A Message from the President

Dear Friends, 

As summer draws to a close, I’m delighted to share the latest edition of our newsletter, along with some exciting updates from the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI). Our ongoing efforts to promote literacy, support humanities projects, and help local Virgin Islands students achieve their educational goals remain at the heart of our mission.

On August 24, several CFVI staff members had the opportunity to introduce two USVI authors and their books to thousands of readers at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. This annual event is a must-do for book lovers, and we’d love to have you join us at the Festival next year!

We’re also pleased to announce that we’ve awarded $232,000 in humanities grants, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, to support 10 additional projects celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the USVI. I encourage you to learn more about these inspiring initiatives.

Finally, we’re thrilled to share the news of our annual scholarship awards. Since 1996, CFVI has helped talented Virgin Islands students realize their academic goals. This year, we awarded nearly $200,000 in scholarships to 65 VI students to support their college educations. We’re incredibly proud of them and look forward to staying connected with our scholars as they continue to build on their accomplishments.

As we look ahead, I invite you to join CFVI’s annual Angels Giving Campaign. Angel support is vital to our mission of enhancing the lives of Virgin Islanders and strengthening our community. Thank you for your ongoing support of CFVI and for sharing this vision for our Virgin Islands.

Warm Regards,

President, Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands

CFVI Introduces USVI Authors and Books to Thousands

at the National Book Festival

Tens of thousands of book lovers from all over the country and world, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, converged on the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in the nation's capital on Saturday, August 24, to attend the 24th annual National Book Festival.

As the Library of Congress’ designated Center for the Book, U.S. Virgin Islands affiliate, CFVI hosted the territory's booth at the largest and most popular literary event of its kind in the country for the third straight year.

"It's called the Super Bowl of books for a reason," said CFVI's Vice President of Development and Capacity Building, Sonia Barnes-Moorhead. "And how appropriate that it was held right after the Olympics."

Read the full article.

CFVI Awards $232,000 in Humanities Grants

Funding provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)

CFVI has awarded $232,000 in humanities grants, with funding provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

"We are grateful to NEH for providing this critical support to organizations and individuals who are doing the important work of highlighting the culture and history of our Virgin Islands," said CFVI President Dee Baecher-Brown. "And we are proud to say that since the beginning of CFVI’s partnership with NEH in 2020, we have provided more than $1.5 million in support for humanities projects throughout the territory."

This funding's primary goal is to enrich the lives of people throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands through projects focused on humanities education, lifelong learning, and public humanities programming. The grants support humanities programming that reflects the unique needs of the U.S. Virgin Islands' diverse communities, advances the public’s knowledge and understanding of the humanities, culture, heritage, and preservation, and makes humanities programs accessible to all people throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands.   

See who received funding.

CFVI Awards $193,300 in Scholarships to 65 Virgin Islands Students



The Foundation has distributed more than $4 million in scholarships since 1996

CFVI awarded $193,300 in scholarships to 65 Virgin Islands students for its 2024-25 academic scholarship cycle. Award recipients were selected by a review committee of 30 individuals who reviewed 172 applications and made recommendations based on the specific criteria for each scholarship.

Read the full story.

Tiphanie Yanique's Writing Masterclass Series in St. Croix

We're excited to offer these engaging workshops

and look forward to having you join us on St. Croix in October. Apply by Oct. 9.

• Saturday | Nov. 9 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Wednesday | Nov. 13 | 6 - 9 p.m.
• Saturday | Nov. 16 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Workshop location: Accelerate VI, 2205 Church Street, Christiansted, St. Croix 00820

CFVI Partners with VI Children's Museums

for Grade-Level Reading Week

CFVI provided a $1,000 donation each to the Children's Museum of St. Croix and the Virgin Islands Children's museum on St. Thomas in support of events held in recognition and celebration of Grade-Level Reading Week.

The funding helped support a book reading event organized by the Children's Museum of St. Croix in collaboration with the USVI Public Library System, and Department of Planning and Natural Resources Division of Public Libraries, Archives, and Museums, at the Florence Williams Public Library in Christiansted for children from pre-k through elementary school age.

The donation to the Virgin Islands Children's Museum in St. Thomas helped support a free literacy event at the museum in collaboration with the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands, VI Public Libraries and DPNR. The event focused on early learners, middle readers and advanced readers and also included a parenting workshop. Reading lists were provided and families were encouraged to sign up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program, Darri's Book Club and library cards.

Learn more about the Children's Museum of St. Croix.

Learn more about the Virgin Islands Children's Museum on St. Thomas.

2024 Angels Giving Campaign

CFVI's 2024 Angels Giving Campaign raises funds that directly contribute to the well-being of Virgin Islands residents. Programs, operating costs, and much of our community outreach are provided each year through generous Angel donations.

The CFVI Angels community is the largest philanthropic network supporting the territory. Since 1999, Angels have provided nearly $8 million in unrestricted funding from individual and business donors who contribute $500 or more annually to the Foundation.

Please join us in celebrating a legacy of impact and providing an even brighter future in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Your contribution to CFVI’s Angels network will have a direct impact on:

• Operational Excellence: Strengthening our organizational capacity.
• Community Empowerment: Expanding our programs.
• Innovation and Resilience: Investing in tools and resources.
• Unity and Collaboration: Enhancing partnerships.

Together we can do great things!

Grantee Spotlights

Friends of Virgin Islands National Park

CFVI awarded a grant to Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park, with funding from the Falek Fund, to facilitate the Junior Ocean Explorers (JOE) program. This hands-on marine science initiative was designed for students in grades 3-6 on St. John, aimed at enhancing their understanding of the local environment while developing essential water safety and swimming skills. Throughout the program, 14 participants demonstrated significant progress in foundational swimming and water safety skills. They also gained proficiency in water sports, including snorkeling and kayaking, which further enhanced their confidence and abilities in the water. Beyond physical abilities, the program also deepened students' understanding of the local marine environment, focusing on conservation, stewardship, sustainability, and citizen science, fostering a lasting appreciation for marine ecosystems.

Learn more about Friends of Virgin Islands National Parks.

VI Conservation Society

CFVI awarded a grant to VI Conservation Society, with funding from the Edward Moore Family Foundation, to support the Bolstering USVI Eco-Clubs program. This initiative focused on enhancing environmental education and sustainable practices at four public schools in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Jane E. Tuitt and Ivanna Eudora Kean on St. Thomas, and the Educational Complex and Career and Technical Center on St. Croix. The program directly benefited over 210 students involved in Eco-Clubs and indirectly impacted more than 2,000 students by improving outdoor learning spaces, including school gardens, Tiny Forest Arboretums, and green schoolyards. Additionally, it introduced new educational programs such as composting, aquaponics, and water quality management, while fostering inter-island experiential learning and strengthening collaborative relationships within the school communities.

Learn more about VI Conservation Society.

St. George Village Botanical Garden

CFVI awarded a grant to the St. George Village Botanical Garden, with funding from the Carambola Hospitality and Tourism Fund, to host the "A Day at the St. George Village Botanical Garden" initiative. This program aimed to introduce 5th-grade students from public elementary schools on St. Croix to the island's rich history, botanicals, and natural beauty. Approximately 240 students participated in immersive, hands-on activities, such as sampling local fruit juices, learning about medicinal plants, and exploring the garden's diverse flora. The program also included orientation sessions for teachers and volunteers, led by local experts on St. Croix's history, ecology, and medicinal plants. Each student received a free pass to return to the garden with their family, further extending the educational impact to the broader community. The initiative not only deepened the students' understanding of their immediate environment but also aimed to instill a lifelong appreciation for the island's historical and ecological significance.

Learn more about St. George Village Botanical Garden.

Directory of Community Organizations

To access the directory via a print/PDF version, or to be included in the directory, visit https://cfvi.net/Directory-of-Community-Organizations.

To request a hard copy of the print version, contact general.info@cfvi.net.

Learn more. 

Promoting Child Development

Text-based curriculum is available FREE through 2024

We believe in empowering caregivers as at home learning partners. So we’re partnering with ParentPowered, formerly Ready4K, to offer a text-messaged parenting curriculum that is mapped to the moment from birth through 4th grade. No extra time or supplies needed! Simply text the code CFVI to 70138 to start receiving messages today.

Parents and caregivers receive daily texts that consist of fun facts and easy tips on how to promote their child’s development by building on existing family routines.

Join other families in the territory already using the curriculum! By entering your cell phone number you agree to enroll in the program and receive ParentPowered text messages from 70138. While there is no cost for enrolling, data and message rates may apply. You can cancel the text messages at any time by texting STOP to 70138.

For Grantees: Grant Recognition Guidelines



We appreciate an acknowledgment of your grant from CFVI in whatever ways are within your organization’s communications capabilities. We encourage you to send us press releases or copies of publications or media coverage that mentions your grant. Please refer to the CFVI Grant Recognition Guidelines for more information, or contact Sean Liphard, CFVI Communications Manager, at seanl@cfvi.net.

New Funds and Fiscal Sponsorships

Funds

Anderson Stewart Charitable Fund

Austin A. Venzen Memorial Music Scholarship Fund

Mary Lisa Etre Fine & Studio Art Scholarship Fund

Fiscal Sponsorships

Deh 4th Gate Fiscal Sponsorship

St. Thomas Basketball Legacy Committee

We are proud to have earned Candid's Platinum Seal of Transparency by sharing our key metrics and highlighting the impact we’re making.

CFVI Staff

Dee Baecher-Brown

President

Sonia Barnes-Moorhead

Vice President, Development & Capacity Building

Jeanne Brennan Wiebracht, CPA

Vice President, Finance & Administration

Susan Clark

Controller

Matika John Pierre

Staff Accountant

Sean Liphard

Communications Manager

Beth Nuttall

Director of Grants & Programs

Una Pascal

Accountant

Demi Trimm

Grants and Programs Associate

CFVI Office Hours

Our office is staffed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with employees working remotely Mondays and Thursdays.

Please call or email us before visiting the CFVI office as our hours can fluctuate.