Community Foundation Distributes Funding $260,000 In Grants Awarded   Lexington, VA (Oct. 26, 2020) - The Community Foundation for Rockbridge, Bath and Alleghany was asked by Rockbridge County, City of Lexington and the City of Buena Vista to administer the distribution of grants to not for profit agencies adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding for the grants came to the localities from the federal government via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress in March. CFRBA was able to award over $260,000 in grants for this purpose. “Local needs have multiplied in terms of both magnitude and complexity,” Lori Turner Executive Director of the Community Foundation. “This partnership with our local community leaders allowed CFRBA to leverage the funds and direct the CARES funding resources where they were needed the most” The application process was open to any nonprofit in each locality who met the CARES criteria set by the federal government. The fund distribution supported agencies and their ongoing needs during the COVID 19 pandemic. The CFRBA grants committee adopted priorities around essential services needed while taking into consideration previous funding which had been provided to each agency. CFRBA was able to fund twenty-two different entities through this effort. Everyone who applied with CARES eligible needs received at least partial funding, while some needs were able to be fully funded. The number of individuals served from each locality was considered for the distribution model, as many agencies served all three areas. Agencies who received CARE funding included: Boxerwood Education Association. Buena Vista City Schools, Campus Kitchen at Washington & Lee, Christmas Baskets, First Baptist Church of Lexington, Friends of Natural Bridge State Park, Friends of Rockbridge Swimming, Hulls Angels, Project Horizon, Rockbridge Area Health Center, Rockbridge Area Hospice, Rockbridge Area Relief Association, Rockbridge Area Transportation System, Rockbridge Area YMCA, Rockbridge Ballet, Rockbridge Choral Society, Rockbridge Habitat for Humanity, Rockbridge Historical Society, The American Legion of Buena Vista, The Community Table for Rockbridge, Valley Program for Aging Services and Yellow Brick Road Learning Center. The CARES funding supplemented CFRBA’s internal efforts earlier in the summer with the COVID19 Relief Fund which distributed over $102,000 on a rolling model in three rounds to not for profits and local businesses. “Donors in our community made the fund possible due to their devotion to the concern for others, which they continue to demonstrated throughout this pandemic. Because of their support, many have been able to survive hardship during the COVID19 crisis. These funds have been critical to sustaining our communities”, said Turner. Agencies who received COVID19 Relief Funds included: Blue Ridge Legal Services, Boxerwood Education Association, Campus Kitchen at Washington & Lee, CASA for Children, City of Buena Vista ED Authority, County of Rockbridge ED Authority, Main Street Lexington, Project Horizon, Rockbridge Area Conservation Council, Rockbridge Area Relief Association, Rockbridge Area Transportation System, Rockbridge Area YMCA, Rockbridge Habitat for Humanity, Rockbridge Area SPCA, Talking Book Center, The Community Table, Valley Program for Aging Services and Yellow Brick Road Learning Center. The CFRBA COVID19 Relief Fund continues to accept donations and currently has almost $15,000 for emergency applications to be considered, as the pandemic continue to affect our area. “While we hope the worst of this is behind us, we stay prepared for what may be ahead. The emergency funds will help us to continue to make a difference as more needs emerge”, said Turner. The Community Foundation has worked hard and did their best to play and important role in these difficult times and be a key component in making a difference for the lives of many. They are thankful for a coalition of partnerships created within the communities served which included Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors, Lexington and Buena Vista City Council and City Managers, the City of Buena Vista Economic Development Authority, Rockbridge County Economic Development Authority, Main Street Lexington, United Way of Rockbridge, and the Rockbridge Area Chamber of Commerce. These partners played a critical role in helping CFRBA understand specific issues faced by residents. Additionally, the partnerships worked with CFRBA to complement rather than duplicate efforts. The CFRBA Board of Directors is deeply appreciative of all the donors who believed in their mission and made COVID19 relief funding possible. Because of their generosity, combined with the CARES funding provided by our localities CFRBA has been able to distribute $363,000 during the COVID19 pandemic. “We are our very best when we work together with the needs of others in mind”, said Turner. “The COVID19 pandemic has been a perfect example of how much we can all accomplish together.” CFRBA will now begin distributing annual community grants from nearly $6M in endowments within the foundation. By the end of 2020, an additional $219,000 in grants and scholarships will be awarded from donor advised funds, unrestricted funds and agency funds they manage. Due to the COVID19 pandemic, an in-person reception will not be held. CFRBA is working on a virtual check distribution and reception this year, which will be presented at the end of November.

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