Foundation News cfrrr.org 540.373.9292
Newsletter Fall/Winter 2019
The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region
The Community Foundation receives first payment of sPower’s long-term transformative commitment to Spotsylvania county.
Spotsylvania is Ready to Shine
Left to right: Michele Mansouri, President Elect; Dan Hansen, Secretary; Daniel Menahem, sPower Director,
Solar Development; Teri McNally, Executive Director; Greg Benson, Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors;
Charlie Payne, Partner, Hirschler; Stuart Ashton, President
The Community Foundation and sPower broke ground on their partnership to invest in Spotsylvania County in September.
Stuart Ashton, The Community Foundation’s Board President, expressed confidence and optimism for the potential impact of the transformative gift, “It’s an honor for sPower to recognize The Community Foundation as the standard for stewardship in philanthropy in this region.”
tion of its Spotsylvania Solar Energy Center and will continue to support the community for the life of the 500- megawatt solar facility. Distribution of the funds will be determined by the Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors, who will make recommendations to the foundation for suitable community needs.
sPower will contribute to the Spotsylvania County Community Investment Fund of The Community Foundation during construc-
“What a privilege it is to be a part of The Community Foundation!” said Michele Continued page 2
sPower, the United States’ largest private owner and operator of solar assets, selected The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region to steward the funds due to the foundation’s perpetual commitment to the community and expertise in grantmaking.
Photo by Aaron Spicer Photography
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One way the foundation stays abreast of current concerns and winning solutions is through frequent Lunch and Learn interactive question-and-answer interview sessions. The Community Foundation provides lunch for a local nonprofit expert and the nonprofit has the opportunity to share information about their mission that is most relevant to the donors and fund holders who give through the foundation.
As in any field, there can be a tendency for people in the independent sector to work in “silos” with little collaborative sharing of information. The informal Lunch and Learn knowledge sessions cultivate breadth and depth of understanding for Community Foundation staff. This helps ensure highest quality advisement for donors seeking to make a charitable impact in our community.
Lunch and Learn Food for Thought The Community Foundation’s staff have a strong reputation for their knowledge of local issues and the work done by area nonprofits to preserve and grow the quality of life in our region.
Foundation staff at Lunch and Learn session. Left to right: Casey Hu, Ali Thomas, Teri McNally, Emma Miller-Richards (not pictured, Lisa Baxter, Lisa Biever). Photo by Tina Jackson Photography
Spotsylvania is Ready to Shine Continued from page 1 Mansouri, President Elect of The Community Foundation’s Board of Governors and Chair of the Fund Development Committee. “The future impact of a gift of this size will demonstrate the power of a community foundation to make philanthropy efficient and effective. We are committed to maximizing the impact of this gift, which is sure to be transformative for the community.”
Grants issued by the foundation through sPower funding have been designated for public safety, schools, parks, utilities, renewable energy and infrastructure in Spotsylvania County. Like all giving done through the foundation, distributions must demonstrate community benefit and exclude any private benefit or purpose. “sPower is delighted to partner with The Community Foundation to enhance the health and vibrancy of the community,” said sPower CEO Ryan Creamer. “We are committed to Spotsylvania County for the long haul.”
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The WINGS Charitable Fund Women in the Giving Spirit Women in the Giving Spirit - well known in the region as “WINGS” started when three local women saw a need for charitable support for small local nonprofits that provide essential services to our community. Many area agencies were delivering important programs, but lacked the capacity to hold fundraising events successfully. Over time, more women joined WINGS and together raised over $315,000 making contributions to nonprofits like Boys and Girls Club, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Fairy Godmother Project, Hope House, Micah Ecumenical Ministries, Moss Free Clinic, and Salvation Army, along with numerous disease prevention and treatment programs, and support for area individuals in need. When the WINGS membership decided that the organization had run its course and was ready to sunset, they sought an appropriate way to carry on their legacy of generosity. A solution appeared when a WINGS board member suggested establishing an endowed fund at The Community Foundation that would perpetually support the Women and Girls Fund’s grantmaking to area nonprofits that benefit local girls and women.
Some of WINGS’ charter board members and past presidents: Lupe Sigman, Nancy Turnage, Alice Parvin, Archer Williams, Anne Scott, Janet Savage Photo by Tina Jackson Photography “We were so pleased that the spirit of
We found the right choice to ensure the
WINGS would live on through the new WINGS
WINGS legacy can continue.”
(Women in the Giving Spirit) Charitable Fund of The Community Foundation,” said founding WINGS President Alice Parvin. “And it was a breeze to establish the fund.
Miracle at Millrace! Sold Out
Contact Teri McNally at 540.373.9292 to discuss future sponsorship opportunities. The annual Ring in the Holidays event is not just a highly anticipated celebration of local philanthropy and leadership -- it is also essential to The Community Foundation’s success as advocates for the region we all love. Sponsorships are sold out! Thank you for helping The Community Foundation make it easy for generous people to support all of the issues and causes they care about – from arts and the environment to health and education and beyond.
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The Community Fund For Urgent Needs Thoughtful Decisions to Support Essential Nonprofits
The Community Fund Awards $35,751 to Strengthen Local Nonprofits
First The Community Foundation’s board determined that 2019 grants from The Community Fund should target capacity building. Next, the foundation’s Donor Services Committee reviewed nonprofit applications.
The Community Foundation offers a powerful way to support local nonprofits that are hard at work caring for our region: The Community Fund. The foundation’s Board of Governors created this fund to ensure charitable resources are always available when there is an urgent need or promising opportunity in our community. For 2019, the Donor Services Committee of the foundation’s board chose to invest in local nonprofits that could most benefit from direct support for their organization’s capacity to make a difference.
Without capacity building support, nonprofits run the risk of focusing all of their energy and attention on providing services and expanding projects. This lack of a strong foundation may lead to organizational instability, for example old and deteriorating equipment, poor communication between leadership and staff, and “mission drift” — a loss of focus on the nonprofit’s founding principles. “Reading this year’s grants opened my eyes to how much impact capacity building grants like these can make to nonprofits in our community. When donors support this fund they are truly making a difference for this opportunity and other issues in the future.” Cathy Wack, Donor Services Committee Chair, President, Wack General Contractor “Grant decisions for The Community Fund are very deliberate and collaborative. There are numerous steps in the process to ensure diligent review and selection of the most fitting grantees to address the most impactful needs of the community.” Jamie Scully, Board Member, First Vice President, Cushman & Wakefield - Thalhimer “One of the most rewarding aspects of my involvement with The Community Foundation is being able to support area nonprofits through grants from The Community Fund. Donors who give to The Community Fund have a real impact in enabling successful nonprofits to serve our community.” Margaret Hardy, Board Secretary, President, Attorney/Shareholder, Sands Anderson, PC
The Community Fund request for proposals asked area nonprofits, “What do you need to be really successful?” After careful review of the proposals submitted, nonprofit capacity building grants were awarded to: • $12,000 to Downtown Greens, Inc. for their grant Cultivate and Grow Downtown Greens, Inc. The funding will help establish a three-year strategic plan that focuses on board development, growth and sustainability. • $10,845 to Mental Health America of Fredericksburg for Board Development and Technology Improvement including multi-line telephones with a four-year equipment maintenance plan. • $7,800 to Fredericksburg Area Museum for FAM Capacity Building Project covering the costs of Network for Good, VolunteerHub and the Fundraising Coach software. • $5,106 to Fredericksburg Area Regional Health Council, Inc. for Electronic Health Record optimization.
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The Community Fund For Promising Opportunities Downtown Greens Community Greenspace
Since Downtown Greens is a very small organization with a staff of less than five, it can be extremely difficult to plan for the future. Their programs have potential to grow in reach and impact, but the organization’s pool of resources is not keeping pace. With a capacity-building grant from The Community Fund, Downtown Greens can hire nonprofit business consultants to convene stakeholders for feedback on what is working well and what could use improvement. The consultants will evaluate Downtown Greens’ current business model and make recommendations that will serve as a roadmap to introduce more kids and communities to the necessity and beauty of the natural world.
The capacity-building grant from The Community Fund enabled Mental Health America of Fredericksburg to enhance its service delivery -- especially its ability to communicate with people in crisis who call the organization’s HelpLine. The nonprofit is also using funds to assess its Board of Director’s strengths and opportunities for growth. “Growth is necessary if we are going to continue to be an active participant in improving mental health in the region and helping ensure critical mental health services can continue,” they told the foundation. Moss Free Clinic
An electronic health record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. They are real-time, patient-centered records that make information available instantly and securely to authorized users.
Mental Health America
Probably no one thinks of the importance of a quality phone system until you go without it.
Fredericksburg Area Museum
Clinical efficiency and healthcare provider satisfaction can suffer after implementing an EHR in a medical practice. In a free clinic setting, where many providers are volunteers, using an EHR can be even more complex. The grant funds from The Community Fund have enabled Moss Free Clinic to bring in a consultant who is helping streamline workflow processes and boost usability. The less time a provider needs to focus on the computer screen, the more time she/he can focus on caring for the patient. This will ultimately improve provider productivity and patient satisfaction at the clinic.
The Fredericksburg Area Museum’s (FAM) guiding principle is to be an outward-facing organization that emphasizes inclusion and a commitment to understanding, and responding, to the needs of our community. Funding provided through this capacitybuilding grant from The Community Fund is enabling FAM to increase its efficiencies by streamlining its internal operations. For example, our new donor management system makes processing new memberships and renewals easier and more efficient. This, in turn, allows staff to spend valuable time building engaging exhibits and offering invaluable programs to children and adults, both local and visitors to the Fredericksburg area.
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Ainsley’s Angels Spartan Race Victory
A PATH Out of Homelessness
Ainsley’s Angels and Hunter Pitts scored a tremendous victory at the 2019 DC Spartan Sprint with support from the Robert Cullen O’Neill Memorial Fund of The Community Foundation.
With support from a charitable fund at The Community Foundation, Micah Ecumenical Ministries is building relationships and helping local homeless people find a path to safety, connection and belonging. The grant supported Micah’s PATH program, an acronym for Partners Assisting in Transitions from Homelessness. PATH offers dedicated caseworkers to walk beside people who seek help from Micah.
In October 2010, an accident at Budds Creek Motocross Park left Hunter Pitts with a severe traumatic brain injury. Nine years later, Hunter and his Ainsley’s Angels team conquered the Spartan Race held at the same location. Ainsley’s Angels Fredericksburg Ambassadorship is a nonprofit that aims to make racing inclusive for all. The group was responsible for organizing and executing the 4-hour race off-road race where temperatures neared 100 degrees. The Community Foundation made a grant from the Robert Cullen O’Neill Memorial Fund to purchase a specialized off-road chariot. The team planned and conditioned for months ahead of the race in order to ensure Hunter built the upper body strength, practice and conditioning needed to overcome 22 grueling obstacles safely. To learn more about establishing a Donor Advised Fund through The Community Foundation, contact Executive Director Teri McNally at 540 373-9292, terimcnally@cfrrr.org or visit our website at cfrrr.org/ make-a-charitable-impact.
Micah shared this case story in a recent grant report: A PATH worker was matched with Sue (not her real name). After the loss of her husband of thirty years, hopelessness became paralyzing. The shame of no income, loss of housing and uncertainty of independence left her unable to reach out for help from family and friends. For three months, PATH sat with her each week, suggesting she reach out to family, offering to help her apply for survivor’s benefits, contemplating housing options of her own. For an extended time, she didn’t budge. Slowly, however, she cautiously agreed to try counseling and allow one of the staff supported by this grant to help her apply for disability. Together, Sue and the PATH worker discovered that she had been eligible for her husband’s survivor’s benefits the entire time she had been on the streets. Overwhelmed by the news and the significant amount of back pay she asked, “Do you think I could use that to buy a new pair of shoes?” After a shared laugh and a solid cry, Sue acknowledged it was actually enough to start a new life. In addition to shoes, Sue has gone on to buy a car. She is independently managing appointments and paying her own bills.
Left: Ainsley’s Angels rider athlete Hunter Pitts, 2019 DC Spartan Race Finisher. Above: Jason, a Micah PATH worker, offers coaching and support.
Foundation News
Fall/Winter 2019
Leadership and Service
New Faces on the Foundation Board of Governors
Janet Gullickson, PhD, President, Germanna Community College
Stephanie Hanchey, Technical Writer, Applied Technology
Carolyn Irwin, CPA, Partner, PBMares
La Bravia Jenkins, Esq., Commonwealth’s Attorney, City of Fredericksburg
Sharon Schmidt, Senior Associate, Cushman & Wakefield - Thalhimer
W. Andrew Withers, Senior Vice President and Group Manager, Atlantic Union Bank
Thank you for Your Leadership! Ben Wafle, Community Foundation Past President, handed his gavel over to Stuart Ashton in July. Thank you for your leadership over the last year, Ben!
Ben Wafle, Community Foundation Past President
Thank you for your service! Harry Dickinson, Leigh Frackelton, Mike Kennison, Ben Maxwell and Mary Jane O’Neill: five hard-working and impactful community leaders have rotated off The Community Foundation’s Board of Governors. Harry and Leigh are both founding board members. Harry served as foundation President in 09/10 and served in multiple years as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. Leigh is a two-term past President serving in 97/98 and 98/99. Leigh served as Chair of the Scholarship Committee for seven years. Mike recently finished his second term, serving the board from 2013 to 2019. He led the Audit Committee in 18/19, helping to establish the foundation’s first Audit Committee charter/
guidelines. Ben is another two-term board member who has been most active on the Investment Committee serving as its Chair in 17/18 and 18/19. Mary Jane has been a foundation leader for more than 10 years. As a board member, she has served on the Donor Services, Youth in Philanthropy and Fund Development Committees.
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Miracle at Millrace! Thank You Ring in the Holidays Sponsors Theme Sponsor
Tent Sponsor Mary Jane O’Neill Band Sponsor The Nicky Seay Charitable Fund Bar Sponsor Access Eye Arash and Michele Mansouri Food Sponsor The Gemini 3 Group, Inc. Tasting Room Sponsor Cooper Financial Group Douglas Cooper & Joshua Cooper
Platinum Sponsors Atlantic Union Bank Community Bank of the Chesapeake Edward Jones Investments - Ben Maxwell Germanna Community College Hirschler Stacy and Andrew Horne The Janney Family Kaeser Compressors PBMares, LLP Sands Anderson Virginia Interventional Spine Associates | Dr. Bhavin and Mrs. Sandra Suthar Wack General Contractor Wagner Wealth Management of Davenport & Company Wells Fargo Gold BB&T Dynovis Lucy & Wayne Harman JON Properties Missy and Steve Norair The Sprinkle Family Stafford Printing Suzy Stone Surgi-Center of Central Virginia Silver Sponsors Affordable Suites of America Fredericksburg, Quantico Allergy Partners of Fredericksburg Mark Wenger MD, Jonathan Mozena MD, Jonathon Posthumus MD and Nicholas Klaiber MD Applied Technology, Inc. Atlantic Builders The Beals Family Jon and Meredith Beckett Jessica and Chuck Beringer Bishop, Farmer & Co., LLP The Cohen Family John C. Cowan Bruce and Sandra Davis Ron and Cathy Davis Jenny and Dudley DuPuy Featherstone LLC First Citizens Bank Gail and Joe Greene Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg Heritage Wealth Advisors Hope Springs Marina
Cindy and Tim Hughes The Keddie Group of Davenport & Company LLC Keystone Coffee & Auto Spa Eleanor and Marque Ledoux Patti and Bill Lynch Mary Washington Orthopedics Dr. Kostas Constantine Mason Investment Advisory Services, Inc. The Law Office of Amy E. McCullough, PLC Tricia and Charles McDaniel Medias Painting LLC Brooke Miller Real Estate LLC Lloyd F. Moss Jr. DDS and Lloyd F. Moss III DDS New Street Home Solutions LLC Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy Associates - McManus & Associates, Internal Medicine, PC Parrish Snead Franklin Simpson PLC Peoples Community Bank Quarles Petroleum Rappahannock Orthodontics Telly and Marc Salafia - Stone Center The Schmidt Family Jamie Scully and Jess Kujala Janny and Shane Sims Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center Stafford Oral Surgery & Specialist Synergy Periodontics & Implants, Lillie Pitman, DMD and Thanos Ntounis, DDS, MS Tulip Salon & Spa - Aveda Van Zandt Restorations Christopher and Jodie Vaughn Virginia Partners Bank Vista Eye Specialists - Binoy R. Jani, MD Kitty and Ben Wafle Waterloo Farm Kelsey T. Williams In Kind Sponsors Field at Snowden Farm In the Red Catering Parties by Dori Rappahannock Restoration Michael Roberson Total Wine Thank you to our miraculous event committee! Jamie Scully, Chair Stuart Ashton, Linda Blakemore, Stacy Horne, Nicky Seay and Andy Withers.