The Community Foundation of the NRV 25-26 Annual Report

FUND SPOTLIGHT Friends of the Huckleberry Fund In 1991, the nonprofit Friends of the Huckleberry (FOH) formed. This organization convened partners across our region to create what is now a well-loved gem that connects Blacksburg and Christiansburg: the Huckleberry Trail. Fifteen miles long, the multipurpose trail is part of other natural and recreational systems in our region. After decades of work, Friends of the Huckleberry has wrapped up its work as a 501(c)3 organization and is entering a new era as an endowment at the CFNRV. This field of interest fund will continue the spirit of FOH’s work by providing grants to organizations working in the areas of outdoor recreation, public health, and/or natural resources in the NRV (with a preference for Montgomery County and projects related to the Huckleberry Trail). The fund is also able to award scholarships to NRV students who plan to study at a Virginia school in the same areas.

Passion to Progress: The Drenan Dudley Endowed Fund (Jack, Larkin, & Drenan Dudley)

Builds the capacity of NRV charitable organizations, their employees, and volunteers to transform a cause or an idea into demonstrable outcomes benefiting the community. Paws & Claws Endowment (Lynda Chamowitz & Joan Gotthardt) Supports animal welfare in Montgomery County. Peer Segelke Memorial Fund (The family and friends of Peer Segelke) Supports organizations focused on environmental sustainability and natural resource conservation who are participating in the GiveLocalNRV Giving Day or can otherwise demonstrate broad financial and/or in-kind support from community members. RBN Inc. Educational Opportunity Fund Supports educational or charitable organizations providing educational instruction and tutoring, with strong preference for programs providing instruction in basic literacy and English as a Second Language (ESL) to immigrants, their children, and grandchildren; and for general charitable purposes. Preference shall be given to organizations from the following areas in the following order of priority: Grayson Co., City of Galax, Floyd Co., Craig Co., Patrick Co., Montgomery Co. (Auburn and Eastern Montgomery strands only), Carroll Co., and the City of Radford. Sarah Lee Alderson Memorial Fund Supports general charitable purposes with an emphasis on addressing community needs and priorities as determined by the CFNRV. Supports the programs, activities or student/s individual need as determined by guidance counselors working with students in NRV public school systems. Silver Care Endowment (Lynda Chamowitz & Joan Gotthardt) Supports the needs of senior citizens in the NRV. Virgil Speaks Fund (Suzi Gablik) Supports charitable organizations such as “What’s on Stage”, a program at Harding Avenue Elementary School; The Lyric Theatre; the CFNRV; and Beans and Rice. Shirley Van Dresser Guidance Fund (The Daughters of Shirley Van Dresser)

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