2024 CFNRV AR_FINAL_FB

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.