Gratitude filled the room at the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge’s annual Community Grantee Celebration, held at Staunton’s Holiday Inn. The Foundation awarded a record $631,625 to 146 nonprofits serving Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta, Nelson, and Highland counties — bringing its total community investment to more than $30.3 million in grants, scholarships, and education awards since 1992.
The event gave nonprofit leaders a chance to network, celebrate, and hear from peers across the region. Musical selections by Caravan Serai set the tone, and brief remarks from Caleb Kramer (Pathways Program), Sarah Cooperman (Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary), and Scott Balsley (Creative Works Farm) reminded the crowd of the breadth of work being done throughout the Central Blue Ridge.
“The annual Community Grantees Celebration is always one of the most inspiring days of the year for our Foundation team,” said Lora Hamp, Legal Counsel and Director of Nonprofit Relations. “It brings together organizations from across the region that truly represent the heart of a connected and compassionate community — responding to needs, creating opportunities, and improving lives every day.”
For many recipients, the grant is foundational. “Without this type of basic assistance from the Community Foundation to keep our doors open, we could not do it,” said Katie Linton of the Verona Community Center. The Highland County Humane Society’s Corena Huffman echoed that: “We rely solely on grants and fundraisers. Year after year, we can rely on the Community Foundation grant.”
Beyond the dollars, attendees valued the connections. “It’s nice to meet like-minded folks,” said Huffman, “all working in their community to make a difference.”
