15 area nonprofits receive funding

December 1, 2016 — The PATH Foundation today announced the recipients of its general operations grants. Fifteen organizations received a total of $501,283 to use for efforts to strengthen and grow their organizations.

Christy Connolly, President and CEO of the PATH Foundation, said the grants rewarded nonprofits operating at the top of their game, “We created these grants for area nonprofits that are making the effort to have the policies and procedures in place that can lead to strong, healthy organizations. In the coming years, we look forward to recognizing even more nonprofits that follow these best practices.”

Nonprofits eligible to apply for these general operations grants were those that are previous grantees of the PATH Foundation. The grant applicants were rated on adherence to best practices related to governance, finance, public disclosure and programming principles, as well as their commitment to strategic planning.

Grant applications were assessed on a list of 21 criteria related to best practices. Each applicant’s work was also required to fall into one or more of the four areas of focus for the PATH Foundation: access to care, childhood wellness, mental health and senior services. Three nonprofits – The Child Care and Learning Center in Washington, the Fauquier Free Clinic in Warrenton, and the Mental Health Association of Fauquier County – were singled out for special acknowledgement as meeting 90 percent or more of the rigorous list of national standards for thriving nonprofits. The grants are designated for general operations use in 2017.

Senior Programs Office Kirsten Dueck added, “Our area is fortunate to have so many strong nonprofits serving a broad spectrum of needs. All nonprofits — new or established, small or large — can work to match a passionate sense of mission with effective practices. Offering general operations funding is a way for PATH to recognize area organizations that are committed to this high standard, and to empower them to do what they do best.”

2017 General Operations Grant Recipients

The Arc of North Central VA $1,000

The Child Care and Learning Center $85,053

Fauquier Community Child Care, Inc. $50,000

Fauquier Community Food Bank and Thrift Store, Inc. $67,000

Fauquier Education Farm $11,600

Fauquier Free Clinic $99,350

Fauquier FISH $15,000

Fauquier Habitat for Humanity $62,500

Friends of the Rappahannock $10,000

Girls on the Run Piedmont $7,000

Healthy Culpeper $8,000

Hospice Support of Fauquier County $15,000

Mental Health Association of Fauquier County $18,280

Northern Piedmont Community Foundation $35,000

Windy Hill Foundation $16,500