Grants
Kimelman Grants for Quality in Early Childhood Education
Kimelman Grants for Quality in Early Childhood Education were provided through The Family Connection (TFC) by a grant from the Kimelman Family. This 2009 program provided grants on a competitive basis to directors and/or teachers in the territory's licensed child care centers. Grant awards were for up to $2,500 for activities such as purchasing supplies to improve the physical appearance of the center; books or developmentally appropriate toys; training and materials for parents, staff, etc.
The Family Connection was established in 2005 by the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands. The purpose of the TFC initiative is to enrich the early child care environment of the USVI, including efforts to provide training and support for parents and for early child care providers and to support initiatives which will provide young, at-risk children with an enriching educational environment and empower families with young children to achieve self-sufficiency.
Funding Limits: Individuals may request up to $2,500 for activities such as purchasing supplies to improve the physical appearance of the center; books or developmentally appropriate toys; training and materials for parents, staff, etc.
Eligibility: The criteria and application form (deadline was May 29, 2009) invite maximum participation and room for creativity from applicants. Funding will be awarded on a competitive basis for initiatives that seek to improve the quality of early child care in the U.S. Virgin Islands. CFVI awarded $25,000 in Kimelman Grants for Quality in Early Childhood Education - see press release and application.
Anderson Family Teacher Grants
Anderson Family Teacher Grants are provided through the Anderson Family Fund for Education at CFVI. This annual program provides grants on a competitive basis to teachers, assistant teachers, and guidance counselors for projects that seek to improve student achievement.
The Anderson Family Fund was established in 2002, as a donor advised fund, to improve public education for economically disadvantaged children in the USVI by supporting educational enrichment programs unavailable as part of the regular school curriculum.
Funding Limits: Teachers, assistant teachers, and guidance counselors in the public school system of the US Virgin Islands are eligible to apply for these grants that range from $250 to $1,000, to implement an innovative project in their classrooms and schools.
Eligibility: Priority will be given to proposals where students are directly involved in the project, creative strategies and activities are used to improve student learning, outcomes are measurable and substantive, and the budget is realistic. This application has now been made available for 2012. See Press Release.
2012 Anderson Teacher Grant Application
Mini-Grants Program
The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands is committed to using resources from unrestricted sources to fund innovative programs and projects that show promise of developing into longer-term responses to the needs of children and families in the Virgin Islands. Established in 1990, CFVI has a growing collection of permanent endowment funds set up by donors for the long-term benefit of the USVI.
The Mini-Grants Program promotes the initiation of new and creative programs and projects that are of direct benefit to the children, youth or families of the Virgin Islands and demonstrate the promise of continuing after the expiration of the grant. CFVI will give priority to proposals not already being met by established programs. Grants cannot be used to assist with the underwriting of operating budgets.
Funding Limits: Awards in the CFVI Mini-Grants Program will range from $250 to $1,000. Up to $25,000 in grants will be awarded.
Eligibility: Any private group (i.e. school class or club, sports team, alumni group, etc.) or individual in the US Virgin Islands may submit an application. Proposals will also be accepted from established non-profit organizations. Any applicant who was a recipient of a CFVI Mini-Grant must submit a brief written report and documentation on the use of the grant in order to be eligible for a CFVI Mini-Grant for the following year.
Judith A. Towle Environmental Studies Fund
Judith A. Towle Environmental Studies Fund provides for studies and activities that address environmental concerns that transcend the boundaries of any single island or island state, particularly in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and in the dual-island state of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Funding Limits: One or more grants may be made annually, not to exceed a total of $3,500 in any single year.
Eligibility: Any individual or non-profit organization whose research focuses on the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, or the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis may submit a grant application. Preference will be given to graduate students who are residents of the U.S. or British Virgin Islands or of the Federation of St. Kitts/Nevis.
The Environmental Studies Fund may provide:
Support for internships: sponsored by an institution of higher education, a public sector agency, or an NGO based in the U.S. or British Virgin Islands or in St. Kitts/Nevis.
Research studies by graduate students: focused on transboundary environmental issues in the U.S. or British Virgin Islands or in St. Kitts/Nevis.
Workshops, Seminars, Lectureships: sponsored by an institution of higher education, a public sector agency, or an NGO based in the U.S. or British Virgin Islands or in St. Kitts/Nevis. Publications focused on transboundary environmental issues in the U.S. or British Virgin Islands or in St. Kitts/Nevis.
Hodge Senior Citizens Assistance Fund
Seniors, aged 60 and above, needing emergency assistance may apply for a grant through one of CFVI's partners who have agreed to serve as referral agencies. Agency staff will screen the requests and submit eligible applications to the Community Foundation for consideration by a review committee made up of volunteers from the community. Referral agencies include: Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services and Methodist Training and Outreach Center. See press release.
The Hodge Senior Citizens Assistance Fund was established from a court-approved designation of the undistributed portion of a settlement paid by Blue Cross in a class action suit brought by named plaintiffs Lawrence Hodge, Gloria Hodge Davis and the late Gerald E. Hodge on behalf of all retired government employees.
Rapid Response
A generous donation from the West Indian Company and Hovensa LLC, established the Rapid Response Funds at the Community Foundation. Since 2003, the Community Foundation has worked with various referral agencies in the community to provide grants to families faced with unexpected financial emergencies. These grants are intended to assist with one- time emergencies to cover the purchase of medical prescriptions, for emergency travel, for appliances such as refrigerators and stoves, to assist with rental payments and other needs.