Grants Announced

On August 29, 2005 the Board of Trustees of the Williamsburg Community Trust presented grants totaling $7,350 to eight nonprofit organizations during a grant award ceremony.  The meeting was also an opportunity for the group to celebrate toping $1 million in giving to greater Williamsburg over its six year history. 

Each year the Trust distributes a percentage of its permanent endowment to be awarded as grants to nonprofit organizations in our community.  As the Trust’s permanent endowment grows through its investments and gifts from individuals and businesses, so will its ability to fund new and innovative local programs.  The Trust also makes grants from donor-advised funds through recommendations by the funds’ donors.  The combination of unrestricted and advised fund giving through the Trust to date totals $1,066,439. 

In this round, the Trust’s distribution committee reviewed thirteen applications from worthy nonprofit organizations in greater Williamsburg.  This round of grants highlights the breadth of Trust’s grantmaking.  The grants fall into the categories of animal welfare, arts, civic leadership, education and human service.  

$1,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Williamsburg (BBBS) -- to help support the expansion of the High School “Bigs” Program.

$1,000 to Colonial Community Services Board / People’s Place-- to help support the re-integration of adult Williamsburg area residents with serious mental illness by providing opportunities to socialize, access community facilities, and establish and run a small in-house business.

$1,000 to Community Leadership Services (Williamsburg Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation) to establish a leadership training program for older members of the community.

$1,000 to Heritage Humane Society Inc. to help purchase medical equipment for a Spay / Neuter Clinic.

$1,000 to James City County Police Department to upgrade the simple first aid kits supplied to each officer to a Dyna Med 3-in-1 Deluxe First Aid Kits.

$1,050 to John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library at Colonial Williamsburg to provide travel expenses to a visiting researcher researching a first book or article on Virginia history.  $350 will be awarded each year for three years.  (From the Parke S. Rouse Jr. Memorial Fund)

$1,000 to Williamsburg Symphonia Orchestra to support its Young People’s concerts provided yearly to over 2,000 Williamsburg / James City / York county children.

$1,000 to Williamsburg Youth Orchestras to help support the WYO’s four different performing groups and summer camp.