October 21, 2008
4th Anniversary of Cameron Foundation’s giving highlighted by more than $3 million in new grants to 30 Tri-Cities nonprofits
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.