Northern Pittsylvania County has received more than $170,000 in grants and scholarships from The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region since it began in 1996. An additional $820,000 has been awarded to Chatham area and general Pittsylvania County organizations. The complete listing of grants was shared at a June 23 luncheon for Northern Pittsylvania County supporters, grant recipients and potential donors at Mama Rosa’s restaurant. Information was also shared about the online grant cycle for nonprofit organizations with an August 3, 2015 deadline.

Northern Pittsylvania County supporters, grant recipients and potential donors at Mama Rosa’s restaurant for The Community Foundation Luncheon on June 23rd.

Pittsylvania County donors have also established 10 endowment funds within The Community Foundation, including:

• W. Earl and Elise M.G. Allen Fund (1998)
• Margaret Spruce Floyd Scholarship (2003)
• Ray M. Harris Scholarship (2004)
• John L. Hurt Scholarship (2003)
• Larry Donald Huskey Fund (2009)
• Herman and Helen Melton Historical Fund (2003)
• Audrey Millner Fund (2000)
• Pittsylvania County Animal Shelter Fund (2008)
• Richard Ramsey Scholarship (2010)
• Florence P. Wagner and Jennie Lee Wagner Scholarship (2008)

Fourteen Pittsylvania County citizens have served on The Community Foundation Board, including currently serving members Angeles Atkinson, Brenda Blair, Rev. Ed Pope, Paul Thompson and Lewis Wall. Four Pittsylvania County Board members have served as past presidents – Ben Davenport, H.F. Haymore, John “Eddie” Herndon, Jr., and H. Victor Millner, Jr. Additional Pittsylvania County residents who have served on the foundation Board include E. B. Fitzgerald, III, Donald Merricks, Audrey Millner, Robert W. Scearce, Jr. and Vaden Wright.

“All of Pittsylvania County has been a part of our core service area since The Community Foundation began,” said Debra L. Dodson, Executive Director. Donors, organizations or businesses may start their own endowment funds for as little as $10,000 and scholarships for $25,000. Once a fund is established anyone can make designated gifts to that fund.

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 of the Dan River Region is a public charity with total assets exceeding $29 million.

While the Foundation works with donors with local ties to establish funds to benefit any geographic area, their 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.

Community agencies can now submit grant applications online. The deadline is August 3, 2015. The next scholarship application cycle will begin January 1, 2016 and will be available online. For more information, contact the Foundation office at 434-793-0884.