G. Brooks Powell, Jr. Police Community Engagement Fund Established with Community Foundation

DANVILLE, VA- The G. Brooks Powell, Jr. Police Engagement Fund is being established with The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region through a generous donation by Kickback Jack’s Restaurant.

The Fund is in memory of G. Brooks Powell, Jr.’s lifetime support of the police department and will accept gifts to support the community and youth engagement programs of the Danville, VA Police Department.

“The Danville Police Department greatly appreciates this generous gesture by Kickback Jacks and is pleased to partner with The Community Foundation to strengthen our community and youth engagement programs,” said Danville Police Chief Scott Booth.

“We are excited to help build this fund on behalf of the Danville Police Department,” said Debra L. Dodson, Executive Director of The Community Foundation. “We hope other businesses, organizations and individuals will donate to this important cause.”

Anyone who wishes to help build the G. Brooks Powell, Jr. Police Community Engagement Fund can also support the Fund by sending donations to The Community Foundation, c/o the Police Engagement Fund, 541 Loyal Street, Danville, VA  24541.

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is an independent, public charity established in September 1996 by a steering committee of local civic leaders to gather permanent funds to support our area. The Community Foundation holds assets of $37 million and has awarded more than $22 million in grants and scholarships.

While the Foundation works with donors to establish funds to benefit any geographic area, our primary service area is Danville/Pittsylvania County, Virginia and Caswell County, North Carolina. Donations are also being sought to build up resources for South Boston/Halifax County, with consideration being given to other neighboring counties.

For more information on the Caswell Family Medical Center Endowment Fund or The Community Foundation, contact the Foundation office at 434-793-0884 or visit its web site www.cfdrr.org

Community Foundation Showcases Continued Growth

DANVILLE, VA –The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region highlighted its continued growth at its Appreciation Luncheon held Thursday, November 8, 2018 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 $12.2 million in bequests and awarded $20.2 million in grants and $2.5 million in scholarships to more than 1,100 students!

2017 Highlights
a) Receiving gifts of $2,686,514 from hundreds of donors
b) Awarding 100 student scholarships of more than $196,000
c) Awarding 194 grants of $1,010,003 to area organizations
d) Continuing to build the Fund for Halifax County
e) Convening a quarterly Funders Forum
f) Helping to support the opening of the Pittsylvania Pet Center
g) Hosting continuing education for area professional advisors
h) Adding 13 New Funds since July 1, 2017
• Robert R. Blackwell and Virginia M. Blackwell Scholarship
• Caswell Family Medical Center Endowment Fund
• Fairview United Methodist Church Scholarship
• Jack W. Hall Memorial Fund
• Hart Street Fund
• Ruby Sartin Hovatter Scholarship
• Helen and Webb Maddux Fund
• Doug Massey Fund
• Laurie S. Moran Rotary Service Fund
• Riverview Rotary Endowment Fund
• Tony and Steve Smith Blanch Baptist Church Cemetery Fund
• Stratford House Fund
• Tunstall Academic Boosters Club Scholarship

Scholarship donors, Gail and Walter Gunn, spoke about what inspired them to create the Gail and Walter Gunn Scholarship in 2015. This scholarship is for local African American students with a preference for those studying business or with an entrepreneurial interest. Thus far, the Gail and Walter Gunn Scholarship has awarded three scholarships to students attending University of Pennsylvania, Guilford College and Averett University.

Pat Daniel, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters, spoke about the impact Community Foundation grants have made on Big Brothers Big Sisters. 2006 was the first year The Community Foundation awarded Big Brothers Big Sisters a grant, which was to support programming on sexual abuse prevention and awareness as well as anger management. Since then, Big Brothers Big Sisters has received more than 10 grants totaling $125,550.

A special video recognized two scholarship recipients, Danielle Jeffers and Brent Jones, who spoke briefly about how the scholarships they have received over the past years allowed them to attend the university of their choice. Without the help of the Roy L. and Mary G. Doss Scholarship and the Steven Bruce Daniels, Jr. Scholarship, both of which are renewable for four years, Danielle and Brent may not have been able to pursue their dreams of furthering their education.

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.

Executive Director Position Announcement

We are no longer accepting applications for this position

Principle responsibilities will include:

  • Expand the financial base for the Foundation, pursuing philanthropic funding sources and other creative sources of revenue for the organization, including community fundraising projects, as approved or recommended by the Board.
  • Oversee the successful implementation of the organization’s philanthropic and marketing strategies, enabling the Foundation to grow its asset base as established in the long-range strategic plan.
  • Position the Foundation as a leader in gathering financial resources through relationships with the community, business and public-sector leaders in the region in order to support the goals of the Foundation.
  • Serve as the Foundation’s liaison to donors, prospective donors and the community.
  • Manage the daily operations and provides guidance to Foundation staff members.

Our Executive Director must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, at least five years’ experience in a business environment, and a high level of efficiency with technology including the use of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Experience with a foundation, the not-for-profit sector, legal practices, and financial processes would be beneficial.

Our next Executive Director must possess:

  • The capacity to raise funds and secure investments from individuals, businesses, private foundations and other potential contributors.
  • Skill in effective written and oral communication and the capacity to engage in genuine conversations with a diverse group of individuals.
  • Strong administrative, management and organizational skills.
  • The ability to provide engaging public presentations regarding the Foundation and our mission.
  • A passion for and dedication to the communities served by the Foundation.

Once hired, the Executive Director will be required to reside within our region of service, which includes the City of Danville and the Counties of Pittsylvania, Halifax and Caswell North Carolina.

Interested applicants may send their confidential resume by December 14 to:
The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region
Attention Search Committee
P.O. Box 1039
Danville, Virginia 24543
cfdrrsearchcommittee@gmail.com