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A New Fund. A Clear Statement.
The Community Foundation approach is simple–build a better community by making philanthropy easy. The foundation manages 170 named funds on behalf of our area’s most generous people, each with its own designated purpose and impact.
Now there is a new fund for people who feel passionate about work to advance racial equity in our region.
La Bravia Jenkins
By launching a clear statement on racial equity and inclusion and by establishing a fund dedicated to supporting initia-tives devoted to achieving racial justice, The Community Foundation is sending a strong message: it is time to face racism head on.
Of course it is easy to condemn violence and overt hatred due to race, but The Community Foundation has come to the realization that more subtle, insidious forms of racism are the drivers of a sys-tem that routinely excludes Black people and other minorities from so much that is good in this region and our country.
I am anxious to see how our concerted effort can change the norms to which we have become so accustomed. With the engagement of our partners through-out the region, we are dedicated to becoming a steady force in chipping away centuries of discrimination, exclusion and intolerance. It won’t be easy. Join us in this struggle!
La Bravia Jenkins, Board Member
Andy Withers
As a lifelong resident of Fredericksburg, I believe there is no greater cause than making this a community where every-one can live and raise their family feeling they’ll be judged only by their character and have ample opportunities to succeed.
I am confident that The Community Foundation‘s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative and this new fund will provide the passion, constructive deliberation, and funding needed to support this cause.
I am proud to be a part of The Community Foundation. I’m proud to be a part of this community, and my hope is for everyone that lives in the Fredericksburg region to feel this way.
Andy Withers, Board Member
The new fund will be guided – and named – by a council of advisors. Each council member will represent and, through lived experiences, understand the needs and assets of our regional communities of color. We envision grants from this fund helping area nonprofits address issues common to Black communities and other people of color, and helping break down barriers to access and opportunity.
The Community Foundation is committed to expanding our ability to make a difference by learning, listening and taking action together with other people from every part of our community. We are proud to establish this new fund, which stands for unity.
All are welcome.
We are grateful to donor Mary Jane O’Neill for her leadership gift to the fund.
All are welcome to support this effort!