Community Foundation For Rockbridge, Bath & Alleghany Holds Annual Dinner
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Lexington, VA (Nov. 16, 2022) - The Community Foundation for Rockbridge, Bath and Alleghany hosted its annual reception at the Virginia Horse Center Appomattox Mezzanine. The event was attended by over 185 guests which included Community Leaders, Not for Profit Leaders, Donors and Philanthropic Citizens.
In her opening speech Lori Turner, Executive Director, explained “Tonight we are celebrating philanthropy – your philanthropy individually and our foundation’s philanthropy collectively. Through your generosity, we can improve the quality of lives of Rockbridge, Bath and Alleghany Counties not only today, but far into the future. We hope that tonight’s reception will give you a sense of the accomplishments made possible by our donors who believe in our mission.”
The Community Foundation for Rockbridge, Bath and Alleghany has quickly grown to nearly $7 million dollars, managing over 80 endowment funds. The annual reception highlighted how they were able to distribute over $380,000 to ninety four area not for profit organizations from these endowments.
“During this pandemic, we worked hard to find safe ways to accomplish our mission. We did not allow the COVID19 pandemic to delay us getting much needed funding into the hands of the agencies we serve. However, it is nice to be back here tonight hosting an in person event with all of you. We appreciate your hard work as not for profit leaders who are meeting the critical needs in the community,” said Buddy Bryan, Chairman of the CFRBA Board.
Agencies who received Community Foundation annual grants included: Alleghany Highlands Community Services, ARC of Rockbridge, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Blue Ridge CASA, Blue Ridge Legal Services, Boxerwood Education Association, Boys Home of Virginia, Boy Scouts of America, Brownsburg Community Association, Buena Vista Arts Council, Buena Vista City Schools, Campus Kitchen at Washington and Lee CARE Rockbridge, CarePortal for Foster Children, Concerned Citizens of Glasgow Covington Special Olympics, Effinger Fire Department, English Speaking Union, Friends of Chessie Trail, Friends of Greenwood Cemetery, Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline, Glasgow Fire Department, Glasgow Natural Bridge Food, Bank Glasgow Public Library, Glasgow Rescue Squad, Grace Episcopal Church, Greater Rockbridge Skateboarder Coalition, Half - Halt Equine, Helping Other People Excel, Inc., Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center, Hulls Drive In Hulls Angels, Jaclyn’s Hope, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Kerr’s Creek Fire Department, League for Animal Protection, Lexington City Schools, Lexington Police Foundation, Lexington Sunrise Rotary Club Foundation, Lexington Woman’s Club, Lexington-Rockbridge Juneteenth, Lylburn Downing Middle School, Main Street Lexington, Maury River Senior Center, Meals on Wheels, Nature Camp Foundation, Parry McCluer Middle School, Project Horizon, Rockbridge Area Conservation Council, Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity, Rockbridge Area Health Center, Rockbridge Area Hospice, Rockbridge Area Relief Association, Rockbridge Area SPCA, Rockbridge Area Transportation System, Rockbridge Area YMCA Rockbridge Care Box Program, Rockbridge Christmas Baskets, Rockbridge Historical Society, Rockbridge NAACP, Rockbridge Regional Library, Rockbridge Retreat Project, S.T.E.P.S at Grace Episcopal Church, Safehome Systems, Inc., Samuel’s Supper, Shenandoah Ballet, St Luke’s Church Outreach Program, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Glasgow, The Blue Ridge Mile (BRM), The Community Closet, The Community Table for Rockbridge, The Walker Entrepreneurship Program, United Way of Rockbridge, Valley Program for Aging Services, Virginia Horse Center Foundation and Yellow Brick Road Learning Center
Also awarded this year were scholarships from the Community Foundation which included: Camp Mont Shenandoah Spirit Scholarship, Edward F. Turner Scholarship, Charles L. Lauck Scholarship, Lexington High School Alumni Scholarship, Nature Camp Scholarship, Jacqueline Corbin Pleasants Scholarship, George C. Marshal Chapter of MOAA Scholarship and the Covington Woman’s Club of GFWC Scholarship.
“We have grown from $800,000 to almost $7 million dollars. Our prudent investment policies are aimed at preserving and growing the principal while still allowing impactful payouts each year. Our first awards were given to 4 agencies and tonight we are supporting over 90 agencies,” said Steve Grist, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.
The Community Foundation for Rockbridge, Bath and Alleghany grants help not for profits to sustain and expand their valued work in the community. At the onset of the COVID outbreak, CFRBA adjusted its grant-making process and priorities, responding to new challenges and increased needs to keep our community strong and safe. During racial tensions, CFRBA became the fiscal sponsor for the Harry and Eliza Walker Entrepreneurship Program, which has allowed 16 new black owned businesses to start up in our area. “Being a good community partner is a critical component of CFRBA. We are honored to be a vehicle for important and impactful projects which make a difference in the lives of so many,” said Turner.
Woody Sadler, and his wife Lori were selected as donor advised fund speakers for this year’s event, Woody stated, “As donors, we appreciate the flexibility of the Community Foundation which allows us to choose where our money goes each year, while it grows in perpetuity and makes the biggest impact possible in the community.”
Event Sponsors included CornerStone Bank, the Virginia Horse Center and Full Circle Catering- Jenny Elmes.
For more information on the CFRBA can be found at their website (cfrba.org) or by calling their office at 540-463-0943 and speaking with Lori Turner, Executive Director lori.turner@cfrba.org. |  | Thomas Gosse, Board Treasurer presents Tuck Bowerfind (Grace Episcopal Church) with his grant awards.
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|  | Steve Grist, Board Vice Chairman welcomes guests to the event
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|  | Board Member, Greg Madsen congratulates Carol Branscome of Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center on her grant awards
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