Economic Prosperity

Mathews Community Foundation supports programs designed to increase economic prosperity in our area, including safe and affordable housing, effective workforce development and financial literacy programs. Underscoring the importance of these services is the cycle of poverty that impacts pockets of our region.

Our priority is to support systems and initiatives that empower individuals and families to secure stable housing, build skills and seek resources that help them achieve good health, successful educational outcomes and economic potential.

Our goals:

• Residents have opportunities to access and maintain safe and affordable housing in thriving, sustainable communities.
• Residents are able to build the knowledge, skills and resources they need to attain financial independence and pursue career opportunities.

Recent Grants

Total Amount Awarded: $36,500.00

Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society – to support the Pet Pantry through the purchase of pet food for distribution to registered clients experiencing financial difficulties, keeping pets in their homes, and diverting shelter intake.

Helping the Homeless Ministry – to support the intent to include Mathews County residents in efforts of Driving Out Hunger through the mobile Food Bus ministry.

Mathews County Visitor & Information Center – to support a new interior display project, where the environmental, cultural, and economic assets of Mathews will be exhibited to enhance the visitor experience and support our local tourism economy.

Mathews Department of Social Services – to support citizens ages 18-64 who have a basic reasonable need and Mathews Social Services is unable to assist due to the person not meeting the criteria of state programs or grants.

Mathews Department of Social Services – to support families with children who are in poverty or struggling with a basic reasonable need and Mathews Social Services is unable to assist due to the family not meeting the criteria of state programs or grants.

Mathews Department of Social Services – to support the grandparents raising grandchildren or other relatives raising related children by assisting them through crisis assistance such as rent, mortgage, power, childcare, or another request.

Mathews Department of Social Services – to support a two-day poverty summit for Mathews County that includes a one-day Bridges Out of Poverty training, as well as a second day to focus on Solutions to Poverty workshop in Mathews.

The Salvation Army, Gloucester Center – to provide emergency assistance with utilities, rent/mortgage, and food packages to Mathews County residents that are low-income individuals and families and/or those facing a temporary crisis.

VersAbility Resources – to support day programs, training, and skill building for Mathews County residents with disabilities through VersAbility’s Lewis B. Puller Center.