Alleghany Foundation Awards Blueway Grant

Alleghany Foundation Grant award to the Alleghany Highlands Blueway
COVINGTON, Va. (May 18, 2012)

 The Alleghany Foundation announced today that it has awarded $1,160,732 in 12 grants to 10 area organizations for projects designed to enhance the quality of life for citizens of the Alleghany Highlands, bringing the total grants awarded to more than $37 million in the organization’s 16‐year history. “The focus areas identified a couple of years ago through the Foundation’s strategic planning process reflect opportunities with the greatest impact on quality of life in our region,” says Charlie Kahle, board president. 

“As a board, we strive to work with our community to develop ways to mark progress in these areas of focus: economic transformation, educational attainment, health and wellness, community capacity and leadership and civic vitality. We realize this can be difficult and challenging, and we appreciate the hard work of our applicants and community as we move forward together.” The largest total award was given to the Alleghany Highlands YMCA, which received $446,700 for three projects in the areas of health and wellness and leadership/civic vitality. The grants include the final payment to retire the debt of the organization as well as preschool initiatives and a leadership development program.    “Grant awards from The Alleghany Foundation demonstrate the community's commitment to the Alleghany Highlands YMCA's mission to develop healthy spirit, mind and body for all,” says Jennifer Unroe, chief executive officer, Alleghany Highlands YMCA. “These grants have been essential to advance the Y's focus in the areas of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for the well‐being of a healthy community.”

The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism received $275,000 over a three‐year period to develop the Alleghany Blueway Initiative, a travel and tourism marketing project that will highlight the region’s lakes, rivers and streams as destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Funding will allow the organization to promote efforts to enhance public access areas to the Jackson and Cowpasture Rivers.  Enhancements to public access points will begin later this year through funding provided by a grant from Secure Rural Schools to Alleghany County and the Falling Springs Ruritan Club. “The Alleghany Blueway Initiative project is an excellent example of organizations working together to reach a common goal,” says Teresa Hammond, executive director, Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. “The Foundation’s funds will be used to create a website and marketing materials that will promote our natural resources and help bring tourism dollars to the region.”

In addition, Jackson River Enterprises received $177,750 to allow the organization to significantly increase its recycling capacity for Alleghany Highlands residents and corporations. A new recycling truck, scale, storage containers and improvements to the processing facility will allow the organization to streamline operations and improve efficiency. The non‐profit provides training and employment to more than 50 mentally, physically and emotionally‐challenged adults in the community. Other community capacity grants include funds to the C&O Historical Society for restoration of a Shenandoah Pullman Sleeper Car, an updated security system for Safehome System’s home for victims of domestic violence, and a grant to the Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center to match funds raised by the organization and for software and website upgrades.

The Alleghany Highlands Arts Council was also awarded funds for its Artists‐in‐Residency activities as well as funds to match the non‐profits’ fundraising efforts.An important health and wellness initiative will fund the purchase of 25 automated external defibrillators to be installed in police vehicles in Alleghany County, Covington, Clifton Forge and Iron Gate. The grant, which includes training for 50 area officers, was submitted by the City of Covington on behalf of all area law enforcement agencies. In addition, two of the 12 grants awarded focused on educational projects, including an environmental education grant to the Mountain Soil & Water Conservation District and a grant to help fund the continuation and expansion of the Garth Newel Music Center’s youth string program, the Alleghany Mountain String Project. Mary Fant Donnan, The Alleghany Foundation executive director, recognized the board of directors’ stewardship of Foundation assets and the applicants’ efforts to continually develop ideas to move the community forward. “The future of our region lies in the hopes and dreams of its citizens, businesses, and non‐profits to create the best environment in which to live and work,” Donnan says.  “The difficult challenge of the Foundation and its Board has always been to help bring these dreams to fruition, through financial support as well as the dedication, continuous learning, and hard work that create true community partnerships.”  

The Alleghany Foundation is a nonprofit foundation based in Covington, Va.  Since its formation in June 1995, the Foundation has awarded more than $37 million to 65 organizations for programs to benefit Alleghany Highlands’ residents. These awards total now more than the original $35 million in proceeds from the sale of Alleghany Regional Hospital to HCA. The Foundation awards grants twice annually. Nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax‐exempt organizations interested in requesting funding from the Foundation should submit an application, following the instructions outlined in the Foundation’s Application Guidelines Brochure available at the Foundation’s office and on its website at www.AlleghanyFoundation.org.

For full article see:  http://www.alleghanyfoundation.org/ALFMay2012Grants_.pdf
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