Month: August 2025

We have had a busy summer!

The Community Foundation awarded 165 scholarships to 152 students from Danville, Pittsylvania County, Halifax County and Caswell County, NC for a total of $369,584.

In addition, donor advised, designated and field of interest funds awarded grants to 20 different organizations in the Dan River Region for a total of $195,300. These grants offer direct support in the areas of animal services, arts & culture, community development, health & wellness, education & youth and human services.

The Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is pleased to welcome five new members as of July 1. The new members, who will serve for three years, are Jeff Bond of Danville, owner of Solex Architecture; Anne Foster of Danville, retired school counselor; Paul Fox of Providence, NC, retired dean of arts and sciences and business as well as a former professor of chemistry at Danville Community College; Lisa Francisco of South Boston, attorney and co-owner of Factory Street Brewing; and Debra Hairston of Danville, manager with the Urban Redevelopment Authority in Durham.

“Every year, we are fortunate that citizens of the Dan River Region join our board of directors to contribute their time and skills to ensure the continued success of the organization,” said Vince Kania, Jr., this year’s president of the board. “Working together with our staff, donors, and beneficiaries, we continue to build upon the legacy of stewardship that started nearly 30 years ago.”

In addition to welcoming new board members, four members renewed their terms for another three years. These members include Tiffany Hairston, Jennifer Hiltwine, Lisa Johnson-Knight and Kunal Patel, secretary.

The remaining 2025-2026 board members are Steve Bass, past-president; Richard Dixon, vice president; Sheila Williamson-Branch, treasurer; Daniel Angell, Kerri Burchett, Helm Dobbins, Elizabeth Hurt, Danielle Montague, Cathy Pulliam, William Riddle, Nina Beth Thornton, Jerry Williams, Jr. and Becky Yeatts.

The Foundation makes it easy for donors to support what they are passionate about in the Dan River Region and beyond. Donors may choose to create a Field of Interest fund, which awards grants targeted to a particular cause or purpose. This type of fund is targeted to your selected focus area, such as the arts, the environment or health and wellness. Or, if you prefer, you can target a more specific interest, such as children with cancer as well as a specific geographic area, such as a county. A Field of Interest fund is a uniquely personal giving option that brings you right to the heart of an issue that moves you. By establishing a Field of Interest fund with The Foundation you can be assured of having an impact on that issue forever. Currently, the Community Foundation has 27 Field of Interest funds. Examples of these types of funds are: The Arts & Cultural Fund – grants to promote the arts and culture of the arts in the Dan River Region The W. Earl and Elise M.G. Allen Fund – grants to benefit the town of Chatham and Pittsylvania County The Jack W. Hall Memorial Fund – grants provide medication and other necessary assistance to people suffering from chronic kidney and renal diseases and disorders If you are interested in learning more about starting a Field of Interest fund don’t hesitate to reach out to our staff at 434-793-0884 or email info@cfdrr.org for more information. If you wish to make a gift to one that has already been established, please visit our website and then click Giving, Funds and Our Funds to learn about each area of interest.