Special Interest Grants Reflect Donors' Passions

We have the most fascinating donors at the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. And, each has an idea of what makes a great community.

At no time is that more evident than in December when we award our annual Special Interest Grants. These come from donors' field-of-interest funds and reflect their concerns and passions.

Since many of these funds were established through bequests after the donors passed away, we have not always had the opportunity to ask what motivated their generosity. But, we are grateful that these donors entrusted their community foundation to do good in their names forever.

Click here to see all the Special Interest grants awarded in December 2016.

They focus on areas such as:

• Mental health research -- chosen by brothers Benjamin and Charles Brown for their funds started in 1985 and 1983. This year grants from their funds will be funding research at Eastern Virginia Medical School related to pediatric neuropsychology.
• Helping abused people -- a focus area of the Sue Cook Winfrey Memorial Fund started by an estate gift from her husband Guy in 1997. Grants from this fund are helping five area Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs create a handbook to help parents and guardians involved in child abuse and neglect cases.
• Supporting shelter animals -- an interest of the Alfred L. Nicholson Fund started in 1988 after the death of Nicholson. Grants will be improving the Chesapeake Humane Society and Virginia Beach SPCA.