Celebrating Five Years of Giving, Cameron Foundation Awards Nearly $1.3 Million to 24 Local Nonprofits in its Most Recent Grant Cycle

In its October meeting, The Cameron Foundation’s board approved $1,288,935 in new grants for 24 nonprofit organizations serving the Tri-Cities and Southside Virginia. This most recent cycle brings the Foundation’s cumulative giving to $5,303,410 this year. Since it began grant making in October 2004, the Foundation has awarded approximately $30.5 million to benefit […]

October 27, 2009; 7:43 PM • by mari

In its October meeting, The Cameron Foundation’s board approved $1,288,935 in new grants for 24 nonprofit organizations serving the Tri-Cities and Southside Virginia. This most recent cycle brings the Foundation’s cumulative giving to $5,303,410 this year. Since it began grant making in October 2004, the Foundation has awarded approximately $30.5 million to benefit residents of its service area, which includes the cities of Petersburg, Colonial Heights, and Hopewell, as well as the counties of Dinwiddie, Prince George, Sussex, and the portion of Chesterfield County lying south of U.S. Route 10.

Board Chair Ann C. Taylor reflected on the Foundation’s work in 2009 by emphasizing the value of a strong relationship with the nonprofit community. “This year, we’ve focused many of our efforts on helping to mitigate some of the economic strains that are being felt locally, particularly within the nonprofit sector,” she said, adding, “Along the way, we’ve consulted with individuals from many of these organizations so that we could best fulfill our role as a supporting partner of their critical work. We hope to build on what we’ve learned as we look ahead.”

Cleveland A. Wright, immediate past chair and current grants committee chair, noted, “The committee considers dozens of worthy requests each cycle, and it is always with reverence that we come to agreement around the grant recipients. The Foundation’s regular grant cycles serve as essential tools for us to help these organizations make a positive impact on the public.”

The October grantees include:

Appomattox Regional Library – $215,400
Better Housing Coalition – $220,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters Services, Inc. – $35,085
CARES, Inc. – $40,000
Dinwiddie Department of Social Services – $10,000
District 19 Community Services Board – $60,000
Equal Justice America – $10,000
Foster Grandparent Program – $25,000
Gateway Homes, Inc. – $25,000
Hopewell-Prince George Healthy Families – $31,500
Instructive Visiting Nurse Association – $30,000
InterFaith Adult Day Care, Inc. – $3,600
The James House – $67,400
Legal Aid Justice Center – $120,000
Partnership for People with Disabilities – $25,000
The Read Center – $38,800
Serenity, Inc. – $73,780
Southside Virginia Emergency Crew, Inc. – $75,000
St. John Child Development Center – St. John Baptist Church – $15,000
Sussex Central High School PTSA – $28,000
Theatre IV – $17,000
United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg – $73,300
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation – $10,070
Virginia Supportive Housing – $40,000

Among the larger awards this grant cycle is one to Appomattox Regional Library to support operating expenses for Southside Community Partners, which offers a host of resources tailored to the nonprofit sector. “This grant reflects the Foundation’s longstanding interest in promoting capacity-building for indigenous organizations,” explained Handy L. Lindsey, Jr., president. “Further, as these groups grow stronger and become better equipped to deliver services, we hope that our significant investment in Southside Community Partners will yield a compounding benefit to the region as a whole,” he added.

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. It is governed by representatives from across Southside Virginia. In addition to Taylor and Wright, the remaining board members are Larry C. Tucker, vice chair; Betty W. Thweatt, secretary; James L. Thacker, Jr., treasurer; Dr. Gurpal S. Bhuller; John H. Clements; Pamela Martin Comstock; and Kevin A. Hill.

More information about the Foundation, its grant opportunities, and its grant recipients is available on its website, www.camfound.org, or by telephone at 804-732-8900.

October 27, 2009 7:43 PM 0