March 2, 2010
Cameron Foundation approves nearly $1.1 million in grants for first cycle of 2010; new board member announced
In its first grant cycle for 2010, The Cameron Foundation’s Board of Directors approved $1,098,556 in new awards during its February meeting. The grants will go to 22 nonprofit organizations serving the Tri-Cities area.
Also in its February meeting, the board welcomed new member Donald L. Haraway. A long-time resident and member of Dinwiddie County’s board of supervisors, Haraway replaces retired member John H. Clements. Chaired by Ann C. Taylor, other Foundation 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; and Kevin A. Hill.
Additionally, during the February cycle, Dr. Marion H. Wilkins was appointed to the grants committee as a community representative. A resident of Waverly with a background in education, Wilkins replaces Larry L. Matthews, Jr., who resigned the position last year after having served three years. Linda L. Coleman holds the second of two community representative seats on the Foundation’s grants committee.
“This has been a busy cycle for the Foundation,” said Taylor, adding, “We recognize that board rotations are best practice in our field, but making change can feel awkward. At the same time that we’re sad to lose Mr. Clements and Mr. Matthews, we welcome Mr. Haraway and Dr. Wilkins and the new perspectives that they will bring to our work.” The Cameron Foundation, formed from the proceeds of the sale of Southside Regional Medical Center by the Hospital Authority of the City of Petersburg in April 2003, provides resources to improve the health and quality of life for people living in 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.
“Grantmaking is one of the primary ways that the Foundation fulfills this mission,” explained Wright, grants committee chair. “It’s always a privilege to support the work of local nonprofits through grantmaking.”
Last year, the Foundation made adjustments to its funding guidelines in response to the economy. President Handy L. Lindsey, Jr. noted that the board has recently decided to follow the same course for its 2010 grantmaking. “I encourage potential applicants to review details on our web site or contact the Foundation’s program staff with questions about our priorities for the foreseeable future,” he said.
The February grantees include:
Al-A-Mo Recovery Center, Inc. – $39,500
Miles B. Carpenter Museum – $3,335
Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Alliance for Social Ministry – $20,000
City of Petersburg Department of Social Services – $200,000
Crater Small Business Development Center – $95,730 (over 2 years)
Friends of the Army Women’s Museum Association – $38,752
Happy Acres Foundation – $15,000
The Henricus Foundation – $27,100
Historic Hopewell Foundation, Inc. – $15,250
Hopewell Bureau of Fire – $7,000
Learn to Earn, Inc. – $140,000
Legal Information Network for Cancer (LINC) – $29,682
Petersburg City Public Schools – Up to $80,000
Rawls Museum Arts – $11,592
Richard Bland College Foundation – $105,000
Science Museum of Virginia Foundation – $42,500
Sussex County Department of Social Services – $35,000
Urban League of Greater Richmond – $60,844
Virginia Association for Competitive Swimming (VACS) – $4,482
Virginia Commonwealth University – $48,989
Virginia Dental Health Foundation – $14,800
YMCA of Greater Richmond – $64,000