The Community Foundation of the New River Valley Annual Report 2024-2025

2024 - 2025 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.

WHAT REMAINS CERTAIN A Letter from Jessica Wirgau, CEO

A s our staff members and volunteers talk with donors, grantees, students, and partners, we hear again and again that things feel uncertain right now. For nonprofits, demand for services and funding sources feel uncertain. For some donors, their giving capacity this year feels uncertain. And on and on. Yet, as we move through 2025 awarding scholarships and grants, celebrating another hugely successful GiveLocalNRV Giving Day, and working with our donors to create and grow endowments, we know that many things remain certain. For example, the talent, intelligence, and compassion of our scholarship recipients and our nonprofit partners are certain. Each scholarship applicant’s list of accomplishments both in the classroom and in the community is impressive. And our nonprofit partners demonstrate repeatedly how to innovate and to leverage every dollar to best serve our community. The pride that family, friends, teachers, and coaches have in our scholarship recipients is certain. We see it when reading recommendation letters and at our Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon where 200 people gather to celebrate. Similarly, we see the pride that nonprofit staff and volunteers take in their programs as we read their grant applications, watch their social media feeds during the giving day, and learn about their impact at workshops and events. They believe deeply in their missions and those they serve, and their commitment is inspiring. The kind and generous spirit of each CFNRV donor is certain. In our scholarship recipients, donors see passion for a field of study or a school that they hold dear, or they see glimpses of a loved one in whose memory the scholarship is made. In our grant recipients, they see leaders working tirelessly to provide food, housing, or education, or to improve our quality of life through the arts, recreation, and conservation. Donors provide their financial support, together with their time and expertise, to give back to a community that has welcomed and nourished them. And finally, the unique beauty and character of the New River Valley is certain. We see the natural beauty of the New River and the Blue Ridge Mountains. We admire the leaders committed to working together to address challenges. Over our 30+ year history, the CFNRV has navigated uncertainty together with everyone who makes our work possible. As you read the stories in this year’s report, we invite you to reflect on the steadfast spirit of the New River Valley and take comfort in all those who make this such a wonderful place to live and work.

Celebrating the 2025 Giving Day at the Lyric Theatre.

Families celebrating their students.

2024 Responsive Grantee Luncheon.

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Photos by Margaret Hurst, Three Bird Photography, & Wilsie Photography.

2024-2025 CORPORATE SPONSORS

Events like the Early Childhood Champions Awards are made possible by our sponsors. Photo by Three Bird Photography

$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 & Trust Lewis Gale Hospital Montgomery Locus Olio Financial Planning Up to $999

Brown Insurance

In-Kind

Buzz4Good New River Computing Other Corporate Partners Old Town Printing Three Bird Photography Wilsie Photography

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THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY

TOTAL GRANTS BY REGION

$94K

ALL NRV FLOYD GILES MONTGOMERY PULASKI RADFORD WYTHE

$48.5K $44.6K

$106.5K

$17.5K $22.8K

$42K

$377,142 AWARDED IN 2024

TOTAL GRANTS BY AREA

$16.5K

ANIMALS ARTS & CULTURE COMMUNITY & CIVIC AFFAIRS EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT HEALTH & WELLNESS POVERTY SUPPORT, PARENTING & CARE

$54.6K

$29.4K

$117.5K

$8.1K

$43.3K

$84.8K

$22.6K

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GIVELOCALNRV GIVING DAY IMPACT SPANS BEYOND 24 HOURS

Springhouse, a small school in Floyd, raises more than $100,000 each year for the Giving Day. Photo courtesy of Springhouse.

An Integral Part of Annual Fundraising Efforts In a region full of traditions, the CFNRV is honored to host an event that has become a staple for many of our region’s charitable organizations: the annual GiveLocalNRV Giving Day. In the 12 years of this event, it has developed beyond just a fun-filled, whirlwind 24 hours. For many organizations, it is integrated into their annual fundraising plan each year. This includes 24 organizations that have participated every year since the event’s inception in 2014. One of those 24 organizations, the YMCA at Virginia Tech, shared how important the event is to them. “The Giving Day has become an indispensable part of our annual fundraising strategy,” said Ryan Martin, the Y’s Chief Executive Officer. “We’ve seen a direct correlation between our consistent participation over the past 12 years and our ability to expand our reach and services. We are truly thankful to the CFNRV for hosting this wonderful event, which celebrates the positive impact nonprofits of all shapes and sizes have on our community.” Months of Planning & Strategizing For the CFNRV team, there’s no real “off” season for the Giving Day. “As soon as one event wraps up, we start planning for the next year,” said Lindsey Gleason-Reed, who manages the project. The CFNRV partners with an organization called Mightycause, which offers both the website platform and robust support for the event. The team stays in contact with Mightycause all year. When January rolls around, planning for the event begins in earnest.

This year, the CFNRV offered more trainings and opportunities to connect with peers than ever for participants. Giving Day season publicly began at the end of February when sign-up opened and 30 people attended an in-person workshop. In addition to three online trainings throughout the spring, the CFNRV also offered four in-person strategy sessions around the NRV. More than 40 people attended these sessions to exchange ideas with peers. Sponsor Contributions Incentivize Participation At the same time our team is working with participants, we are also connecting with business leaders across the NRV to discuss sponsorships. Their support, combined with funding from the CFNRV, fuels the grants and prizes awarded during each Giving Day. In 2025, we gave out 30 different awards to organizations meeting different milestones during the event. All these awards are designed to drive donor participation and generate friendly competition among participating organizations. Milestones often include raising the most money or having the highest number of unique donors during a specific period. Other awards include random chance drawings, such as our two “Far Away” donor prizes, which encourage giving outside the NRV. Any online donation from a billing address 2,000 or miles away from the CFNRV’s office counts toward these prizes. Then, the winners are randomly selected after the event ends. 127 donations qualified for these particular prizes this year. Watching the Giving Day’s impact engage donors around our region and the world is gratifying for everyone involved in the event.

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THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY

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2025 STATS

$796,053 Raised 3,465 Donors 4,690 Gifts 114 Causes $5.15 Million Raised Since 2014

Literacy NRV interview on stage at the Lyric.

This spring, Michael Hemphill, a longtime friend of the Foundation and founder of the Blue Ridge PBS show Buzz4Good, reached out to our team with a big idea. What if we did a live two-hour show on the Giving Day featuring nonprofit partners? We said an enthusiastic ‘yes!’ and got to work. Our friends at the Lyric Theater generously donated their space for the event and we scheduled it to happen just as the 24-hour Giving Day sprint kicked off at noon on Wednesday, June 25. At the show, 18 nonprofits partners were interviewed, representing organizations from around our region working in a variety of areas. The show also featured musical performances from two youth groups: Floyd’s Handmade Music School and Montgomery Junior Appalachian Musicians. And, in a first for a CFNRV event, we had special wildlife guests join us: a kestrel and a kingsnake! BUZZING AT THE LYRIC

Ceci Leonard of SWVA Wildlife Center with a kestrel.

Celebrating the Buzz Live Giving Day event.

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Photos by Three Bird Photography.

PROVIDING RELIABLE, ANNUAL SUPPORT Designated Funds at the CFNRV

Pottery lesson at Floyd Center for the Arts (FCA.) The Center offers dozens of affordable classes each year.

T he CFNRV manages roughly 220 unique endowed funds, each with a specific focus set by the founding donor(s). Of these, 48 are designated funds, also known as agency funds, that provide an annual grant to one or more designated nonprofit organizations. These funds can be established by the nonprofit or by a generous donor wishing to support a cherished agency. The CFNRV invests the funds, provides all accounting and gift acknowledgment services, and issues a grant each spring to the nonprofit. In 2025, we awarded nearly $50,000 to nonprofit organizations from designated funds. Planning for the Future For nonprofit organizations, establishing a designated fund not only provides a stable annual funding source, but it signals to current and prospective donors that it is thinking about its own long-term sustainability and growth. The Floyd Center for the Arts established its endowment in 2025. “Creating a designated fund with the CFNRV was a meaningful step in securing the long

term future of the Floyd Center for the Arts,” shared Keela Dooley Marshall, the FCA’s executive director. “As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we’re looking beyond the moment and building toward a future where the arts remain accessible and vibrant in our community. The CFNRV has been an invaluable partner in helping us lay this foundation for the decades to come.” New Endowment Becomes Largest Gift in the CFNRV’s History For individual donors, designated funds are a way to support their favorite organizations and leave a legacy that lives beyond them. Often, these donors have been longtime supporters or volunteers who know the organization and its mission well. Some start these funds during their lifetime to see the impact their dollars can have, while others establish an endowment through their estate. Recently, the Robert J. Watson and Joanne M. Watson Endowment was established at the CFNRV to provide annual support to Micah’s Backpack,

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THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY

All photos courtesy of Floyd Center for the Arts.

the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, New River Community College, the Salvation Army of the New River Valley, and the Women’s Resource Center for the New River Valley. The Watsons retired to the New River Valley decades ago and wanted to give back to the community that welcomed them so warmly. They lived modestly during their lifetimes, establishing the endowment through a revocable trust after their deaths. It will be the largest single gift made to the CFNRV in its 30-year history at more than $1.7 million, and will provide flexible, annual dollars to these organizations. Diversifying Revenue Streams Whether established by a nonprofit or a dedicated donor, a designated fund can help ease the organization’s annual fundraising burden and diversify its revenue streams beyond immediate gifts and grants. The designated nonprofit does not need to submit an application for a grant from their fund. Rather, the CFNRV team does basic due diligence, then issues a check each year to be used in support of the organization’s programs and operations. A complete list of designated funds is included in this annual report, demonstrating the wide range of organizations that benefit each year.

Community members enjoying the FCA. Above: blacksmithing demonstration; below: basket weaving class.

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INVESTING IN THE BANK OF GOOD Cultivating a Legacy through the Peer Segelke Memorial Fund where she and Peer grew and raised their family since 2007. A Chance Meet-up Across the World

When you hear their story, it feels improbable that Jen and Peer even met. He from Texas, she from Taiwan, yet they found each other across the world in Vietnam. In 2001, Peer took a gap year between undergrad and law school. He sailed the South Pacific, and backpacked Australia and New Zealand before arriving in Southeast Asia. At the same time, Jen was headed to the Middle East to backpack for six months. But the events of 9/11 derailed her plans. Instead, she bought the cheapest ticket out of Taipei, which was to Bangkok, Thailand. Their paths crossed in Vietnam. Jen’s plan to motorbike the Ho Chi Minh trail piqued Peer’s interest, and they spent the subsequent months traveling together before Peer started law school in Austin. Jen joined Peer there later in the year, and in 2005 they moved to Roanoke to be closer to family.

Peer and Jen with their girls.

P eer Segelke believed in the ripple effect of good deeds. For him, a good deed wasn’t about doing something for others to get something in return. It was about investing in the “bank of good” simply to have a positive effect on the world. “Peer wanted the best for everyone,” said Jen, his wife. “Every place you went, people couldn’t help but notice him. He was mindful of others, compassionate, and curious. He was larger than life.” When Peer passed away unexpectedly in 2019, his family wanted to ensure his impact kept rippling. Jen and their three daughters experienced an outpouring of support from their community, including a generous GoFundMe campaign set up by friends. Deeply touched and knowing how much Peer meant to so many, Jen felt the need to pay it forward. She wanted to leave a legacy of Peer’s time in the New River Valley,

On the Ho Chi Minh trail in 2001.

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THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY

PEER’S FUND INSPIRES DONORS & SPONSORS The Peer Segelke Memorial Fund awarded its first $1,000 grant during this year’s 2025 Giving Day. Nine organizations that work in the areas of the environment and natural resources competed for the grant. The organization that had the most unduplicated donors by the end of the event won the grant. This year, New River Conservancy won the addtional $1,000 with their 112 donors. In total, there were 403 donors to organizations in this category. Additionally, the format of this grant inspired the team at the Cranwell Family Foundation (CFF). A generous new sponsor this year, the CFF created two grants for the Giving Day using the same model as Peer’s fund. One grant went to an organization focused on education while the second went to an arts and culture-focused organization.

Family motorcycle trip in Taiwan.

Finding Home in Blacksburg

After the birth of their first daughter, Abi, the commute from Roanoke to Blacksburg where Peer worked was taking a toll on the family. In 2007, they moved to Blacksburg to be closer to Peer’s workplace. They quickly realized what a special place they had found in the town. “I’ve never been in a place that’s so welcoming and giving,” said Jen. Later, daughters Ana and Bella joined their growing family. Peer was deeply passionate about nature and community. He was always out gardening, hiking, and foraging with his family. On every walk they took, he would encourage the girls to collect litter and they would get ice cream at the end of the outing. A corporate attorney, he set up the Blacksburg Farmer’s Market’s nonprofit status through pro bono work. He worked with his client and close friend, Chuck Hoover, and the New River Land Trust to donate land to create Hoover Mountain Bike Park in the New River Valley State Park. Honoring Peer Through Giving His personal interests and career inspired his family’s idea for an endowment. When Jen connected with the CFNRV, she asked our team for ideas on how to leverage the fund to generate more donations from the community. We suggested making the grant part of our annual GiveLocalNRV Giving Day, which fit her family’s vision. Jen is thrilled about getting more exposure to the fund through the Giving Day and seeing Peer’s name out there. “So many people participate in the Giving Day and they’ll see Peer’s name,” Jen said. “I want my girls to know that their dad’s legacy continues in the world and that we’ll always have a connection to the NRV.”

Peer in Arches National Park in Utah.

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Photos courtesy of Jennifer Jen.

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE A FAMILY AFFAIR Our Scholarship Program

W hen it comes to the 59 scholarship funds at the Community Foundation, family connections can be found throughout the process. A significant percentage of these funds were created in memory of someone special by family members and friends determined to honor their loved ones. Etched in the fund descriptions, one can catch a glimpse of what was important to the person who passed away: passion or interest, a career path, and other characteristics. Each scholarship recipient adds to the legacy of that loved one, creating a chain of people connected to that person. Each year, new links are added to that chain. Joe Wang (center) with his son, Vincent (left) at the 2023 scholarship luncheon.

Joe with scholarship recipient Emma Stowe in 2016.

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THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY

New Fund Name Reflects Parents’ Legacy After June Liang Wang, a Blacksburg High School (BHS) teacher, passed away suddenly in 1999, her husband, Joe, and their four children set up a scholarship to benefit BHS students. In 2013, they transferred the management of that scholarship to the CFNRV. Since then, 20 students have received scholarships from the family’s fund, totaling more than $30,000. The fund aims to award scholarships to students who share values that were important to June: scholastic achievement, community involvement, leadership, and global awareness. After Joe passed in 2024, the Wang family asked to update the fund’s name to include their father’s name as well. Now, the fund is called the June and Joseph Wang Memorial Scholarship Fund. To honor the lasting impact of their parents, the Wang family is proud to continue their support of students who, like June and Joe, are driven by curiosity and a love of learning.

Scholarship Recipients Set up Fund When Billie and Jessie Quesenberry were in college, they each received a scholarship from the CFNRV. Billie said receiving these scholarships “felt like both a victory and relief for the whole family”. None of us realized that we would later hear from their family to set up their own scholarship fund. Along with their mother, Joni, the three established the Blue Collar Scholarship Fund in 2022. The fund is in memory of Kent, Joni’s husband and father to Jessie and Billie. “Starting the Blue Collar Scholarship is a continuation of our family’s collaboration while we were applying for scholarships ourselves,” said Jessie. “Now, we get to do the ‘fun’ scholarship work like brainstorming fundraiser ideas or raising awareness about our scholarship.” Scholarships at the CFNRV are fully endowed at $15,000 but can be started with founding gifts of any amount. The Quesenberrys seeded their fund with a

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The Blue Crew: Billie and Joni Quesenberry and Jessie Turpin.

Photos by Wilsie Photography.

“ Scholarships have been a family affair for us since day one! We hope to provide the same feeling of victory and relief to other students that we felt with our family when we were in their shoes.

The first of three Monaghan siblings: Kayla in 2020.

$2,000 gift and soon scorched past their $15,000 goal through tireless fundraising efforts. It soon became clear that the women were an unstoppable force. Calling themselves the “Blue Crew”, the three have raised nearly $70,000 so far for the fund and have awarded three scholarships. “Working with CFNRV and my daughters in honor of Kent has become pure joy during a very sad time in our lives,” said Joni. “Working together as a team feels like our family plumbing business but in a new way which is why we proudly call ourselves the ‘Blue Crew’.” Sharing Scholarship Opportunities with Siblings The family connections don’t stop with donors. Over the years, the CFNRV team has awarded scholarships to multiple siblings within a family. This includes the Wang family’s fund supporting two sisters: Kayla Monaghan in 2020 and her sister Kylene in 2022. Their brother, Tommy, received a scholarship from the Jim Gwazdauskas Memorial Scholarship in 2025. This past year, we awarded scholarships to our first set of triplets: Arthur, Betty, and Coraline Bond, all graduates of BHS. Also, after supporting Virginia Tech student Harbalbeen Rai for three years, we were delighted when her brother Bisan applied for a scholarship and received an award. Bisan’s guest for our scholarship luncheon in May? His sister, Harbalbeen.

Billie Quesenberry

Third in the family: Tommy Monaghan in 2025.

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THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY

In 2023, Harbalbeen Rai (middle) attends the scholarship luncheon with her mother, Manpreet, and brother, Bisan.

Betty Bond

Coraline Bond

Arthur Bond

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Photos by Wilsie Photography & courtesy of Kayla Monaghan.

STRENGTHENING BLACKSBURG’S CHILDCARE WORKFORCE

Early Childhood Education Career Day at New River Community College. Photo by Margaret Hurst.

T he CFNRV is a leader in supporting children and families through our First Steps initiative, particularly in our work to help expand access to high-quality, affordable childcare by ensuring the childcare centers have the educators and support staff they need. In late 2022, First Steps received a $1.15 million grant from the Town of Blacksburg’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation for a pilot program to expand childcare access in Blacksburg. Recruiting early educators has long been a challenge. The profession requires immense patience, care, and knowledge of developmental milestones. Yet early educators are underappreciated and undercompensated. A June 2024 survey of Blacksburg early educators revealed that 84% earn $16.50 per hour or less. Childcare directors are anxious to increase pay, but this typically requires raising tuition for families. With the cost of required student-teacher ratios, building maintenance, insurance, and more, centers in Montgomery County charge an average of $11,856 annually for infant care, or about 20% of median household income. State and federal funding has helped slow tuition increases, but it comes with

restrictions and has declined as costs have risen. To make childcare affordable for families and to successfully recruit and retain educators, local support is essential. Incentive Program Improves Retention The CFNRV worked with childcare directors in early 2023 to determine their needs and priorities. Based on this feedback, we created the Incentive Program, which awarded ~$800,000 over four years to childcare centers to implement strategies in workforce recruitment, retention, and professional development. The program provides centers with flexibility to tailor strategies to their needs while ensuring accountability. Every six months, directors submit a plan showing how funds will be used. Some awarded retention bonuses, while others expanded their professional development opportunities to build skills and reduce turnover. Beyond financial support, the ARPA project builds connections in the field. Directors gather periodically to share successful strategies and challenges. Educators have benefited from Fill Your Cup Tea Times where CFNRV’s program coordinator, Margaret Hurst, offers

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government, and businesses have also helped us make the case for early education as a key component of regional economic development. Ultimately, we are focused on conveying the importance of high-quality, early education to our community. “One of the most important things we need in our industry is to feel valued and appreciated,” said Kristi Snyder, the administrator of Rainbow Riders Childcare Centers. “When teachers feel that the families and our community as a whole value the work they do, it truly makes a difference.” “ Stability with our staffing has helped us to get enrollment to more sustainable levels and to provide a higher level of quality care and education for our children and families. Kristi Snyder Rainbow Riders Childcare Centers

support and resources in childcare centers. The combination of financial, professional, and emotional support has been key to the project’s success. “The emotional work of early childhood education can be rewarding but also draining,” said Melissa West, director of the Mayapple School. “Everything that [First Steps] ARPA can do to help prevent burnout and increase a sense of purpose and meaning for staff is so appreciated.” Recruiting the Next Generation of Early Educators Expanding childcare access also requires new educators. Together with New River Community College, Early Childhood Education Initiatives at Virginia Tech, and other partners, we host the Those Who Can, Teach Career Day to recruit high school students to the field. More than 60 high school students from all NRV school systems spend the day in hands-on sessions led by childcare directors. Attendees explore different early learning philosophies and curricula, and see how concepts in math, literacy, and science are shared in an early education setting. They also learn about scholarship opportunities to pursue early education credentials or degrees. The career day, among other workforce programs, has grown the number of students in high school early education classes, thus expanding the number of qualified individuals entering the workforce. What’s Next? Funding for this project ends in June 2026. We are working with childcare directors to chronicle the impact of the project, identify what should be sustained, and secure funding to expand across the New River Valley. Ongoing partnerships with Virginia Tech, local

PROGRESS OVER TIME

STAFFING VACANCY RATE

# OF CHILDREN SERVED

15%

11%

NOVEMBER 2021 Blacksburg’s childcare providers are licensed to serve 1199 children. In November 2021, they were serving approximately 620 .

SEPTEMBER 2024 Blacksburg’s childcare providers are serving 848 children an increase of about 37% in 3 years.

NOVEMBER 2023 ~200 positions total. Vacancy rate of 15% .

SEPTEMBER 2024 ~245 positions total. Vacancy rate of 11% .

3 of 11 centers 100% staffed.

5 of 11 centers 100% staffed.

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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

Radford-Fairlawn Daily Bread, a 2024 Responsive Grantee. Photo by Three Bird Photography.

Administrative Endowment Fund (Miles C. & Ruth C. Horton, Jr.)

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.

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.

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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. 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. 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 NRV. 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. Montgomery County Christmas Store Endowment Fund Supports the mission of the Montgomery County Christmas Store.

$47,240 awarded in 2024

13% of foundation assets

48 designated/agency funds

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Montgomery Museum of Art & History Endowment Supports the mission of the Montgomery Museum of Art and History. 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. DESIGNATED/AGENCY FUNDS

The Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Virginia (BGC) serves children in Montgomery County. Photo courtesy of BGC.

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), now known as Open Door Community, in Wytheville, Virginia. Robert J. Watson and 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 New River Valley, and the Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley. 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).

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* Fund established in 2025

FUND SPOTLIGHT The NRV Dental Benevolence Fund In 2008, Joe and Margot Thompson established the NRV Dental Benevolence Fund to expand access to dental care. In its early years, the fund underwrote dental equipment and a hygienist at the Free Clinic of the New River Valley (now the Community Health Center of the NRV - CHCNRV). Later, the fund supported Dental Aid Partners, an organization providing dental care and screenings in schools and through community events. As the CHCNRV expanded its dental services and engagement with school systems over the last decade, the Thompsons refocused their fund on providing annual support to the CHCNRV to sustain and grow dental services for low-income families. Their generous support during their lifetimes and through planned gifts will support dental care in the NRV for generations.

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. 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) Spikenard Farm Fund (Andy & Bonnie Huggins)

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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.

Gathering at the Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation (BMCF). Photo courtesy of BMCF.

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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.

$406,016 awarded in 2024

48% of foundation assets

88 donor-advised funds

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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. Davis Family Fund (C.Y. & Carol Davis) Supports general charitable purposes. 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. 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. 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. 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. Ellen Moore Memorial Fund (The Rotary Club of Montgomery County) Supports general charitable purposes. DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS

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. 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. 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. HMM Poverty Assistance Fund Supports programs addressing problems of poverty. Hawk’s Ridge Fund (Donna E. Douglas)

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THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY

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. 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.

Photo by Wilsie Photography.

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25 DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS 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. 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 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.

Auburn High School students learning riding skills at Havenwood Equestrian Center. Photo courtesy of Havenwood.

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.

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

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* Fund established in 2024