandsOn Greater Richmond, our region's volunteer hub and a service of the Community Foundation, is an affiliate of the Points of Light Foundation. Please see the following blog for guidance on what to do or not to do as a volunteer in disaster response - plus, information about affiliates working in and around Ukraine.
We are here for you. Please call us at 804-330-7400 if you have any questions and check here for future updates.
APRIL 7, 2020 — The Central Virginia COVID-19 Response Fund, created by the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond and the Emergency Management Alliance of Central Virginia, has raised $4.1 million to date with support from 18 lead foundation and corporate partners, as well as generous donors in our region.
But with the impact from the COVID-19 crisis likely to stretch out for weeks and months, the need is just beginning. Philanthropic organizations are coming together to raise money and are calling on local individuals and organizations to make donations.
“The best way to get through this crisis is to do it together,” says Sherrie Armstrong, CEO of the Community Foundation. “That’s how we’ve overcome challenges of the past, and it’s how we will build resiliency for our future. As we gain greater understanding of the immediate effects of this public health crisis, while also anticipating what is yet to come, we are asking the community to help with a gift of any amount to the fund.”
United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg is providing $100,000 in matching dollars to incentivize new donations made through United Way’s website from individuals. Donors may also make gifts of cash, securities or other assets through the Community Foundation.
“Bringing communities together to solve big problems is a fundamental part of who we are,” said James Taylor, president & CEO of United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg. “We don’t know what the future holds, but we do know local nonprofits and the vulnerable populations they serve need our help now. I believe the Central Virginia COVID-19 Fund is the best way to provide that help, but we need the entire community’s support. Please donate today.”
The Central Virginia COVID-19 Response Fund is the first activation of a coordinated, regional disaster response campaign to mobilize and deploy as many resources as possible in times when the community needs them most. Currently, the COVID-19 Response Fund is looking to provide rapid support to nonprofit organizations and public agencies providing health-related crisis response services and meeting the needs of individuals and families most affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The fund is designed to be flexible in focus as needs change over time, and to complement other resources and responses at the national, state and local levels.
“Over the past year, we have worked closely with the Community Foundation to establish a regional disaster preparedness and response fund to ensure there would be a way for people to give if a disaster were to hit our region,” said Ben Ruppert, finance chair of the Emergency Management Alliance of Central Virginia. “That shared commitment to planning and coordination is paying off now as we come together to tackle a crisis at a scale few could have predicted.”
Informed by those with emergency management expertise and on-the-ground insight, an advisory committee is currently reviewing requests and will plan to announce an early round of grants soon. The fund will be used initially to support essential services such as health care, housing, food access, childcare and senior care. They are also working with schools and government agencies to support the procurement of food and safety supplies for scaled distribution.
Learn more about the Central Virginia COVID-19 Response Fund and make your contribution at www.togetheroneregion.org
COVID-19 Response Fund Founding Contributors
JUNE 10, 2022 — This year, the River Counties Community Foundation has reached a remarkable milestone. For the first time in its 26-year history, the Foundation has awarded over $1 million in grants during its annual awards cycle to support organizations serving Lancaster, Middlesex and Northumberland Counties.
“This is an amazing accomplishment for rural philanthropy, and it is a testament to the philanthropic spirit of the residents of our area and the strong relationships the River Counties Community Foundation has nurtured over the years,” said Lincoln Boykin, Director of Affiliate Foundations.
Established in 1996 as an affiliate of the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond, River Counties Community Foundation became part of a national movement to expand the community foundation model into rural communities. To date, the organization has granted over $14 million to local organizations.
The grants below are a snapshot of the 54 projects supported in 2022:
Deltaville Community Association received support for the installation of new, energy-efficient LED lights at Deltaville Ballpark. Modern fixtures will provide a higher peak illumination and thus a safer playing environment, and new adjustable settings will reduce ambient light pollution and provide light intensity variations for non-baseball events such as concerts and festivals.
Lancaster County Education Foundation received support for the construction of an inclusive playground at the new Lancaster Early Childhood Education Center in Kilmarnock. This playground will include a massive climbing structure, a specialized surface that allows for wheelchair accessibility, a walking path, a music center, inclusive swings and more.
Middlesex Water Authority received support to assist low- and moderate-income residents in connecting to Middlesex County's new public sewer system, which provides access to environmentally sustainable wastewater disposal. This grant will also help to improve property values and lower property maintenance costs due to the availability of adequate wastewater disposal.
Northern Neck – Middlesex Free Health Clinic (NNMFHC) received support to provide access to health care for low-income residents. This grant supports the provision of essential medical supplies and equipment for the clinic and covers the salary cost for a second medical provider, which will reduce delays for appointment times. The grant also provides for the annual cost to transport and house VCU dental students as they provide services to low-income residents.
YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas received support for a regional, year-round Preschool, School Age and Summer Day Camp Program for children ages 8-weeks through 12 years old. This program is structured to help children stem learning loss, facilitate personal and academic development, foster individual self-confidence, and offer social maturation. The Foundation’s support ensures that no child is turned away due to economic need.
Visit the River Counties Community Foundation website
Style Weekly recently recognized Michelle Nelson in its latest class of "Top 40 Under 40." Michelle is the Chief Financial Officer of The Community Foundation and a leader committed to the nonprofit sector. She brings personal and professional attributes that complement her knowledge and grounding in the finance work of community foundations. In 2009, Michelle joined TCF as Controller and since has earned her position in senior leadership of the organization. She oversees important finance functions including audit, tax & regulatory filings, operational accounting and budget development. She has served on the CARITAS Board of Directors since July 2009. In her time as Treasurer, she has been key in stabilizing a merged organization, putting CARITAS on firm ground with a positive trajectory. "Michelle is one of a kind -- smart as a whip, steadfast, innovative and always thinking of ways to improve both the financial health as well as the visibility of the organization...and she does that with a calming demeanor that is very atypical of someone who crunches numbers all day! She always presents with a smile and a twinkle in her eye like she's keeping a great secret." - Karen Stanley, Executive Director, CARITAS Michelle also serves on the board of the Midlothian YMCA and is an active member of AICPA, VSCPA and FAOG, a national network of Financial Officers that serve in the field of community foundations.
Analise Adams, Program Director, Shalom Farms Kate Ayers, Executive Director, Re-Establish Richmond Raven Bates, Communications Manager & Office Coordinator, Virginia Community Development Corporation Caroline Browell, Marketing & Communications Manager, Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia Nausha Brown-Chavez, Program Manager, The READ Center Sara Buckheit, Post Adoption Program Manager, Children’s Home Society of Virginia Shannon Castleman, Executive Director, Oakwood Arts Yong Chae, Finance Director, Senior Connections Terry Ebright, Food Pantry Manager & Communications Associate, GoochlandCares Catherine Estevez, Assistant Director, Communities in Schools VA Diana Fales, Training Manager/Yardi Specialist, Better Housing Coalition Sakina Jackson, Deputy Director, Child Care Aware of Virginia Robert Larkin, Training Coordinator, Richmond Residential Services, Inc. Erin Lingo, Agency Relations Manager, Feed More Jessica Ramirez, Director of Advocacy & Public Relations, Rx Partnership Tiffany Thomas, Director of Programs, Partnership for the Future Lisa Thompson, Child Development Services Program Manager, ChildSavers Aly Truesdale, Director of Development, Special Olympics Virginia Sherman Urquhart, YouthBuild Program Director, Pathways Stephen Vicoli, Transition Coordinator, The Healing Place, CARITAS Pilar Waters, Program Director, U.S. Referrals, World Pediatric Project Erin Wischer, Operations Manager, Community Foundation for a greater Richmond Alle Witt, Grants Manager & Development Officer, CrossOver Healthcare Ministry Mary Beth Yates, Development Manager, Children’s Museum of Richmond
Congratulations to all who were selected to be a part of Emerging Nonprofit Leaders cohort!
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