The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge announced July 31 as a closing date for its United Way Fulfillment Fund.
When the Staunton-Augusta Waynesboro United Way closed its doors permanently in November 2024, a total of $141,666.68 remained outstanding in promised grants to 13 local nonprofit organizations.
The United Way’s board of directors worked with the Community Foundation to help the nonprofits recoup a portion of the funding. The United Way Fulfillment Fund has been critical to organizations like the Boys & Girls Club Waynesboro-Staunton-Augusta.
“Sixty-five percent of our Boys & Girls Club expenses are met from community and charitable support. The funds that the Community Foundation provided on behalf of the United Way grant is an example of those needed charitable contributions that keep our doors open, and help us keep our rates affordable for local families that need us most,” Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Debra Freeman said.
Through the financial support of the community, the Community Foundation has been able to exceed its goal of administering 50 percent of the promised funds.
“The generosity of our community never fails to impress me. We have far exceeded our goal of fulfilling 50 percent of the United Way’s outstanding grant commitments to these critical organizations. One hundred percent is within reach, though, so we will make one final appeal to our community to raise the remaining $35,416,” CEO of the Community Foundation Dan Layman said.
The 13 local organizations are:
● ARROW Project
● Blue Ridge CASA
● Blue Ridge Legal Services
● Boys & Girls Club Waynesboro-Staunton-Augusta
● Community Child Care Center
● On the Road Collaborative
● New Directions Center
● Renewing Homes of Greater Augusta
● Valley Children’s Advocacy Center
● Valley Hope Counseling Center
● Valley Program for Aging Services
● Valley Supportive Housing
● Waynesboro Family YMCA
For organizations like Renewing Homes of Greater Augusta and Blue Ridge Legal Services, every dollar counts.
Sharon Coplai, executive director of Renewing Homes, said that receiving funds allowed the organization to continue with the mission without interrupting payroll.
As a result, the organization’s project manager Jeff Kiser was able to mobilize nearly 200 volunteers who contributed more than 3,100 hours of service and partnered with 75 households to perform critical home repairs.
John Whitfield, executive director of Blue Ridge Legal Services, is thankful for the years of faithful support from the SAW United Way, and grateful to the Community Foundation for the United Way Fulfillment Fund. He said the community “certainly responded” to the need and the initiative has gone a long way toward filling cups.
“It was a real shock to us when we learned they were shutting down with grant commitments going unfulfilled. We were facing a budget deficit as a result. It was a wonderful surprise when the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge stepped up and organized a community effort to meet those unfulfilled United Way grant commitments,” Whitfield said.
One example of the community’s care and generosity was the formation of ELPIS, a small, growing group of local residents who began coming together in late 2024 to focus attention on the power of community service as a positive force for the future. The group held a special event in late March to raise awareness and financial support for the 13 local nonprofit organizations.
“All of the members of ELPIS who participated in the planning and hosting of the March event are beyond thrilled with the community’s response to the event. We all worked very hard in the hopes that the event would be a productive opportunity for the nonprofits to get their mission and their programs in front of the community – and to meet community members who may want to contribute financially to their work, or volunteer for their programs. It seems like all of the above happened. Our community stepped up in a big way,” Jennifer Kirkland of ELPIS said.
Contributions may be made payable to the Community Foundation and delivered to P.O. Box 815, Staunton, VA 24401 or offered online.
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Rebecca Barnabi
