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NEH Grants | AT&T Grant
American Red Cross Partnership
Current Funding Opportunities
Grantee Highlights | Catchafire Update
And more!
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CFVI Receives $442,200 from the
National Endowment for the Humanities
CFVI has been awarded two grants totaling $442,200 from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
The initial $200,000 grant was announced by the NEH on April 7th as one of $22.2 million in grants for 224 humanities projects across the country. Funds will be used to support humanities programs throughout the USVI that reflect the Territory’s diverse communities and advance the public’s knowledge and understanding of humanities, culture, heritage, and preservation.
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Watch a video clip of CFVI's Director of Grants and Programs, Anna Wheatley Scarbriel, discuss the grant and how it will benefit the Virgin Islands on CBS USVI News. |
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The Power of Partnerships:
CFVI Teams up with American Red Cross
to Award $1 Million in Grants
Funds help Territory’s farmers and most vulnerable populations
CFVI awarded more than $1 million in grants supporting USVI farmers and social services clients across the Territory through a collaborative grant program funded by the American Red Cross (ARC).
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CFVI Receives $34,000 Grant from the AT&T Foundation
Donation to support Territory’s four major social service agencies and provide emergency financial assistance to individuals and families facing critical financial challenges in the wake of COVID-19
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CFVI has received a $34,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation in response to the Community Foundation’s application for assistance in supporting the CFVI Rapid Response Block Grant Program. Thanks to the AT&T Foundation’s generosity, CFVI will provide $8,500 to each of the following social service agencies: Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands; Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands; Methodist Training and Outreach Center; and Virgin Islands Partners for Healthy Communities. These nonprofit partners will deliver assistance through case management targeted for elderly, disabled, and other vulnerable populations.
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CFVI Brings WE COUNT! A 2020 Census Counting Book
to Families in the USVI
An accurate count is critical to distribution of resources,
especially for children and families
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In support of the 2020 Census, CFVI recently sponsored the distribution of 5,500 copies of WE COUNT! A 2020 Census Counting Book to families throughout the Territory.
The goal of the WE COUNT! Campaign is to ensure that children and families understand the importance of being accurately represented in the population count. The book explains how Census 2020 is used and how families benefit from being counted. It also provides an introduction to civic engagement: being seen, being counted, voting and organizing.
Designed “for young children and the grownups who love them,” the interactive counting book provides simple, clear and comprehensive guidance on counting households for the census, including the multi-faceted living arrangements that researchers have identified as most likely to confuse respondents to census questions. Created by a team with expertise in early childhood education, diversity and children’s publishing, the colorful, 32-page book features engaging stories and illustrations of diverse families by a variety of artists, each representing their own cultural heritage.
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Black Lives Matter
In the Virgin Islands, the U.S. mainland and around the world
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The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) stands with community foundations across the United States in speaking out against police brutality, systemic racism, and historical and acute injustice facing the African American community and other communities of color.
From our vantage point here in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, for some of us, the events unfolding on the mainland may feel far away; but for others, our connection to the cause of human dignity, justice and equality resonates very close to home and heart. As Virgin Islanders we know that our own history is rooted in struggle and resilience.
We treasure the diversity of our island communities - racial, cultural and religious - and our history of celebrating our differences. Our geographic location in "America’s Paradise" in some measure may shield us from some of the ugliness of the systemic racism that permeates America and its institutions, but we are clear that the lingering effects of slavery and colonialism still lurk in our community.
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USVI Families Can Download Noggin App FREE for 90 Days
The learning app from Nick Jr. features educational games, full episodes, eBooks, and activities for preschool-aged children
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Thanks to CFVI's participation in The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, families in the Territory can download and enjoy the Noggin app FREE for 90 days. The deadline to download is August 31st. A subscription normally costs $7.99 per month.
Noggin, the learning app from the experts at Nick Jr., brings more than 30 years of preschool edutainment experience into a smart and fun tool for kids ages 2+. Noggin provides access to an ever-expanding library of educational games, eBooks, activities, and exclusive shorts developed by curriculum specialists. With 1,000+ ad-free full episodes of preschool favorites like PAW Patrol, Peppa Pig and Bubble Guppies, children can go on learning adventures and explore math, science, literacy, music, manners, and more.
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CFVI & Catchafire Partnership Mid-Program Update |
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Since September 2019, CFVI has been providing 150 nonprofit organizations in the Territory with access to Catchafire, providing access to connect with pro bono professionals all over the U.S. and around the world.
So far, participating organizations have received a total of 2,519 donated volunteer hours and have saved more than $510,000.
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2,519
volunteer hours donated
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more than
$510,000
saved
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Give your skills for good and support USVI nonprofits
as a Catchafire volunteer!
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Current Funding Opportunities |
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Funding is intended to address critical one-time needs associated with programs, projects, and initiatives serving children and youth (ages birth through 24) in the Territory. Priority will be given to programs serving children from homes with financial challenges. Grants will range from $250 to $1,000 with a total of $25,000 available.
CFVI welcomes proposals for projects/programs that will support ongoing recovery, revitalization and building forward efforts to enhance the wellbeing of residents and ecosystems across the U.S. Virgin Islands. Individual grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded for a total of up to $1,000,000
Available funding to support studies and activities that address environmental concerns that transcend the boundaries of a single island or island state in the insular Caribbean. Up to $4,500 is available to support activities that include internships, research studies, workshops, seminars and lectureships, or publications.
The primary goal of this funding opportunity is to enrich the lives of people throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands through humanities education, lifelong learning, and public humanities programming. CFVI will make dedicated subawards for humanities programming that reflects the unique needs of the Territory’s 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 Territory. Grants ranging between $1,000 and $20,000 are available to fund eligible entities (up to a total of $180,000).
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CFVI provided a grant to the UVI Center for Marine and Environmental Studies (CMES) to provide PADI Open Water Certification for four Youth Ocean Explorer students on St. Croix. Funds supported an E-learning course for each student and PADI diver certification card upon completion of the course. Training was conducted by staff at the Cane Bay Dive Shop in Frederiksted, St. Croix. Funds were used to 1) Set-up the E-learning course for each student, 2) PADI dive log books, 3) Use of scuba gear during the training, and 4) PADI diver certification card upon completion of the course. Through the completion of their training, these four students will now be able to assist The Nature Conservancy in the Caribbean on St. Croix with coral reef restoration projects which aligns with the goals of establishing a workforce of local talent to fill natural resource positions within the Territory.
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We Grow Food, Inc.
Thanks to Cruzan Rum’s Island Spirit Fund (via GlobalGiving), CFVI awarded a grant to We Grow Food, Inc. to support the restoration of native fruit trees on the island of St. Thomas. The 2017 hurricanes destroyed local ecosystems and were devastating to the local agricultural industry, causing the Territory to lose thousands of fruit trees, which contributed to many farmers' incomes. With this grant, 33 farmers received an average of 16 fruit tree varieties each to replace those lost during the hurricanes, resulting in the distribution of over 500 fruit trees and over 900 volunteer hours. The farmers were also able to attend a workshop that provided materials and best practices for preparation of fruit trees prior to hurricane season, hosted in partnership with the University of the Virgin Islands.
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Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism (CHANT)
CFVI provided a grant to CHANT from the Fund for the Virgin Islands to support continuation of the project Invisible Heritage: Identity, Memory, and Our Town, which addresses the challenge of building human capital and strengthening the local economy by creating jobs and building the skills of residents to participate in the restoration of historic structures. Through this project, six historic buildings in Free Gut, Frederiksted, will be restored using traditional techniques and local craftsmen, while invigorating careers in the traditional building arts, preserving local artisanal building skills, and engendering a sense of opportunity for the town’s children. Metalsmithing, woodworking, basket weaving, and stonemasonry will be incorporated in the training of residents and the restoration of the six historic structures. The program also includes the Building Arts Institute, where young adults are provided with career pathways in the building arts with a concentration on traditional woodworking. The workforce development program aims to build skills in the building arts; prepare the participants for workforce readiness; provide basic entrepreneurial training and; spark the creativity of the participants. The project also includes the Free Gut Summer Program for youth between the ages of 10 - 16, where participants explored multiple artistic mediums including performing and visual arts.
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The Village - VI Partners in Recovery
CFVI awarded a grant to The Village - VI Partners in Recovery Inc/ WestCare (St. Croix) to assist with hurricane preparedness needs. Grant funds facilitated the construction of a generator house to protect a generator that will run the entire Richmond facility during power outages; the fulfillment of an emergency supply building, with enough food and equipment to sustain 100 people for at least 30 days; and the purchase of reliable equipment for the Sion Hill facility, including washing machines, dryers, a commercial fridge and oven, and a dishwasher.
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Want more grantee highlights? We post weekly on social media and our website! |
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In Memory of CFVI Board Member Ruth Harrigan Beagles |
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The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands sends our condolences to the family of Ruth Harrigan Beagles, and we join our fellow community members in honoring her life. Ruth Beagles served as a dedicated CFVI board member for eight years (2002-2009), on the executive committee as 2nd Vice President. The legacy she leaves behind is that of a true champion for education in the Virgin Islands. We are deeply appreciative for her enduring commitment and many contributions, not just to CFVI, but to the entire USVI.
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During these unprecedented times, we could all use some good news! Help us spread the word about the important work CFVI is supporting throughout our U.S. Virgin Islands. Forward this newsletter to your colleagues, friends and family, and invite them to follow us on social media and join our mailing list! |
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We are proud to have earned Guidestar's Platinum Seal of Transparency by sharing our key metrics and highlighting the impact we’re making. |
We are proud to have earned the Charity Navigator 4-Star Rating for demonstrating strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. |
We are proud to be a vetted organization by GlobalGiving, which recognizes CFVI as a trusted partner and
change-maker in the world.
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CFVI Staff
President
Director of Grants and Programs
Communications Manager
Executive Manager
Accountant
Accounting and Administrative Assistant
Development Partner
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