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| Greetings!
On behalf of the Danville Regional Foundation (DRF) and our community partners, we are proud to deliver a newsletter we hope will be informative and educational, as well as provide you with new philanthropic opportunities, upcoming events, recent headlines and keep you up-to-date with the Foundation's continued efforts to position Virginia's and North Carolina's Dan River Region as a great place to work, live, play and visit.
Since it became operational in 2006, DRF has invested over $40 million into the community through more than 40 grants. These investments focus on long-term, sustainable initiatives that will positively influence the Region with economic development, education and community wellness. We encourage you to spread the word about the Foundation and as always invite grant inquiries. In determining which grants the foundation funds, we evaluate need, impact and opportunity. In other words, grant requests must clearly demonstrate a valid need and sustainable solutions that will both greatly effect the Region's community, as well as play a role in encouraging innovation and providing opportunities for future growth.
Many rural communities have faced and overcome similar challenges. With a clear vision, collaborative dedication, strategic planning, and community investments, we remain confident that the Dan River Region has a bright future.
Building a better future together,
Karl Stauber |
| UPCOMING NEWS | | |
Six Flags Friends Scholarship Applications
Due April 30
Scholarships of $1,500 will be awarded to youth leaders age 25 or younger who are working to make their communities a better place. For more information or to apply, visit http://www.dosomething.org/grants/sixflags/scholarships.
Save the Dates for First Friday's in Yanceyville; Begin May 7
Join us in celebrating spring and participating in Downtown Yanceyville's First Friday's program which kicks off May 7 at 5:30 in Court Square with two free musical concerts. This offers a perfect opportunity to enjoy the warm weather for a fun outing with friends, family, colleagues and visitors. First Friday's at the "Y" will continue June 4, July 2, August 6 and September 3. For more information or to make donations, contact Yanceyville Town Manager, David Parrish at 336-694-5431 or email townmanager@yanceyvillenc.gov.
Register for Nonprofit Management Program Classes in Danville and Martinsville
DRF, Duke University and The Harvest Foundation of Martinsville have partnered to provide practical tips and techniques nonprofit leaders can use to enhance their organizations, hone their skills and hear fresh approaches to difficult strategies from industry experts and instructors. Register for only $35 per course online. Seating is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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COURSE |
DATE |
TIME |
LOCATION | |
Strategic Planning Tools |
Monday, May 24 |
9 a.m.-4 p.m. |
Danville | |
Writing a Nonprofit Business Plan |
Tuesday, July 27 |
9 a.m.- 2 p.m. |
Martinsville | |
Program Evaluation for Funding & Sustainability |
Tuesday, August 24 |
9 a.m.- 1 p.m. |
Danville |
Philanthropy News Digest Announces RFP to
Help America's Youth
Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to nonprofits working to support programs and opportunities that use technology and/or computer and video games to make a positive difference in the lives of America's youth. For more information, visit Entertainment Software Association Foundation.. Applications
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| DRF Fosters Positive Changes for the Dan River Region | | |
Supporting Entrepreneurs
DRF has awarded a grant of nearly $1 million to the Dan River Business Development Center (DRBDC) to expand its virtual operational capacity to aid entrepreneurs in Danville, Pittsylvania and Caswell counties. The grant of $912,000 is for three years and will enable the DRBDC to expand incubation services in the region. DRBDC will use these funds to build on the broadband infrastructure to better serve affiliates - virtual tenants who benefit from the services and occasional use of facilities, but are not in-house tenants. The funding will enable expansion of entrepreneurial development programs for coaching and counseling inclusive of peer-to-peer training, business plan competitions and executive roundtables. The initiative will target start-up and small businesses in the process of implementing growth plans - targeting technology based or professional services that have high growth potential in our region.
"Through this grant, the center can build from the successes of the small business owners who are critical to the economic vitality of this region," said William Pritchett, Chair of the DRBDC Board. "This is a confirmation that small businesses will drive the economic transformation of our region as they will across the nation. We are pleased that the Danville Regional Foundation has acknowledged the importance of the center's service to tenants within the building, and enabled us to expand the services to an even larger group of companies."
Encouraging Creativity and Innovation in Education
DRF has awarded a $125,000 grant to the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber Foundation, Inc. to expand its education grant program for Pre-K through 12th grade educators in Danville, Pittsylvania County, and Caswell County, North Carolina.
"The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce recognizes that quality schools must prepare our students for the future by promoting educational improvements. Adequate funds are not always readily available to try innovative and creative programs that promote collaboration, communication skills, problem solving, and critical thinking skills," explained J. David Holshouser, Jr., Chair of the Chamber's Board of Directors. "The grant from the Danville Regional Foundation will allow us to expand our grant program and provide resources to educators for initiatives that are on the forefront of creativity and innovation."
Dr. Ian Smith Shares Tips About Losing Weight
and Living Healthy
Around 360 people ate a healthy breakfast and heard expert advice from Dr. Ian Smith, founder of "The 50 Million Pound Challenge" and diet expert on VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club." DRF brought Smith in as part of its mission to promote community wellness. For more details visit GoDanRiver.
Caswell County Parish Receives First B. R. Ashby Award
The spirit of the award ─ for which 19 eligible 501(c) (3) organizations were nominated from the City of Danville, Pittsylvania and Caswell Counties ─ mirrors the works of tireless local leader, Dr. B.R. Ashby. Among his many pivotal roles, Ashby was a founding DRF Board Member and the first Chairman. This prestigious honor recognizes outstanding community service in the region by non-profit organizations based upon their success in aiding and overcoming families and individuals who face significant challenges.
First Dan River Regional Report Card Reveals Significant Community Data
The Danville Regional Foundation, United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County, and The Future of the Piedmont Foundation have jointly published and released a comprehensive Community Report Card for the Dan River Region. The document tracks 21 indicators across five primary categories: education, financial stability, economic vitality, health and civic engagement.
Originally prepared by DRF interns, the report contains active links to statistical sources and is based on data from independent and government agencies. None of the data has been collected by the three sponsors of the Report Card. |
| IN THE NEWS | | | As the Danville Regional Foundation continues fulfilling its mission to enhance economic development, education and community wellness, as well as drive positive change to position the Dan River Region as a great place to live, work, play and visit, it continues to make headlines. Here are recent stories.
DRF provided $5,000 to help take the regional promotional events to a new level the weekend of April 10 for the Duke MBA Rugby Tournament in Danville, VA. The original idea for the Foundation's involvement came from George Daniel, while Monica Motley, who interned with the Foundation last summer, contributed many ideas, and DRF's Program Officer Wendi Everson managed the Foundation's participation. View media coverage.
"DRF Program Officer Clark Casteel has been leading the Foundation's partnership with other foundations, education, and business representatives in the region to fund the Dan River Region Collaborative. The Collaborative's first funding effort was a partnership led by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research which offered RESNET training to help certify energy auditors. These classes have resulted in the establishment of two small businesses and 22 certified energy auditors in the region. Read the news story.
DRF is moving forward with plans for an independent and rigorous socioeconomic study on the regional impact of uranium mining and milling. "We're not taking a pro-mining position and we're not taking an anti-mining position," said CEO and President Karl Stauber. "We're taking a position that the people of this region need to understand the implications of uranium mining." The study will evaluate the effects of the proposed uranium mine, mill, and long-term waste management on people, institutions and economies within 50 miles of Coles Hill. Read the details.
Experts say early education starts a cycle of life successes and early childhood development sets the foundation for a future workforce. DRF helped facilitate discussions by coordinating a regional summit focused on the importance of early childhood education. Read
more.
As part of the Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce Speaker Series, DRF sponsored Sir Ken Robinson with a record turnout of nearly 300 people. DRF's Program Officer Clark Casteel served as the point person. Read articles. Read chamber news.
Christina Motley joins DRF as the Director of Marketing & Public Relations. She is responsible for developing strategic marketing efforts for DRF and its regional partners to further the Foundation's mission. Coverage here. |
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DRF is a catalyst for innovation, an agent for transformation and an investor for long-term sustainable economic development, education and community wellness throughout the Dan River Region.
We welcome your comments, ideas and proposals.
Best,
Christina Motley
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