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• Mathews Community Foundation Awards Nearly $85,000

  

  Mathews Community Foundation Awards Nearly $85,000

  The Mathews Foundation has announced grant recipients for its Spring 2016 funding cycle. These grants were made with the following goals in mind — our community offers a path to economic prosperity; it is a place where young people experience educational success; a community that prioritizes health and wellness; and a region that is renowned for its cultural vibrancy.

  
   
  2016 Grantees

  The Mathews Community Foundation (MCF) Grantee Reception was held on Wednesday, May 25.  Reed Lawson, MCF chair, began the awards by thanking those present: donors, non-profit organizations and business partners, all of whom work together to improve the quality of life in Mathews.  It was noted that $84,500 in grants would be awarded during the afternoon reception.

  Following Reed’s introduction, the  grant awards began.  Charlotte Martin, head of the Grants Committee, explained that grants were awarded in four main areas:  health and wellness, educational success, cultural vibrancy and economic prosperity.  

  Nearly 50% of grants in 2016 focused on health and wellness.  Grants were awarded to the Alzheimer’s Association, Bay Aging, Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic, Hands Across Mathews, Mathews County TRIAD, Mathews Family YMCA, Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, and Partners for Mathews Students.

  Educational success awards focused on helping children achieve and learn.  Grants included support for Jacob’s Ladder, Mathews Boys & Girls Club, and Mathews County 4-H.  Grants awarded to Mathews County Public Schools included support for the Junior Beta Club, Parent Resource Center, Mathews High School Robotics Team, Nature Camp, and partnership with the Mathews Continentals Society. 

  Cultural vibrancy grants focused on the arts.  Recipients included Bay School Community Arts Center, Concerts by the Bay, The Court House Players, and The Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

  Economic prosperity grants centered on economic and environmental programs.  Grants were awarded to VersAbility Resources, Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory and Friends of the Tiger Beetle and Chesapeake Bay Habitat Foundation.

  “Established in 1999, Mathews Community Foundation has grown to over $5.6 million in assets, ” stated Reed Lawson, MCF Advisory Board Chairman.  “We are grateful to the Mathews community for their generosity in support of their neighbors.”

   

  Learn about competitive grants

  
  

   

• MCF Awards $112,000 in 2017 Grants

  

  The Mathews Community Foundation awarded $112,942 in community grants to local nonprofits and organizations at its annual grants reception, which was held last Wednesday at Kingston Parish House. 

  “This event is the highlight of the foundation’s year. It is the opportunity to affirm our commitment to improve the quality of life for those living and working in Mathews,” board chair Reed Lawson said. 

  “Community grants are awarded to impactful programs and projects working toward collective goals MCF awards $112,000+ in 2017 grants around health and wellness, educational success, cultural vibrancy and economic prosperity,” said MCF Grants Committee chair Anne Leddy. “This year the foundation awarded 83 percent of total requests received, with threequarters of the funding from the Mathews Community Foundation Endowment. This fund has grown from the support of hundreds of county residents and provides flexibility in responding to changing and emerging needs,” said Leddy. 

  In the area of cultural vibrancy, grants focused on programs and projects that allow community members the access to and appreciation for arts and cultural opportunities, including arts education and historic/cultural preservation. Recipients included the Court House Players, Bayside Youth Ballet, The Fairfield Foundation, Bay School Community Arts Center, and Concerts by the Bay. 

  Economic prosperity grantmaking supports programs which sustain the region’s natural resources, and focus on ensuring all residents have the skills and resources to access career opportunities. Grantees included Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory and VersAbility Resources. 

  With focus on the youngest Mathews residents, Educational Success grants support programs that support students academically and socially throughout their educational experience, including both in- and out-of-school time. Grants were awarded to the Mathews Boys & Girls Club and Jacob’s Ladder, and to support the Mathews County Public Schools, including support for the Mathews Parent Resource Center, the Mathews High School Robotics Team, Nature Camp for Thomas Hunter Middle School students, the Mathews Continentals Society, MHS Marching Band, MHS Freshman Transition Fair, and expansion of MHS tech/training labs.  

  Over half of grantmaking in 2017 focused grants to organizations connecting residents with resources that meet their health, nutritional and safety needs. Grantees include the Alzheimer’s Association, Bay Aging, Gloucester-Mathews Care Clinic, Hands Across Mathews, Mathews County Triad, Mathews Department of Social Services, Mathews Family YMCA, Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, and Partners for Mathews Students.  

  Established in 1999, Mathews Community Foundation, an affiliate of The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia, ensures the legacy and charitable intent of its donors through a focused grantmaking process. 

   “The grants committee and advisory board members work diligently to align funds that contribute to community grantmaking with the goals of a program or project, while addressing the changing needs of our community. The foundation serves and inspires people to build philanthropy for our region and to engage in our community,” Lawson said. 

  If you are interested in learning more about establishing your charitable legacy or how to partner in community grantmaking, contact Regional Director Margaret Nost at 804-725-3454 or mnost@tcfrichmond.org. For questions about the community grantmaking program, contact Leslie Franklin, Regional Grants Management Officer, lfranklin@tcfrichmond.org.

  Learn about competitive grants

  
  

   

  

  Photo:  Mathews Community Foundation grantees of 2017 gathered for a photo at the conclusion of last week’s program. They are, front row from left, Bella Baucom, Lauren Quezada, Eric Pagan, Davis Dowdy, John Hamilton, Clifford Hamilton, Bill Higdon, and Bill Burry of MHS Robotics; second row, Aubrey Hall (Jacob’s Ladder), Judy Rowe (Bayside Youth Ballet), Kristina Watkins (MHS Band), Tiffany Gordon (Mathews DSS), Jean Duggan (Bay Aging), Wilnet Willis (Continentals Society), Sheila Pillath (Mathews Family YMCA), Ashley McCuistion (Fairfield Foundation), Dave Burns (Gloucester-Mathews Care Clinic), Jerry Twigg (VersAbility Resources), Chris Burry (MHS Robotics), Karen Hutchens (Court House Players); third row, Toni Childress (Mathews High School), Andy Hawkins (Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory), Christine Johnson (Mathews Family YMCA), Barbara Ettner (Mathews Parent Resource Center), Phyllis Hudgins and Jack Cranford (Mathews Triad), Helen Yacobucci (Partners for Mathews Students), Larry Brown (MHS Robotics); back row, Marilyn Tucker (Concerts by the Bay), Pam Doss (Bay School Community Art Center), Angela Sale (Mathews Boys & Girls Club) and Dan Hill (Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad). Also receiving grants but not pictured are Jerry Ligon (Thomas Hunter Middle School), Bill and Georgiana Simmons (Hands Across Mathews) and Ellie Galloway (Alzheimer’s Association). 

• Mathews Community Foundation Local Business Partners

  Business Partners 

  Every dollar you give to the Mathews Community Foundation is invested to help others.  Our operating costs are covered by contributions from our local Business Partners. When you patronize the businesses listed below, please thank them for their support of the Mathews Community Foundation.

   

  Ambrose Disposal Service, Inc.

  Beach Bum B-B-Q

  Bill & Cindy Barnett

  Bill Hudgins Automotive, Inc.

  Burton’s Waterfront/Bernadette LaCasse

  C. Ben Lennon DDS, Inc.

  Chesapeake Associates

  Chesapeake Bank and Chesapeake Wealth Management

  Chimney Corner Lawnmower, Inc.

  Dehnert, Clarke & Co., P.C.

  East River Marketing LLC

  Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home

  Gloucester-Mathews Gazette Journal

  Hudgins Design Collaborative

  JJM Associates/Lori M. Oliver

  Knight Funeral Home, Inc.

  M & M Building Supplies, Inc.

  Mathews Pharmacy

  McCoy Associates LLC

  Middle Peninsula Medical Center, Inc.

  Morgan & Edwards Real Estate, LLC

  Moughons, Inc.

  North Star Market

  Rappahannock Concrete Corporation

  Revere Gas, Inc.

  Richardson’s Cafe

  Sea Farms, Inc.

  State Farm Insurance Agency, Joshua D. Junker

  Swords Marine Service, LLC

  The Inn at Tabbs Creek

  Tom Hearn Auto Service

  Tri-River Investment Group of Davenport & Company LLC/Jay Black

  Vashti’s, Inc.

  Zimmerman Marine, Inc.

• Margaret Nost, Regional Affiliates Director, will retire January 31

  

  After nearly 20 years serving as Regional Affiliate Director, Margaret Nost has announced her plans to retire at the end of January. She first joined the staff of the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond in 2002 in a part-time role to shepherd the early growth and development of three regional affiliate foundations – the Gloucester Community Foundation, the Mathews Community Foundation, and the River Counties Community Foundation – established between 1996 and 2001 to serve five counties in the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. 

  With a background in banking and an inherent ability to connect with people, Margaret was the right fit from the start. Community foundations were flourishing in cities across the country at the time but were lesser known or understood in rural communities. Working closely with the volunteer boards, Margaret expanded outreach, built trust within the community, and championed the community foundation as a strategic partner that brings deep community knowledge and expertise to helping donors achieve their charitable goals and to community organizations seeking to fulfill their missions.

  Under Margaret’s leadership, the Gloucester, Mathews and River Counties Community Foundations now steward over 240 donor-established funds with assets totaling $56 million. This has translated into $23 million in cumulative grant support to a wide range of important community programs and initiatives in the arts, education, the environment, health care and so much more. This year marked a milestone as their respective community impact grant programs combined to award over $1 million for the first time.

  
  

  

  “Margaret is the face of the Community Foundation in Gloucester, Mathews, Lancaster, Middlesex and Northumberland Counties,” said Sherrie Armstrong, CEO of the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond, which provides financial and administrative support for the affiliate foundations. “We join these communities in honoring Margaret’s dedication to and vision for philanthropy in the region and her ability to build partnerships for the greater good. We are grateful for her leadership and enduring friendship and we wish her all the best for a happy, healthy and much deserved retirement.”

  Lincoln Boykin Named as Successor

  As the regional affiliates have experienced this explosive growth, the local staff team grew to include Regional Affiliates Officer, Lincoln Boykin, and Regional Administrative Associate, Ashleigh Elliott. At this important time of transition, the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond and its Affiliates are pleased to announce that Lincoln will move into the role of Director of Affiliate Foundations starting January 1. Since joining the team in February 2020, he has overseen community grantmaking and outreach to nonprofit and community partners across the five counties. He has proven to be a strategic fit for the role and has earned the approval of the Affiliate Foundation’s Board Chairs in moving to the Director position. Previously, Lincoln served as Associate Director of Philanthropy and Board Relations at American Rivers. 

  New Fund to Honor Margaret Nost, the "Heart of the Community"

  Margaret Nost has a heart of gold and, in many ways, she has been the heart of the communit(ies) she has served. In honor of her hard work, dedication to the mission, and compassion for others, the Community Foundation is establishing the Margaret Nost Heart of the Community Fund - an endowed fund that will be used to support annual grantmaking for all three affiliate community foundations. 
  
  If you wish to honor Margaret in this way, you may make an online contribution using the link below or make a grant recommendation from your donor advised fund.

  Donate Now

• Jonathan Putt added to Community Foundation Staff!

  February, 2022

  Jonathan Putt, a lifelong Mathews resident, has joined the affiliate
  foundations as Philanthropic Advisor. Putt previously served as Director of
  Operations for the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Neck since 2017. His
  work will include stewardship of current donors and outreach to prospective
  donors throughout the five counties.

• Impact on Hands Across Mathews

  The Advisory Board of the Mathews Community Foundation (MCF) is pleased to announce an additional grant to Hands Across Mathews (HAM) due to an immediate need. Mike Carone of HAM recently made us aware of a special need for funds due to an increasing demand on their food supplies. In some instances, the Food Bank cannot supply all of HAM’s needs which means they need to purchase additional food. This request certainly meets our mission of “Improving the Quality of Life for Those Living and Working in Mathews”. We also appreciate Mike’s comments about our work. He said, “HANDS recently celebrated its 35-year milestone, perhaps you saw the article in the Gazette a few weeks ago. No doubt the success of those years is directly related to the support of your group and for that we are ever grateful. We appreciate your thoughtful generosity. It is comforting to know that a local organization like MCF is willing to step up to provide assistance and help make a difference here in Mathews County“.

  If you would like to help HAM and other Mathews’ non-profit organizations, please consider a donation to the Mathews Community Foundation. Go to www.mathewscf.org or send a check to MCF, PO Box 1037, Mathews, VA 23109. Add on your notation line, HAM or Fund for Mathews.