The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge awarded $571,083 in 2025 Community Grants to 143 local nonprofit organizations.
The Community Foundation, community members and representatives from the grant recipients celebrated at Wintergreen Wednesday afternoon with a ceremony and reception and a few words from speakers.
Community Foundation Director of Nonprofit Relations Lora Hamp said the organization looks forward to the annual ceremony “because it is a celebration of you.”
“And, we are so grateful for the vital work that you are doing in our communities, and, really, the ways you are enriching quality of life for those who live here,” Hamp said.
Organizations were awarded in 10 service areas: Nurturing Educational Opportunities, Supporting Our Neighbors in Crisis, Supporting Health Care and Mental Health Services, Taking Care of Our Neighbors with Special Needs, Cultivating Our Sense of Place, Investing in Enrichment Opportunities, Supporting the Arts, Developing Life Skills for Better Outcomes, Taking Care of our Animals and Providing Access to Basic Necessities and Healthy Living.
Among the recipients were On the Road Collaborative, Project GROWS, Valley Career and Technical Center, Blue Ridge CASA for Children, Foster Love Ministries, Magnolia Rose, New Directions Center, Valley Children’s Advocacy Center, Valley Mission, Waynesboro First Aid Crew, the ARROW Project, Augusta Health Foundation, The Arc of Augusta, Creative Works Farm: Camp LIGHT, DePaul Community Resources, Talking Book Center, Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind Foundation, the Arcadia Project, Historic Staunton Foundation, Jones Gardens, Blue Ridge Children’s Museum, the Cinderella Project of the Shenandoah Valley, American Shakespeare Center, Caravanserai Music, Silver Line Theatre Exchange, Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra, Love Forward Foundation, Love No Ego Foundation, Shenandoah Valley LGBTQ Center, Cat’s Cradle, Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue, The Mosby Foundation, the Wildlife Center of Virginia, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Disciples Kitchen, Martha’s Meals on Wheels, The Neighbor Bridge, Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry.
“Our community is so strong because of organizations like yours. Groups that will give help to families in need, who are opening doors for children, who are observing and protecting our environment, our animals, and who make sure that every individual has an opportunity to thrive. Your work addresses the urgent needs of today but it’s also addressing the long-term goals of tomorrow,” Hamp said.
The grant recipients for 2025 also do their work with “compassion, with resilience and steadfast commitment” despite barriers and challenges. Wednesday’s celebration was not just a celebration of the grant funding awarded but of “the spirit with which you serve, your leadership, your creativity, your unwavering dedication are what make this community a place of hope, opportunity and love.”
A committee of 24 individuals made grant award decisions in eight weeks, for one-year, three-year and five-year grant opportunities. Since 1992, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $21.5 million in grant funding into the local community.
Salute of Virginia was founded in 2023 as a resource for veterans all over the Commonwealth.
“We support our veterans, our service members and their families, helping them get connected, helping them find a place where there are like-minded people in an organization,” said Founder and President Leah Hale. “So, we’re kind of like a community center for our veteran and service member network.”
Salute received grant funding for three years from the J.B. “Gus” Stombock Family Fund. The funding will enable Salute, which is based in Waynesboro, to provide peer groups and a weekly home-cooked brunch for veterans. Peer groups are support groups for veterans and they meet in Harrisonburg, Broadway, Lexington, Fishersville and Waynesboro.
“It will help us continue to function and be able to support our veterans in however, whatever way they may need,” Hale said.
The grant will also help Salute start new programs, such as monthly movie nights.
Donations to Salute are always welcome online, and veterans are welcome to visit during any activity that interests them. Registration is not required.
According to Debra Freeman, CEO/Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County, the Community Foundation grant and charitable contributions from the community will enable the organization to sustain a sliding fee scale so families have to pay only a small portion of the true cost.
“Without this kind of funding, many children would lose access to programs that help them stay safe, succeed in school and build a strong foundation for life. Support like this is essential. It is what makes our mission possible,” Freeman said.
Related story:
Staunton couple establishes fund for veterans with Community Foundation
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Rebecca Barnabi
