Cameron Foundation approves $3+ million in grants to 30 orgs

The Cameron Foundation’s board has approved $3,085,331 in new grants for 30 nonprofits throughout the Tri-Cities and Southside Virginia in its October board meeting, bringing the Foundation’s giving to $8,762,423 for the year and representing the Foundation’s final grant cycle for 2008. This month also marks the Foundation’s four-year anniversary of grantmaking to the community, […]

October 23, 2008; 7:31 PM • by brenda p

The Cameron Foundation’s board has approved $3,085,331 in new grants for 30 nonprofits throughout the Tri-Cities and Southside Virginia in its October board meeting, bringing the Foundation’s giving to $8,762,423 for the year and representing the Foundation’s final grant cycle for 2008. This month also marks the Foundation’s four-year anniversary of grantmaking to the community, with total gifts exceeding $25 million to date.

“This year has presented the Foundation with so many new opportunities to partner with nonprofits in Southside Virginia so that, by working together, we can improve the health and quality of life for people living here,” said Ann C. Taylor, chair. Taylor pointed out, “The number of awards made by the Foundation in October 2008 is exceeded only by the Foundation’s very first grant cycle, when awards were made to 39 organizations.” Other board members include Larry C. Tucker, vice chair; Betty W. Thweatt, secretary; James L. Thacker, Jr., treasurer; Cleveland A. Wright, immediate past chair; Dr. Gurpal S. Bhuller; John H. Clements; Kevin A. Hill; and Dr. Jerry W. Isbell.

Wright, grants committee chair, noted that this new group of grants provides support across all seven of the Foundation’s program areas, which include health care, human services, civic affairs, community and economic development, education, conservation and historic preservation, and cultural enrichment. “It’s encouraging to see that the Foundation was able to respond to such a variety of important needs,” he said.

The October grantees include:

American Heart Association – $29,100

Appomattox Regional Library – $309,483

Big Brothers Big Sisters Services, Inc. – $49,140

Children’s Hospital Foundation – $150,000

Crater Health District – $216,746

Equal Justice America –$16,000

Harrowgate Elementary School – $10,000

The Henricus Foundation – $50,400

Hopewell City Public Schools – $50,000

Hopewell-Prince George Healthy Families – $41,428

The James House – $60,000

Legal Aid Justice Center – $120,000

Old Brick House Foundation – $65,000

Petersburg Community Development Corporation – $190,000

Petersburg Elks Lodge # 237 – $5,577

Petersburg Healthy Families – $70,000

The Read Center – $48,173

Richmond Organization for Sexual Minority Youth – $15,000

Science Museum of Virginia Foundation – $50,000

Senior Navigator – $80,000

Serenity, Inc. – $52,780

Southeast 4-H Educational Center – $60,000

Sussex County Youth and Adult Recreational Association, Inc. – $60,000

Telamon Corporation – $27,246

United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg – $87,258

Urban League of Greater Richmond – $92,000

Virginia Dental Health Foundation – $15,000

Virginia Supportive Housing – $45,000

Virginia’s Gateway Region – $1,000,000

Wakefield Foundation Center for the Arts – $20,000

The largest award, a three-year, $1 million grant to Virginia’s Gateway Region, is expected to further the organization’s economic development efforts throughout Southside Virginia, including the cities of Petersburg, Colonial Heights, and Hopewell, as well as the counties of Dinwiddie, Prince George, Sussex, and the southern portion of Chesterfield County.  Handy L. Lindsey, Jr., president, emphasized, “This commitment is significant because of what it represents. The Cameron Foundation has come to appreciate that we are in a set of truly unique circumstances with Virginia’s Gateway Region. We are jointly invested in the economic viability of the Southside community so that residents can live healthier, fuller lives.” He added, “The organization is a critical strategic partner in fulfilling the Foundation’s mission. I can think of very few others with missions so closely aligned to that of the Foundation, which gives necessary context to the scale of this grant.”

Known as a health-legacy foundation, The Cameron Foundation was formed from the proceeds of the sale of Southside Regional Medical Center by the Hospital Authority of the City of Petersburg in April 2003.  Its giving is restricted to the area that historically had been served by the hospital.  The Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations three times each year, in February, June, and October.

More information about the Foundation, its grant opportunities, and its grant recipients can be found on its website, www.thecameronfoundation.org, or via telephone at 804-732-8900.  

October 23, 2008 7:31 PM 0