March 4, 2013
Cameron Foundation Board approves $1.3 million in grants in first cycle with new president
The Cameron Foundation’s Board of Directors approved $1,313,120 in grants to nonprofits in its first cycle for 2013 during its meeting February 21. This also was its first cycle with the Foundation’s new president, J. Todd Graham. The grant awards were divided among 17 organizations, each focused on addressing quality of life needs for residents in the Tri-Cities area. Two more competitive grant cycles are scheduled this year, in June and October, in addition to the Foundation’s other grant programs that accept applications on a rolling basis.
Cleveland A. Wright, chair of the grants committee, observed that “Almost half of the grant awards this cycle were in the areas of health and human services, which are central to Cameron’s purpose as a health legacy foundation.” The grants committee is composed of board members and community representatives and serves an important role in the Foundation’s mission to support programs which benefit Tri-Cities residents. After proposals are reviewed by staff, the grants committee considers the recommendations prior to presenting them to the full board for a final decision.
The following grants were made this cycle:
Alzheimer’s Association – $30,345
Appomattox Educational Foundation – $225,000
Appomattox Regional Library System – $150,000
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond – $135,000
Family Lifeline – $50,000
Hopewell Food Pantry – $30,000
Hopewell-Prince George Healthy Families – $55,000
Richard Bland College Foundation – $65,000
Riverside Criminal Justice Agency – $14,775
Science Museum of Virginia – $34,000
The Salvation Army Petersburg Corps – $34,000
Smart Beginnings/Hopewell-Prince George – $40,000
Southside Health Education Foundation – $70,000
Sussex County Department of Social Services – $53,000
Virginia Association for Competitive Swimming – $3,500
Virginia’s Gateway Region – $225,000
Virginia LISC – $98,500
Among the larger grants made this cycle, the award to Virginia’s Gateway Region (VGR) supports a continuation of the G2 project, “Driving Regional Growth, Embracing a Global Future” initiative. VGR is an economic development organization serving the entire Tri-Cities area. In addition to securing competitive funding in recent years, VGR also was honored by The Cameron Foundation in 2011 as the recipient of the Excellence in Organizational Management Award, which recognizes one organization each year for its best practices in nonprofit management and governance. Another large commitment was made to the Appomattox Educational Foundation, which is working in partnership with the Appomattox Regional Governor’s school to restore a building on its property for dual purposes as both an artist-in-residence facility as well as community meeting space.
“The Foundation’s board is very pleased with the work accomplished in this most recent cycle by staff and our new president. The values that have previously guided our mission continue to help us meet the changing needs of this community and contribute to the quality of life for Southside Virginians,” Board Chair Larry C. Tucker said about the February 2013 awards.