Washington and Lee Announces March Community Grants Washington and Lee University’s Community Grants Committee has made 12 grants totaling $37,000 to nonprofit organizations in Lexington and Rockbridge County.
Washington and Lee University’s Community Grants Committee has made 12 grants totaling $37,000 to nonprofit organizations in Lexington and Rockbridge County. This is the committee’s second round of grants for 2020-2021.
The committee chose the grants from 14 proposals requesting over $88,000. W&L awarded grants to the following organizations:
- Balloons Over Rockbridge: Support for stage, lights, sound system and musical talent for the proposed July Hot Air Balloon Festival;
- Blue Ridge CASA for Children: Support for CASA’s advocate manager position;
- Community Table: Funds to assist with meals, supplies and administrative costs;
- Hoofbeats: Purchase and install a hot-water heater and a small refrigerator-freezer;
- Lime Kiln Theater: Funds to assist with start-up costs for the 2021 season;
- Parry McCluer High School Library: Funds for digital equipment for library use;
- Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity: Roof repairs;
- Rockbridge Area Health Center: Funding to assist RAHC with its nutritional education program;
- Rockbridge Area Relief Association: Funding to assist with utility costs for needy families;
- Rockbridge Area Transportation System: Financial assistance to assist with the purchase of a new minivan;
- Rockbridge Christmas Baskets: Funds to assist with their food purchasing program;
- Walker Entrepreneurship Program: Funding to support a low-interest loan program for minority-owned businesses.
Established in 2008, W&L’s Community Grants Committee evaluates requests for financial donations and support from Lexington and Rockbridge County. While the university has long provided financial and other assistance to worthwhile projects and organizations in the community on a case-by-case basis, the Community Grants Program formalizes W&L’s role in supporting regional organizations and activities through accessible grant-making. During its 2020-21 cycle, the committee has awarded $60,000.
Proposals may be submitted at any time, but they are reviewed semiannually, at the end of the calendar year and at the end of the fiscal year. The submission deadline for the two rounds of evaluations for 2021-22 will be in the late fall and early spring. Interested parties may download the proposal guidelines at http://go.wlu.edu/communitygrants.
Proposals should be submitted as electronic attachments (Word or PDF) via e-mail to kbrinkley@wlu.edu. Please call 540-458-8417 with questions. If an electronic submission is not possible, materials may be faxed to 540-458-8745 or mailed to Washington and Lee University Community Grants Committee, Attn: James D. Farrar Jr., Office of the Secretary, 204 W. Washington St., Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA 24450.
