(SUFFOLK, VA) March 8, 2023 – Obici Healthcare Foundation awards $2,480,310 in grants and program support to nonprofit organizations serving Western Tidewater, Virginia, and Gates County, North Carolina.
Since 2019, the Foundation’s Maternal and Child Health grants have funded effective, evidence-based home visiting programs that promote family and child development, school readiness, and infant and child health. Funded organizations provide support to expectant mothers and caregivers and coordinate services that link families to essential resources.
“Children who begin life healthy and prepared for school are much more likely to have an improved health status over the course of their lifetime,” shared Thomas L. Woodward III, Obici Healthcare Foundation’s Board Chair. “Recognizing this and supporting programs addressing early childhood education and maternal and child health is a priority area of the Foundation. We are pleased to partner with well-respected organizations doing meaningful work in our community,” expressed Mr. Woodward.
The following organizations received three-year funding for home visiting programs:
- Children’s Health Investment Program of South Hampton Roads ($750,000) – also known as CHIP SHR, provides services for children through age six and expectant mothers in the focus areas of health improvement, school readiness, and self-sufficiency. Funding received will also support Moms Matter, a partnership program with Sentara Obici Hospital that provides follow-up care to women who are diagnosed with hypertension during postpartum.
- The Children’s Center ($458,810) – provides children ages birth to five living in Western Tidewater with early childhood services and programs, such as high-quality childcare, Early Head Start, Early Intervention and Pediatric Therapy. Funding received will also support Early Head Start programs, strengthen intake and enrollment processes, and grow The Children’s Center capacity to measure program impact.
- Western Tidewater Heath Department, Nurse Family Partnership ($732,175) – protects the health of and promotes the well-being of all people in Western Tidewater and provides a myriad of services, including but not limited to, clinic, vital records, community health, emergency preparedness, environmental, and population health services. Funding received will help support Nurse Family Partnership, a program that matches first-time moms who are 28 weeks pregnant or less with an experienced registered nurse to promote health during pregnancy, care of child after birth, and personal growth and development.
The Foundation continues its support of projects that expand community access to healthy recreation and fitness and awarded one Healthy Spaces grant:
- City of Suffolk Department of Parks & Recreation ($50,000) – provides programs, resources, and services that contribute to the health of Suffolk citizens. Funding awarded will refurbish tennis and pickleball courts at Lake Meade Park and rebuild tennis courts at Bennett’s Creek Park.
Two Healthy Behaviors grants were awarded. These grants support nonprofit collaboration and programs that expand opportunities for increased physical activity and better nutrition:
- USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation ($5,000) – promotes the growth of tennis in communities. Funding received will support a partner network that will assess opportunities to collectively increase access to tennis throughout Suffolk.
- T2 Fitness Foundation ($95,325) – provides programs that assist high-risk individuals in the Hampton Roads community and finds unique ways to help people lead healthier lives, despite environmental and income related factors. Funding received will support the multi-year T2 Fresh Start Initiative — a free 12-week comprehensive wellness program for African American women who have heart disease, hypertension, and/or diabetes.
The Foundation also expanded its investments in nonprofit capacity building. R. Battle Betts, Jr., Obici Healthcare Foundation’s President and CEO shared, “There is tremendous opportunity in supporting the development of nonprofits’ infrastructure, internal systems, and strategies for the long-term success and viability of the nonprofit sector.”
Awarded Capacity Building funding will support two programs that supercharge nonprofits’ abilities to fulfill their missions:
- Catchafire ($110,000) – an online platform where nonprofits select from a network of skills-based, volunteers who donate virtual expert assistance to help organizations complete critical projects. Program support will provide access to cohort members for a fourth year.
- Fundraising Capacity Building Partnership Program ($229,000) – a multi-year major gifts assessment and development program. Albemarle Area United Way and Blakey Weaver Counseling Center will receive consulting services and implementation support from The Curtis Group, a national philanthropic fundraising strategist and local capacity building partner.
- Albemarle Area United Way – seeks to improve residents’ lives in rural counties of northeastern North Carolina, including Gates County, through a coordinated response that includes fundraising, certifying agencies, supporting programs, assessing needs, and serving as an information and referral service.
- Blakey Weaver Counseling Center – inspires hope and healing by providing mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and supportive services to underserved individuals, families, and communities regardless of their ability to pay.
Furthering its longstanding commitment to the good health and wellness for all the people living in its service area, the Foundation awarded one Strengthening the Safety Net capital grant:
- Sentara Foundation, Hampton Roads and North Carolina ($50,000) – responds to local community need, not only by considering requests for specific financial funding, but also by proactively identifying needs and opportunities collectively addressed through its efforts. Funding received will support the Nightingale GPS Fund. The Nightingale GPS Fund will be used to add a state-of-the-art, next generation GPS navigation system, ensuring the fastest and safest response time possible through Western Tidewater and across Hampton Roads.
Mr. Betts shared, “The Foundation will continue to support a diverse group of nonprofits across its priority areas to ensure our community’s improved health status for years to come.”
About Obici Healthcare Foundation: Obici Healthcare Foundation is a private foundation established in 2006 from the sale of Louise Obici Memorial Hospital to Sentara Healthcare. Since its inception the Foundation has awarded over $75 million in grant funding.