2024 CFNRV AR_FINAL_FB

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 - 2024

YEARS

VISION A productive, healthy, and vibrant New River Valley. MISSION To encourage charitable giving, nurture collaboration, and invest in lasting solutions that enhance the quality of life for all in the New River Valley. VALUES INTEGRITY We are thoughtful, honest, professional, and accountable in all aspects of our work. STEWARDSHIP We nurture long-term relationships, safeguard donor intent, and ensure the resources entrusted to us are protected and invested in positive, lasting outcomes for our region. VISION We use holistic, innovative, and strategic approaches to create long-term impact, provide leadership, and improve quality of life. COLLABORATION We build our community’s capacity by forging partnerships to solve problems and increase our collective impact. INCLUSIVITY We elevate voices representing diverse experiences and foster opportunities for engagement and understanding to effectively serve all NRV residents. LEADERSHIP CULTIVATION We support emerging and established community leaders through peer learning, sharing resources, and building relationships to make their work as effective as possible. RESPONSIVENESS We are open to new ideas, partnerships, and programs that address key community issues.

30 YEARS AND COUNTING A Letter from Jessica Wirgau, CEO

I n September 1993, financial advisor Joel Williams gathered a dozen friends and clients to discuss creating a community foundation serving the New River Valley. At the time, seven such foundations existed in Virginia, with the goal of supporting a range of local causes through endowments established by individuals, families, and businesses. Over the

through our grant programs, the GiveLocalNRV giving day, and our leadership programs. For 30 years, we have worked to honor and expand upon these stories as they weave together to benefit the NRV. In other ways, the answers to those core questions evolve as the needs of our community and the interests

next year, a dedicated group of volunteers completed the process of incorporating, filed for tax exempt status, and established the first board of directors for the Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV). I have been fortunate to learn from many of those founding members, and to see their vision evolve through each successive board. I see how the questions they asked continue to resonate today: How do we work in partnership with community organizations so we strengthen one another? How do we serve as a bridge between donors and the organizations making a positive impact in the areas those donors care about? And how do we move beyond transactional connections to develop meaningful relationships with donors, grantees, scholarship recipients, and partners? In some ways, the answers to these questions remain relatively unchanged over three decades. New relationships with donors begin with their individual story and develop as they see how

of our stakeholders change. You will read in the pages of this annual report about the substantial growth of our scholarship program, which has awarded more than $1.2 million to 1,100+ students. As the cost of higher education has risen, so too has the size of our awards. Additionally, we’ve seen growth in the breadth of majors they support, with particular emphasis on expanding opportunities for students pursuing a degree at a trade or technical school. You will also read about the evolution of our Responsive Grant Program, which today provides unrestricted funds to dozens of nonprofits annually to give them the flexibility and autonomy they need to pursue their missions. You will learn about the remarkable impact of the GiveLocalNRV Giving Day, helping nonprofits raise more than $4.3 million since 2014. And you will read how the Fund for the NRV’s initiatives have helped to expand access to nutritious food, high quality early education, and healthcare across our region. Like all community foundations nationwide, we strive to improve the quality of life

People who want to give locally will soon have a new way to enhance the area’s quality of life through a growing nationwide network that is taking hold in the New River Valley. - Kenneth Singletary, Staff Writer The Roanoke Times & World News October 19, 1994 “

their story connects through the CFNRV. For example, when donors approach us about establishing a new endowment, we begin by asking what motivates them to give and what they want to accomplish for the community through their fund. As you will read here in relation to the Jane Ann Wells Scholarship Fund, these stories are deeply personal, informed by the donor’s own experiences and values. Similarly, we read the personal stories of scholarship recipients in their applications. We learn about the motivations of the nonprofit staff and volunteers who work with us

in our region now and for generations to come. We are grateful to those founding members who laid the groundwork for our growth, and to all those who have shepherded the CFNRV since 1994. And we look forward to adding to the collective story of our region over the next 30 years and beyond.

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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

Photo courtesy of New River Conservancy.

2024 CORPORATE SPONSORS

Bruce Bryan of 5Points Creative and his wife attend the Buzz4Good Premiere.

$5,000 & above

Atlantic Union Bank First Bank & Trust National Bank of Blacksburg $1,000 to $4,999

Automation Creations, Inc. Carilion New River Valley Medical Center Carter Bank & Trust

Freedom First Credit Union Legacy Builders NRV, Inc. LewisGale Hospital Montgomery Olio Financial Planning Up to $999

Brown Insurance

In-Kind

5Points Creative New River Computing Other Corporate Partners

Old Town Printing Wilsie Photography

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THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY

Photo courtesy of Melissa Ripepi.

30 YEARS OF GROWTH

$20,000,000

*As of 3/31/24 $17,656,151*

TOTAL ASSETS OVER TIME

$15,000,000

$12,660,367

$10,000,000

$8,365,025

$5,940,815

$5,000,000

$3,792,598

$793,706

$0

$33,866

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

2018

2020

2022

2024

$800,000

TOTAL GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

$600,000

$576,678

$409,870

$400,000

*As of 7/9/24

$272,265*

$280,562

$200,000

$164,784

$53,564

$3,000

$0

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

2018

2020

2022

2024

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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

WHERE WE’VE BEEN & HOW FAR WE’VE COME A Look Back At The CFNRV’s History

1994 : The CFNRV forms. Peggy Eaton is selected to serve as our first executive director.

1996 : The first endowed fund, the Gerus Blieszner Fund, is established.

1995 : Our first annual meeting is held, focused on developing policies & procedures.

1997-98 : Andy Morikawa becomes Executive Director. The CFNRV earns tax-exempt status.

2010 : Andy Morikawa retires after 13 years of service. The CFNRV becomes a partner in the NRV Livability Initiative.

2014 : The Fund for the NRV is established. The CFNRV hosts the first annual GiveLocalNRV Giving Day, raising just under $40,000.

2016 : The CFNRV receives the Housing & Urban Development Secretary’s Award for Public Philanthropic-Partnerships for our work on the Aging in Place initiative.

2011 : Jessica Wirgau becomes our new executive director. The CFNRV holds our first scholarship breakfast.

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THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY

As the CFNRV team reflects on the past 30 years, we found it challenging to pick highlights from the dozens that come to mind for us. In this timeline, we choose a few that we feel represent the depth and breadth of our work as well as how far the Foundation has come since Joel Williams first brought the idea to his clients in 1992. From there, a group of volunteers shepherded the the CFNRV into becoming an independent foundation in 1994 and established the founding Board of Directors. In March of 1994, we had a few dollars in the bank and wouldn’t see our first fund established until 1996. Today, we have more than 200 funds and $16,000,000+ in assets. What a long way we’ve come thanks to all of the wonderful donors, volunteers, and community members cheering us on!

2007 : ~40 nonprofit leaders regularly attend monthly Third Thursday workshops.

2003-04 : A group of nonprofit leaders begin meeting at IHOP, the precursor to Third Thursday.

1999 : A $75,000 grant funds the EAGLES program, a leadership development initiative.

2002 : The first scholarship fund is created by John & Peggy Eaton in honor of their son, Scott – The T. Scott Eaton Scholarship Fund.

2006 : We award $18,000+ in scholarships to 15 students.

2023 : During the 10th anniversary of the GiveLocalNRV Giving Day, 100+ organizations raise a record-breaking $921,648 from the community.

2020 : In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we change our Responsive Grants program to exclusively give out operating support grants.

2018 : Our programs continue to grow, giving out scholarships to 58 students & funding to 45 projects through our Responsive Grants program.

2019 : NRV Thrive creates the first NRV Food Assistance Directory, providing a comprehensive listing of food assistance programs in our region.

2022 : CFNRV’s First Steps initiative receives a $1.15 million grant from the Town of Blacksburg for a pilot program focused on stabilizing the childcare workforce.

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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

Photos from the CFNRV’s archives.

2024 GIVELOCALNRV GIVING DAY RAISES $769,320

Literacy NRV celebrates GiveLocalNRV Giving Day.

ONLINE DONATIONS FROM AROUND OUR REGION & THE GLOBE

Nearly 82% of this year’s GiveLocalNRV Giving Day donations were made online at www.givelocalnrv.org. 2,961 of these donations came from within Virginia, while 666 donations came from outside Virginia. This included 39 donations from outside the United States, with nine from Australia, and four each from Canada, Germany, and Great Britain.

YMCA at VT hosts a GiveLocalNRV event.

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THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY

Photos courtesy of Literacy Volunteers and Lindsey Gleason.

More than 3,400 donors raised $769,230 during the 11th annual GiveLocalNRV Giving Day! This event, hosted by the CFNRV, began at noon on Wednesday, June 26 and wrapped up at noon on Thursday, June 27. For 24 hours, dozens of community organizations raised funds and awareness for their missions. In total, 133 causes received donations. Many donors gave to multiple organizations, resulting in more than 4,400 gifts throughout the event. Participating organizations fundraised throughout the month of June during the early giving period, culminating in the 24-hour giving day sprint that kicked off at noon on Wednesday, June 26. “We often talk about the joy of giving here at the CFNRV,” said Jessica Wirgau. “We love seeing how creative the participating nonprofits can be and the joy they take in talking about their work during the giving day. Watching donations pour in from across the New River Valley and beyond in response to that creativity is so gratifying for our team.” Donors also showed up from around the United States and world, with more than 600 donations coming from outside Virginia. This incredible reach came from participating organizations tirelessly reaching out to their professional and personal networks. Donation size ranged greatly, with an overall average donation of $141 and median donation of $50. More than 60% of donations were $50 or less, demonstrating the power of how smaller gifts can add up to a huge difference in fundraising success.

Fueling the excitement of the day were $20,000 in grants and prizes offered by the CFNRV and our sponsors, including our top sponsor National Bank of Blacksburg. Other generous sponsors for this event were First Bank & Trust, Atlantic Union Bank, Carilion New River Valley Medical Center, Carter Bank & Trust, Olio Financial Planning, Automation Creations, Inc., Legacy Builders NRV, Inc., and Brown Insurance. Each year, the CFNRV gives out two “Giving Day Superstar” grants worth $1,000 each. This grant is selected by the CFNRV team and awarded to two organizations that best embody the spirit of the giving day. One of this year’s superstars was Inmate Family Assistance of the New River Valley (IFANRV), which provides monetary assistance to families of inmates residing in Montgomery County jails. “We participate in the GiveLocalNRV Giving Day each year because it is the best way for a small organization to get a lot of exposure,” said Deanna Cox, IFANRV’s director. “The event makes all participating organizations feel like they are an important part of the larger not for profit community. Receiving the Superstar Grant was such an honor. It reinforced our belief that what we are doing is valued.” Since its inception in 2014, the GiveLocalNRV Giving Day has raised more than $4.3 million for organizations serving the New River Valley. This total represents thousands of donors and dozens of organizations, all working together to show how powerful philanthropy can be. We received donations from 47 states outside Virginia. Here are the top states donors came from: 1. North Carolina (90) 2. California (51) 3. Florida (49) 4. Pennsylvania (41) 5. Colorado (38)

Wythe County 31

Giles County 112

City of Radford 173

Montgomery County 1,487

Pulaski County 278

Donations Within the CFNRV’s Geographic Footprint

Floyd County 364

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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

EVOLVING TO MEET NONPROFIT NEEDS Our Grants Program

A day of fun at Beans & Rice in 2010.

S teve Gerus and Rosemary Blieszner established the first endowed fund at the CFNRV, the Gerus Blieszner Fund, to engage their entire family in giving back to their community by awarding grants to educational programs in public schools and at area nonprofits. In 1997, they awarded their first $500 grant to the Read With Me program at what was then Shawsville Elementary School. That same year, the the Floyd Free Clinic and the Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley also received $500 grants from other endowed funds. Nearly 30 years later, the Gerus Blieszner Fund has supported more than 40 projects, and the Foundation has distributed more than $7 million in grants to nonprofits. The CFNRV awards about $400,000 in grants annually through both competitive and noncompetitive processes. Some donors choose to establish donor advised funds so they may recommend specific organizations to receive awards without requiring an application, while other donors establish designated endowments to provide an annual grant to one or more of their favorite nonprofits. The majority of CFNRV grants, however, are awarded through the Responsive Grant Program, which requires nonprofits and units of local government, such as a library or school, to complete a simple application. Donors take part in the program to learn about organizations or projects with which they may not be familiar, and they take comfort in knowing that each application has been thoroughly vetted by the CFNRV’s staff and volunteers.

While the underlying goal of the Responsive Grant Program has remained the same since 1997 – to support organizations serving the New River Valley in a wide variety of issue areas – the program has evolved to meet the needs of applicants. For example, the application process moved online in 2015 and gave organizations the opportunity to seek support for a specific program or to request general operating funds. In 2017, the process moved from two application cycles a year to one, allowing nonprofits to submit information once and access larger-scale grants. The most substantial shift came in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when the CFNRV streamlined the application, eliminated programmatic funding, and made all its grant awards unrestricted, giving grantees the flexibility to put the money where it is needed most. While originally seen as a short-term change to support agencies through the pandemic, applicants, donors, and volunteers all expressed enthusiasm for the simplified process, and the Responsive Grant Program continues to award unrestricted funds only. The program captures the CFNRV’s core belief that nonprofits serving the NRV are led by professional staff and dedicated volunteers who know the needs of their community and the strategies to meet those needs. We are grateful for the work they do to enhance our region.

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THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY

Photo courtesy of Beans & Rice.

- Katie McFall Nursery Natives “

We’re so grateful to the Community Foundation for the freedom of unrestricted funds, which allowed us to make the largest community impact while supporting various efforts simultaneously. Funding came at the perfect time, creating the opportunity to install more native plants at Sunset Park in Radford before the winter and also support local musicians, artists and organizations at The New River PawPawFest and Radford Redbud Festival.

GRANT-MAKING ALL-TIME TOTALS

600+ Number of organizations supported

5,500+ Number of grants awarded

$7.4 MILLION In grants awarded

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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

HELPING PUT COLLEGE WITHIN REACH Our Scholarship Program

I n 2002, the CFNRV awarded its first scholarship from the T. Scott Eaton Scholarship Fund. John and Peggy Eaton, both early CFNRV donors and volunteers, established the scholarship in memory of their son, Scott, who passed away in 2001 at the age of 39. Scott was a fixture in the theater department at Christiansburg High School and continued his education in the arts at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. One of his final wishes was to pass his love of fine arts and theater on to other young people. More than 20 years later, his legacy continues through the 30 students his fund has supported. Today, the Eatons are joined by dozens of donors who have established and contributed to more than 50 endowed scholarship funds at the CFNRV, with the majority created to memorialize a cherished family or community member. Annually, students apply through a single application to be considered for multiple scholarship awards, and a team of more than 30 volunteers reviews the applications and matches students to each fund’s unique selection criteria. Some funds prioritize documented financial need and community involvement, while others focus on academics and extracurricular activities. Such wide

ranging criteria ensure that there is a scholarship to fit almost any applicant, including students pursuing degrees at two- and four-year colleges and universities as well as trade and technical schools. This year’s recipients are studying nursing, education, mortuary sciences, engineering, business, music, veterinary medicine, dairy science, and heavy-duty diesel technology, among many other majors. As the number of scholarship funds has grown, so has the number of students funded, with more than 100 students supported in 2024 alone. The average scholarship amount has also risen in response to the growing cost of higher education and the continued generosity of our donors. In 2014, the average scholarship award was $885, while in 2024 it grew to $1,670. Scholarship awards may be used for any educational expense including tuition, room and board, fees, and books. The CFNRV’s Scholarship Program remains the fastest growing aspect of our work. More than 1,200 students have benefitted from the generous donors who establish scholarship funds. We are grateful for their continued investment and for their belief in the remarkable young people who receive these awards.

SCHOLARSHIPS ALL-TIME TOTALS

1,213 Number of scholarships awarded

1 in 5 AWARDEES First generation college students* *Tracked since 2014

$1.26 MILLION In scholarships awarded

“ I’m on a path to complete a two year program through University of Northwestern Ohio’s College of Applied Technologies in Medium and Heavy Duty Diesel… I want to be part of keeping the country moving. Whatever part I wind up playing, I hope that it will be a beneficial part and deserving of the scholarship you shared.

- Ford Bowman Floyd County High School 2024 James E. and Kate H. Board Scholarship Recipient

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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

UNCONVENTIONAL PRESENT FOR AN UNCONVENTIONAL TEACHER The Jane Ann Wells Scholarship Fund

Jane Ann Wells in her classroom, circa 2006.

Husband Surprises His Wife by Setting Up Scholarship

Ann was getting ready to retire,” said Charlie, who shared that he and Jane Ann often discussed children in her class who might not have the resources to attend college someday. “Talking about these kids primed the idea for a fund that would provide students with a financial avenue to achieve those educational goals.” Finding Ways to Help Those With Potential Jane Ann and Charlie know what a difference higher education can make in a person’s life. They both came from families that didn’t have a lot of money but valued education. Jane Ann added that her family’s prospects only improved after her parents were able to further their education. When the idea for the fund occurred to Charlie, he reached out to Shelley Brumenthal, a guidance counselor at Blacksburg High School, with whom Charlie had worked for many years. When Charlie shared his idea,

“It’s the greatest gift I have ever received in my life,” said Jane Ann Wells. For Christmas in 2023, Jane Ann’s husband, Charlie Gregory, came up with a unique surprise for his wife of 46 years: he created a scholarship in her honor to benefit Montgomery County students pursuing higher education. Making it an even more special gift, Charlie asked the CFNRV team to be sure to include a specific criterion for selecting scholarship students. The scholarship gives preference to students that attended Prices Fork Elementary School, particularly those who had Jane Ann as a teacher. Jane Ann taught at Prices Fork for 23 years, retiring in 2022.

“The idea was something I thought about back when Jane

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THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY

Shelley recommended the CFNRV. Charlie did his research and came to the same conclusion. “I was aware of other educational scholarships set up through the Community Foundation,” he said. “I felt this was a good, solid direction to set up something that would go on for many years.” A Non-Traditional Teacher Who Saw the Best in Each Student Both Charlie and Jane Ann agree that she was a non-traditional teacher. “I have never been a traditional teacher. You know, one that just hands out worksheets,” said Jane Ann. “The social, emotional well-being of each child was much more important to me than having them learn how to pronounce a word. It was more important for them to be happy and comfortable, because if kids are stressed, they don’t learn.” Charlie described occasionally sitting in on Jane Ann’s classes in his role as school psychologist. He observed how Jane Ann strived to individually teach to each child, based on their skill set. He knew how good she was with children and how she would pivot to meet their needs. Charlie and Jane Ann still hear from the children she taught. “One of my former students, who is now an adult, said to me, the thing that he remembered is that everything in my class was first, you learn. And then you do it till you get good,” said Jane Ann. “Then you use it in some way. And then you change the world. I said that’s really… exactly what I wanted. I wanted them to learn it, do it, apply it, change the world.” This spring, two students received a $5,000 Jane Ann Wells scholarship. This includes one student that had Jane Ann as a teacher, Bang Truong of Blacksburg, who will be attending Virginia Tech this fall. The second student, Alaysia Graves of Christiansburg, plans to attend Radford University. If you would like to contribute to this fund or talk with the CFNRV team about setting up your

Jane Ann Wells and Charlie Gregory.

own fund, please reach out to us at cfnrv@cfnrv.org or 540-381-8999.

Jane Ann with her former student, Bang Truong (left) and Bang’s mother, Em Phan at the 2024 CFNRV scholarship luncheon.

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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

All photos courtesy of Charlie Gregory.

USING NETWORKS TO SPEAK AS ONE 10 Years of The Fund for the NRV

2023 Igniting Connections Symposium, a First Steps program.

I n 2014, nonprofits like the CFNRV worked together with the NRV Regional Commission, local governments, and business partners to wrap up a final draft of the NRV Livability Initiative report. After three years of gathering data and engagement with 3,000+ community members, these partners had developed a collective vision for the region’s future. This vision included goals related to housing, transportation, economic development, historic and cultural preservation, health, and more. For the CFNRV, the report prompted questions. To what extent was the foundation already advancing these goals? Where were we falling short? How could we leverage our reputation and convening ability in places where our traditional grants weren’t enough to move the needle? While the CFNRV’s endowed funds were helping, there was clearly a need for flexible funding and staff support to make an impact on our community’s goals. So, for the CFNRV’s 20th anniversary, we established the Fund for the NRV to support all CFNRV programs with particular emphasis on collaborative networks. These networks focused on the areas of early childhood education, food assistance, aging, and nonprofit leadership development. Ten years

Representatives from Plenty!, a long-time Thrive partner.

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THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY

All photos by Whitescarver Photography, LLC and Lindsey Gleason.

“ The CFNRV serves as a valuable leader of collaboration in the NRV. Through funding as well as administrative support and advocacy, CFNRV has supported the human services field in the NRV to move a variety of initiatives forward with unprecedented speed and success. While funding is always appreciated, the most impressive impact of CFNRV lies in its intentionality and commitment to true collaboration. Katie Thompson, Executive Director Pulaski Community Youth Center Founding Member of First Steps & Healthy Roots NRV

later, widely known initiatives including First Steps (early childhood development), Thrive (food assistance), Aging in Community, and nonprofit leadership initiatives such as Third Thursday and GiveLocalNRV trace their beginnings and ongoing growth to The Fund for the NRV. For each area of focus, the CFNRV began by convening partners working in each issue area. Our goal was to better understand how organizations were already working together and to determine whether there was interest and energy to collaborate further. Through multiple regional meetings, partners developed shared priorities, thenmoved them into action with funding and staff support from the CFNRV. Our role was simple but essential. The CFNRV staff provided administrative support by hosting meetings, sending updates, and developing materials. We put money toward expenses that would advance collaboration, such as food for community meetings, designing and printing of materials like Thrive’s NRV Food Assistance Directory, and sponsorship of major events like First Steps’ Early Childhood Champion Awards. Beyond the CFNRV’s financial support, the Fund for the NRV’s networks like First Steps and Thrive have attracted nearly $2 million in outside grant funding to date. Additionally, these networks have been featured in publications like Inside Philanthropy, and at conferences sponsored by the Virginia Funders Network and the Council on Foundations. Partners involved in these networks recognize the important role that philanthropy can play in addressing regional challenges, and they value the CFNRV’s commitment to thoughtful collaboration. “The Community Foundation is a highly valued partner of the New River Valley Regional Commission,” notes Kevin Byrd, the Commission’s executive director. “It is commonly observed that the most impactful projects across the region are a result of public/private/nonprofit partnerships. The Community Foundation is integral in these endeavors by providing the educational environment, collaborative spirit, and tireless pursuit of worthy initiatives that truly helps our region thrive.” The Fund for the NRV has also evolved to include a new, regional focus on health and wellbeing. This arose after the CFNRV staff noticed that factors impacting health were shared across networks. Things like transportation, access to care, and housing were arising at each collaborative table, regardless of the network’s focus. To foster relationships between networks, the CFNRV and partners created Healthy Roots NRV, an umbrella network that brings together other regional networks. Healthy Roots’ aim is to strengthen connections and nurture collaboration to enhance wellbeing in the NRV. While like health collaboratives in Danville and Chesapeake, Healthy Roots’ focus on bringing together existing collaborations under one umbrella is distinctive. And it builds upon the New River Valley’s reputation as a place where long-term, high-impact collaboration that benefits all residents is valued.

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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

FUNDS DESIGNATED/AGENCY

Designated or agency funds support specific agencies identified by the donor. Many organizations also establish endowed funds with the CFNRV to provide a long-term source of funding that meets their unique missions.

Administrative Endowment Fund (Miles C. & Ruth C. Horton, Jr.) Supports the mission of the Community Foundation of the New River Valley by supporting administrative expenses. Betty B. Kegley Endowment Supports the mission of the Friends of Pulaski County Library to promote the interests of the Pulaski County Library System and to educate the members and the community about library services. Specifically supports books for children. Blacksburg Breakfast Lions Club Endowment Supports the charitable activities of the Blacksburg Breakfast Lions Club. Blacksburg Community Band Founders Scholarship Endowment Supports the Founders Scholarship program of the Blacksburg Community Band. Blacksburg New School Endowment Supports the Blacksburg New School, a nonprofit organization located in Blacksburg, Virginia, to advance the priority objectives articulated in its most recently adopted strategic plan. Brickey Family Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department Fund * Supports the Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department. Brickey Family Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad Fund Supports the Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Calfee Cultural and Community Center at the 2023 Grantee Reception.

* Fund established in 2024

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THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY

Photo by Wilsie Photography.

Community Health Center of the New River Valley Endowment Fund (Formerly the Free Clinic of the New River Valley) Supports the mission of the Community Health Center of the New River Valley. Don Michelsen Administrative Endowment Provides annual funding to meet Community Foundation operational costs with a goal of self-sufficiency. In memory of Don Michelsen, founding board member for the CFNRV. Donald L. & Lois H. Stafford Endowment for the Humane Society of Pulaski County Supports the mission of the Humane Society of Pulaski County to advance the welfare of animals in Pulaski County, Virginia. Ethel C. Flippin Endowment Supports programming carried out by The Friends of Pulaski County Library, which promotes the interests of the Pulaski County Library System. Frank & Shirleigh Marvin Scholarship Fund for the Renaissance Music Academy Supports the mission of the Renaissance Music Academy of Virginia.

Friends of Claytor Lake, Inc. Endowment Fund Supports the mission of the Friends of Claytor Lake. Giles Animal Rescue Inc. Endowment Fund Supports the mission of Giles Animal Rescue. Hale Community Garden Endowment Supports the Hale Community Garden, a community garden located in Blacksburg, Virginia and managed by Live, Work, Eat, Grow, Inc. Higher Impact Fund * (Pat Hyer) Supports the ongoing programs and operations of the Community Foundation of the New River Valley. Jim & Janet Johnson Band Scholarship Supports enhancing the musical skills and music appreciation of band students at Blacksburg High School. John & Mary Jean Brown Fund Supports the Access to Community College Education (ACCE) program at New River Community College for Montgomery County students.

Lindsay B. West Administrative Endowment Supports the mission of the Community Foundation of the New River Valley. Lineweaver Family Fund Supports the missions of the YMCA at Virginia Tech and Montgomery County 4-H, part of Virginia Cooperative Extension. Literacy Volunteers of America – New River Valley Endowment Fund (Louis M. Gwin & Rachel R. Parker-Gwin) Supports Literacy Volunteers of America – New River Valley. MCEAP Endowment County Emergency Assistance Program (MCEAP) in memory of Father Harry Scott and in honor of MCEAP’s dedicated staff and volunteers, exemplified by Margie Vitale. Montgomery County Christmas Store Endowment Fund Supports the mission of the Montgomery County Christmas Store. Montgomery Museum of Art & History Endowment Supports the mission of the Montgomery Museum of Art and History. (Joe & Margot Thompson) Supports the Montgomery

*Fund established in 2023

$58,860 awarded in 2023

13% of foundation assets

42 designated/agency funds

19 DESIGNATED/AGENCY FUNDS Bob and Esther Youngs with Students at the International Peace Garden in 2013. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY Nancy & Thomas Murray Endowment for NRV CARES Supports the mission of NRV CARES. New River Family Shelter Fund Supports the mission of the New River Family Shelter. NRV Dental Benevolence Fund (Joe & Margot Thompson) Supports dental services and dental education provided by the Community Health Center of the New River Valley. NRV Leading Lights Endowment Supports NRV Leading Lights, an organization committed to acknowledging and honoring volunteers across the NRV who are making community-changing impacts. Pulaski County Library System Endowment Fund Supports the mission of the Pulaski County Library System. Radford Child Development, Inc. Fund Supports the mission of Radford Child Development, Inc.

Robbie Armbrister Memorial Family Services Fund (Friends & family of Robbie Armbrister)

Supports children, youth, young adults and young families with children under the age of 25 that are in crisis or need a hand up, who are located principally in the Virginia counties of Henry and Wythe through grants to Piedmont Community Services in Martinsville, Virginia and Help Overcoming Poverty’s Existence (HOPE), in Wytheville, Virginia. Roy & Vivian Davis Memorial Fund (James & Josephine Shotts) Supports the mission of the Bladen County, North Carolina Library. SEEDS Endowment Fund Supports the mission of SEEDS (Seek, Education, Explore, Discover). Sharon Scott Leadership & Business Endowment Provides grants to the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Foundation to support business involvement in the Chamber membership community; to include seats in the leadership class, possible membership support, and other programs as deemed appropriate by the Chamber.

Photo from the CFNRV Archives.

FUND SPOTLIGHT The Spikenard Farm Inc. Fund Created in 2023 by board member Andy Huggins and his wife, Bonnie, the fund provides annual support to Spikenard Farm, a consciously cultivated honeybee sanctuary founded in 2008 that promotes sustainable and biodynamic beekeeping to help restore the health and vitality of the honeybee worldwide. The farm hosts numerous programs on its 41-acre property in Floyd County, including in-person and online courses, school group tours and lectures, and apprenticeships. In 2023, Spikenard was the recipient of the CFNRV’s 10th Annual GiveLocalNRV Giving Day grand prize, an episode of Buzz4Good, a Blue Ridge PBS program. The show links NRV and Roanoke-based nonprofits with marketing professionals to create more buzz for their work. In the episode, Spikenard Farm and marketing firm 5Points Creative developed new strategies to market the farm and its products.

Spikenard Farm Fund * (Andy & Bonnie Huggins)

Supports Spikenard Farm in Floyd, Virginia that promotes sustainable and biodynamic beekeeping. Susan Mattingly Lyric Theatre Endowment (Lyric Council, Inc.) Supports the operations and programs of the historic Lyric Theatre in Blacksburg, Virginia. Town of Blacksburg Senior Center Endowment Fund (Bruce M. & Constance D. Anderson) Supports the mission of the Town of Blacksburg Senior Center. United Way of the New River Valley Endowment Fund Supports the mission of the United Way of the New River Valley. Valley Interfaith Child Care Center Fund Supports the mission of the Valley Interfaith Child Care Center. William J. Dawson, Jr. Memorial Fund (Evelyn Sandy Dawson) Supports the ongoing work of the Community Foundation of the New River Valley. Women’s Resource Center Endowment Fund Supports the mission of the Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley. Young Life Kids to Camp Fund Supports Young Life of Virginia with funding to provide scholarships to send kids to camp. Supports the maintenance of the International Peace Garden in Blacksburg, and educational or cultural programs associated with the garden. Zeta Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega Endowment Fund for Leadership, Friendship & Service Supports the mission of the Zeta Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega. Youngs Memorial Fund (Robert & Esther Youngs)

* Fund established in 2024

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FUNDS DONOR-ADVISED

Donor advised funds are established by donors who wish to actively participate in the grantmaking process by recommending charitable projects or organizations to support with their grant dollars.

Floyd County Humane Society (FCHS) in 2023.

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THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY

Akers Browning Enrichment Fund for Young Women Provides young women and girls in the New River Valley, particularly those experiencing financial hardship and complicated home lives, with opportunities and experiences otherwise not available to them. Ann & H.W. Huff, Jr. Family Fund Supports charitable work in Pulaski County that serves the poor, the needy, and the less fortunate. Annette & Lee Brown Fund (Jo & Bud Brown) Supports collaboration among charitable, governmental, and private agencies to address critical needs in the New River Valley. Arts Alliance Endowment Fund Supports local arts organizations and individual artists (through a sponsoring organization) in support of arts projects and/or specific operational needs related to the arts. Arts Fund of the CFNRV (Chris Thompson) Supports activities that promote the arts.

Bauers-Wall Foundation (Kamala Bauers & Jack Wall) Supports the charitable, religious, scientific, educational, and/ or literacy activities of qualified charitable organizations located in and/or serving Floyd County. Supports the Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley and other charitable organizations in the region. BelleBend Fund Provides grants to improve, support, survey, and enhance the lives and educations of the very youngest citizens of Giles County and their families – prenatally through kindergarten – with particular emphasis on those living in poverty. Blue Roads Education Fund (Lee & Patti Talbot) Provides grants to improve global competencies and foster innovation among teachers and school leaders in rural communities in Southwestern Virginia through customized, professional learning. Beatrice S. Kalka Endowment Fund

Cabell & Shirley Brand & SEEDS Student Fellowship & Mini-Grant Fund (Cabell & Shirley Brand, & Mike Rosenzweig) Provides grants of fellowships to high school and college students to encourage and facilitate the study, research, and development of solutions to social and environmental issues such as recycling, education, hunger, land use, homelessness, biodiversity, and health care in Southwest Virginia. This includes, but is not limited to, the VA Vital Signs region. Chachra Family Cultural Fund Promotes understanding of the culture of India by supporting cultural activities such as workshops, readings, movies, festivals, concerts, fireworks, and dance. Children’s Shelter Home Endowment Fund Supports charities that assist children in need. Chris Thompson Family Endowment Supports general charitable purposes in the New River Valley.

$342,222 awarded in 2023

48% of foundation assets

87 donor-advised funds

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Photo courtesy of the FCHS.

Community Service Fund (James & Josephine Shotts) Supports general charitable activities in the New River Valley. Cottingham-Stuart Community Fund (Bob & Emily Stuart) Supports general charitable purposes or the YMCA at Virginia Tech. Daniel C. & Joanne L. Bell Endowment Fund Supports charitable organizations that are engaged in hospice care.

Endowment for Floyd County Supports NRV charities with a focus on Floyd County. Endowment for Giles County Supports nonprofit work in Giles County. Feisty Floyd Filanthropists Supports charitable organizations serving Floyd County. Fritz & Emma Spengler Loving Memorial Fund (Manfred Spengler) Supports Young Life of Virginia exclusively for camp scholarships; specifically for youngsters residing in Montgomery County and Giles County. George R. & Mildred H. Smith Family Fund Supports general charitable purposes in the NRV. Gerus Blieszner Fund Promotes innovative classroom practices in Montgomery County elementary schools. Coordinated with the public school system’s STAR grants. Ghia Borg Memorial Fund Supports general charitable purposes. Ghia Borg Memorial Health Care Fund Supports health care needs of the poor, the needy, and the less fortunate. Goette Family Fund Addresses issues of race, the environment, and early childhood through grants to qualified charitable organizations in the United States, with emphasis on projects in Donaldsonville, Louisiana and the river parishes of South Louisiana. Supports the Women’s Resource Center of the NRV, SEEDS, and the New River Land Trust. Hazelton Family Fund Supports the purchase of science equipment and supplies for science lessons for public school children in Yellowstone County, Montana, and the New River Valley, Virginia. HMM Miami High School Scholarship Fund Provides scholarships for graduated Miami (AZ) High School students pursuing higher education at a major Arizona college or university. Hawk’s Ridge Fund (Donna E. Douglas)

23 DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS CFNRV grantee reception in 2023. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY Davis Family Fund (C.Y. & Carol Davis) Supports general charitable purposes. Dianna Pickering Memorial Garden Fund Supports the development of interpretative botanical sites open and accessible to the general public, such as those on the grounds of Historic Smithfield Plantation. Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund (Margot Sebba) Supports NRV public charities that assist AIDS victims and their families, children in need, those in need of hospice care, and the homeless. Early Childhood Education Teachers Fund (David, Marilyn & Mark Hutchins) Supports professional development and continued strengthening of NRV early childhood education teachers. Eclectic Oenophiles Endowment Fund Supports general charitable purposes with emphasis on programs and organizations serving Pulaski County and the City of Radford. Ellen Moore Memorial Fund (The Rotary Club of Montgomery County) Supports general charitable purposes. Ellenbogen Fund Provides support to the University Bridge Program of Engineers in Action and to the Bridges to Prosperity Program for a period of ten years, after which time the fund will support charitable programs in the New River Valley focused on education and/or healthcare.

HMM Poverty Assistance Fund Supports programs addressing problems of poverty. Homer T. & Beverly A. Hurst Family Endowed Fund Supports general charitable purposes including scholarships. Hulannie A. Jenkins & Kimberlyn Atherton Jenkins Family Fund Supports general charitable purposes. JJ Fund Supports scholarships for the needy in the NRV and art supplies for classroom needs. Jackson S. Copenhaver Fund Supports general charitable purposes. Jackson S. Copenhaver Legacy Fund Supports scholarships for students in Animal and Poultry Sciences and provides annual support to the Community Foundation of the New River Valley. Jacobs Family Fund Supports charitable organizations and programs for young children and families in need. Jane Brugh Layman Charitable Fund Supports benevolences such as the Free Clinic, Interfaith Food Pantry, and Habitat for Humanity; and for cultural activities. Joann & J.B. Sutphin Fund Supports general charitable purposes. Kammerer Family Fund Supports general charitable purposes. Katherine M. & William H. Sanders Family Fund Promotes education, intellectual development, and social engagement among children and young people with particular emphasis on the arts. Kennedy Family Fund Supports NRV and US agencies that are engaged in Christian mission efforts locally, nationally, and internationally. Kolla-Landwehr Fund Supports general charitable purposes.

Litschert Family Fund Supports general charitable activities, the environment, and education in the NRV. Lydia Roeske Wright Memorial Fund (Reverdy Wright) Supports libraries in the New River Valley and general charitable purposes. MANISTAL Fund (The Grieco Family) Supports general charitable purposes. Margaret & Samuel H. Tollison Family Fund Supports general charitable purposes. Mark & Connie Froggatt Fund for Public Education Supports Montgomery County Public Schools to enable students, teachers and administrators to discover, advance, and enhance educational opportunities through grants awarded in conjunction with the Montgomery County Educational Foundation. Mary E. Sanders Family Fund Promotes education, intellectual development, social awareness, and civic responsibility among young people; especially those from circumstances with no previous history of college education. Mary P. Risacher Memorial Fund (Bill & Mary Lee Hendricks, Anthony Equale) Supports general charitable purposes. Miller Family Fund Supports general charitable purposes. Montgomery County Educational Foundation Endowment Supports Montgomery County Public Schools to enable students, teachers, and administrators to discover, advance, and enhance educational opportunities. Nelle Oakey Ryan Gardner Fund (Rebecca Ryan Dunkenberger) Supports general charitable purposes. New Mountain Climbers Fund Supports charitable organizations serving Montgomery County for general charitable purposes, including scholarships.

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Photo by Wilsie Photography.

25 DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS Handmade Music School (HMS) students in 2023. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY New River Valley Association of Realtors Community Engagement Fund Provides grants to nurture and strengthen our local communities by impacting three pivotal areas of importance – diversity, housing opportunity, and smart growth – in the counties of Montgomery, Floyd, Pulaski, and Giles; the City of Radford; the counties of Wythe, Carroll, Bland, Tazewell, and Grayson; and the City of Galax. or agencies in the NRV for companion animal welfare programs. New River Valley Fund for Animals (Chris Thompson) Supports charitable organizations or agencies in the NRV for companion animal welfare programs. North Family Fund Supports charitable organizations that help single, head-of-household families – especially those of Hispanic origin – in need.

Piscura Family Endowed Fund Supports qualified charitable organizations in the NRV and elsewhere that are engaged in protecting the environment, education, and gun control. Pulaski County Library System Fund Supports the Pulaski Library System. Recognition Research Foundation Supports general charitable purposes. Robert & Emily Stuart Grassroots Leadership Development Fund Supports grassroots leadership development in the New River Valley. Robert E. & Nadine J. Newcomb Memorial Fund - The Parenting Skills Fund Supports charities that teach parenting skills, especially to disadvantaged parents of pre-school aged children.

Shuler Family Reading Fund Supports New River Valley charitable organizations that provide literacy services.

Stoop Fund (Ellen Ryan) Supports general charitable purposes. Susan Garrison Memorial Fund (Lisa Barroso & friends)

Promotes and supports environmental awareness, sustainability, and/or community beautification in the New River Valley. Talbot Family Fund Supports general charitable purposes with awards to organizations such as the Free Clinic of the New River Valley, the Interfaith Food Pantry located at Blacksburg Baptist Church, the Community Foundation of the New River Valley, and the Montgomery County Christmas Store. Todd Family Fund Supports agencies including faith-based organizations in Grayson County; the City of Galax, Virginia; and the New River Valley for general charitable purposes. Vernon L. & Lois B. Baldwin Memorial ‘Town & Gown’ Award Fund Supports organizations that make awards to and otherwise honor those individuals who have been of long service to both Virginia Tech and the Blacksburg community. Virle & Al Payne Family Fund Supports general charitable purposes. Warren Lloyd Holtzman Seed Grants Fund To provide scholarships and for general charitable purposes. Walking With Fund (Friends & family of William & Loreta Walker) Supports children at Blacksburg Middle School by partnering with the school administration to identify opportunities that ensure low-income students can fully participate academically and socially in the life of the school. Also supports projects that celebrate the many backgrounds and cultures represented at the school to ensure all students feel included.

Robert L. Nicholson Family Fund of Radford Provides grants to enhance the well-being and improve the quality of life of children in Radford and the neighboring counties of Montgomery, Pulaski, Floyd, and Giles. Supports social, ethical, educational, recreational, and health programs or those simple pleasures that bring comfort, security, joy, and smiles to children. Rosina & Dean Carter Fund for the Visual Arts Supports charitable organizations that engage in, educate, or promote the field of visual arts. Smart Beginnings NRV Charitable Fund Supports programs to improve kindergarten readiness and early educational success by supporting quality educational and developmental opportunities in the New River Valley for children and their families, prenatally through early elementary school.

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Photo courtesy of HMS.