FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Dr. Jamee Rodgers, CEO
The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region
540-373-9292 x120
FREDERICKSBURG, VA – The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region is proud to announce the latest round of grants from the Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund, supporting nonprofit organizations working in historic preservation, outdoor and cultural engagement, youth mental health, education and food access across the region.
Established in 2010 through the trust of local philanthropist Duff McDuff Green, Jr., the Fund was created to honor Mr. Green’s deep commitment to protecting historic landscapes, expanding opportunities for young people to thrive, and enhancing the overall quality of life throughout the community. Today, the Fund continues to reflect those priorities by investing in programs that both preserve the past and build a stronger future.
This year’s small grant recipients demonstrate the breadth of Mr. Green’s legacy — from elevating local history and expanding access to the arts, to strengthening mental health supports and ensuring children have the nourishment and resources they need to succeed.
The following organizations have been selected to receive funding:
Preservation
Center for African American Genealogical Research, Inc.
Project: The Unfolding Story: Narratives on the Liberty Line
Grant funding will support the development of a comprehensive master script and fourteen short interpretive scenes for a 90-minute guided tour along Fredericksburg’s historic Liberty Line, documenting the city’s role in the Underground Railroad between 1800 and 1860. The project will bring to life the documented experiences of freedom seekers, local abolitionists and African American leaders such as George DeBaptiste, Isaac Williams, Henry Banks and Thomas Cary. The final tour will conclude at Riverfront Park, an important historic anchor site tied to escape routes along the Rappahannock River. Funding will also expand the organization’s digital capacity to create an interactive online map with primary source documentation, making this research broadly accessible and preserving these stories for future generations.
Washington Heritage Museums
Project: Enhancing Visitor Experience and Safety with a New Mitsubishi Split Unit at Rising Sun Tavern
This grant will support the installation of a Mitsubishi split-unit HVAC system in the event and employee kitchen at Rising Sun Tavern, an 18th-century historic site serving thousands of visitors annually. Replacing an inefficient window air-conditioning unit and eliminating reliance on space heaters will protect the structure from moisture intrusion and potential fire risk while preventing frozen pipes during winter months. The upgrade will restore the building’s historic exterior appearance, improve safety for staff and guests and ensure more stable climate control to protect the integrity of this important local landmark.
Recreation & Community Engagement
Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts
Project: Art Through Nature Journaling: A Community Outreach Program
Funding will expand FCCA’s outreach efforts by offering free, outdoor nature journaling workshops for underserved youth and seniors, including residents of Heritage Park and Hazel Hill housing communities. Programs will take place at locations such as Crow’s Nest Research Center and Patawomeck tribal property, with support from environmental educators. In addition to general workshops, specialized programming — including nature journaling for the visually impaired — will promote accessibility and inclusion. By combining artistic expression with environmental exploration, the initiative encourages creativity, collaboration and community connection while increasing access to meaningful cultural experiences.
Youth & Education
Mental Health America Fredericksburg Region
Project: Suicide Prevention with MHAfred: Youth Support Network
This grant will strengthen the Youth Support Network, a collaborative initiative providing accessible therapy services to middle and high school students in Fredericksburg City and King George County who are at high risk for depression and other mental health challenges. The program addresses barriers such as long wait times, insurance gaps, and financial hardship by reimbursing partner therapy agencies when students cannot otherwise access care. The initiative anticipates delivering approximately 500 therapy sessions to at least 50 youth during the school year, ensuring vulnerable students receive timely, professional mental health support.
National Inventors Hall of Fame
Project: Expanding STEM Access Through Camp Invention
Funding will expand access to Camp Invention, a nationally recognized, weeklong STEM enrichment program serving K–6 students. The 2026 curriculum includes hands-on modules exploring intellectual property, engineering, artificial intelligence, biology, earth and space science and entrepreneurship. Led by local educators, the program integrates history, arts and innovation while aligning with Virginia Standards of Learning. By offering immersive, inquiry-based learning experiences, Camp Invention combats summer learning loss, builds confidence, and equips students with durable problem-solving and collaboration skills.
Stafford Junction, Inc.
Project: 2026–2027 Brain Builders After-School Tutoring Program
Grant funding will support the Brain Builders After-School Tutoring Program, an academic enrichment initiative serving approximately 60 at-risk youth during the 2026–2027 school year in Stafford County. The program provides individualized tutoring in reading and math, along with healthy meals, mentorship and a safe, structured environment for students from low-income, multicultural and multilingual communities.
Many participating students live in neighborhoods where 75–100% of children qualify for free or reduced lunch and often lag a full grade level behind their peers academically. Through targeted instruction and homework assistance, Brain Builders works to close learning gaps, strengthen academic proficiency and reduce the risk of long-term educational setbacks. The program also engages parents and guardians to reinforce student progress and foster stronger family involvement, supporting both academic achievement and overall wellbeing.
The Oberle Academy
Project: A Vital Need for On-Campus Wellness: Outdoor Fitness Stations
Grant funding will allow The Oberle Academy to install secure, metal outdoor fitness stations — including a sit-up bench, resistance bike, sky walker and rowing machine — to provide students with consistent access to physical activity on campus. Currently lacking a gymnasium, students have limited opportunities for structured exercise. The new equipment will support emotional regulation, stress reduction and improved focus, particularly for students with special needs who benefit from daily movement. By incorporating outdoor fitness into the school day, the Academy aims to create a safer, more supportive learning environment.
University of Mary Washington Foundation
Project: Meals that Matter
This grant will support the purchase and packing of culturally appropriate halal weekend meal bags for low-income and refugee elementary students in Fredericksburg City Public Schools. Each Friday during the school year, participating students will receive meal bags containing multiple dinners, lunches, and snacks to ensure food security when school meals are unavailable. The project will pack approximately 400 meal bags while also addressing related needs such as winter clothing and tutoring support. University of Mary Washington student volunteers will assist with packing and distribution, creating service-learning opportunities that deepen awareness of the community’s diverse populations and needs.
The Community Foundation extends its appreciation to the Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund Advisors and the Donor Services Committee for their careful evaluation of proposals and thoughtful stewardship of this legacy fund.
Through strategic local grantmaking, the Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund continues to preserve history, promote healthy development for young people, and strengthen the fabric of the Rappahannock River Region — ensuring that Mr. Green’s values remain active and visible in the community he cared about so deeply.
For more information about grant opportunities through The Community Foundation, visit www.cfrrr.org or contact Casey Hu, Director of Donor Services, at Casey.Hu@cfrrr.org or 540-373-9292.
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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 $24.8 million in grants and scholarships to support the people, programs, and initiatives that define and uplift our community. Today, we steward 226 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.