For Paula Felder, love for her daughter Anne, best known as Annie, was not only expressed in the care she provided throughout her lifetime, it was also carefully planned for the future.
That love now lives on through the Anne Felder Fund at the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region, which recently received an additional $1 million contribution from the Felder family following Anne’s passing on April 22, 2025. The gift ensures that the fund will continue supporting programs and organizations that improve and enrich the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and disadvantaged individuals across the Fredericksburg region.
To ensure Annie’s lifelong care, Paula Felder established a dedicated trust, thoughtfully planning that upon Annie’s passing, the remaining funds would be directed to the Anne Felder Fund. In this final act of foresight and generosity, Paula transformed personal care into lasting support for other people with intellectual disabilities and disadvantaged individuals in the community.
A Mother’s Determination
Annie Felder was born during a time when children with intellectual disabilities were often institutionalized. When doctors advised Paula to place her daughter in a facility, Paula refused.
Instead, she chose a different path, one rooted in advocacy, dignity, and independence.
Paula, a respected historian who moved to Fredericksburg in 1975 and authored works on regional history and George Washington, was also a meticulous planner. She understood early on that Annie’s care would be a lifelong responsibility, and she began preparing for it with intention.
As Annie grew older, Paula searched tirelessly for a place where her daughter could live with both support and independence. When the right home could not be found, Paula helped create one.
“She was so happy there. She finally had a space of her own.” – Pauline Felder, Anne’s Sister
Annie eventually moved into a group home in the Fredericksburg area in 1994, where she was able to choose her own room and begin living more independently alongside other women. For Annie, it was transformative.
The home, part of a network supported by Hope Tree Family Services, provides community, outings, and meaningful daily life experiences. Through its Developmental Disabilities Ministry, the organization offers safe, supportive group homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, creating environments where residents can grow, build independence, and feel a true sense of belonging.
A Life Filled with Love
Annie’s personality filled the home.
She loved music, especially John Denver, and was known to perform along with him during recordings played in the living room. Family members fondly recall road trips listening to John Denver songs and evenings out for dinner at her favorite restaurant, IHOP.
She adored shopping, choosing outfits, and celebrating holidays. In recent years, she developed a love for the movie Frozen, adding it to her collection of favorite entertainment.
Those who knew Annie remember her as persistent and determined to live life to the fullest. She was truly one of a kind—thoughtful, deeply caring, and unwavering in her love for those around her. Annie was also assertive and a strong self-advocate, always making her voice heard and ensuring her needs and desires were understood.
Turning Personal Care into Community Impact
Paula’s vision extended beyond Annie’s immediate needs.
Through careful financial planning and the establishment of a trust, Paula ensured that funds would support Annie throughout her lifetime. At the same time, she made provisions for the remaining resources to benefit others in the community after Annie’s passing.
Following Annie’s death in April 2025, the remaining trust assets—approximately $1 million—were transferred to the Anne Felder Fund at the Community Foundation, significantly expanding its capacity to support nonprofits serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The fund now continues Paula’s mission by providing grants to organizations working directly with this population.
Supporting Programs That Change Lives
In 2025 alone, the Anne Felder Fund awarded $12,300 in grants to several local nonprofits, including:
- Sensory Theatre Endless Possibilities (STEP VA) – supporting inclusive sensory theater programming
- Rappahannock Area YMCA – funding daily living skills classes for intellectually disabled individuals
- Hope Tree Family Services – purchasing furniture and patio items for two Fredericksburg-area group homes
- Special Olympics Virginia – supporting Unified Champion Schools programs that build inclusive friendships between students with and without disabilities
These programs help provide opportunities for independence, social connection, and personal growth, exactly the kind of support Paula wanted Annie and others like her to experience.
A Legacy That Will Continue
The Anne Felder Fund stands as a powerful example of how personal love can become a lasting community impact.
What began as a mother’s plan to care for her daughter has grown into a permanent source of support for individuals and families navigating the challenges of intellectual disability.
Through the stewardship of the Community Foundation, Paula and Annie’s legacy will continue helping people across the Fredericksburg region live fuller, more connected lives.
Learn more about the Anne Felder Fund by visiting https://www.cfrrr.org/anne-felder-fund/
###
About The Community Foundation
The Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the more than 407,000 residents of Planning District 16, including the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. We partner with individuals, families, businesses, and organizations united by a shared purpose—strengthening our region through thoughtful, impactful philanthropy.
Since inception, the Community Foundation has invested more than $24 million in grants and scholarships to support the people, programs, and initiatives that define and uplift our community. Today, we steward over 225 named charitable funds established by donors to address a wide range of causes—from education and workforce development to human services, the arts, and community vitality.
Beyond grantmaking, the Foundation serves as a trusted philanthropic leader and resource. We have provided more than 8,000 hours of education and training for local nonprofits, equipping organizations with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to maximize their impact and build long-term sustainability.
With more than $60 million in net assets under management, the Community Foundation maintains a strong financial foundation and a long-term commitment to responsible stewardship. Our strength ensures that the charitable legacies entrusted to us continue to serve this region—today and for generations to come.