Danville Regional Foundation's Grantee Calls for Grant Proposals
by July 13

June 30, 2010 - The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region, a grant recipient of the Danville Regional Foundation (DRF) is accepting proposals now until July 13 for its next round of grantmaking.

"We are accepting Preliminary Request applications from 501c3 charitable organizations," said Debra Dodson, Executive Director of the Community Foundation. "With the help of a generous gift of $250,000 from the Danville Regional Foundation, the Community Foundation will have more than $600,000 available for grants this year. Up to 50% of the Danville Regional Foundation funding will be earmarked for healthcare and human services."

Applications should include a brief overview of the proposed project. The Community Foundation's Distribution Committee will select organizations and ask them to submit full grant applications. Grants will be announced in mid-January.

During its 14 year history, the Community Foundation has awarded $8.5 million in discretionary grants to help regional organizations in the community.

DRF, a private, nonprofit foundation, awarded a $1.5 million, multi-year grant to the Community Foundation of Dan River Region in order to recognize and support a wide variety of community organizations. These funds are re-granted from the Community Foundation. For example, from 2008-2010, funds - in the form of smaller grants - were re-granted to assist 86 organizations, including 21 first responders.

The two foundations have different missions and purposes, according to Starling McKenzie, Senior Program Officer with DRF.

The Community Foundation's mission is "to improve and enrich area lives through the generosity of donors." The Foundation is a public charity established in September 1996 by a steering committee of civic leaders to meet a variety of social, educational, cultural and other charitable needs in Danville, Pittsylvania County, and the Martinsville-Henry/County to South Boston/Halifax County, Virginia, including the neighboring Caswell County, North Carolina.

DRF's mission states it "is a catalyst for innovation and an agent for transformation.

Understanding that significant community change takes time, the Foundation invests for the
long term in efforts that promise sustained positive impact for the Dan River region. The Foundation is committed to development, promotion, and support of activities, programs, and organizations that address the health, education, and well-being of the region's residents."

"The two types of Foundations are often confused," said Karl Stauber, CEO and President of DRF. "We are a philanthropic foundation. That is to say, our grants are designed to improve the systems that develop and fulfill individuals, families and communities. Philanthropy is related to, but distinct from charity. Charity focuses on reducing the impact of social issues, like poverty, rather than philanthropy which seeks to address causes."

Organizations interested in receiving more information should contact The Community Foundation office at 541 Loyal Street, P.O. Box 1039, Danville, VA 24543, 434-793-0884, fax 434-793-6489, or visit the website.

DRF focuses on transforming the regional economy and creating a prosperous culture to benefit all Dan River citizens. It does this by making long-term investments to improve education, economic vitality, community wellness, financial stability and civic capacity for citizens throughout the City of Danville, Virginia; Pittsylvania County, Virginia; and Caswell County, North Carolina. Since its establishment in 2005, DRF has invested more than $40 million through over 40 grants. DRF is committed to fostering collaboration, establishing partnerships and working across borders and with many types or organizations to rethink tomorrow and create solutions, positioning the Dan River Region as a place of opportunities. DRF encourages and supports new approaches, and believes that initiative and courage to view things from fresh and different perspectives enables everyone working "Together to Build a Brighter Future."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Debra L. Dodson
Executive Director
The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region
434-793-0884

Christina Motley
Director Marketing & Public Relations
The Danville Regional Foundation
434.799.2176 or 770-3523