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“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”
Oscar Wilde
Overview
In partnership with the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, Inc. (CFVI), the Maria Rodriguez Foundation Fund (“Fund”) was founded in 2021 by family and friends to recognize a member of the Virgin Islands community who embodies Maria’s spirit of selfless service. The Fund seeks to honor Maria by continuing her legacy of giving back to the community, in both big and little ways. While Maria won awards for her service, such as the relief flying she did after the hurricanes of 2017, what made Maria extraordinary was the way she approached the day-in-day-out realities of life. Her instinct was to help, to give, to love, and to show up.
Each year Virgin Islanders will have the opportunity to nominate an individual that shows up for people the way Maria did – with a smile on their face and with nothing expected in return. Nominees will be evaluated based on the pillars of a giving spirit, selfless service, love for community, and choosing to find beauty in life. The nominee selected will be the recipient of the Maria Rodriguez Van Heurck Award and will receive $5,000 to be used in the USVI or BVI in support of charitable activities.
The award should be used in alignment with the spirit of the Fund. CFVI, on behalf of the Fund, will notify the community of how the award was spent. In this way, Maria’s legacy of everyday acts of profound kindness may live on.
Summary of Funding
Individuals may be nominated for a $5,000 award
- Funding is intended to acknowledge community members who exemplify the spirit of the Maria Rodriguez Foundation
Eligibility
- Residents in the Virgin Islands (USVI and BVI) are eligible for nomination
- Self-nominations will not be accepted
- The nominee must not participate in the nomination process
- Nominator is required to collect approval from nominee to be nominated
Nomination Process
- Nominations must be submitted using the Google Form
- Nominations must be submitted by 11:59 pm AST on December 31, 2025
- The award will be publicly announced via the CFVI website
Application Components
- Your name, phone number, preferred email address
- The name of the person you are nominating and your relationship to them
- Please describe in 500 words what inspired you to nominate this person
- Tell us about a time you witnessed this nominee acting in a way that embodies the pillars of a Maria Rodriguez van Heurck award recipient
- Provide any photos or additional information that may be helpful to portray this person
- Is this person strongly affiliated with any community groups?
- Please provide two (2) additional letters of recommendation from other community members detailing how the person you are nominating is deserving of the award
Evaluation Criteria
Nominations will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Giving spirit
- Selfless service
- Love for the community
- Choosing to find beauty in life
Use of Funding
The selected nominee will submit their request for use of funds to CFVI for review and approval. Funds must be used for charitable purposes and cannot benefit an individual directly.
Any questions should be directed to Beth Nuttall, Director of Grants and Programs, at bethn@cfvi.net
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