SUFFOLK, VA) November 15, 2023 – Obici Healthcare Foundation awarded $658,009.85 in grants to 13 local nonprofit organizations with impactful projects for the community. The Foundation’s Board approved funding for grants within its Healthy Spaces, Healthy Behaviors, Early Childhood Education, and Strengthening the Safety Net initiative areas.
“The Foundation is steadfast in its mission to invest in publicly accessible resources, programs, and nonprofit efforts that promote health and wellness,” said Robert C. Barclay IV, Chair of the Foundation’s Board. “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support those who share this mission and fortify the community,” expressed Mr. Barclay.
The Foundation awarded five Healthy Spaces grants to nonprofit partners expanding community access to healthy recreation and fitness and increasing access to nutritional foods. The following organizations received a grant:
- Cover 3 Foundation ($50,000) – provides programs to inspire and motivate youth to achieve their goals and conquer adversity. The funding received will support the organization’s purchase of a refrigerated vehicle to aid their mobile hunger alleviation programs.
- Community Coalition of Sussex ($50,000) – supports the community’s well-being, self-sufficiency, and access to critical resources through advocacy, education, partnerships, programs, services, learning and training opportunities. The grant received will support the Millard and Florence Stith Community Center’s revitalization of the outdoor community basketball court and construction of a tennis and pickle ball court.
- Jessica Ann Moore Foundation ($50,000) – provides programs and services to empower the next generation of leaders through educational enrichment, wellness, and community engagement. Funding received will support the refurbishment of an outdoor playground.
- Sussex County Youth & Adult Recreational Association, Inc. ($50,000) – provides affordable family and community-based activitiesto the citizens of Sussex County and surrounding areas. The grant awarded will support the construction of a community health and wellness building in the Town of Waverly.
- Southeast 4-H Education Center ($30,000) – in cooperation with the Extension Division of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, provides youth with community, mentors, and hands-on learning opportunities to develop the skills they need to create positive change in their lives and communities. With the funding received this organization will be able to provide infrastructure improvements at the Wakefield Airfield Center in Sussex County.
One three-year grant was awarded within the Foundation’s Healthy Behaviors initiative to increase access to nutritional foods:
- ForKids, inc. ($300,000*) – supports over 14 cities and counties in Southeastern Virginia, delivering services that break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for families and children. Funding received will support the Healthy Eating and Food Security Suffolk partnership project. (*This amount will be awarded over a three-year period.)
The Foundation continues its support of prekindergarten readiness programs and professional development for early childhood educators. The following Western Tidewater School districts and partners utilizing STREAMin3 (Science Technology Reading Engineering Arts & Math – Integrated Intentional Interactions) curriculum, received Early Childhood Education grant funding:
- Franklin City Public Schools ($7,250)
- Isle of Wight County Schools ($11,750)
- Southampton County Public Schools ($11,500)
- Suffolk Public Schools ($26,250)
- Surry County Public Schools ($6,500)
- The Children’s Center ($6,750)
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 grant:
- Bon Secours Mercy Health Foundation ($58,009.85) – this foundation’s mission is to increase the community’s access to quality medical care, through coordinating giving for all local hospitals, facilities, programs and services operated by Bon Secours Mercy Health, a not-for-profit health system. Funding received will support the Emergency Communication Equipment Support Campaign, ensuring the safety of patients and community.
When reflecting on these grants and future partnerships, Mr. Barclay shared, “The effect of these grants further the Foundation’s mission of addressing immediate health care needs and preventing disease by encouraging healthy living. The Foundation’s Board looks forward to witnessing the impact of this cycle of funding and will continue to explore partnerships that support meaningful change for Western Tidewater and Gates County.”
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 $76,507,135 in grant funding and nonprofit capacity building support.
This announcement was co-written in partnership with Joana Jorge, pro-bono Catchafire volunteer.