The Community Foundation of the NRV 25-26 Annual Report

2025 - 2026 ANNUAL REPORT

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.

Cover photos: Three Bird Photography, Wilsie Photography, & SWVA Wildlife Center. Inside cover photo: Laura Pynn.

AT THE INTERSECTION OF NEED & GENEROSITY A Letter from Jessica Wirgau, CEO

Educators at a professional development workshop.

Preparing food at Plenty! Farm and Food Bank in Floyd.

T he last year has been filled with significant changes at the Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV) and for many of the nonprofit partners, scholarship recipients, and donors we serve. At the CFNRV, we experienced both our largest fundraising year to date with more than $5.7 million contributed, as well as a record year of grant and scholarship awards totaling just under $1 million. We moved to a new office, began to wrap up our four-year project supporting the childcare workforce in Blacksburg, and took part in our first Buzz Live event to broadcast our 12th Annual GiveLocalNRV Giving Day to followers online. With all this activity, our team found ourselves off balance. One moment we would be part of a Zoom meeting with 40 food pantries discussing how to meet demand during the government shutdown, and only minutes later we received an email about one of the largest single gifts in our history. It can feel disorienting to sit at the intersection of significant community need and incredible generosity, yet I find comfort in knowing that our community is full of people who sit at that intersection with me. We know long-lasting, positive impact happens when caring people come together around a common purpose—and when resources are managed with care to support that work. So, over the last year, we’ve leaned into our strengths in collaboration and financial stewardship.

We created more opportunities for community members to gather—both in person and virtually— to share information and navigate challenges, including our executive director peer-group meetings, our monthly Third Thursday Society trainings, and events focused on early childhood development, food access, and health. We’ve also increased our grant and scholarship awards by raising the percentage we award from our endowed funds, and by working with donors to make large-scale gifts to new programs and capital projects. In this report, you’ll meet the many people who pair creativity with kindness to serve our community. With gratitude, we recognize everyone who continues to stand with us at the intersection of community need and generosity, and who provide stability as the context around us shifts. With appreciation,

Photos: Three Bird Photography & Plenty.

Jessica Wirgau, Ph.D.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE YEAR

Visit us at our new permanent home at 200 Professional Park Drive, Suite 4 in Blacksburg.

A fter more than 30 years of renting, our team was thrilled to buy our own office. This move was the culmination of many years of donors, CFNRV staff, and community members believing in our mission enough to put our organization in the financial position to purchase the office condo. Working with real estate agent Mike Eggleston, we finalized the purchase in spring 2025. Then, we renovated the space with teams from Colley Architects, PC, Kesler Contracting & Property Management, and Alvis-Laing Electric Company and they got to work. In December 2025, we moved into the space, which added significant square footage to our office — leaving room for future growth. This move coincided with a record-setting year of giving to the foundation, with nearly $6 million in new gifts received. This included a $1.83M estate gift that established the Robert J. and Joanne M. Watson Endowment, which will support five agencies with vital annual funding. We also received a $1.75M gift that established the Endowment for Lifelong Learners at Blue Mountain School, an alternative school in Floyd. The fund will support the school’s sliding scale tuition model, making it accessible to all families. Each of these exciting milestones puts the CFNRV in a great position for our future. Establishing a New Home for the CFNRV During a Record-Setting Year

Lobby of the CFNRV’s new office.

Welcoming guests at an open house event.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE YEAR

Studying Relationships Across the NRV to Understand Shared Challenges

F or the past ten years, the CFNRV has worked with Dr. Robin LeMaire of Louisiana State University and Dr. Donna Sedgwick of Virginia Tech to guide the work of our collaborative initiatives, including First Steps focused on early childhood development, and Thrive focused on food assistance. Their deep knowledge of human service networks and collaboration have helped to grow each initiative’s impact and to demonstrate the value of investing in relationship-building to address shared challenges. Over the past year, Drs. LeMaire and Sedgwick have worked with community partners to conduct a new network analysis, a type of study that seeks to understand how organizations are working together to address community needs, and where additional collaboration could benefit the individuals served. Their study encompasses several collaborative networks that form Healthy Roots NRV (HRNRV), a regional initiative aimed at improving health and well-being. These networks – Aging in Community, First Steps, the NRV Recovery Ecosystem, the Partnership for Access to Healthcare (PATH), and Thrive – will each gain valuable insight into their impact within their specific issue area and how greater collaboration between networks could help to address common issues like access to transportation, or improved communication. As a part of this work, the CFNRV and other partners involved in Healthy Roots NRV held a regional event in February 2026 called “From Seed to Strength” with 120 people in attendance. Keynote speaker, Mark Cruise, shared about his work as the director of STRONG ACC, a similar collaboration to Healthy Roots based in far SWVA. Attendees also heard preliminary results from the network study and discussed priorities for HRNRV in 2026.

Dr. Robin LeMaire.

Listening to keynote speaker Mark Cruise.

Photos: moments from the ‘From Seed to Strength’ Healthy Roots event in February 2026. Council also brainstormed a plan to share the results of the network study, which will be shared in summer 2026. Based on feedback from that meeting, the HRNRV Council is setting up work groups to focus on collaboration training, governance and funding for HRNRV. The

Attendees engage in discussion.

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2025 - 2026 CORPORATE SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Above: Floyd community members celebrate the 2025 Giving Day, which is made possible in part by our sponsors.

THANK YOU!

$5,000 & above Atlantic Union Bank Celco Community Credit Union Cranwell Family Foundation First Bank & Trust Co. National Bank of Blacksburg $1,000 to $4,999 Automation Creations, Inc. Carter Bank Lewis Gale Hospital Montgomery Locus Olio Financial Planning Up to $999 Brown Insurance In-Kind Buzz4Good New River Computing Media Partner Radio IQ & WVTF Music Other Corporate Partners Alvis-Laing Electric Company Colley Architects, PC Kesler Contracting & Property Management Old Town Printing Three Bird Photography Wilsie Photography Wordsprint

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THE GIVELOCALNRV GIVING DAY’S IMPACT

$5,154,070 Total Raised Since 2014

30,328 Donations Made Since 2014

In 2014, the CFNRV lauched the GiveLocalNRV Giving Day. Each June, more than 100 nonprofits serving the New River Valley participate in the fundraising event. The Giving Day shines a spotlight on the essential work that nonprofits do each day and demonstrates the power of philanthropy. Fueling the excitement of the day are the awards that the CFNRV and our generous sponsors give out to nonprofit participants. Participants can win these awards by meeting certain fundraising milestones or if their organization is selected in a random chance drawing. Since the event started in 2014, the CFNRV has awarded $174,000+ to Giving Day participants through these grants and prizes.

GIVING DAY GROWTH 2022 - 2025

2024 $769,230 3,416 Donors

2022 $508,531 1,996 Donors

2023 $921,648 3,329 Donors

2025 $796,053 3,465 Donors

In ‘25, Springhouse Community School engaged students and families in raising $200,000+ for the Giving Day.

CFNRV trainings provide opportunities for participants to learn more about the event and brainstorm strategies.

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SUPPORTING NRV PUBLIC SCHOOLS The Education Grant Program at the CFNRV

$94K

$44.6K

$106.5K

$17.5K $22.8K

Education grantees from Shawsville Middle School with CFNRV board members. Photo by Wilsie Photography. O ur region has strong public-school systems with educators, counselors, and coaches who are recognized for their impact in and beyond “By ensuring students have clean, comfortable, and seasonally appropriate clothing, we help build their self-esteem and confidence,” said Meagan Pratt, a member of the school counseling office at PCHS. Equitable Access to Education

the classroom. The CFNRV manages several endowed funds that support public schools, which led us to launch the Education Grant Program in 2024. This program runs concurrently with the Responsive Grant Program, which provides operating support to nonprofits. The program supports projects from teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, support personnel, students, and parent/teacher groups from public schools in the counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Wythe, and the city of Radford. Applicants may request funds up to $1,500 for basic student needs (such as clothing, food, or school supplies), for projects that enhance the classroom experience, or for those that benefit after school programs and extracurricular activities. It Schools across the NRV have pantries that help to ensure all students have the clothing, school supplies, and nutrition they need to stay focused during the day. These programs are often managed by school counselors with donations from individuals and civic organizations, but additional funds from the CFNRV allow them to purchase the items in greatest demand such as personal hygiene products or winter coats. For example, the clothing closet at Pulaski County High School (PCHS) uses grant funds to supplement community donations, guaranteeing that students have easy and discreet access to whatever they need. awards about $25,000 in grants annually. Providing for a Student’s Basic Needs

In addition to meeting basic needs, grantees use funds to purchase classroom furniture or equipment that supports learners of all kinds. Students in Radford High School’s (RHS) special education classroom, for example, have a wide range of physical, emotional, and sensory needs. Traditional classroom furniture can fail to accommodate these needs, leading to discomfort, limited focus, increased anxiety, and decreased engagement. RHS received a grant in 2025 to purchase furnishings to better accommodate students and to make the most of their time with teachers, paraprofessionals, and therapists. Learning Beyond the Classroom Finally, this program supports hands-on learning experiences. The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter at Shawsville Middle School (SMS) has received grants to help students create and sell products at public events and to participate in regional, state, and national FBLA competitions. FBLA members also run the school’s Mustang Market, which allows students to spend Mustang Money earned through positive behaviors on items in the store. Linna Martz, a business education teacher at SMS, shared that “students in FBLA and entrepreneurship classes gain leadership, customer service, and business management experience by operating the store. This real-world application of classroom learning has helped students develop confidence and pride in their work.”

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2025 GRANT-MAKING IN THE NEW RIVER VALLEY The CFNRV gives out grants all year-round in a variety of ways. Our agency funds for specific organizations are distributed in the spring, while our competitive grant cycle for operating support and public school projects awards grants in November. Additionally, donors can make grant requests any time of the year simply by emailing the CFNRV team. Below is a look a our grant-making from 2025 in the NRV.

$439,957 Total Given Out in 2025 205 Total # of Grants 30% Of Grants Went to Organizations Serving the Entire NRV

Radford $14.4K

Giles $27.9K

Montgomery $145.6K

Pulaski $34.9K

Floyd $55.3K

Wythe $31.4K

TOTAL GRANTS BY AREA

ANIMALS

5% ($21K)

ARTS & CULTURE

10% ($43.9K)

13% ($56.7K)

COMMUNITY & CIVIC AFFAIRS

30% ($133.3K)

EDUCATION

5% ($20.6K)

ENVIRONMENT

12% ($53.8K)

HEALTH & WELLNESS

21% ($90.9K)

POVERTY

SUPPORT, PARENTING, & CARE

4% ($19.4K)

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CONTINUING SUPPORT DURING COLLEGE

The CFNRV’s Scholarship Program

Virginia Tech Women’s Club members celebrate with ‘26 scholarship recipients at the CFNRV scholarship lunch.

T hroughout their high school career, many educators shares opportunities with students, helps them set deadlines and write essays, and cheers them on along the way. The CFNRV team works with many of these school personnel members to share about our scholarship students and encourage them to apply. And it is working: we see dozens of applications from high school students every year. For students already enrolled in college or a trade/ technical school, scholarships can be harder to find. That’s why seeing current college students, especially previous scholarship recipients return to apply, is always exciting for our team. This year, 34.9% of our recipients are current college students. More than 72% of those college students had previously received a scholarship from us. students have the support of teachers, guidance counselors, and other school staff. This team of

The CFNRV’s scholarship manager, Laura Pynn, knows the power of funding students year after year. She’s overseen the growth of our program since 2007 and watched the need for scholarships grow each year. Some of her favorite moments in the scholarship process include watching students progress through their degrees and helping those students along their educational paths. “It’s my passion to help these students realize their dreams,” said Laura. “When we see them thriving in college and making their own way, that’s everything to me.” There were only a handful of scholarship funds when Laura started at the foundation in 2007. Now there are nearly 60 funds. Additionally, for the first time ever, in 2026, we are funding more than 100 students. Our team is honored to help each of these deserving students.

“

I truly believe that the cost of education is the biggest factor preventing young people from pursuing their dreams, and you’re doing extremely admirable work in helping young students overcome that issue.” Levi Blevins is a rising junior at Radford University double majoring in Anthropology & Digital Arts. Levi is one of two recipients of a ‘26 Warren Lloyd Holtzman Freedom Scholarship.

Levi Blevins

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2026 SNAPSHOT: SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

$1,000 Minimum Award

$212,998 Awarded in 2026

106 Scholarship Recipients

“

37

67

Current College Students

High School Students

As a first-generation, transfer student I have worked diligently to support myself while prioritizing my coursework. With a demanding year ahead, this scholarship will be essential in allowing me to focus fully on my academics and emerging career.” Elizabeth Hixon is a rising Virginia Tech senior majoring in Environmental Conservation & Society. Elizabeth is one of six ‘26 recipients of a Virginia Tech Women’s Club Scholarship.

Plus: one high school graduate returning to school & one veterinary student

28% First-Generation College Students

WHERE THEY HAIL FROM

Radford 5.7%

Pulaski 6.6%

Montgomery 48.1%

Outside the NRV* 7.5%

TOP 4 SCHOOLS WHERE THEY ARE HEADED

Giles 9.4%

1. Virginia Tech 2. Radford University 3. New River Community College 4. James Madison University

Floyd 22.6%

*The 7.5% from outside the NRV are studying here.

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AN EVOLVING FAMILY LEGACY The Cox Family Trust

Wally and Virginia Cox. Photos courtesy of Deanna Cox. I n each stage of their lives, Wally and Virginia Cox made the communities they lived in a priority, especially with their interest in the arts. Originally from the tiny town of Rockford, Michigan, they met in high school and married when Wally was in college. Together they raised two children, Deanna and Lenny. Wally spent most of his career in accounting while Virginia was a homemaker and active volunteer. Throughout the years, the Cox family moved around Virginia, eventually settling in Bedford County for two decades. During their time in Bedford, Wally and Virginia were active with their local theater, Little Town Players – Wally as a regular performer and Virginia volunteering at the box office. Eventually Deanna joined her father in his accounting/auditing business, and they worked together for three decades. After Deanna and her husband, Hal, had their son Eli, Wally and Virginia moved to Blacksburg to be closer to them. Deanna describes her parents as generous, funny, socially conscious people who loved to learn. “My mom loved to tell a story,” said Deanna. “My dad had a real dry sense of humor. People were like, ‘was he saying a joke? Should I laugh?’”

Creating a Family Trust Wally created the family’s trust in the early 2000s. He used rent from an inherited family farm to add funds to the trust each year. At the time, the family focused mostly on donating to arts-related organizations. When Deanna took over the trust in 2006, she and her mom would develop a list each year of local organizations to support, including the Blacksburg Master Chorale and the Montgomery County Christmas Store. In 2016, Deanna sold the farmland and put the proceeds in the trust. Life Challenges Inspire a New Giving Focus In 2017, Deanna’s son Eli was in trouble. After several scrapes with the law, he ended up spending three months in jail. From that experience, Deanna and Hal had a front-row seat to the agony of having a child in jail. Meanwhile, Eli witnessed how difficult (and expensive) it was for inmates to maintain connections with their families. This sparked an idea for Deanna. “I think people forget that when somebody makes a mistake and goes to jail, that the family suffers quite a bit as well,” said Deanna.

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In 2020, Deanna founded the nonprofit Inmate Family Assistance (IFA), which works with the Montgomery County Jail to add money to inmates’ telephone and commissary accounts. This literal and figurative lifeline for inmates means they can stay in contact with their families – something many could not do without IFA’s support. Since its inception, IFA has helped over 400 families in the NRV. Her family’s experience, along with seeing how great the need is in the NRV, inspired Deanna to shift the trust’s giving focus. Now, the trust supports organizations meeting basic human needs from food and housing assistance to supporting incarcerated individuals and their families. Moving the Trust to the CFNRV In 2024, Deanna decided to transfer the trust to the CFNRV. It became a field of interest fund, which focuses on specific interest areas, program initiatives, or geographic areas as established by the donor. The CFNRV team

“It just seemed like a perfect fit because I’ve been able to see firsthand how you all manage funds and how much you support local organizations,” said Deanna. “You all are integral to the reason why IFA is still in existence.” Already, the Cox Family Trust has supported five different organizations through the CFNRV’s Responsive Grant process, distributing more than $13,000 in grants.

follows these parameters to select organizations to receive grants.

Hal, Deanna, and Eli in 2026.

KEEPING FAMILIES CONNECTED

Deanna and Eli shared their story at our 2025 Giving Day event at the Lyric Theatre. Watch via the QR code or visit www.bit.ly/IFAbuzz.

After spending thousands of dollars on phone calls for the three months that her son was in jail, Deanna was inspired to help others. Organizations in our region, such as Virginia CARES and the New River Valley Re-entry Council are active in helping people once they get out. But there are few resources to support families while their loved ones are in jail or prison. The support that IFA provides – just $40/month - makes a huge impact on inmates and their loved ones. Inmate Chris writes, “I just want to start by saying thank you so much for what you are doing and have done for me. I have four little girls out there…you have helped me stay in touch with them by putting money on my books.” To learn more about IFA’s work, visit www.ifaofthenrv.com.

Deanna and Eli on the Lyric’s stage with Buzz host Michael Hemphill. Photo by Three Bird Photography.

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OUR ONGOING INVESTMENT IN YOUNG CHILDREN & FAMILIES Supporting the NRV’s Childcare Workforce

Celebrating early childhood champions at the Igniting Connections Symposium in 2025.

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I n 2022, First Steps, a program led by the CFNRV, received a four-year, $1.15 million ARPA grant from the Town of Blacksburg to strengthen the local childcare workforce. Ongoing shortages of early educators—driven by low wages, limited benefits, and high stress— have made it difficult for providers to maintain or expand care. The grant has supported strategies focused on recruitment, retention, and professional development to help stabilize the workforce and expand access to high quality, affordable childcare. As the project concludes in 2026, we are deepening our commitment to early childhood education by sustaining and expanding successful programs and launching new regional initiatives. Long-term success will continue to rely on strong partnerships with organizations and community members who recognize childcare as vital to the region’s economy and quality of life.

The funding allowed us to retain staff for longer periods of time…We leveraged the stipends to encourage staff to take advantage of more professional development classes.”

Judy Shelor, Valley Interfaith Child Care Center

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Continuing Professional Development & Recruitment Programs In recent years, we’ve partnered with others to offer free professional development for early educators and to introduce high school and college students to careers in early childhood education. These efforts will remain central to our regional approach. One key example is the Igniting Connections Symposium, a free annual conference for NRV early educators hosted by Early Childhood Education Initiatives (ECEI) at Virginia Tech. The symposium features hands-on sessions, tours of model facilities, and opportunities for educators to connect with peers. We’ll also continue supporting pathways into the field, including apprenticeships and job-shadowing opportunities. In addition, we will continue to offer the “Those Who Can, Teach Career Day,” sponsored by ECEI at Virginia Tech, New River Community College (NRCC), and First Steps. A key part of the ARPA grant gave childcare directors flexible funds for retention strategies tailored to their centers. Many used the funding to send educators to curriculum-specific conferences or to provide bonuses after staff completed professional development programs. These investments boosted retention and morale. As one director shared, “Professional development, classroom materials, and additional investment in our school community has helped us with morale, teacher sense of efficacy, and administrative confidence that teachers and families can be supported.” In response, we are launching an ongoing Early Educator Professional Development Fund. Both childcare centers and NRV high schools offering early childhood education classes can apply for funds to attend conferences, purchase curriculum-specific materials, or incentivize ongoing training. As we continue investing in early educators, we also recognize that low wages make it difficult to enter and stay in the field. But increasing pay requires higher tuition, putting directors in a difficult position. WHAT’S NEXT

2025 Those Who Can, Teach Career Day

Each year at this event, more than 50 high school students gather at NRCC to explore early childhood development careers. Childcare directors lead interactive sessions, and partners share information and scholarship opportunities to pursue credentials or degrees.

While state and federal programs subsidize care for some income-qualifying families, many households earn too much to qualify yet still cannot afford tuition. To help close this gap, we are developing a Family Scholarship Fund to offset costs for eligible NRV families and enable centers to set tuition that reflects the true cost of high-quality care. Finally, with ECEI at Virginia Tech and NRCC, we are piloting a paid teacher training program. The four-week course covers licensing requirements, child development, resume and interview preparation, and visits to childcare centers. Through our partner network, participants will also receive support accessing resources like affordable housing and food assistance. The goal is for each participant to leave with at least one job offer from an NRV childcare center. These and other First Steps programs are made possible through strong partnerships and dedicated staff support. The ARPA grant funded the hiring of First Steps Program Coordinator Margaret Hurst, who will remain a permanent member of the CFNRV team after the grant ends.

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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. FUNDS DESIGNATED/AGENCY

Blue Mountain School (BMS) in Floyd established an agency fund in 2025. Photo courtesy of BMS.

Administrative Endowment (Miles C. & Ruth C. Horton, Jr.) Supports the CFNRV’s administrative expenses. Betty B. Kegley Endowment Supports the Friends of Pulaski County Library which promotes the interests of the Pulaski County Library System and educates 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 Blacksburg Community Band’s Founders Scholarship program.

Blacksburg Interfaith Food Pantry Endowment* Supports the Blacksburg Interfaith Food Pantry, which serves residents of Blacksburg and McCoy. Blacksburg New School Endowment Supports the Blacksburg New School, 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.

* Fund established in 2025

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Community Health Center of the New River Valley Endowment Supports the Community Health Center of the NRV’s mission. Don Michelsen Administrative Endowment Provides annual funding to meet CFNRV operational costs with a goal of self-sufficiency. In memory of Don Michelsen, founding CFNRV board member. 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. Endowment for Lifelong Learners at Blue Mountain School* Supports the Blue Mountain School’s mission. Ethel C. Flippin Endowment Supports the Friends of Pulaski County Library, which promotes the interests of the Pulaski County Library System. Floyd Center for the Arts Endowment* Supports the Floyd Center for the Arts’ mission.

Frank & Shirleigh Marvin Scholarship Fund for the Renaissance Music Academy Supports the Renaissance Music Academy of VA’s mission. Friends of Claytor Lake, Inc. Endowment Supports the Friends of Claytor Lake’s mission. Fritz & Emma Spengler Loving Memorial Fund (Manfred Spengler) Supports Young Life of Virginia camp scholarships; specifically for youngsters residing in Montgomery County and Giles County. Giles Animal Rescue Inc. Endowment Supports the mission of the Giles Animal Rescue. Hale Community Garden Endowment Supports the Hale Community Garden, a community garden in Blacksburg managed by Live, Work, Eat, Grow, Inc. Higher Impact Fund (Pat Hyer) Supports the ongoing programs and operations of the CFNRV.

Jim & Janet Johnson Band Scholarship

Supports enhancing the musical skills and music appreciation of Blacksburg High School band students. 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 CFNRV’s mission. 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 (Louis M. Gwin & Rachel R. Parker-Gwin) Supports Literacy NRV’s mission. MCEAP Endowment (Joe & Margot Thompson) Supports the Montgomery 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.

48 designated/agency funds

26% of foundation assets

$62,620 awarded in 2025

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17 DESIGNATED/AGENCY FUNDS Montgomery County Christmas Store Endowment Supports the Montgomery County Christmas Store’s mission. Montgomery Museum of Art & History Endowment Supports the Montgomery Museum of Art and History’s mission. Nancy & Thomas Murray Endowment for NRV CARES Supports NRV CARES’s mission. New River Family Shelter Fund Supports the New River Family Shelter’s mission. NRV Dental Benevolence Fund (Joe & Margot Thompson) Supports the dental services and dental education provided by the Community Health Center of the NRV. NRV Leading Lights Endowment Supports NRV Leading Lights, which acknowledges and honors NRV volunteers making community-changing impacts. Pulaski County Library System Endowment Supports the Pulaski County Library System’s mission.

The Lineweaver Family Fund provides support to the YMCA at Virginia Tech and Montgomery County 4-H. Photo courtesy of the YMCA.

Radford Child Development, Inc. Fund Supports Radford Child Development’s mission. 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 VA counties of Henry and Wythe through grants to Piedmont Community Services in Martinsville and Open Door Community in Wytheville. Robert J. Watson & Joanne M. Watson Endowment* Provides annual support to Micah’s Backpack, the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, New River Community College Educational Foundation, the Salvation Army of the NRV, and the Women’s Resource Center of the NRV. Roy & Vivian Davis Memorial Fund (James & Josephine Shotts) Supports the mission of the Bladen County, North Carolina Library. SEEDS Endowment Supports the mission of SEEDS (Seek, Education, Explore, Discover).

* Fund established in 2025

FUND SPOTLIGHT Endowment for Lifelong Learners at Blue Mountain School For 40+ years, Blue Mountain School (BMS) in Floyd has created an alternative educational space for children to learn through connections to nature, art, and more. The school, like all organizations, has sought various ways to achieve financial stability over the years. A huge boost to their efforts came from an anonymous former student who gifted BMS $1.75 million to start an endowment to support the school’s operations. This agency fund, the largest in our history, will serve as a key component of the school’s long-term success, allowing the staff and board members to spend less of their time fundraising and more time on running the school as well as planning for the future.

Sharon Scott Leadership & Business Endowment Provides grants to the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Foundation to support business involvement in the Chamber membership community. Supports Spikenard Farm in Floyd, which 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. Town of Blacksburg Senior Center Endowment (Bruce M. & Constance D. Anderson) Supports the Town of Blacksburg Senior Center’s mission. United Way of the New River Valley Endowment Supports the United Way of the NRV’s mission. Valley Interfaith Child Care Center Fund Supports the Valley Interfaith Child Care Center’s mission. William J. Dawson, Jr. Memorial Fund (Evelyn Sandy Dawson) Supports the ongoing work of the CFNRV. Women’s Resource Center Endowment Supports the Women’s Resource Center of the NRV’s mission. 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 for Leadership, Friendship & Service Supports Zeta Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega’s mission. Spikenard Farm Fund (Andy & Bonnie Huggins) Youngs Memorial Fund (Robert & Esther Youngs)

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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.

Grant recipient Good Samaritan Hospice (GSH), serves patients throughout southwest Virginia. Photo courtesy of GSH.

Akers Browning Enrichment Fund for Young Women Provides young women and girls in the NRV, 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, private and governmental organizations and programs, to address the NRV’s critical needs.

Arts Alliance Endowment Supports local arts organizations and individual artists in support of arts projects and/or specific operational needs related to the arts. Bauers-Wall Foundation (Kamala Bauers & Jack Wall) Supports the charitable, religious, scientific, educational, and/or literacy activities of charitable organizations located in and/or serving Floyd County. Beatrice S. Kalka Endowment Supports the Women’s Resource Center of the NRV and other charitable organizations in the region.

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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 VA through customized, professional learning. Braden-Galbraith Fund* (John & Marilyn Galbraith) Supports general charitable purposes addressing the immediate basic needs of NRV residents, with a preference for programs in Giles County. 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 environmental and social issues in Southwest VA, including the VA Vital Signs region.

Chachra Family Cultural Fund Promotes understanding of India’s culture by supporting cultural activities such as workshops, readings, movies, festivals, concerts fireworks, and dance. Children’s Shelter Home Fund Supports charities that assist children in need. Chris Thompson Family Endowment Supports general charitable purposes in the NRV. Community Service Fund (James & Josephine Shotts) Supports general charitable

Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund (Margot Sebba) Supports NRV public charities that assist AIDS victims and their families, children in need, hospice patients, and the homeless. 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. Early Childhood Education Teachers Fund (David, Marilyn, & Mark Hutchins) Supports professional development and continued strengthening of NRV early

activities in the NRV. Cottingham-Stuart Community Fund (Bob & Emily Stuart)

childhood educators. Eclectic Oenophiles Endowment

Supports general charitable purposes or the YMCA at VT. Daniel C. & Joanne L. Bell Endowment Supports charitable organizations that are engaged in hospice care.

Supports general charitable purposes with emphasis on programs and organizations serving Pulaski County and the City of Radford.

Davis Family Fund (C.Y. & Carol Davis) Supports general charitable purposes.

* Fund established in 2025

$482,135 awarded in 2025

40% of foundation assets

88 donor-advised funds

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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 NRV focused on

HMM Miami High School Scholarship Fund Provides scholarships for Miami (AZ) High School graduates pursuing higher education at a major AZ college or university. 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 CFNRV. 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, the Blacksburg 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.

education and/or healthcare. Ellen Moore Memorial Fund (The Rotary Club of Montgomery County) Supports general charitable purposes. Endowment for Floyd County Supports NRV charities with a focus on Floyd County. Endowment for Giles County Supports nonprofit work in 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. Established in 1997, this was the first fund created at the CFNRV. 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 U.S., with emphasis on projects in Donaldsonville, LA and the river parishes of South Louisiana. DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS Hawk’s Ridge Fund (Donna E. Douglas) 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, MT, and the NRV.

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Kennedy Family Fund Supports NRV and U.S. 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 NRV libraries and general charitable purposes. MANISTAL Fund (The Grieco Family) Supports general charitable purposes. Margaret & Samuel H. Tollison Family Fund Supports general charitable purposes. Dr. 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. New River Valley Association of Realtors Community Engagement Fund Provides grants to nurture and strengthen local communities by impacting diversity, housing opportunity, and smart growth in the NRV; the counties of Wythe, Carroll, Bland, Tazewell, and Grayson; and the City of Galax. New River Valley Fund for Animals (Chris Thompson) Supports charitable organizations or agencies in the NRV for companion animal welfare programs. Nicholson Family Fund Provides grants to enhance the well-being and improve the quality of life of children in the NRV, with a preference for Radford residents. North Family Fund Supports charitable organizations that help single, head-of-household families – especially 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 NRV. 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. those of Hispanic origin – in need. Piscura Family Endowed Fund

Photo by Wilsie Photography.

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23 DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS 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 for NRV children and their families, prenatally through early elementary school. Shuler Family Reading Fund Supports NRV charitable organizations that provide literacy services. Stewards of Nature Fund Supports natural resource and wildlife conservation, environmental health and stewardship, conservation education, and related fields. Stoop Fund (Ellen Ryan) Supports general charitable purposes.

Allisonia clean-up with the New River Conservancy (NRC). Photo courtesy of the NRC.

Susan Garrison Memorial Fund (Lisa Barroso & friends) Promotes and supports environmental awareness, sustainability, and/or community beautification in the NRV. Talbot Family Fund Supports general charitable purposes with awards to organizations such as the Free Clinic of the NRV, the Blacksburg Interfaith Food Pantry, the CFNRV, and the Montgomery County Christmas Store. Todd Family Fund Supports agencies including faith-based organizations in Grayson County; the City of Galax; and the NRV for general charitable purposes. Virle & Al Payne Family Fund Supports general charitable purposes.

FUND SPOTLIGHT The Wythe County United Legacy Fund

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. Warren Lloyd Holtzman Merit Grant Fund Provides seed grants encouraging, supporting, and recognizing innovation, research, and upward mobility in the areas of small business development, human potential advancement, nurturing grassroots community-based programs, and expansion of the free market economy. Warren Lloyd Holtzman Seed Grants Fund To provide scholarships and for general charitable purposes. Wellness Fund (John & Elizabeth Bush) Provides annual funding to the Intellectual Disabilities Agency of the New River Valley and provides funding for the personal and educational needs of persons with intellectual disabilities. Worthington-Dolloff Cancer Treatment Assistance Fund Supports cancer treatment for needy patients in the NRV. Wythe County United Legacy Fund Supports qualified, charitable health and human service organizations serving Wythe County, including but not limited to those partner organizations formerly supported by the United Way of Wythe County. Young Women’s Life Experiences Fund Supports charities that help young girls and women under the age of 20 that need financial assistance to participate in life experiences that are conducted, sponsored, or associated with a charitable organization or agency. Promotes wellness in the NRV. Winters Family Endowment

The Wythe County United Legacy Fund was established in 2020 by the United Way of Wythe County. This United Way affiliate was being absorbed into a larger, regional affiliate, and board members wanted to ensure that Wythe County-based nonprofits would continue to receive grants after the transition. Former board and staff members of the United Way of Wythe County now serve as donor advisors to this fund. They review applications from health, human service, and educational organizations serving Wythe County that apply through the CFNRV’s Responsive Grant Program, and they award ~$25,000 annually. This fund also expanded the CFNRV’s geographic footprint, as Wythe County organizations now participate in the GiveLocalNRV Giving Day and nonprofit leadership programs, and they can receive grants from other

endowments at the CFNRV relevant to their mission.

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Field-of-interest funds support particular interest areas, specific program initiatives, causes, or geographic areas as established by the donor. FUNDS ENDOWED FIELD OF INTEREST

4-17 Fund (The Robert & Debbie Piscura Family of Draper, VA) Supports charitable work for the care and support of the NRV community spirit that arose to meet the tragic shootings at VT on April 16, 2007. Andy & Susan Morikawa Capacity Building Fund Supports programs that build the capacity of charitable NRV organizations to meet the critical needs of the community in sustainable manner. Carolyn & Donald Rude Family Fund Supports general charitable purposes addressing the current and evolving needs of the NRV with a preference for supporting vulnerable populations. Priorities include food security, healthcare, children, and affordable housing; improving the environment; and educational opportunities in public schools. Cox Family Trust Supports general charitable purposes addressing the current and evolving needs of the NRV, with a preference for programs that provide for assistance to families of incarcerated individuals, reentry of ex offenders, housing, food access, healthcare, clothing, and other basic human needs. Dan & Beverly Fleming Family Fund Supports the Literacy NRV, the Women’s Resource Center of the NRV, New River Community Action’s David & Lillian Francis Charitable Endowment Supports NRV charitable organizations that serve the needs of alcoholics and their families, including the education of their children. Earl Vest & Mamie Phillips Vest Unrestricted Endowment Supports the mission of the CFNRV, and for the betterment for Floyd County. Head Start program, and other charitable organizations supporting and advancing education in the NRV.

Friends of Huckleberry Trail Fund* Supports charitable organizations working in the areas of outdoor recreation, public health, and/ or natural resources in the NRV. Preference for Montgomery County and projects related to the Huckleberry Trail. Also awards scholarships to NRV students pursuing degrees at two or four-year colleges or universities in VA in the areas of outdoor recreation, public health, and/or natural resources. Friends of Stadium Woods Endowment Supports educational, recreational, and research activities in Stadium Woods, a rare old growth forest predominantly white oak urban forest located in Blacksburg; and for educational, recreational, research and preservation activities related to forestland in VA. Fund for Equity & Compassion (Molly McClintock & Irene Peterson) Supports general charitable purposes in the NRV with a preference for programs and organizations advancing equity, hunger relief, justice, literacy, and women. General Endowment Supports all CFNRV’s fields of interest at the discretion of the CFNRV’s Board of Directors. Highlands Fund Supports scholarships to students pursuing a degree at a two- or four-year college or university in a science-related field of study. Additionally, the fund supports CFNRV initiatives and provides grants to charitable organizations in the NRV. Home – Hunger – Health Fund (C.Y. & Carole Davis) Supports organizations providing for the health and well-being of individuals and families in the NRV. Grants may support basic human needs including, but not limited to, access to shelter, food, and healthcare.

* Fund established in 2025

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