DANVILLE, VA --The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region highlighted its continued growth at its Appreciation Luncheon held Thursday, November 9, 2017 at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.
Debra Dodson, Executive Director, stated, “In this season of thanksgiving, we are so thankful for our more than 4,000 donors that have built a thriving community foundation for our region.”
Since 1996—The Community Foundation has received $11.8 million in bequests and awarded $19.5 million in grants and $2.2 million in scholarships to more than 1,000 students!
2017 Highlights
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Receiving gifts of $1,703,760 from hundreds of donors.
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Awarding 82 student scholarships of more than $154,000.
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Awarding grants of $1,313,857 to 186 organizations.
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Continuing to build the Fund for Halifax County.
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Convening a quarterly Funders Forum
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Continuing to sell more than 6,400 engraved bricks for the local Veterans Memorial.
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Receiving donations on behalf of the new Pittsylvania Animal Shelter – now called the Pittsylvania Pet Center
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Hosting regional 20th Anniversary Luncheons, with surprise grants to area libraries for their summer reading programs.
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Adding six New Funds in 2017
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Agency Emergency Fund
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North Main Baptist Church Scholarship Fund
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Community Impact Fund
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Wayne and Nancy Oakes Fund
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Lawrence R. Dabbs Scholarship Fund
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Laurie S. Moran Rotary Fund
The Foundation awarded four summer reading grants of $3,000 to area libraries as part of their 20th anniversary celebration. Rhonda Griffin with the Gunn Memorial Library in Caswell County shared how the small grant made a large impact.
A special video also recognized the 10th anniversary of the opening of our local Veterans Memorial. This effort was a very successful three-legged partnership - With the City of Danville donating the use of property in Dan Daniel Park and overseeing construction, then the local veterans carefully guiding the design and integrity of the Memorial and finally The Community Foundation serving as a fiscal agent that would sell engraved bricks and accept donations that would ultimately build a debt-free memorial. Donations are now being accepted for the endowment which helps to maintain and improve the Memorial.
The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve and enrich the lives of people in our community by encouraging the generosity of donors. Donors may establish their own endowment fund to support particular areas of interest or may make unrestricted gifts to any existing fund.
For more information, contact the Community Foundation at 541 Loyal Street, Danville, VA 24541, (434) 793-0884 or visit their web site www.cfdrr.org.