May 24, 2012 Staunton, VA – The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge is pleased to announce $175,000  in competitive community grants to 25 organizations serving the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro, and the counties of Augusta and Nelson.

Who:    Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge

What:   2012 Community Grants Awards Ceremony

When:   Thursday, May 31, 2012 from 9:30 am –10:30 am (Note to media: remarks begins at approximately 9:45 am)

Where:  Best Western Inn & Suites Conference Center, 109 Apple Tree Lane , Waynesboro

The ceremony will be attended by the organizations receiving funding, past and present Community Foundation board members, and several fund partners.

“Community needs continue to be particularly compelling this year, and we are thankful to be able to invest in worthy programs that can directly serve the people of our community by providing food for the hungry, creating better lives for our children, supporting the arts, creating educational and counseling opportunities for youth and adults alike, and many other necessary and vital projects,” says Christiana Shields, Director of Non-Profit Services.  In addition to its competitive grants program, the Community Foundation distributes over half a million dollars annually in awards, grants and scholarships.  Becky Kohler, the Foundation’s CEO, noted, “Each year, our grants help fill the gaps in basic human services, health, arts, education, and more.  The cumulative value of our gifts now exceeds $5 million.” Funding for these grants is made possible by a combination of the unrestricted and field-of-interest funds established and grown by the donations of generous, community-minded individuals and investment returns on endowed funds.